University Communications » Internal Communications » TrailBlazer » TrailBlazer 11-29-2011

Student Feedback Surveys must be completed soon

Invitations to fill out Student Feedback Surveys were sent to student MyMav email accounts beginning Saturday, Nov. 26. Every student should have received separate emails from the UT Arlington Student Feedback Survey team for each course of enrollment.

Your voice is essential to help UT Arlington bring the best possible academic experience to students. If you have not already done so, please access your student email account and follow the instructions to complete feedback for each of your courses.

More information can be found at the Student Feedback Survey website.

Grads can claim tickets for family, friends

Graduation candidates can claim Commencement tickets online for their family and friends.

Five tickets are allotted to each graduate for guests. Claim only the number of tickets you need and donate unused tickets so fellow graduates who need more can use them.

Graduation activities include a formal ceremony in Texas Hall followed by a reception on the hall's east lawn.

Go online to the Commencement website for the schedule and other news for graduates.

Apply to be a Maverick Wrangler

When the Mavericks play in College Park Center, the teams need a special group of students to cheer them on.

The Wranglers are the select student spirit group that will cheer for the Mavericks at the first basketball game in College Park Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, and at the Homecoming game Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012.

Incentives include free reserved priority game seating, apparel and spirit items, food vouchers, and more.

To be considered for one of 50 Maverick Wrangler positions, apply online by Thursday, Dec. 1.

For more information, visit uta.edu/studentaffairs/vpsa.

A joyful noise Octavius Robinson, music education freshman, and Zack Minter, public relations junior, belt out the Maverick fight song last week at the E.H. Hereford University Center. Students and UTA Ambassadors teamed up in a spirit song competition.

Apply to serve as peer educators

The University College Learning Center is hiring peer educators for spring 2012. Peer educators are students who are successful in their courses, with at least a 3.0 GPA, and have successfully completed at least one semester of coursework at UT Arlington.

All students must have earned an A or B in the course for which they are applying.

Positions are open for one-on-one tutors, small group tutors/mentors, and Supplemental Instruction leaders. For more information on these positions, visit uta.edu/tutoringjobs or email utatutoring@uta.edu.

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 goal of the survey is to better identify the needs of the Library’s mobile users.

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

Brighten holidays with Angel Tree

Help a child from infant to 14 years old have a brighter holiday season through the annual Angel Tree drive.

Angels are available at the Leadership Center office in Room B160 of the E.H. Hereford University Center. Interested participants will be given age, gender, size information, and wish list for a child in need.

Bring purchased items to the Leadership Center by Friday, Dec. 2.

Getting pinned Isaac Dankyi, exercise science senior, pins a ribbon to his shirt for Blue Ribbon Day. Members of the Relationship Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Program passed out ribbons and provided information about helping survivors of child sexual abuse.

Become a Maverick Orientation leader

Are you a student with great communication skills and a passion for UT Arlington? New Maverick Orientation is accepting applications for the 2012 Maverick Orientation Leader positions.

Maverick Orientation Leaders are the first to welcome new students and parents during the summer orientation program in June, July, and August. They develop valuable leadership skills, including public speaking, problem solving, and conflict management.

Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students, have at least a 2.5 GPA, and be in good standing with the University. Go to uta.edu/orientation for applications and information.

Social Work degree program developed for students in Sierra Leone

Fourah Bay College, part of the University of Sierra Leone System, began offering a Bachelor of Science degree in social work this year through its new Department of Social Work. UT Arlington’s Africa Program and School of Social Work helped develop the program, with faculty members contributing to the curriculum and providing textbooks for students and faculty.

Read more about the Sierra Leone degree program.

P.O.D. Express Market offers free Scantron in finals deal

The P.O.D. Express Market, located on the ground floor of the new Engineering Research Building, offers a free Scantron with the purchase of a Red Bull energy drink, a regular or larger cup of coffee, or a cappuccino drink. The deal lasts through finals week and is exclusive to this location.

The store features a variety of snacks and beverages, including granola bars, crackers, sodas, sandwiches, and sushi, as well as a full self-serve coffee bar. Hours are 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Fridays.

Use Maverick discounts to save money

Watch your budget this holiday season by taking advantage of the Maverick Discount Program.

Students, faculty, staff, and parents can utilize the discounts by simply showing their Maverick ID to local business participants or by using a unique UT Arlington discount code to shop online. Participating businesses provide a minimum 10 percent discount.

Safety first Alex Whitaker, mechanical engineering junior and external relations director for Student Congress, checks one of the call boxes on campus during Tuesday's Night Walk. Student Congress members joined University police and administrators in the annual walk to identify possible safety issues around campus.

Plenty of volunteer opportunities available Friday and Saturday

If you like gardening, reading, or just helping with an event, there is a volunteer opportunity for you this week.

Volunteers are needed for a work day in the Community Garden 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. Help is needed in clearing beds of plant material, spreading mulch and crushed granite, updating bed numbers, and general cleanup. Gloves and lunch will be provided. To volunteer, contact Becky Valentich in the Sustainability Office at becky@uta.edu.

You can help Arlington elementary and middle school students experience the wonder of stepping onto a college campus at Reading with Mavericks on Saturday, Dec. 3, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom of the E.H. Hereford University Center. Volunteers will interact and read with children while encouraging lifelong reading and academic achievement. Sponsored by the Leadership Center, shifts are 8-11:30 a.m. Register at uta.edu/leadership.

Volunteers are needed to assist with the First Lego League qualifying event, sponsored by the College of Engineering, from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in the Nedderman Hall atrium. Elementary and middle school students compete in Lego construction. Volunteer opportunities include registration, judging team projects, and general activities. Food and T-shirts are provided to volunteers. Contact Carter Tiernan at tiernan@uta.edu.

