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Staff News
October 18, 2007
In This Issue
Message from Gage E. Paine, Vice President for Student Affairs
Tuesday morning I continued my meetings with Student Affairs staff to talk about departmental assessment plans. That evening I joined Professor Anne-Marie Nuñez’s class on Planning and Evaluation to bring in a ‘real world’ perspective. As always I had a great time with both groups as we did that critical step in our work – take time to think about what is most important to us in the work that we do.
Each department I have talked with has struggled to some degree with defining the objectives/outcomes. Our natural tendency (and many of us have been taught this as well) is to be very concrete. An objective should be something we can accomplish. And all of the tasks listed have been worthwhile, important ones. But for our formal assessment purposes and for our best program planning we need to go a little deeper. So I have been asking ‘Why?’ and ‘So what?’. Why do we want to build a resource library in the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center? So what difference does it make if Student Judicial Affairs staff do outreach to faculty and new students? What is the real purpose of these tasks and just how do we know if we’ve been successful or if these efforts are a good use of our money and our time?
If we define our purposes clearly, then our assessments become more useful. We know what questions to ask and what facts to measure. When we ask good, important questions and measure useful data, then assessment is not just a task imposed on us but it becomes an integral step in creating great programs, providing superior services and being excellent stewards of our resources.
And it takes us one step further. Taking time to stop and think about what we do, ask ourselves hard questions and do quality assessment gives us better ways to tell our story. It helps everyone be clear about the educational purpose and value in the wide variety of work we call Student Affairs. Because we have done our homework, we are clearer in our thinking and therefore in our explanations. Additionally, every time I sit down with a group of staff or students to think and talk about what we do, I learn something new, hear a creative idea, or gain a clearer understanding of someone else’s thoughts or even my own thinking.
So whatever makes us do it - SACS*accreditation, some vice president or director, our own drive to improve - it is worth the effort it takes to find the time to stop and think and to keep asking ourselves ‘Why?’ and ‘So what?’. The answers may surprise us.
Best Wishes,
Gage
*Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
"Visiting With......."
Student Judicial Affairs
Here are a few things we would like you to know about us:
Our mission: UTSA Student Judicial Affairs has responsibility for administering matters arising from student conduct on campus. The Student Judicial Affairs mission is to create an environment that strives to assure a fair and objective process that upholds the high behavioral and academic standards articulated in the UTSA Student Code of Conduct. The office uses educational strategies and disciplinary counseling as catalysts for self-understanding and personal growth. Through the pursuit of wisdom, and the acquisition of knowledge, we strive to develop productive individuals who possess self-discipline and respect the rights of others in the larger community to which they belong.
Who we serve: Students and the entire campus community.
Our innovations or successes: Development and implementation of Civility Week and the Ethics Bowl along with coordinating a team with housing to develop and implement the EPIC Journey, an enhanced sanctioning model. E.P.I.C. stands for: Engagement, Personal Development, Interpersonal Development and Community. Through enhanced techniques used in the educational meetings with students, housing and student judicial affairs professionals support needed skill sets and goals through sanctioning that are aimed to develop into individual students journeys. The journeys are focused on student success and retention.
Longest serving staff member: Anne Jimenez
Newest staff member: Jan McKinney
You may not know that: We work with approximately 1800 cases per year with the highest number of cases in one semester being 839 during spring 2006. We are in the process of hiring a new coordinator to bring our staff member count up to five. In addition to casework, Jan teaches a freshman seminar class that achieved the highest rating in fall 2006.
Humor is a job requirement in our office so you need to know that Todd’s nickname is The Todd and Jan’s is The Shark. Mary is a hard rocking woman of the 80’s who sings while working. Anne loves air conditioning and natural light from the window which makes her office…a cave! Todd had a full head of hair when he began work here in 2003…now look at him! Jan loves her morning coffee and organizing the office suite. By the way, she is on the platinum list of preferred customers at the Container Store.
How you can reach us: get in trouble on campus or just call us at ext. 210-458-4720
Announcements
RSVP now to jennifer.lilly@utsa.edu
Inclusion and Community Engagement Center News and Calender of Coming Events
Come celebrate spirit and tradition during UTSA Family Day - October 27, 2007 Events include a Family Breakfast at the UC, visits to different departments, and UTSA Day at Six Flags Fiesta Texas! More.....UTSA Family Association News
Of Interest from VPBA Business Horizons
UTSA HUB Program
For the sixth time in the last seven years, UTSA is among the top 25 Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) programs in the state of Texas.
