University Communications » Internal Communications » TrailBlazer » TrailBlazer 01-24-2012

Tickets are going fast for first games in College Park Center

Maverick fans are claiming tickets quickly for games at the new 7,000-seat College Park Center, which opens Wednesday, Feb. 1.

The sold-out opening night includes women's and men's basketball teams playing UT San Antonio. A ceremonial ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration is planned at 8 p.m.

Tickets are still available for the Homecoming game against Texas State on Saturday, Feb. 11. The men have two other games at College Park Center in February while the women have four.

The women’s team plays its final games in Texas Hall this week, hosting Nebraska-Omaha at 7 p.m. today, Tuesday, Jan. 24, and Texas State at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28.

Admission is free for students. Tickets are required for College Park Center games and are available at utatickets.com.

Park it: On Wednesday, Feb. 1, students should consider parking in the new Park North and Park Central parking garages, accessible from UTA Boulevard and Center Street.

Plan parking for center's opening

The UT Arlington campus will be a busy place Wednesday, Feb. 1, as the University prepares for grand opening festivities and the debut of men’s and women’s basketball at College Park Center that evening.

Most student lots will be open throughout the day. Students are encouraged to arrive on campus early and consider taking University shuttle buses if parking is not available near your destination. Shuttle service will be extended through the evening to assist students returning to their vehicles after dark.

Students are encouraged to park in the south lots east of Cooper Street, including Lots 49, 50, 51, and 52.

The south section of Lot 47 near the College of Business and Pickard Hall will be closed for event-related parking.

The north section of Lot 47 will be open for student parking until 10 a.m. No student re-entry after 10 a.m. without an event permit.

Lot 38 south of the UTA Bookstore will be open for student parking until 10 a.m. No student re-entry after 10 a.m. without a game ticket.

Lot F10 south of the Life Science Building will not be open for student parking after 6 p.m. Feb. 1 as normal.

Campus police will direct traffic first to the College Park garages, then to lots off South Cooper Street, south of Mitchell Street.

A drop-off and pick-up zone will be designated off Pecan Street at the southwest corner of College Park Center.

Unauthorized vehicles parked at private apartment complexes adjacent to campus may be towed.

For more details about campus parking, visit uta.edu/maps/transportation/.

Laura Suarez Henderson

Student receives fellowship to study space debris

An aerospace engineering graduate student has received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship to help determine where space debris is and how best to maneuver around it.

Laura Suarez Henderson will receive a $30,000 annual stipend and up to $10,500 for college expenses for the next three years.

Henderson is designing software that will determine a piece of debris’ size, what it’s made of, and how to get around it. The information she is gathering also will help scientists calculate how much fuel or propulsion is needed to maneuver around the space trash.

Read more about Henderson's research.

Early birds Kirsten Crenshaw, left, nursing freshman, and Marissa Macias, public relations junior, waited all night last week outside the Texas Hall box office to get their tickets to see Drake in concert March 2 at the new College Park Center. The concert is sold out.

Homecoming activities include golf, reunions, photo contests, and more

Plan now for fun activities during Homecoming Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 9-11.

The 2012 Homecoming Golf Tournament swings into action at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Mansfield National Golf Club. Faculty, staff, students, and alumni are invited to participate. Registration deadline is Monday, Jan. 30.

Reunions for the classes of 1962 and 1987 are planned along with a Mr. and Ms. UTA reunion. Find more information on the Alumni Association website.

Design an entry for the golf cart parade that leads the community into the men's basketball game vs. Texas State on Saturday, Feb. 11, in College Park Center. Sign up by Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Can you handle the heat? Sign up for the Homecoming Chili Bracket Bowl set for noon-1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, on the University Center mall. Student groups should register by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3. Registration and judging criteria are online and by calling 817-272-9234.

Your photo may be worth $250 if it wins the Show Your Maverick Pride photo contest. Enter a photo of yourself, family, friends, pets, places, and things in blue, orange, and white Maverick gear. Email your name, phone number, and photo to uta_alumni@uta.edu Wednesday, Feb. 1-midnight Friday, Feb. 10. Three winners will be announced at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, during the Homecoming basketball game at College Park Center. You do not need to be present to win. Email questions to maverickcommunications@uta.edu.

Practice time Women's basketball coach Samantha Morrow, left, gives sophomore criminal justice major Hailee Rhymes some pointers at one of the first workouts in the new practice facilities at College Park Center. Women and men both have their own practice gyms adjacent to Petsche Court in the center.

Plots available at Community Garden

Adopt a plot at the Community Garden at UT Arlington and support the University’s commitment to sustainability and preserving green space. The garden is located at 406 Summit Ave., west of the SWEET Center at the corner of UTA Boulevard and Summit Avenue.

