University Communications » Internal Communications » TrailBlazer » TrailBlazer 01-25-2011

Expect campus parking and streets to close Super Bowl Sunday

UT Arlington classes will be held as scheduled during the week leading up to Super Bowl XLV on Sunday, Feb. 6. A rumor of any class cancellations is, perhaps, wishful thinking, but in fact pure fiction.

Here are the most recent details about the relatively minimal impact the national event will have on the campus during Super Bowl weekend.

The Maverick Activities Center will be closed Sunday, Feb. 6.

Also on Sunday, some parking lots on the west side of campus will be closed as UT Arlington accommodates production equipment and personnel for the Super Bowl event.

Parking lot closures that start at 7 a.m. Sunday are:

• Lot 33 east and west, on UTA Boulevard, north of the Maverick Activities Center.

• Lot 30 on Greek Row Drive

• Lot F-9 at Davis Hall

Additionally, Nedderman Drive between UTA Boulevard and Cooper Street will be closed beginning at 9 a.m. Sunday.

• Vehicles parked in or adjacent to Nedderman Drive after 9 a.m. will be towed at owner’s expense.

• Residents of Cooper Chase and Forest Glen apartments will be permitted to exit, but upon return will have to enter Lot F-7 off of Cooper Street.

• Trinity House access is allowed from Summit Avenue or Davis Drive at Greek Row Drive.

• Access will not be granted to:

               Architecture Building meter parking,

               Fine Arts Building turnaround, and

               Texas Hall fire lane, metered parking, and turnaround.

For information on road closures in and around the city of Arlington on Super Bowl Sunday, go online to northtexassuperbowl.com and arlingtontx.gov/superbowl.

Maverick Bike Program, RecycleMania roll in Monday

Start this year's RecycleMania competition with a chance at riding a bicycle this semester. Kick off the Maverick Bike Program and RecycleMania 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, at the E.H. Hereford University Center mall.

Enter a raffle for a bicycle to use this semester, along with a helmet, lights, locks, and bells. Winners must provide a $20 deposit and bring the bike in for regular maintenance. A bike shop at Cooper Chase apartment #109 will offer free repairs with cost only for replacement parts. This service is available to students, faculty, and staff.

Free bike repair is available for those bringing their own bikes Monday. Pick up a map of the bike racks across campus and tips on safety regulations while biking.

The day's events include Goldsprint racing, a bicycle rollers racing and social event featuring riders on stationary bikes competing against each other in front of spectators. Live music and free food are part of the event.

Bring paper, plastic, or cans to recycle for RecycleMania, a friendly competition among colleges and universities.

Veteran displays: Erin O'Malley, library exhibits assistant, adjusts a frame for the exhibit "Exposure: Photos from the Second Battle of Fallujah." The photos, taken by student veteran Joel Chaverri, are on display with a second war-related exhibit starting Monday, Jan. 31, on the sixth floor of the Central Library.

Veterans share items, images of war

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan come to UT Arlington with images, objects, and film in conjunction with the OneBook program.

Two exhibits open Monday, Jan. 31, and run through May 21 on the sixth floor of the Central Library. "Combat Narratives: Stories and Artifacts from UT Arlington Veterans " includes memorabilia and gear on loan from UT Arlington veterans and objects carried, used, or found by U.S. servicemen and women in Iraq and Afghanistan. "Exposure: Photos from the Second Battle of Fallujah" displays images taken by UT Arlington student and veteran Joel Chaverri.

A panel discussion on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as they are portrayed in film starts at noon Friday, Feb. 4, in the Rosebud Theatre of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Panelists for "The Hurt Locker and Beyond: Hollywood and War Today" include Penelope Ingram, associate professor of English; Rebecca Neilson, director of Graduate Business Services in the College of Business and an Army veteran; and filmmaker Ya'Ke Smith of the Department of Art and Art History. Movies to be discussed are The Hurt Locker (2008), Taking Chance (2009), and Green Zone (2010).

