The ICE Chest |
September 2008 |
Volume 1, Issue 1 |
First Issue of The ICE Chest is Published |
The Inclusion and Community Engagement Center is pleased to bring you the first issue of The ICE Chest, our electronic newsletter that is designed to keep our students, faculty, and staff updated on the happenings in our center. Each month you will receive a new issue through e-mail, and it will also be available on our Website. Each issue will highlight specific events that our office will be sponsoring/co-sponsoring and will feature an article on a different organization at UTSA or in the San Antonio community offering volunteer opportunities. The Center plans and coordinates events and programs that highlight, celebrate and raise awareness about diverse cultures. The newsletter will also include an in-depth article on the specific culture or group of diverse people that are being celebrated. We also help plan and co-sponsor many volunteer opportunities throughout the year including the Volunteer Opportunities Fairs, Alternative Spring Break, United to Serve, and many more. Each newsletter will highlight upcoming volunteer opportunities as well as a student who demonstrates strong leadership skills; qualities; and/or actively pursues opportunities to give back to the San Antonio and UTSA community. About the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center The Inclusion and Community Engagement Center at UTSA is a space for all members of the university community to explore issues relating to culture, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and volunteerism. We encourage you to visit the Center and connect with members of our community. |
September Events |
Below is a list of some events during the month of September. 1st Friday at UTSA - Friday September 5th from 11am to 1pm at the UC Paseo DT Campus Volunteer Opportunities Fair - Thursday September 11th from 10:30am - 1:30pm in the Frio Street Commons El dieciséis de septiembre Celebration - Tuesday September 16th from 11am - 2pm at the UC Paseo 1604 Campus Volunteer Opportunities Fair - Wednesday September 17th from 10:00am - 2:00pm in the UC First Floor Corridor “Under the Same Moon” Movie and Discussion - Thursday September 25th from 6:00pm - 9:00pm in the UC Denman Room Babcock RD Clean-up - Friday the 26th from 10:00am to 3:00pm - Please meet in front of the Convocation Center For more information on any of these events call (210) 458-4770 or e-mail us at engaged@utsa.edu. |
Volunteer Opportunities Fairs |
The Volunteer Opportunities Fairs will take place September 11 from 10:30am-1:30pm at the Downtown Campus in the Frio St. Commons, and September 17 from 10:00am-2:00pm in the University Center 1st floor halls. The fairs bring together community agencies from all over the San Antonio area and service based student organizations that are looking for volunteers! Opportunities range from mentoring, to working with animals, to building houses, to preserving our natural resources, and many more! Agencies that will be participating include KLRN; Goodwill Industries; Big Brothers and Big Sisters; the Ronald McDonald House and many others. For more information visit www.utsa.edu/sa/vs, or call us at 458-4770. |
Student Spotlight |
Each month The ICE Chest will spotlight a student who demonstrates strong leadership skills and qualities and/or actively pursues opportunities to give back to UTSA and the San Antonio community. This month’s spotlight is on Jennifer Castro. Jennifer Castro is a pre-medical, biology major graduating in May of 2009. She received volunteer of the year at the UTSA University Life Awards in 2008 for contributing over 100 hours of volunteer service to San Antonio and the surrounding community. Furthermore, she received volunteer of the year award in the student organization Volunteer Organization Involving Community Education and Service (V.O.I.C.E.S.) for completing over 200 hours of service. She has held office as the social coordinator, vice president of programs and is currently the president for V.O.I.C.E.S. Jennifer participated in alternative spring break in Piedras Negras, Mexico at the Casa de Nazareth orphanage in 2008 where she mentored and interacted with young girls. Over the summer, she completed a research program with the McNair Scholars at U.T.S.A. where she placed 2nd overall in a poster symposium. Jennifer also serves on the Inclusion and Community Engagement Advisory Board. She has earned numerous honors such as president’s and dean’s list throughout her academia. Jennifer plans to attend the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio where she will pursue a medical career as a physician. If you would like more information or are interested in joining V.O.I.C.E.S. be sure to come by our new location in the new University Center expansion in UC 1.216. |
