Staff News

February 21, 2008

In This Issue  


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

In this week’s Chronicle of Higher Education, online edition, Gary Pavela, wrote a commentary entitled “Fearing Our Students Won’t Help Them.”*  Pavela, who is known for his thoughtful work in the area of judicial affairs, writes eloquently about the delicate balancing act we face on college campuses.  We try, and have always tried, to balance individual student growth and needs with the concerns and rights of the greater community.  But there are times when for all our best efforts things go awry.  The news of the truly horrific events at Northern Illinois last week reminds us of the challenges we face.  Of course, going unreported are the many times when we are able to respond sensitively, creatively and effectively to the wide variety of student and community issues we routinely address on campus.

The costs of an error in this work we do seem to be getting higher.  It is true more students with a wider variety of disabling conditions are able to be successful through high school and are now coming to college.  Generally this is a cause for celebration.  Most of these students need minor changes to our university routines and procedures to continue their education successfully.  Most students do not exhibit violent or harmful behavior; but no matter how rare the occurrence any violence is devastating.                 

Parent concerns and expectations of managing safety on campus increase as fears grow based on the media attention that violent behavior on campus garners – and who can argue with such concerns?

And yet, colleges and universities have always been places where it has been relatively ‘safe’ to be eccentric,  to test boundaries, try on new ideas—wearing all black and having tattoos was just sort of odd, not scary.  Now, the question or even expectation is, ‘Is it something we should respond to, and if so, how?’  Student Affairs staff members, university police and others all over the country, including UTSA, are asking themselves again: ‘Where are the boundaries and when and how do we respond?’ 

For those who have not read the article, I list four specific suggestions Pavela puts fourth: “Focus on actual conduct, not stereotypes, fears, or predictions.” “Recognize that suicide prevention is violence prevention.”  “Create a cross-functional threat assessment team.” And, “Encourage student involvement.”

UTSA has an Emergency Response Team in place and has been working on the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.  Student Affairs has had a Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) for four years.  We are working with the police and others on a threat assessment process to determine what else, if anything, needs to be created.  And with the heightened awareness comes pressure to respond in new ways – to put safety as an absolute first priority.

Gary Pavela questions whether it is valid to make a distinction between safety and all other considerations:  “Ample credible research — including research by law-enforcement agencies — suggests it isn't. Safety is enhanced when we protect our students' civil liberties and when we try to find responsible, creative ways to keep them enrolled, rather than creative ways to dismiss them.”

Later in the article Pavela goes on to say, “Administrators must be seen as individuals who can listen and exercise discretion.  The Secret Service gives high priority in this regard to creating a school “culture of ‘two-way listening.’” including listening to feelings, especially those of hurt and pain.

“It merits attention when agencies like the Secret Service start recommending strategies echoing the humanistic goals of college counseling centers.  That unusual development suggest that educators have proven, long-established ways to respond effectively to troubled students:  As the NRC report on school violence observed, ‘The only real way of preventing [school violence] is to get into [students’] heads and their hearts.’

But we can’t understand what is within our students’ hearts if our hearts are guided by fear.”

As staff members in Student Affairs at UTSA, we interact with students everyday, some of whom are easy and fun to work with and some of whom are more challenging.  We strive to meet their individual needs and understand their specific concerns.  The safety of our campus is critical and if you have questions about any of our services or emergency response protocols please talk with your director or member of the Student Affairs Executive Council.  We each need to be familiar with all of the resources available on our campus.  But first and foremost we need to work with each student with care and consideration.  When we do that, we are able to do our best work with each student and have the best chance of responding appropriately no matter how minor or severe the situation. 

As Dr. Suess says in The Lorax “UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It’s not.”

My thanks to each of you for caring “a whole awful lot.”

Best wishes,

Gage

* Chronicle of Higher Education, February 18, 2008

Gary Pavela teaches in the honors program at the University of Maryland at College Park and is the author of Questions and Answers on College Student Suicide: A Law and Policy Perspective (College Administration Publications, 2006).

Top


 

Announcements/Coming Events

 

To All Student Affairs Staff:

 

The Spring 2008 All-Staff Meetings will be held on March 3, 6 and 7.  This will be an opportunity to learn about important initiatives in Student Affairs and UTSA; to ask questions and make suggestions.  All benefits-eligible staff are expected to attend one meeting; part-time staff are welcome to attend.  The meeting will last the full 45 minutes.  Please work with your supervisors to schedule the best time to attend a meeting.