UTARadio.com, communication students join Super Bowl media

The Arlington Convention and Visitor’s Bureau has invited student-run UTARadio.com to broadcast from the bureau’s satellite center during Super Bowl Week, Jan. 31-Feb. 4.

Radio students will be at The 50 Yard Line, located at Richard Greene Linear Park, which will host broadcast media from around the country.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity,” says Andrew Clark, broadcast sequence coordinator in the Department of Communication. “Our students will gain experience working alongside other media professionals and outlets from around the country.”

In addition to the student broadcasts, a dozen more students from the broadcast sequence will serve as volunteers in the satellite center and at special events sponsored by the CVB.

Two broadcast majors have been hired by ESPN to serve as runners for the week leading up to the game.

Activities Fair matches students with organizations

Find your match at the Activities Fair 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Jan. 26, in the Palo Duro Lounge of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Student and campus groups—from academic and social clubs to recreational, athletic, and community endeavors—share information on who they are and what they do. Sign up for listservs, pick up a few freebies, and meet some new friends.

Ready for research Poorva Abhyankar, bioengineering graduate student, jumps into a research project at the Engineering Research Building, which opened for classes with the spring semester. The 234,000-square-foot facility provides multidisciplinary research and teaching labs and classrooms, faculty and graduate student offices, administrative offices, conference rooms, and support areas.

Flu vaccine outreach Thursday

Be a flu fighter by getting a flu vaccination. A flu vaccine outreach is 9-11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, in the Palo Duro Lounge in the E.H. Hereford University Center. Influenza immunizations cost $15 for students, faculty, and staff.

Can’t make it to the outreach? Come to the Health Center any time during the hours of 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Walk-ins are welcome.

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

Movin' Mavs, Multicultural Affairs receive national awards

The Movin' Mavs wheelchair basketball team and the Office of Multicultural Affairs received awards of excellence for programs in their department from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.

The Movin’ Mavs' Adapted Sports and Recreation program was a silver medal honoree in the category for athletics, recreation, physical fitness, and non-varsity sports.

Diversity Week: It's a Maverick World, a program of Multicultural Affairs, received the silver medal in the international, multicultural, cultural, LGBTQ, spirituality, and disability category.

The NASPA Excellence Awards recognize student affairs practitioners who develop transformative, innovative, and data-driven programs at the institutional level. Both areas recognized are part of the Division of Student Affairs.

Grant funds scholarships in science, engineering, environmental science

The National Science Foundation has awarded UT Arlington a five-year, $600,000 grant to encourage undergraduates to earn a degree in science or engineering, complete a master’s degree in earth and environmental science, and enter the work force or pursue doctoral study.

The project will provide scholarships to academically talented undergraduates who are economically disadvantaged and who would like to earn a master’s degree in geology or environmental and earth science. The grant is designed to help 22 students cover tuition and fees their senior year and for two years of graduate study.

See more about the NSF grant.

Peace in education: John J. Maresca, rector of the University for Peace, speaks Feb. 15.

Distinguished diplomat, humanitarian to lecture

Distinguished educator, diplomat, and humanitarian John J. Maresca shares his thoughts on "Education for the World of Tomorrow" next month on the UT Arlington campus.

He will visit classes on Tuesday, Feb. 15, before his 7 p.m. lecture in the Lone Star Auditorium of the Maverick Activities Center. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Since 2007, Maresca has served as rector of the University for Peace, a United Nations-mandated institution based in San José, Costa Rica. The university’s mission is the education of worldwide peace and conflict studies, and its ultimate goal is to reduce prejudice, hatred, and terrorism.

Maresca previously served as president of the Business Humanitarian Forum, a worldwide nonprofit association based in Geneva that encourages private sector support for humanitarian work in post-conflict and very poor countries of Asia, Africa, and southeastern Europe.

Sign up for boot camp at the MAC

Boot camp at the MAC offers an early-morning challenge to meet your fitness goals. The class meets 6:30-7:30 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, Feb. 7-March 9. The first session meets in Room 102A at the Maverick Activities Center.