Resource Library
Come check out our growing resource library. Whether you are doing research or just looking for a great book on leadership, volunteerism, or a culture other than your own; come and check out your choice of books. |
To remove your name from our mailing list, please click here. Questions or comments? E-mail us at engaged@utsa.edu or call (210) 458-4770 Inclusion and Community Engagement Center The University of Texas at San Antonio UC 2.01.04 One UTSA Circle San Antonio, Texas 78249 Voice: (210) 458-4770 Fax: (210) 458-6927 |
Organization Spotlight: Hispanic Student Association The Hispanic Student Association is one of UTSA’s largest student organizations Its purpose is “to establish Hispanic students of similar backgrounds as competitive individuals during and after their college career, to provide guidance and information on issues that directly or indirectly affect Hispanic students on college campuses, to provide service to the community at large, and to establish and maintain communication with past, current and future members.” HSA coordinates and participates in a variety of student programming throughout the semester including cultural programming and volunteer services. Such programming includes hosting pertinent speakers, showing cultural films, participating in Home Coming, intramural sports, volunteering at the S.A. Food Bank, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, as well as funding scholarships for members with the highest GPA’s. Membership is open to any student. Dues are $30 a semester and pay for official HSA T-shirts and group activities. HSA’s meetings are every Tuesdays at 7pm in the UC III- Travis Room 2.202. The first meeting this semester is on September 9, 2008. |
Volunteer Opportunity Highlight |
Any Baby Can provides support for families with children with special needs. Every Monday and Tuesday evening babysitters are needed while classes and support groups are taking place. Please call Sandy Redmond at 227-0170 to sign up! To find out about other opportunities this month visit Volunteer Services. |
El dieciséis de septiembre |
What is the dieciséis de septiembre? It is the date when Mexico celebrates its independence ~ September 16th. Mexican Independence Day celebrates the events and people that eventually led to independence from Spain. After several centuries of oppression, the poor indigenous Indians and mixed mestizo groups were called to stand up against the privileged classes of Spanish descent. The plan to revolt was planned and set in place by Father Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic Priest, and several criollo (a person born in the colonies of Spanish parents) officers. But, the Spanish government found out about the plan. When Father Hidalgo and his group realized that the government found out about their plan, they had to move quickly. In the late evening hours on September 15, 1810, Father Hidalgo gathered his congregation in Dolores, a town in Guanajuato, Mexico. The bells of the church were rung and he called them to rise against the Spaniards. He uttered what is now known as the Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores). While the exact words that he spoke are not documented, it is said that the words he uttered were these [translated]: "Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe, death to bad government, and death to the gachupines!" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grito_de_Dolores) This cry initiated the battle that led the Revolution, and ultimately, to Mexico’s independence form Spain, which was finally recognized on September 21, 1821. Every year in the late evening hours on September 15, Father Hidalgo’s speech is re-enacted in celebration of Mexico’s Independence. The speech is modified from its original version to include homage to those who led the revolt. ¡Viva México! |
Babcock Rd. Clean-up: September 26, 2008 |
The 15th annual Babcock Rd. Clean-Up will be held on Friday, September 26th! This year, we are changing our route to incorporate Babcock Rd. and UTSA Blvd. Vans will transport participants to the pick up sites beginning at 10:00am and ending at 3:00pm. Every participant who gives at least 1 hour of service to this project will receive a free t-shirt (while supplies last!). This program is organized by VOICES (Volunteer Organization Involving Community Education & Service). For more information, come by the VOICES office in UC 1.216, visit www.utsa.edu/sa/vs, or call 458-4770! Come take part in the tradition! |
October in The ICE Chest October is GLBTQ Pride Month More information and how to purchase tickets to Gala Latina the signature event for Latino Heritage Month More information on Gayla the GLBTQ Pride Month signature event Student Spotlight: Steven Garza More information on the UTSA Days of Caring service project |
