University Communications » Internal Communications » TrailBlazer » TrailBlazer 10-16-2012

Homecoming 2012 packed with basketball, parade, street party

Homecoming returns to the fall this year and features a parade and party on Pecan Street, basketball, volleyball, reunions, and a lecture by Saturday Night Live favorite Seth Meyers.

The volleyball team plays Louisiana Tech at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, and the women’s basketball team takes on Oral Roberts University at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16. Both games are at College Park Center.

Other festivities Friday include The Party on Pecan at 4:30 p.m., with the Homecoming 2012 Parade and Pep Rally beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tipoff for the men’s basketball game against the University of Oklahoma is at 7 p.m. at College Park Center. The Homecoming king and queen will be crowned at halftime.

Reunions and other events are planned Saturday, Nov. 17.

The Maverick Speakers Series lecture by SNL "Weekend Update" anchor Meyers is at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, at College Park Center. Tickets are free and available beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, at utatickets.com. Preferred seating with reserved parking is available for $25 per person.

Visit the Homecoming 2012 website and read more about Homecoming events.

Tickets still available for Fall Concert Friday with hip-hop artist Flo Rida

Tickets are still available to see hip-hop artist Flo Rida in the Fall Concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at College Park Center.

The 32-year-old Flo Rida—aka Tramar Dillard from Carol City, Fla.—hit No. 1 for 10 weeks in early 2008 with his debut single “Low” featuring T-Pain. The rapper and singer-songwriter’s latest chart-topper, “Whistle,” sits near the top of the iTunes and Billboard Hot 100 singles charts, with global digital sales surpassing 4 million.

As for his embrace of electronic and dance music, Flo Rida says he grew up listening to all kinds of music, including the church songs his seven sisters sang in a local gospel group. “I like to take music from everywhere and put it in my style and let it be accepted,” he told MTV.com.

The Flo Rida performance serves as this year’s Fall Concert, hosted by the Division of Student Affairs.

UT Arlington students are eligible for a $15 discount on one ticket each for online sales only. Other tickets range from $35-$80 and are available at utatickets.com.

Read more about Flo Rida and the concert. For information on upcoming events, see College Park Center.

GradFest activities set for Wednesday

Anyone considering graduate and professional school should check out GradFest, a free one-day event 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, in the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Grad Fest begins with a graduate and professional school fair 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Palo Duro Lounge and the Concho Room of the University Center. Roundtable discussions about admissions, financial assistance, and career services are 11-11:45 a.m.

Panel discussions on the graduate school experience, research, and balancing school, work, and family are available via live video stream.

In the Business Building, a free GRE computer practice test and a GRE strategy workshop are 2-5 p.m. in Room 349. A free GMAT Computer Based Test Workshop is 2-6 p.m. in Room 336.

See the schedule and register for GradFest.

Bed ridden Mavericks threw back the covers and hit the ground running Thursday night. Instead of a rush for classes, they pounded the turf for the 32nd annual Bed Races at Maverick Stadium. Watch a slideshow and see who visited the photo booth.

Submit your 'illuminated' Homecoming parade entry by Nov. 7

Light up the night at this fall's Homecoming parade with "illumination" as the theme. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16.

Faculty, staff, and student groups are invited to light up their floats, golf carts, or walking entries for the parade. Entries are due Wednesday, Nov. 7. There will be prizes of $300, $200, and $100 for the top entries.

For more information, see Homecoming parade or contact University Events at 817-272-2963.

Campus Sustainability Day provides several 'green' events

A terrarium sale, $1 lunches, and an e-waste education session highlight Campus Sustainability Day on Wednesday, Oct. 24.

Bicycle tuneups will be available 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on the University Center mall with a drawing for gear and accessories. The terrarium sale and a food day event will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the UC mall. Lunches that include all compostable items are available while they last 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for $1, also on the UC mall.

Meet Gracie Green and the other glamakins, custom-crafted art pieces in human form that encourage recycling, at the e-waste education session 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in Room 100 of Nedderman Hall. Bring your lunch, and take a chance to win a refurbished Dell laptop from Techway Services.

Tours of The Green at College Park are scheduled. A campus food drive runs throughout the week of Oct. 22-26 with drop-off boxes at the E.H. Hereford University Center, Library, and Maverick Activities Center. There is also a campus book drive during the week at the Library.

Lot 30 closes Friday evening; move your car

Lot 30 closes at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, for Saturday's Buddy Walk event on the west lawn of the Maverick Activities Center. Lot 30 is on Greek Row Drive by University Village and Meadow Run apartments and west of the Physical Education Building.