This indoor/outdoor class incorporates cardiovascular and strength training to challenge your body and help you reach your goals. Fitness assessments are performed at the beginning and end of the five-week program to gauge each person's strength and speed improvement.

Register at the MAC front desk. Cost is $25 for students, faculty, and staff, or $35 for others. Space is limited.

Jacket required Chazz Huckabee, left, communications freshman, and Hunter Brown, biology sophomore, members of the Blazer Club fan group, cheer on the men's basketball team during the game last week against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Club members wear blazers to show their support of Maverick sports.

Kinesiology researchers study concussions, recovery time

A study by UT Arlington kinesiology professors may help area high school athletes play safer and provide useful data for the ongoing debate about how best to manage concussions.

Jacob Resch, assistant professor of kinesiology, is the principal investigator for the study. The research team includes Cindy Trowbridge, associate professor of kinesiology, along with physicians and certified athletic trainers from Texas Health Ben Hogan Sports Medicine, a neuropsychologist from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, and Oregon-based Neurocom International Inc.

Researchers will conduct baseline testing on about 600 athletes during the next few months using a computerized neuropsychological test, assessment of any symptoms, and balance testing. Athletes who suffer a concussion during the next year will be asked to return to UT Arlington for subsequent evaluations.

Read more about the concussion research and see an NBC 5 news report.

ACES now accepting abstracts

The Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students (ACES)—a university-wide symposium that showcases the best of UT Arlington’s undergraduate and graduate students’ research and creativity—is now accepting proposals for presentations. Winners receive monetary prizes and recognition at the ACES Awards Ceremony and during Academic Excellence Week.

Presentations and posters relevant to sustainability may be eligible to win sustainability awards.

The deadline to submit is Feb. 10. The ACES Research Symposium is March 24.

For more information, visit uta.edu/aces or e-mail aces@uta.edu.

Sex, love, and relationships group forming for spring semester

A counseling group for women is forming for the spring semester. The group of eight to 12 women and two professional therapists will explore the role of sex, love, and relationships in their lives.

As a group member, you will be encouraged to reflect on and share personal life experiences. You also will be asked to give and receive interpersonal feedback. The goal of engaging in these activities is to increase self-awareness and build new relational skills.

The group will meet 11:30 a.m-12:50 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 8-April 19.

Space is limited. Contact Claudia Thompson or Amy Zavada at 817-272-3671.

Nano talk Dr. Sungho Jin, left, professor of materials science at the University of California, San Diego, chats with Elad Har Even, materials science engineering doctoral student, during a reception prior to Jin's lecture Wednesday in Nedderman Hall. He spoke on controlling the structure, geometry, and properties of nanomaterials for the College of Engineering's Distinguished Speaker Series.

Interpersonal therapy group forms

Let’s Talk: Interpersonal Therapy Group is organizing for the spring semester. This is a small, co-ed group of six to 10 students who will meet weekly to enhance interpersonal skills and general well-being. The group provides opportunities to gain self-awareness, explore personal and relationship issues, give and receive feedback in a safe environment, and practice new skills.

The group will meet 3:30-5 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 8-April 12.

For more information or to schedule a pre-group meeting, contact Bruce Bower at 817-272-3671.

Announcements issued if bad weather causes campus delays, closure

Winter weather can change drastically, and the University is prepared to communicate any campus delays or closures.

All announcements will be communicated via University e-mail in TrailBlazer EXTRA (students) and MavWire EXTRA (faculty and staff). Notices will be posted on the University's home page, as well as Twitter and Facebook pages. Recorded information will be available on the University's Emergency Information Hotline at 1-866-258-4913. Announcements will be sent to local media outlets.

UT Arlington is open and operating on normal schedules unless students, faculty, and staff are notified otherwise.

Spring graduation application deadline approaches

The deadline for undergraduate students to apply for graduation for spring is Monday, Jan. 31. While the graduation application may be accepted after this date, the candidate’s name will not appear in the program nor will the candidate receive commencement ceremony tickets from the respective college or school. The undergraduate application for graduation is online.

Graduate students have until Monday, Feb. 14, to apply for spring graduation through the Office of Graduate Studies.

