University Communications » Internal Communications » TrailBlazer » TrailBlazer 12-13-2011

Commencement ceremonies begin Thursday at Texas Hall

This semester's 3,937 graduation candidates—2,362 undergraduate, 1,492 master's, and 83 doctoral—are wrapping up finals and other paperwork for Commencement ceremonies Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 15-18, at Texas Hall.

Check the Commencement website for detailed information about tickets, attire, parking, formalities, photography, special accommodations, and more.

Commencement ceremonies are:

Thursday, Dec. 15 - College of Science, 12:30 p.m.; School of Architecture, 4 p.m.; College of Nursing (undergraduate in Texas Hall, graduate in Bluebonnet Ballroom), 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 16 - School of Social Work, University College, 12:30 p.m.; College of Education and Health Professions, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 17 - College of Engineering, 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; College of Liberal Arts, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 18 - College of Business, 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.; School of Urban and Public Affairs, Interdisciplinary Studies, 7:30 p.m.

Moritz family creates $1 million endowed nursing chair

A $1 million endowment to support a new chair of geriatric nursing research has been created through a generous gift by the Moritz family. The gift establishes the first endowed faculty chair in the College of Nursing.

The Moritz family’s $500,000 commitment will double through the Maverick Match program to create the $1 million endowment.

Read more about the College of Nursing endowment.

'UT Arlington Magazine' fall issue online

Learn about earthquake research that could save lives and mitigate widespread disaster in the fall 2011 issue of UTArlington Magazine.

Watch videos and read about 25 hidden and not-so-hidden campus treasures. Check out other web exclusive videos on the Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) racing team and Maverick basketball player LaMarcus Reed III.

You’ll also find compelling stories on what drives the research of several award-winning professors, the technological impact of UT Arlington alumni, and an alumnus who brings connections to isolated corners of the globe. Each story includes a link for posting comments. You can “like” the magazine’s Facebook page and get updates in your newsfeed, as well as view and post photos on flickr.

UTArlington Magazine is published three times a year and is distributed to about 140,000 UT Arlington constituents, including all alumni, major donors, elected officials, civic leaders, faculty, senior staff, and other friends of the University. Send your comments and story ideas to utamagazine@uta.edu.

The ring's the thing Juan Franco, right, a civil engineering senior who graduates this month, shows off his ring to his mother, Isabel Franco, at Tuesday's Maverick Ring ceremony in the Lone Star Auditorium at the Maverick Activities Center. The Alumni Association sponsors the ceremony each year.

Late Night Breakfast served up tonight

Late Night Breakfast provides students with a study break 9:30-11 p.m. today, Tuesday, Dec. 13. A full breakfast menu is offered at the Connection Café for only $3, and cash, credit, MavMoney, Dining Dollars, or the meal plan are accepted.

Bookstore buying textbooks during finals week; rented books due Dec. 22

The UT Arlington Bookstore will buy textbooks during finals week at three separate locations: the store at 400 S. Pecan St., Lot 49 (the south parking lot by the Mitchell Street bridge), and the E.H. Hereford University Center.

At the bookstore, buy-back times are 7:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, Dec. 13-15; 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16; and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17.

Lot 49 times are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, Dec. 13-16. Look for the trailer by the bridge over Mitchell Street.

At the University Center, times are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, Dec. 13-16, outside the Palo Duro Lounge.

The best time to sell your textbooks back is during finals when there is the most need for books and the bookstore offers the most cash.

Rented books must be returned to the bookstore no later than Thursday, Dec. 22. Your timely return of books will help next semester's students save money. For questions, visit the bookstore or email uta@bkstr.com.

Bookstore open house Wednesday features 20 percent discount

The annual Holiday Open House at the UTA Bookstore includes a 20 percent discount on selected apparel, gifts, and general books. Visit 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14. Refreshments will be served 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Paws-itively generous Sara Torres, left, undeclared sophomore, hands her donation to the Arlington Animal Shelter to UTA Volunteers representatives Xin Yin Gan, kinesiology sophomore, and Kyndell Baily, accounting sophomore. UTA Volunteers organized the fundraiser.

Get flu vaccine before holidays

Influenza immunizations are still available at Health Services. Cost is $15 for students. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Health Services Center. Walk-ins are welcome.

For more information, contact Health Services online or at 817-272-2771.