Cars must be moved before 7 p.m. or they will be towed at owner’s expense.

Open door Cynthia Barrera, kinesiology junior, passes through the pink door for National Coming Out Day. The event was part of the first Pride Week celebration, sponsored by the LGBTQA Program.

Student Money Management Center helps with budgets, savings

The Student Money Management Center assists students with their financial needs through online resources, one-on-one counseling sessions, seminars, and presentations. The center offers help with budgeting, savings, and credit awareness.

Located in Room 241 in Davis Hall, the center is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Students can make an appointment online for a one-on-one counseling session at uta.edu/money. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Visit the website for more resources and a budgeting tool tailored to UT Arlington students. Follow on Facebook and Twitter.

An open house is set for 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22. Attend and receive a free piggy bank and T-shirt as well as refreshments.

Applicants needed for Maverick Orientation Leaders

If you're a good role model for incoming students and represent the best and brightest of UT Arlington’s student body, apply to be a 2013 Maverick Orientation Leader for New Maverick Orientation.

Candidates should have great communication skills, excellent leadership qualities, display Maverick pride, and have a positive attitude. Applicants are required to be a full-time undergraduate student, have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and be in good standing with the University. Applications deadline is Saturday, Nov. 3.

Library needs your opinions and ideas

The Library is conducting research to examine better ways for students and faculty to find books, journal articles, and other materials needed for coursework and research.

Sign up to participate in the research. Participants receive a $5 printing card.

For more information, contact Sarah Jones at sjones@uta.edu, Gretchen Trkay at gtrkay@uta.edu, or Andy Herzog at amherzog@uta.edu.

Major event Nancy Ramirez, nursing freshman, and Janet Ramirez, undeclared freshman, listen to Yolanda Thomas, academic adviser in interdisciplinary studies, discuss options on choosing a major at the Maverick Major Fair last Wednesday. The fair brought advisers out of the office and onto the Library mall to assist students.

President Spaniolo's campaign buttons on display

"Presidential Campaigns and Memorabilia," the U.S. presidential button collection of UT Arlington President James D. Spaniolo, is on display in the first-floor lobby of the Central Library.

The exhibit case houses more than 150 of Spaniolo’s campaign buttons ranging from the 1896 election of William McKinley to the current 2012 campaign. The exhibit continues through Monday, Nov. 12.

An exhibit of political cartoons can be found on the second floor of the Central Library.

Grants for doctoral students targeted for areas of national need

Nearly $1.47 million in federal grants will help qualified graduate students earn their doctoral degrees in areas of national need.

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need, or GAANN, grants of $533,064 to the UT Arlington College of Science’s Mathematics Department and the College of Engineering’s Computer Science and Engineering Department. The College of Engineering’s Bioengineering Department also received a $399,798 GAANN grant.

Each grant can potentially benefit 20 students during the next three years.

Call Alisa Johnson in the Office of Graduate Studies at 817-272-2708 for more information.

Dining survey has gift card drawing

Dining Services' fall 2012 Dining Styles Survey includes a drawing for a $150 virtual gift card and three $50 virtual gift cards. Take the survey online. All responses will remain confidential.

Raising awareness Brittany Blount, left, a University Studies senior and Health Education and Substance Abuse Prevention intern, talks with Apinan Samermit, a breast cancer survivor and an academic adviser in the Department of Linguistics and TESOL, during Breast Cancer Awareness Day, sponsored by Health Services last Thursday.

Sixth Annual Fall Festival is family friendly and free

Bring the family to the Sixth Annual Fall Festival at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, on the E.H. Hereford University Center mall.

The event is family friendly and includes a petting zoo, pony rides, caricatures, bounce houses, wax hands, magicians, jugglers, pumpkin painting, live music, games, a photo booth, and many more fun activities.

The annual festival coincides with Parent and Family Weekend and is sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs. There is no cost to attend or participate in the festival or concert.

For more information, see Parent and Family Weekend.

Parent and Family Weekend set for last weekend in October; register soon

Online registration continues through Wednesday, Oct. 24, for Parent and Family Weekend, Friday-Sunday, Oct. 26-28.

The weekend features a long list of events that allow students to show their families what it's like to be a Maverick. Activities include faculty spotlights, a fall festival with live music and a petting zoo, glass-blowing demonstrations, a theater production, Movin’ Mavs basketball, and more.

Students and children under 10 are free. All others are $30 per person. Everyone who attends will receive a free T-shirt, breakfast, and dinner, as well as participate in most activities at no extra cost.