Dropping or withdrawing from classes

If you drop or withdraw on or before Census Date, Wednesday, Feb. 2, no grade will be recorded on your transcript to reflect the drop. Courses dropped by Census will not be counted toward the six-course drop limit (which affects students who entered a Texas public college or university in fall 2007 or later) or the excessive hours tuition laws (which affects students who have more than 45 hours in excess of the hours required for a degree plan).

Blackboard is the new online learning system

UT Arlington has instituted Blackboard as its new online learning system effective this spring semester. Faculty who used WebCT will now use Blackboard for distribution of online course materials, class communications, assignments, and quizzing.

This new and improved online course tool offers ways to organize academic life: one calendar to reflect all courses’ due dates, a centralized location for course communications, and a place to check grades throughout the semester.

To learn all about it, check out Blackboard Student Resources.

Spirit Friday competitions start Feb. 4 Show your Maverick pride, wear your UT Arlington apparel, and take advantage of some great contests on Spirit Fridays, Feb. 4-April 29. Student organizations can compete during contests Feb. 4, March 4, and April 15. Wear your most spirited blue and orange apparel, sing the fight song in the most creative way, and win prizes. Contact the UTA Ambassadors at 817-272-2293 to register your group. Say "Mavs" for the Blaze's Most Spirited Maverick Photo Contest. Upload a photo of you or your group in your Maverick gear to Blaze's Facebook page every Friday in February, March, and April. The most spirited winner chosen at the end of each Friday receives a special prize. Visit Maverick Spirit for more information and to receive a 10 percent off coupon to the UT Arlington Bookstore. Or shop online for UT Arlington gear.

Wednesday, Jan. 26

$2 Movie: Twilight Saga: Eclipse Bella is forced to choose between Edward and Jacob. Rated PG-13. Free. 5:30 p.m. Also 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29. Planetarium, 817-272-1183.

Thursday, Jan. 27

Gallery 76102 Opening Reception "A Certain Shade of the Aftermath," an exhibit by Timothy Harding, deals with U.S. history, corporate infrastructure, heavy metal music, terrorism, and popular culture. Free. 6-8 p.m., exhibit through March 31, Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center.

Exhibiting Artist Talk: John Hitchcock In conjunction with his exhibition "Epicenter," artist John Hitchcock will give an illustrated presentation about his work and creative process. Free. 12:30 p.m., Room 148, Fine Arts Building. The Gallery at UTA, 817-272-5658.

Friday, Jan. 28

Opening Reception for The Gallery at UTA Exhibition Reception for exhibitions "John Hitchcock: Epicenter" and "Impressions: Prints Made in Texas." Free. 6-8:30 p.m., gallery talk at 6:30 p.m., The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building.

Saturday, Jan. 29

Men's Basketball Mavericks vs. Texas State. Free with student ID. 7 p.m., Texas Hall. Athletics, 817-272-2261.

Flute Day Recitals Performances devoted to the flute. Free. 10:15 a.m., 3 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 817-272-3471.

Monday, Jan. 31

Combat Narratives: Stories and Artifacts from UT Arlington Veterans Artifacts, memorabilia, and gear on loan from UT Arlington veterans. Free. Opens today, Jan. 31; through May 21. Sixth floor, Central Library. Library, OneBook program.

Exposure: Photos from the Second Battle of Fallujah Photographs taken by UT Arlington student and veteran Joel Chaverri. Free. Opens today, Jan. 31; through May 21. Sixth floor, Central Library. Library, OneBook program.

Maverick Bike Program Rally Bring your bike to kick off the Maverick Bike Program and RecycleMania. Free bike repair is available. Free. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., E.H. Hereford University Center mall. Campus Sustainability, 817-272-9299.

Faculty Percussion Recital Michael Varner, associate professor of percussion, performs. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 817-272-3471.

Tuesday, Feb. 1

Faculty Jazz Recital Music Professor Dan Cavanagh performs original jazz musical pieces. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 817-272-3471.

Wednesday, Feb. 2

Black History Month kickoff Free. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. Multicultural Affairs, 817-272-2099.