The half-acre garden benefits from the UT Arlington compost site and rainwater harvesting. You can adopt a plot and become a gardener or volunteer to help with the harvest. A portion of harvests is donated to a local food bank. The garden is a combined effort of the Office of Sustainability and the Arlington Parks and Recreation Department.

The annual membership is $35. For more information, contact Meghna Tare at mtare@uta.edu.

Watch history professor on C-SPAN

David Narrett, associate professor of history, will appear on C-SPAN’s American History TV series this month. A production crew filmed Dr. Narrett’s class and lecture on the Seven Years’ War last fall.

Narrett’s lecture on precolonial America is slated to air at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, and at noon Sunday, Jan. 29. The American History TV series airs every weekend on C-SPAN3 and features professors and writers lecturing about the people and events that make up the American story.

Hoop it up President James D. Spaniolo takes and makes the first shot on Petsche Court after the first basket was installed last week at College Park Center.

Become a Maverick Orientation Leader

New Maverick Orientation is accepting applications for Maverick Orientation Leader positions. Orientation leaders are the first to welcome new students and parents during summer orientation in June, July, and August.

Attend the interest session at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, in the Palo Pinto Room of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Applicants must be a full-time undergraduate student, have at least a 2.5 GPA, and be in good standing with the University. Applications are due Monday, Jan. 30.

ACES symposium now accepting abstract submissions

Abstracts are being accepted for the Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students, or ACES.

Attend an abstract writing workshop at noon Wednesday, Jan. 25, and go online for the abstract guidelines and requirements. Submission deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6.

The ACES symposium is a university-wide, daylong event that showcases the best of student research and creativity with cash prizes for winning oral presentations and posters. ACES 2012 is Thursday, March 22, in the E.H. Hereford University Center.

For details, email aces@uta.edu or call 817-272-2315.

Group counseling sessions forming

Counseling Services groups are organizing for the spring semester. These are small co-ed groups of six to 10 students who will meet weekly to enhance interpersonal skills and general well-being.

Let's Talk: Interpersonal Therapy Groups include:

  • Monday group, 2-3:30 p.m. starting Feb. 13. Contact Bruce Bower.

  • Tuesday group, 3-4:30 p.m. starting Feb. 14. Contact Claudia Thompson.

  • Graduate Student Group, 3:30-5 p.m. Thursdays starting Feb. 16. Contact Cindy Manzano.

The Grief Process Group is small, coed, and designed for students who experienced an interpersonal loss through death. The group meets 12:30-2 p.m. starting Feb. 23. Contact Anita Varghese.

Space is limited. To schedule a pre-group meeting, contact Counseling Services at 817-272-3671.

A hand full Torkwase Ijir, business sophomore, played poker last week at a Casino Night event for students at College Park Center. Students played games, danced, and socialized in the arena before the wood floor was installed.

Mindful Moments returns Feb. 1

This 30-minute stress-free session skips this week and returns Wednesday, Feb. 1. Mindful Moments meets at 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays in& Room 236 of the Business Building and is sponsored by Health Services.

Alternative Spring Break hot dog sale raises funds for volunteer trips

UTA Volunteers is hosting a hot dog sale to raise funds for Alternative Spring Break trips to Atlanta, Arkansas, and New Orleans.

Find them 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, and Thursday-Friday, Jan. 26-Feb. 3, on the library mall and the University Center mall. Hot dogs are $2, and chips and drinks are 75 cents each.

Deals, discounts available for Mavericks

The Maverick Discount program offer discounts for automotive service, entertainment, personal care, restaurants, and retail stores. Simply show your UT Arlington student ID card to receive the discounts.

Print an Alley Cats coupon for UT Arlington Alumni and Friends Week 5-10 p.m. through Friday, Jan. 26.

Receive 20 percent off at DSW Shoes 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, at The Parks at Arlington.

Find student group info at Activities Fair this week, online anytime

Student clubs and organizations share their information and news with students two ways.

The Activities Fair is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, in the Palo Duro Lounge of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Online, find them at MavOrgs.uta.edu, a website where students can learn about groups and their events.

Spring graduation application deadline approaches

The deadline for undergraduate students to apply for graduation for spring is Monday, Jan. 30. 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 Wednesday, Feb. 1, 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. 1, 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 affect students who have more than 45 hours in excess of the hours required for a degree plan).

Register, verify mobile phone number to receive MavAlert

MavAlert is designed to provide rapid notification to alert students, faculty, and staff of an emergency at or adjacent to the University.

It is critical that you register and verify your mobile phone number through the MyMav system each semester. Go to MyMav and follow the instructions in the center of the portal page.

Your cellphone number must be classified as a "mobile" phone in the emergency contact form to enable MavAlert text messages.