Influenza vaccine offered through Health Services

Flu shots are now available for $20 at Health Services. No appointment is needed. Leave your cash at home and charge to your MyMav account.

Don’t have time to visit the health center? Stop by one of the flu shot outreach clinics 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Wednesday, Oct. 24, Library mall.

• Tuesday, Nov. 6, Library mall.

Progress reports available as soon as entered

Progress reports are available to many undergraduate students through their MyMav Student Center. Progress reports are intended to give realistic feedback from instructors who have been asked to enter a midterm grade by today, Tuesday, Oct. 16.

You can see the grades as soon as they are entered, so check your MyMav Student Center often.

Advising for winter intersession and spring 2013 term

Advising for the spring 2013 term has begun. The MyMav portal is your gateway to the schedule of classes and the registration timetable for the spring term. Priority registration opens Monday, Nov. 5.

Check your Student Center in MyMav to see if you need to meet with your academic adviser before registering. A list of advising offices is online. Call to schedule an appointment or check walk-in hours.

Six-course-drop alert, check implications before you drop

All students who entered a Texas public college or university in fall 2007 or later are limited to dropping six courses in the span of their undergraduate career.

More information is available in the undergraduate catalog and at the Six Course Drop Limit procedures page.

The last drop day this fall is Wednesday, Oct. 31. You must meet with an academic adviser in your major department to drop or withdraw from classes. You also are encouraged to talk to a financial aid counselor.

Print your own enrollment verification

Enrollment verification for the fall semester is available online. To print your verification, log on to MyMav, go to Student Center, and click on Request Enrollment Verification to access the National Student Loan Clearinghouse.

O'Neill comedy 'Ah, Wilderness!' opens Friday The Maverick Theatre Company presents Nobel Prize-winner Eugene O’Neill’s only comedy Ah, Wilderness! in its first production of the 2012-13 season. Directed by Dennis Maher, associate professor of theatre arts, the play presents a romantic, sentimental tale of youthful indiscretion in a New England town on Independence Day 1906. Old loves and new loves, family, and the perils of growing up are all found to be a uniquely singular experience for each character in the classic American comedy. Characters pictured are front row, from left: Hailey Eakle, theatre arts freshman, as Mildred Miller; Angela Horn, theatre arts senior, as Lily Miller; Jonathan Crawford, theatre arts junior, as Sid Davis; and back, Eugene Chandler, public administration graduate student, as Nat Miller. Performances are at 8 p.m., Friday-Saturday, Oct. 19-20, and Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 25-27, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, in the Mainstage Theatre of the Fine Arts Building. Admission is $7 for students. For tickets or more information, contact the Theatre Arts box office at 817-272-2669.

Tuesday, Oct. 16

UT Arlington Symphonic Band Concert A concert of band classics and new works. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Thursday, Oct. 18

Lunafest Festival of short films by, for, and about women. The nine films celebrate the unique roles of women in local, national, and international communities. Tickets $5 with student ID. 7 p.m., Lone Star Auditorium, Maverick Activities Center. Women's and Gender Studies, Lunafest.

Volleyball Mavericks vs. New Mexico State on Dig Pink Night. Help the team fight breast cancer by donating to the Side-Out Foundation. Free pink leis, sponsored by the UTA Bookstore. Come early to meet the women's basketball team. Tickets $3 with student ID. 7 p.m., College Park Center. Athletics.

Friday, Oct. 19

Fall Concert: Flo Rida Concert by Flo Rida, an American rapper and singer-songwriter. Tickets $35-$80. 7:30 p.m., College Park Center, 2-9595.

Saturday, Oct. 20

Volleyball Mavericks vs. Denver on Halloween Day and Kids Day. Free candy to all children who dress in Halloween costumes. Prize for best costume. Tickets $3 with student ID. 2 p.m., College Park Center. Athletics.

Monday, Oct. 22

Doughnut, Coffee Fundraiser Alternative Spring Break fundraiser for trips to Atlanta, Cincinnati, and Utah. 8-11 a.m., Library mall. Also, Wednesday-Friday, Oct. 24-26. Alternative Spring Breaks.

Coming up

Campus Sustainability Day Come out for the terrarium sale, $1 lunches, bicycle tuneups, gear/accessories drawing, e-waste education session, The Green at College Park tours, campus book drive, campus food drive. Various times, Wednesday, Oct. 24, University Center mall and other locations. Campus Sustainability.

Halloween Casino Night Dress up in your favorite costume and enjoy games, music, food, dancing, and casino games. Free. 8 p.m.-midnight, Thursday, Oct. 25, Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. Campus Recreation.

