Staff News

 

November 29, 2007

 

In This Issue

  • Message from the Vice President for Student Affairs

  • Announcements

  • Welcome New Staff to Student Affairs

  • Departmental News

  • Thank You Rowdy travels across Student Affairs

  • Kudos


Message from Gage E. Paine, Vice President for Student Affairs

 

According to authors/researchers James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner there are five practices essential to exemplary leadership:  Challenge the process; Inspire a shared vision; Enable others to act; Model the way; and Encourage the heart.  Their book, The Leadership Challenge, explores these five practices in clear and practical ways and all are important.

 

However they also wrote a book focused on practice five – Encouraging the Heart.  In that book they explain why they have separated out that particular practice.  “Leaders create relationships, and one of those relationships is between individuals and their work.  Ultimately we all work for a purpose, and that purpose has to be served if we are to feel encouraged.  Encouraging the heart only works if there’s a fit between the person, the work and the organization.”

 

Kouzes and Posner go on to say, “…it is interesting to note that the word encouragement has its root in the Latin word cor, which literally means "heart."  So does the word courage.  To have courage means to have heart.  To encourage–to provide with or give courage–literally means to give others heart.”

 

I’ve been thinking about the idea of courage lately.  We often say leaders have to be able to take risks, but we don’t always acknowledge that it takes courage to take that risk.  We want leaders to be ethical, but we don’t always reward or recognize the courage required to take a value-based stand.  And we certainly don’t talk about the courage it can require to follow someone else’s leadership.

 

Courage comes in many forms, shapes and sizes and so we often don’t recognize it for what it is.  And the idea that courage, which we usually interpret as strength, must come from the heart is not obvious to many of us.  So, I share with you the text of a children’s book on courage to support your reflection on the many kinds of courage we all exhibit every day, and to remind us to en-courage each other along the way.

 

 

Best wishes,

 

Gage

 

 

*The Leadership Challenge and Encouraging the Heart: A Leader's Guide to Rewarding and Recognizing Others by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner

 


 

Announcements

     

Late Night Breakfast

 

Tuesday, December 4

10:00 p.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Roadrunner Café

Sponsored by Student Affairs and Business Affairs

 

Finals are just a few weeks away and student stress levels are high.  We have an opportunity to provide support and encouragement to our students as they prepare for their exams.  Volunteers are needed to cook pancakes, work on the serving line and offer encouragement!  If you are interested in helping, please e-mail John White.             

 


 

New Professionals Network

 

The next NPN Brown Bag Lunch with Dr. Paine is Wednesday, December 5 at 11:30 a.m. in the Willow Room.  We hope to see you there.

 

 


 

Women's Studies Institute News Features Q&A With Dr. Paine

 

In the Fall 2007 issue of WSI News, Q&A's with seven prominent women at UTSA are featured.  These leaders are asked to discuss what it means to them to be in visible positions in academic administration, who their biggest inspirations are, and what advice they would give to women who are struggling with career choices.

 

Read Dr. Paine's answers along with those of the six other women in the Fall 2007 WSI News

 


 

Laurel Room Renamed Denman Room

 

The University Center (UC) is pleased to announce that, effective immediately, the Laurel Room is renamed the Gilbert M. Denman Room.  The UC is in the process of updating its database and signage to reflect this change.

 

In Grateful Tribute - Gilbert M. Denman, Jr.

 


 

Flu Shots

 

Student Health Services is open to provide flu vaccine at a cost of $15 for students and $20 for faculty/staff.  Cash or checks will be accepted and no appointment is necessary.  The hours for each location are as follows:

 

1604            Monday & Tuesday      9:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

                   Wednesday - Friday    9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Downtown     Monday - Thursday     9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

 


 

UTSA Travel Office News

On November 7th Southwest Airlines announced a new "Business Select" fare which is refundable/changeable and costs more than the regular refundable/changeable fare.  For the extra fee paid, Southwest guarantees an "A" boarding pass and provides a complimentary alcoholic beverage on the flight purchased.  The state comptroller has determined that the Business Select fare cannot be used for state/university travel since the benefits gained are not a requirement for travel.  When purchasing a Southwest Airlines ticket the regular refundable fare or lower nonrefundable fares must be used.

If a UTSA traveler would like to upgrade to this new "Business Select" the traveler will be responsible for the upgrade charge.  Should you have further questions or comments, please contact your UTSA travel office at extension 4833.