Psychology professor receives lifetime achievement award

Robert Gatchel, chair of the College of Science’s Psychology Department, has been chosen to receive the Texas Psychological Association’s 2011 Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award, that group’s most prestigious honor.

Read more about Dr. Gatchel's award.

Biology professor provides sex-determination expertise for research

Andre Pires da Silva, assistant professor of biology and an evolutionary biologist, is one of five principal investigators mapping the genome of the two-spotted spider mite, or Tetranychus urticae. Their research was published in the Nov. 23 issue of the weekly journal Nature.

The U.S. Department of Energy-funded research helps to combat the spider mite and other pests. Chemical pest control of spider mites is estimated at more than $500 million worldwide.

Read more about the spider mite research.

Open registration continues for winter intersession, spring terms

Open registration has started for the winter intersession and spring terms. Open registration is when all new and returning students will be able to register. 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.

Fall final exam schedule available

The final exam schedule for the fall term is available online. Finals are scheduled Saturday-Friday, Dec. 10-16.

Planetarium adds holiday shows to schedule Light up your holiday entertainment with seasonal shows at the 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. Showtimes are 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 5:30 p.m. Saturdays. Holiday Music Magic features a variety of holiday songs from Mannheim Steamroller and Burl Ives to Brenda Lee and Kurt Bestor. See the show at 6 p.m. Thursdays and 1:30 p.m. Sundays. Other shows in December are One World, One Sky; Pink Floyd; and Spacepark 360. Find holiday themes at the $2 Movies in December. Showtimes are 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and 2:30 p.m. Saturdays. The movies and dates are:      • Shrek the Halls, Dec. 2 and 3 (no Wednesday show)      • A Christmas Carol, Dec. 7, 9, and 10      • Polar Express, Dec. 14, 16, and 17      • The Santa Clause 3, Dec. 21 and 23 (no Saturday show)      • A Christmas Story, Dec. 28, 30, and 31 See the Planetarium website for more details.

Tuesday, Nov. 29

UTA Symphonic Band Concert Classic band works conducted by graduate student Chris Sample. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 817-272-3471.

Interfraternity Council Social Greeks are invited to a holiday extravaganza with dinner, Santa, a white elephant gift exchange, and a tacky sweater contest. Free. 7:30 p.m., Room 133, Maverick Activities Center. Interfraternity Council, Fraternity and Sorority Life.

Wednesday, Nov. 30

Silk Road Wind through interactive booths hosted by student organizations. Pick up a passport for a drawing for a free iPod. Enjoy live shows by local performers highlighting Asian music, dance, and culture. Closing extravaganza for Asian Heritage Month. Free. 6:30 p.m., Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. Multicultural Affairs, Student Affairs.

Thursday, Dec. 1

North Pole Follies Benefits Department of Theatre Arts scholarships. Suggested donation $5 adults, $1 children. 7 p.m.; also 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2; Mainstage Theatre, Fine Arts Building. Theatre Arts.

UTA Symphony Orchestra Concert Conducted by Clifton Evans, assistant professor of music with solo by baritone David Grogan, assistant professor of voice. Tickets $3. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 817-272-3471.

Friday, Dec. 2

Friends of the Library Folk singer Jed Marum performs. His album Cross Over The River: A Confederate Collection won the Traditional/Folk Album of the Year Award in 2009. CD signing and reception will follow. Free. 7:30 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Tommie Wingfield, 817-272-2658.

Saturday, Dec. 3

UTA Wind Symphony Concert Features a new work, "Lost Vegas," a musical homage to Las Vegas' bygone days. Conducted by Douglas Stotter, director of bands, along with Matthew Luttrell, associate director of bands, and Christopher Sample, master's candidate in wind conducting. Tickets $3. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 817-272-3471.

Sunday, Dec. 4

UTA Choirs in Concert A festive processional, contemporary carols, and spirituals are provided by the University Singers and A Cappella Choir. Tickets $3. 3 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 817-272-3471.

Ongoing

Searching from Memory Photography exhibit features artists Caleb Dulock and Jessica Fuentes. Free. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays; 2-6 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays. Through Nov. 30. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center.

Life and Death in the Northern Pass Photojournalist Dominic Bracco II ('08 BA) provides a view of drug violence in Ciudad Juarez. Free. Through 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 Jan. 14. UT Arlington Library, 817-272-3393.

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

Men's basketball downs UT Pan American

Junior Kevin Butler scored 21 points as the men’s basketball team halted a two-game losing skid by downing UT Pan American 92-60 Monday night at Texas Hall.

The Mavericks, now 4-2, started last week with a 97-64 romp past North Texas, but then lost 75-65 at Baylor before falling 71-69 at home Saturday against Samford.

Next game is Tuesday, Dec. 6, at UT Austin. Follow the action on KVCE 1160 AM.

Women's basketball gets first win

After losing its first three games to open the season, the women’s basketball team downed McMurry 52-41 Wednesday at Texas Hall.

The Mavericks then lost 77-60 at Memphis on Sunday and now stand 1-4 for the season.

Next action is Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Texas Tech. Keep up with every play at utamavs.com and click on GT (GameTracker).

Movin' Mavs travel to Missouri this weekend

The Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball team travels to the University of Missouri for a tournament Friday-Saturday, Dec. 2-3.

Coach Doug Garner’s squad faces Southwest Minnesota State at 1 p.m. and Wisconsin-Whitewater at 7 p.m. on Friday, before meeting Illinois at 10:30 a.m. and Missouri at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. All games will be livestreamed at stickam.com/movinmavstv.

The Movin’ Mavs are 2-1 against collegiate competition this season.

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