Homecoming 5K Run The First Homecoming 5K is a way for UT Arlington supporters to actively tour campus and the surrounding community. Register. Saturday, Nov. 17. Homecoming, Campus Recreation.

Ongoing

Mindful Moments Take a break with Mindful Moments. Free. 12:15-12:45 p.m., Wednesdays, Room 205, Health Services Center. Health Services.

The Gallery at UTA: Harry Geffert and Chuck Ramirez Works by Harry Geffert and Chuck Ramirez feature bronze castings and photographs. At right is Geffer's Switchback. Free. Gallery hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays. Through Saturday, Nov. 17. The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building.

India Unveiled: The Photography of Robert Arnett A collection of images highlighting the diversity of India and its various regions. Free. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Through Jan. 5, 2013. Special Collections.

Pearls of the Antilles: Printed Maps of Caribbean Islands A look at maps and how they reflect and shaped the histories of Caribbean islands. Free. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Through Feb. 9, 2013. Special Collections.

Planetarium The beauty of a starlit sky conceals the violent forces at work within our universe in Violent Universe. 1:30 p.m. Sundays. Planetarium.

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

Tuesday, Oct. 16	Major Exploration Free. Noon-1 p.m., Room 303, Ransom Hall. University College, Success Series. Calm Down and Step Up Learn techniques to manage anxiety. Register. Free. Noon-1 p.m., Room 303, Ransom Hall. Counseling Services. Decoding the Presidential Management Fellows Application Process This webinar shows graduate students how to submit a strong application, how the program has changed, and what happens after their application is submitted. Free. 3-4 p.m., Room 140, Business Building. Career Center. Film Screening: Sin By Silence The Clothesline Project raises society’s awareness about relationship violence and sexual assault in the community. Free. 6-9 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. Relationship Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention, Clothesline Project.
Wednesday, Oct. 17	Women, Voting, and Presidential Politics A panel discussion of the role of women and women's issues in the 2012 presidential campaign. Speakers include Rebecca Deen, associate professor of political science; Stephanie Cole, associate professor of history; and Tonya Presley of the League of Women Voters. Victoria Farrar-Myers, professor of political science, moderates. Free. Noon-1 p.m., Room 108, University Hall. Women's and Gender Studies, Political Science. Student Veteran Workshop: Information Processing By understanding your preferred learning style, you will be able to save time and improve your overall information retention effectiveness. Free. 2 p.m., Room 303, Ransom Hall. University College, Student Veteran Workshops.
Thursday, Oct. 18	Questions for Flat Ethics Levi Bryant, professor of philosophy at Collin College, addresses ethical questions that arise from object-oriented ontologies. He is the author of The Democracy of Objects. Free. 6 p.m., Room 303, Chemistry and Physics Building. Department of English, Department of Philosophy and Humanities. Off Campus Mavericks: Getting Involved Not all learning and knowledge comes from a textbook or a classroom. Hear Carter Bedford from Student Governance and Organizations about how to expand your college experiences out of the classroom. Free. 2 p.m., Room 100, Science Hall. Off Campus Mavericks. Campus Pride College Fair and Prep Day for LGBT and Ally Students Free. 6-8 p.m., 3918 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas. LGBTQA Program. National Day on Writing Celebration Write a six-to-eight-word story in celebration of the National Day on Writing. Free. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., University Center mall, Library mall. Department of English, Writing Center, Library. Film Screening: The Undetected Rapist Highlights research and work in the prevention of sexual violence and acquaintance rape on college campuses. Discussion follows. Learn about prevention efforts and services available. Bring your lunch; refreshments provided. Noon-1 p.m., Room 303, Chemistry and Physics Building. Relationship Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention. Biology Colloquium Series Elena Litchman, associate professor of zoology at Michigan State University, discusses "Trait-based Approaches to Phytoplankton Ecology and Evolution." Free. 4 p.m., Room 119, Life Science Building. Biology.
Friday, Oct. 19	Entrepreneurship in the Arts Bri Crum, founder and president of Plan B PR, discusses public relations and marketing and their importance for emerging artists. Free. 1 p.m., Room 148, Fine Arts Building. Entrepreneurship in the Arts, Art and Art History. Engaging Students 2012 Annual workshop on active learning features Saundra Y. McGuire of Louisiana State University speaking on "Metacognition: The Key to Active and Engaged Learning." Register. Free. 8:45 a.m.-3:20 p.m., sixth floor, Central Library. Office of the Provost.
Monday, Oct. 22	Student Money Management Center Open House Learn about help for budgeting, savings, and credit awareness. Attend and receive a free piggy bank and T-shirt as well as refreshments. Free. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Room 241, Davis Hall. Student Money Management Center.
Monday-Friday, Oct. 22-26	International Workshop on Future Linear Colliders Nobel Prize-winning physicist Steven Weinberg lectures on "The Standard Model, Higgs Boson, Who Cares?" Open to UT Arlington community. No registration required. Workshop schedule. Free. E.H. Hereford University Center and Chemistry and Physics Building. Dr. Weinberg's lecture 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 24, Texas Hall. Physics.
Tuesday, Oct. 23	To Drop or Not to Drop and GPA Repair Examine drop/withdrawal policies, the pros and cons of dropping a class, the basics of GPA repair including GPA calculation, grade point defiency (GPD), probation, and the grade exclusion policy. Free. Noon-1 p.m., Room 303, Ransom Hall. University Advising Center. Food Coupon Campaign Learn the tricks and strategies of coupon shopping. Hands-on experience shopping for local nonprofits at no expense to participants. Free. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Oct. 16-Nov. 13. For registration and location, email theriot@uta.edu.
Wednesday, Oct. 24	International Graduate Student Conference on Transatlantic History Keynote speaker Ian Tyrrell, scientia professor of history at the University of New South Wales, gives the keynote address on "The Spaces and Times of Transnational History and Historiography." Lectures 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Nedderman Hall, University Hall. Keynote 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 25, Room 601, Nedderman Hall. Lost in Translation Cross-cultural communication can be a challenge. Learn how to better communicate with people outside your cultural realms. Free. Noon-1 p.m., Room 303, Ransom Hall. International Education, University College. Hazing Prevention Presentation A hazing prevention expert discusses the unintended consequences of hazing, strategies for eliminating hazing practices, and hazing prevention efforts on college campuses. Free. 7 p.m., Lone Star Auditorium, Maverick Activities Center.
Thursday, Oct. 25	Introduction to Adobe Dreamweaver Explore the tools necessary to use Adobe's powerful web editing software. Free. 2-4 p.m., Digital Media Studio, Room B29, Central Library.
(For an expanded list of events, see the UT Arlington Calendar.)