$2 Movie: Inception Through dream invasion, a highly skilled thief is given a final chance at redemption. Rated PG-13. Free. 5:30 p.m. Also 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5. Planetarium, 817-272-1183.

Women's Basketball Mavericks vs. UT San Antonio. Free with student ID. 7 p.m., Texas Hall. Athletics, 817-272-2261.

Friday, Feb. 4

Friends of the Library Joe Bax discusses The General of Monaville, Texas, his novel that was a finalist for the National Best Book Awards in historical fiction. Free. 7:30 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library.

Saturday, Feb. 5

Men's Basketball Mavericks vs. Central Arkansas. Free with student ID. Noon, Texas Hall. Athletics, 817-272-2261.

Ongoing

Planetarium programs Spring schedule includes Violent Universe, Magnificent Sun, Astronaut, Spacepark 360, Pink Floyd shows, and $2 Movies. Planetarium, 817-272-1183.

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

Fast first: Cordero Gray raced to first in the 60-meter dash, helping the Mavericks win six top spots at the Oklahoma Sooner Open indoor track and field meet Saturday.

Tracksters produce winners at Sooner meet

Cordero Gray won the 60-meter dash, Renan Palma won the 60-meter hurdles, and Clayton Vaughn picked up a victory in the 200 meters for the men’s track team at the Oklahoma Sooner Open indoor track and field meet Saturday.

For the women, Pamela Vinson won the 200 meters, Lindsey Putman was first in the 800 meters, and the Mavericks won the 4x400-relay.

Men's and women’s teams compete in the Houston Invitational Friday-Saturday, Jan. 28-29.

Movin' Mavs win three of four, top Illinois

The Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball team won three of four games, including a victory over defending national champion University of Illinois, at the Illinois Intercollegiate Tournament last weekend.

Things started slowly with a loss to Wisconsin-Whitewater, but the team came back to win the next three games over Southwest Minnesota, Edinboro, and Illinois.

The team's next action will be at the Alabama Intercollegiate Tournament on Feb. 4-5.

Seven Mavericks earn 4.0 GPAs during fall semester

Seven UT Arlington scholar-athletes who compiled 4.0 GPAs were among 25 Mavericks named to the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll for the fall semester.

Recording perfect 4.0 GPAs were Christy Driscoll, Tara Frantz, Bianca Sauls, and Alicia Shaffer from the volleyball team, and Anthony Groom, Amanda McMahon, and Garrett Yuen from the cross country team. The SLC Honor Roll includes 10 volleyball players, nine men's cross country runners, and six women's cross country runners from UT Arlington.

The honor roll recognizes student-athletes who maintained a minimum 3.0 GPA and is announced following both the fall and spring semesters.

Mav men top SFA, host Texas State on Saturday

For the second straight game, the men's basketball team displayed outstanding defense in a 62-52 win over Stephen F. Austin at Nacogdoches on Saturday. Earlier last week, the Mavericks whipped Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 70-49 in Texas Hall.

Coach Scott Cross’s club is now 3-2 in the Southland Conference and will host Texas State at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, in Texas Hall.

Women split pair, go on the road this week

The women’s basketball team won 66-63 at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Wednesday, but dropped a 67-63 decision to Stephen F. Austin at home on Saturday.

The Mavericks, now 2-3 in the Southland Conference, face Texas State on Saturday, Jan. 29, in San Marcos. Next home contest is the Pink Zone game, supporting breast cancer awareness, Wednesday, Feb. 2, against UT San Antonio.

Entries for intramural basketball due today, Wednesday

Intramural entries for pre-season basketball are due today, Tuesday, Jan. 25. Only the first eight entries are accepted for the tournament, which is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 27.

Entries for spring 2011 basketball are due Wednesday, Jan. 26. Other upcoming entry deadlines are bowling, Friday, Jan. 28; sports trivia bowl, Tuesday, Feb. 1, and dodgeball, Wednesday, Feb. 2.

For more details, contact Campus Recreation or go to the information desk at the Maverick Activities Center.

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