In 2007, more than $17.2 million or 35% of total eligible UTSA purchases were spent with HUB vendors (minority and women-owned businesses certified by the state). UTSA ranked #6 this year—up from #19 in 2006! Other UT System institutions joining us in the top 25 are: U.T. Tyler (48%), U.T. Dallas (33%) and U.T. El Paso (26%).
Congratulations to all who continue to support the HUB program.
Gary Lott (formerly known as the Business Manager) has the new title of Director, Financial Services and University Bursar. He oversees the Fiscal Services, Surplus and Capital Inventory departments, with thirty-one employees. Gary and his administrative staff - Linda Gall and Julie Alley handle a myriad of student concerns, both on the phone and for walk-in customers. Gary's office is now co-located with the Office of the Associate Vice President for Financial Affairs, JPL 4.04.16.
Jane Wilcox, currently the Associate Director of Parking and Transportation Services, has accepted the position of Director of Business Auxiliary Services. Jane has served as Interim Director since June and will permanently assume those responsibilities November 1st.
Construction Update - Physical Plant Renovation A renovation of the 32 year old Physical Plant Building is nearing completion. The refurbished building will become the headquarters of the Police Department, Parking and Transportation, and the Office of Information Technology. Telephone Services has remained in the building throughout the renovation and will continue to occupy a portion of the second floor. The building was previously home to the Office of Facilities which has since relocated to West Campus. This institutionally-managed project was designed by Casabella Architects based in Austin and constructed by Alpha Building Company based here in San Antonio. Some common functions that will be performed out of the refurbished building include: Access Control, Police Dispatch, and the OIT Help Desk. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2007. A new name for the building is being discussed.
Parking News The Office of Facilities has completed the design of new parking lots, a north-south connector road, and a water filtration basin to serve the 1604 campus. The RFP has been issued for a 300 space expansion of Parking Lot 12, a new roadway to connect UTSA Boulevard and Loop 1604 across campus, and a water filtration basin to capture runoff from the new projects. Another RFP will also be issued for a 400 space expansion of Parking Lot 10. All four projects will be completed in Spring 2008. The new lots will provide an additional 700+ parking spaces for students, staff and faculty. Shuttle bus routes will serve both new parking lots.
Student 'Who's Who nominations due October 31, 2007
It's time again to nominate UTSA’s outstanding students for Who’s Who. Please help in selecting 150 juniors, seniors and graduate students to be named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Up to 20 freshmen and 20 sophomores will be added to the list of upper classmen for a combined total of 190 students to Who’s Who at UTSA. Link on the above for more information.
Office of Admissions is having an all-day open house
Donate to SECC: You're admitted to 'UTSA's
Got Talent!'
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Code:
MG - Men's Golf
VB - Volleyball
MCC - Men's Cross Country
WCC - Women's Cross Country
WBB - Women's Baseball
WS - Women's Soccer
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
Student Activities Weekly Events Beginning October 22nd
Thank You Rowdy continues his 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
Kudos
Anne Jimenez
Accepts 'Thank You Rowdy' from Kevin Priceon behalf of the university housing, campus living villages and student judicial affairs group that worked and developed EPIC.
October 12, 2007
“I’m asking Anne Jimenez to accept ‘Thank You Rowdy’ on behalf of the group of staff members responsible for developing what I believe is a model judicial affairs sanctioning program (EPIC Journey™). Thank you all for developing a program that places a premium on our students’ personal development.”
Kevin S. Price
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Previous Thank You Rowdy Recipients and Rowdy's Road Rules |
| Sam Gonzales receives Thank You Rowdy from Bob Miller |
Kevin Price receives Thank You Rowdy from Sam Gonzales |
From
Zenia Trevino, Admissions
"This was sent to me regarding Jessica Avalos who is our new front office person here in Admissions. She just started with us on September 10th and as you can see, she is already doing a great job."
Dear Ms Trevino
Hi, how are you? My name is Bo Savage. I just want to mention that Ms. Jessica Avalos was so friendly and knowledgeable regarding my questions.
As a surviving spouse of a service member, I had lots of Q's (questions) but she was so kind to every single Q of mine.
Hopefully Ms. Jessica becomes a great asset to UTSA to help out many people with her nice smile.
Sincerely,
Bo
Informational Links
Staff News - Current and previous newsletters are located on the Student Affairs website, News and Events,
On-Track - Human Resources Newsletter for up-to-date benefits and other news.
Reminder
Please send newsletter items to Vivis.Lemmons@utsa.edu by October 29, 2007. Submit items at least four days before an event including contact name, e-mail and phone. Items may be edited for clarity and format.