Still going strong: The men’s cross country team had its fourth straight strong performance in the prestigious Chile Pepper Festival at the University of Arkansas on Saturday. The Mavericks compete in the Western Athletic Conference championship meet on Oct. 27.

Men's cross country finishes sixth

The men's cross country team placed sixth, while the women's team took 17th, at the prestigious Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival in Fayetteville, Ark., on Saturday.

Sophomore Ryan Tilotta led the Maverick men as he placed 40th in a field that included 34 teams and more than 300 runners.

Sophomore Hannah Nilsson was the top women’s finisher for the Mavs for the fourth straight meet. She was 49th.

Next competition is the Western Athletic Conference championships Saturday, Oct. 27, in Ruston, La.

Volleyball hosts Dig Pink Night

The Maverick volleyball team continues a four-match homestand as they take on New Mexico State at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, and the University of Denver at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at College Park Center. Tickets are $3 with your student ID. Admission is free with your All-Sports Pass.

Thursday is Dig Pink Night. You can help the team fight breast cancer by donating to the Side-Out Foundation and receive free pink leis, sponsored by the UTA Bookstore. Come early to meet the women's basketball team.

Saturday is Halloween Day and Kids Day. All children who dress in Halloween costumes receive free candy, and there will be prizes for the best costumes.

The Mavericks split a pair of home matches last week, losing to Idaho 3-1 before downing Seattle 3-0.

Golfers fifth at Notre Dame tournament

The Mavericks finished fifth at the Fighting Irish Gridiron Golf Classic last week in Notre Dame, Ind. Senior Hunter Brown tied for second in the individual standings with a even-par 213 in the 54-hole, three-day tournament.

The Mavericks are competing in the Querencia Cabo Collegiate this week at Los Cabos in Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Pick up Homecoming game tickets early

In advance of the Homecoming men's basketball game against Oklahoma on Friday, Nov. 16, the Athletics Department is allowing students to pick up tickets early.

Students who have purchased All-Sports Passes can visit the College Park Center box office to pick up tickets through Friday, Oct. 19.

For more information, see Homecoming basketball tickets.

Fantasy basketball deadline Friday

Deadline to sign up for fantasy basketball is Friday, Oct. 19. To join, go to fantasy basketball, and click on Join League. League ID is 24124 and password is uta.

For more information, see Intramural Sports.

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