Winter Break group exercise classes available for MAC members

Warm up your Winter Break with group classes in step, yoga, cycle, pilates, group strength, kickboxing, and triple threat through Wednesday, Dec. 21, and Monday, Jan. 2-Monday, Jan. 16.

Participation is limited to space and equipment availability. All classes must have a minimum of two participants.

See the group exercise class schedule. For details, drop by the Information Desk at the Maverick Activities Center or call Campus Recreation at 817-272-3277.

Renew or clean out MAC lockers

If you rent a locker at the Maverick Activities Center on a semester basis, you can renew it at the MAC Services and Information Desk.

If you do not want to renew your locker, clean out the locker and secure it with the MAC-issued lock you received when rented.

All lockers must be either cleaned out or renewed no later than Jan. 6, 2012.

Foot loose Honchau Nguyen, exercise science senior, enjoys a foot massage at Friday's Spa Retreat. The day of indulgence offered a break from studying for final exams and included haircuts, food, games, and other fun.

Winter break schedules

Health Services Center—The center is closed Friday, Dec. 23, through Sunday, Jan. 1.

Libraries—Libraries will be open during the winter break. Check the library schedule online for hours.

Planetarium—The Planetarium has shows throughout the winter break. Go online for the Planetarium schedule.

E.H. Hereford University Center—The UC is closed from 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, through Sunday, Jan. 1.

Dining Services—

     Tuesday, Dec. 13
          The Plaza: Closes at 7:30 p.m.
     Wednesday-Thursday, Dec. 14-15
          Sushic Noodle House: Closed
          The Plaza: Closes at 3 p.m.
          The Market at the MAC: Closes at 3 p.m.
          We Proudly Brew Starbucks: Closes at 3 p.m.
          The POD Market in the UC: Closes at 5 p.m.
          Starbucks: Closes at 5 p.m.
     Friday, Dec. 16
          Sushic Noodle House: Closed
          The POD Market at ERB: Closes at noon
          Einstein Bros. Bagels: Closes at 1 p.m.
          The Plaza: Closes at 1:30 p.m.
          The Market at the MAC: Closes at 3 p.m.
          We Proudly Brew Starbucks: Closes at 3 p.m.
          The POD Market at UC: Closes at 5 p.m.
          Starbucks: Closes at 5 p.m.
          Connection Café: Closes at 7 p.m.
     Monday-Thursday, Dec. 19-22, and Monday, Jan. 2-Thursday, Jan. 12
          The POD Market at UC: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
     Friday, Jan. 13
          The POD Market at UC: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
          Connection Café: Open at 11 a.m.
     Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 14-15
          Connection Café: Regular hours
     Monday, Jan. 16
          Connection Café will be closed
          The Plaza: Chick-fil-A and Pizza Hut only, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Cash cow Heifer International receives financial support from Chris Huskey, left, architecture sophomore, last week. The nonprofit group is one of three chosen for the Alternative Spring Break. Receiving his donation are, from left, Daisy Castro, political science sophomore, and Angela Brundage and Sabrina Van Rogue, social work graduate students.

Dallas Stars discount tickets available

Discount tickets are available for students, faculty, staff, and friends of UT Arlington to see the Dallas Stars this month.

Order tickets online and use the code stars to order your choice of five games Dec. 19-31 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Library seeks feedback on mobile site

Mobile device users can tell how they access the Library’s mobile website and traditional web-based services via a short survey.

The survey takes less than five minutes to complete and is available until Friday, Dec. 16.

Mindful Moments takes a break

There will be no Mindful Moments session this week. The next meeting is Wednesday, Dec. 21.

The free program offers a quiet time of mindfulness 12:15-12:45 p.m. Wednesdays in Room 236 of the Business Building.

Mindful Moments is sponsored by Health Services. For details, call Marie Bannister at 817-272-2771.

New students required to get meningitis vaccination

As of Jan. 1, 2012, incoming Texas college students under 30 years old must be immunized against bacterial meningitis before they enroll in an institution of higher education.

New students should submit proof of vaccination by Jan. 2, 2012. Students will not be allowed to enroll or move in to campus housing without proof they have complied with the meningitis vaccination law.