'The Medium is the Message' on exhibit A wide variety of painting styles, techniques, and content make up the group show The Medium is the Message at The Gallery at UTA. Participating artist John Holt Smith discusses his Oculus paintings in an illustrated lecture at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, in Room 148 of the Fine Arts Building. His Hubble Oculus #1 is at right. An opening reception is set for 6-8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, in the gallery. An artist talk starts at 6:30 p.m. The exhibit, which runs through Saturday, Feb. 11, also features works by J.T. Grant, Janaki Lennie, C. Meng, Melissa Miller, Aaron Parazette, Susie Rosmarin, Christian Shumann, Kim Squaglia, Jackie Tileston, and Michael Tole. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and noon-5 p.m. Saturdays.

Tuesday, Jan. 24

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

Wednesday, Jan. 25

Activities Fair Organizations and community vendors display their spring 2012 offerings. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center.

$2 Movie: Fast Five Dominic's crew find themselves on the wrong side of the law once again. Rated PG-13. 5:30 p.m.; also 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. Planetarium, 817-272-1183.

Friday, Jan. 27

Friends of the Library T. Lindsay Baker discusses his book, Gangster Tour of Texas. He used the resources of Special Collections at the UT Arlington Library in researching the book. Free. 7:30 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Tommie Wingfield, 817-272-2658.

Saturday, Jan. 28

Women's basketball Mavericks vs. Texas State in the final game at Texas Hall. Free with student ID. 2 p.m. Athletics, 817-272-2261.

Wednesday, Feb. 1

Basketball at College Park Center Mavericks vs. UT San Antonio. Women's team 6 p.m.; men's team 8 p.m. Opening celebration between games. College Park Center.

Ongoing

Impressions of the West: Works of Art from Special Collections The American West comes alive in more than 30 paintings, sculptures, and prints. Free. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Extended through Saturday, April 28. Special Collections, sixth floor, Central Library. 817-272-3393.

Planetarium We Are Astronomers, 6 p.m. Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. Saturdays. Planetarium, 817-272-1183.

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

Last dance: The women's basketball team plays its last games in Texas Hall this week.

Women host final Texas Hall games

After securing its first Southland Conference win, the women’s basketball team plays its final games in Texas Hall this week, hosting Nebraska-Omaha at 7 p.m. today, Tuesday, Jan. 24, and Texas State at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28.

Play begins in College Park Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, when the women’s and men’s teams host a doubleheader with UT San Antonio. A ribbon cutting christens the new center between games.

Sabreena DeNure scored 19 points in a 69-61 win at Stephen F. Austin on Saturday as the Mavericks improved to 1-4 in the SLC and 3-13 overall.

Mav men down SFA; hit the road this week

Winning its ninth straight, the men’s basketball team topped Stephen F. Austin 63-54 in its final game at Texas Hall on Saturday.

The Mavericks stand 6-0 in the Southland Conference and 13-5 overall. Games this week include a non-conference contest at Houston Baptist today, Tuesday, Jan. 24, and an SLC matchup at Texas State on Saturday, Jan. 28.

Indoor track team wins eight events at OU meet

Women’s sprinter DeAndrea Smith and men’s athlete Isiah Clements each won a pair of indoor track events in the J.D. Martin Invitational at Norman, Okla., on Saturday.

Smith won the 200- and 400-meter events and then anchored the 4x440-yard relay team to victory. Clements won the high jump and the 200-meter dash.

Also for the men, Jeff Rodriguez won the pole vault for the second straight week, while Brandon Waller was first in the long jump and Omar Barnes won the triple jump.

Next action is the Wichita State Quadrangular at Wichita, Kan., Feb. 3-4.

Movin' Mavs win four at Illinois tourney

The Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball team won four out of five games at the University of Illinois tournament in Champaign, Ill., last weekend.

After losing to Wisconsin-Whitewater in their opening game, the Movin’ Mavs recorded wins over Missouri, Southwest Minnesota State, Edinboro, and Illinois to boost their record to 11-3 in intercollegiate play and 21-4 overall.

Tennis teams begin action this weekend

The defending Southland Conference champion women’s tennis team begins its season at the International Tennis Association Kick-off Weekend at Waco with matches against Wyoming on Saturday, Jan. 28, and Central Florida and Baylor on Sunday, Jan. 29.

A trip to the University of Arkansas opens the season for the men’s tennis team on Saturday, Jan. 28.

Intramural dodgeball entries due Wednesday

Intramural entries for dodgeball are due Wednesday, Jan. 25, as competition is scheduled to begin Monday, Jan. 30.

Basketball entries are due Tuesday, Jan. 31, with bowling entries due Friday, Feb. 3.

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