Facilities Work Control Opens One-Stop Shop

The UTSA Office of Facilities Services announces the establishment of a one-stop shop for the facilities needs of the UTSA community. From any of the UTSA Tri-campuses, call 458-4262 to request services from professional Work Control staff members.  Full UTSA Today Article


 

The Runner Beat Safety Newsletter from University Police

 


New Staff in Student Affairs

Housing and Residence Life

Gary Hankins, Plumber

Jorge Ortiz, promoted to Maintenance Worker II

 

Student Services

Priscilla Garcia, Administrative Associate II

 


 

Monthly Birthday Celebration with Dr. Paine

 

Please come celebrate your birthday with co-workers and Dr. Paine. The next celebration is scheduled for December 13, 2007 for all Student Affairs staff December birthdays.  The celebrations will be on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.  Location for the celebration will be included in the birthday invitation.

 


 

Departmental News

 

Athletics

 

Congratulations to Women's Basketball (5-0) and Men's Basketball (3-1)

on their great season starts!

 

 

Articles from UTSA Athletics

Davis Leads UTSA Past Georgia Southern on Saturday

Roadrunners Put Away Pesky Paul Quinn, 93-79
 

Local Athletic Events

 

Date Team Opponent Location Time (CT)
 Thu, Nov 29  MBB  UMKC  San Antonio, Texas  7 p.m.
         
 Sat, Dec 1  MBB  SMU  San Antonio, Texas  2 p.m.
         
 Wed, Dec 19  MBB  Texas Wesleyan  San Antonio, Texas  7 p.m.
         
 Fri, Dec 28  MBB  McMurry  San Antonio, Texas  7 p.m.
         
 Sat, Dec 29  WBB Miami (Ohio)  San Antonio, Texas  4 p.m.
Wells Fargo/UTSA New Year's Classic
         
 Sun, Dec 30  WBB Weber State  San Antonio, Texas  4 p.m.
Wells Fargo/UTSA New Year's Classic

 

Code:

MBB - Men's Basketball

WBB - Women's Basketball

 

NCAA® Men’s Final Four®

Be a part of the MADNESS in 2008 as San Antonio hosts next year’s NCAA® Men’s Final Four®, April 5 and 7 in the Alamodome!  We need 2,000 volunteers to support the many NCAA® events during Final Four® week.  RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY

 


Orientation & Transition Services

UTSA Family Newsletter

 

 


Thank You Rowdy travels across Student Affairs

 

Thank You Rowdy has a special mission in Student Affairs - to travel across UTSA recognizing the good work of staff members.

Within the Division of Student Affairs, Thank You Rowdy is presented from one Student Affairs staff member to another in recognition and appreciation of work done well - taking extra assignments to provide support, offering unsolicited assistance or completing tasks in a unique way.

Whatever the situation, contributions like this are made every day and Thank You Rowdy helps us recognize them.

Thank you Rowdy reflects UTSA's spirit of community and reminds us to remember it takes everyone to make UTSA a great place to work and to learn.

Gage E. Paine


 

Previous 'Thank You Rowdy' Visits

 

Anne Jimenez and EPIC team receive Rowdy from Kevin Price

Melissa Hernandez receives Rowdy from EPIC team Luretta Filberth receives Rowdy (on behalf of Sondra Gervasi, as well)

 


 

Kudos to the HUB Award Winners

 

Kim Ellicks-Center, Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life, and Bryan Hilburn, Administrative Services Officer II in Student Financial Aid, won HUB Small Dollar Employee Advocate Awards.  The departments of Student Activities and the University Center won a HUB Department Advocate Award for the highest HUB expenditures and use of a unique number of HUB vendors. Way to go!

 

 


 

Kudos to a Mystery Student Affairs Staff Member

 

This Student Affairs employee recently graduated from clown school!  Can you guess who it is?

 

The answer will be revealed in the next issue of Student Affairs Staff News.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Congratulations to Christina Selk

 

Christina has accepted a position with the San Antonio Museum of Art effective December 4, 2007.  Please join us in thanking Christina for all her contributions to Student Affairs.

 

 


Student Affairs Staff News

 

Current and previous newsletters are located on the Student Affairs website under News and Events, Staff News.

 

 

Reminder

 

Please send newsletter items to (back to) Vivis Lemmons by Friday, December 7, 2007Submit items at least four days before an event and include a contact name, e-mail address and phone number.  Items may be edited for clarity and format.  Thanks,

                                                                                 Edna Dominguez