Drug Free Schools and Communities Act annual notification

UT Arlington seeks to provide its students, faculty, and staff with a drug-free environment. In accordance with the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, the University is required to annually notify students, faculty, and staff about:

Health risks associated with drug and alcohol abuse

• Illicit Drugs and Alcohol Abuse

• Illicit Drugs and Alcohol Abuse (Brochures are at UT Arlington Police Department and Health Services)

University policies related to the illegal possession, use, or distribution of drugs or alcohol

• Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy

• Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace Policy

• Drug-Free University Community and Workplace Policy

• Drugs and Alcohol Policy

Availability of treatment for drug or alcohol problems

• Employees - Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is provided through UT Arlington’s Office of Human Resources at 1-800-343-3822 or visit alliancewp.com.

• Students - Drug and alcohol counseling and referral services are available through UT Arlington Health Services at 817-272-2771 or visit uta.edu/health.

Internal sanctions and federal, state, and local legal penalties that may result from the illegal sale, possession, consumption, or distribution of drugs or alcohol

• Disciplinary Penalties

• Student Conduct and Discipline

• Standards of Conduct Guide

• Illicit Drugs and Alcohol Abuse (Brochures are at UTA Police Department and Health Services)

For more information, contact UT Arlington's Health Services at 817-272-2771 or visit uta.edu/health.

University College to open late Monday

University College will open at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19. Students should plan ahead to ensure that you are able to make use of any services needed.

Order final transcript

Order end-of-term transcripts in MyMav or through the alternative order form site.

Fall final exams continue through Friday

The final exam schedule for the fall term is available online. Finals are scheduled through Friday, Dec. 16.

Open registration continues for winter intersession, spring terms

Open registration continues for the winter intersession and spring term for all new and returning students. Register early. The schedules of classes are online.

To determine if you need adviser clearance, check your portal page at MyMav and click on Student Center, then Holds and Details. If your academic department requires advising, you will see an academic department services indicator, or hold. Check the list of academic advising offices.

Wednesday, Dec. 14

$2 Movie: The Polar Express On Christmas Eve, a doubting boy boards a magical train that's headed to the North Pole. 5:30 p.m.; also 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17. Planetarium, 817-272-1183.

Ongoing

Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition Forty graduating seniors display their works in painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, glass, printmaking, film/video, photography, and visual communication. Through Saturday, Dec. 17. Free. The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building, 817-272-5658.

Life and Death in the Northern Pass Photojournalist Dominic Bracco II ('08 BA) provides a view of drug violence in Ciudad Juarez. Free. Through Saturday, Jan. 14. Sixth floor parlor, Central Library.

Impressions of the West: Works of Art from Special Collections More than 30 paintings, sculptures, and prints of the southwest and west. Free. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, sixth floor, Central Library. Through Saturday, Jan. 14. UT Arlington Library, 817-272-3393.

Planetarium Season of Light tells the stories of the Celtic, Nordic, Irish, Mexican, Hopi, Christian, and Jewish winter solstice traditions and the astronomical possibilities for the Christmas Star. 6 p.m. Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. Saturdays. Planetarium, 817-272-1183.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UT Arlington Calendar.)

Looking to assist: Junior Shaquille White-Miller, right, drives against Myck Kabongo of UT Austin in last Tuesday's game. White-Miller leads the Mavericks in assists this season with 3.7 per game.

Mav men fall short at UT Austin; Tulsa next

UT Austin pulled away in the second half to down UT Arlington 80-62 in men's basketball action at Austin last Tuesday.

The Mavericks, now 4-3, resume play at Tulsa on Saturday, Dec. 17, then go to the Athletes in Action Classic Tuesday-Thursday, Dec. 20-22, at Logan, Utah.

The next home game is Wednesday, Jan. 4, against Southeastern Louisiana in the Southland Conference opener.

Women's basketball goes to the beach

The women’s basketball team faces Wichita State in the first round of the Beach Classic Sunday Dec. 18, at Long Beach, Calif. Other participants include Long Beach State and Western Michigan.

Texas Tech downed the Mavericks 88-48 Wednesday night at Lubbock, as the season record dropped to 1-5.

The next home game is against Houston Baptist at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31.

Movin' Mavs at Kansas tourney this week

The Movin’ Mavs take a 5-2 record to the Pittsburg State Gorilla Invitational Friday-Sunday, Dec. 16-18, at Pittsburg, Kan.

(For more sports news, go to utamavs.com, uta.edu/movinmavs, or uta.edu/campusrec.)