 

Monday, March 3, 2008

2:00 to 2:45 p.m.

FS 1.402 - Multipurpose Room

Downtown Campus

 

Thursday, March 6, 2008

3:00 to 3:45 p.m.

UC 2.01.28 - Denman Ballroom

1604 Campus

 

Friday, March 7, 2008

10:00 to 10:45 a.m.

UC 2.01.28 - Denman Ballroom

1604 Campus

 


 

Monthly Birthday Celebration with Dr. Paine:

 

Please come celebrate your birthday with co-workers and Dr. Paine. The next celebration is scheduled for March 6, 2008 for all Student Affairs staff March birthdays. The celebrations will be on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 3:00 p.m.  Location for the celebration will be included in the birthday invitation. February birthday guests: please be sure to RSVP to facilitate refreshment orders.

 


Business Procedures Notes:

Please use a large paperclip (instead of stapling) documents in contracts, services agreements, etc. as documents will be separated for processing, re-organizing in the stack, and photocopying.

For more information - VPSA@utsa.edu  

Bob Miller (above right), Chair of the Business Procedures Committee, tracks various business processes.

More Business Procedures  Notes


Homecoming News

Attention RoadRunners: Homecoming is is Feb. 27-March 1!

(UTSAToday Article)

Decorate Your Door with UTSA Spirit!

 

The Best Dressed Door and Office Contest is sponsored by the Campus Activities Board to encourage all faculty and staff to decorate their doors or departmental offices as a part of the Homecoming festivities. For Homecoming, we will be playing Texas A&M Corpus Christi and our theme is “Wipeout the Islanders.”

 

Judges will be looking for those with the most UTSA Spirit, creativity, and use of the Homecoming theme. Decorating may begin on Wednesday, February 20th and must be completed by Monday, February 25th at 5:00 pm. Judging will take place on Tuesday, February 26.

 

DT/ITC winners will be announced at the Jazz in the Plaza on Wednesday, February 27. 1604/UH winners will be announced at the Rowdy Rampage on Friday, February 29. Plaques will be awarded in multiple categories.  First place winners will also receive breakfast tacos in their office on Friday, March 7.

 

Interested departments/offices need to contact Chris Hargraves at chris.hargraves@utsa.edu by Friday, February 22 if they intend to enter the competition. Questions may be directed to Chris Hargraves at 458-4728.

 


Campus Clean-Up Begins March 7th

March 7, 2008 1:00 - 3:00pm: Campus Clean-up!  Help us recruit students and student organizations to participate in our UTSA service project. We will be organizing students into groups to wash tables at the Sombrilla, pick up trash in areas of campus, and more! Students must be wearing closed-toes shoes to participate, and check in is at 1:00pm at the Sombrilla. If  a group is definitely interested in participating, please email Jennifer.Lilly@utsa.edu with the name of the organization and number of participants to guarantee that we have a job for you. Individuals and groups are welcome to register the day of the event.  Contact Jennifer with any questions or for more information.


UC III Website Displays Expansion Project

From John Kaulfus:

The UC III University Center website is designed to keep students, faculty and staff apprised of the status of the expansion project.  Initially designed and maintained by current Student Government President Tommy Thompson, the site offers: 

  • Current renderings of what the finished building will look like when completed

  • A slide show showing the project from the time it was a parking lot to its current day status

  • A timeline showing the history of this project from the time the students voted for it during the March 2005 student referendum to the present day construction. 

 

Please take the time to visit the website and offer feedback.  Click on the “contact” button at the top of the page.  We would appreciate your input.


UTSA Women's Studies Institute Celebrates Women's Strength

From Sara Ramirez, Co-Chair, Women’s Festival:

As part of the Women's Festival 2008, we invite students, staff, and faculty to submit photos of strong women in their lives.  See Flyer for details...

Thank you for your support!

 

Top


 

Welcome New Staff To Student Affairs

 

Career Services

 

Melissa Bruni  - Career Counselor

Mark Dahlquist - Career Counselor

Luisa Cantu - Admin Associate/Marketing

Marcela Cabello - Admin Associate/Front Desk

 

Top


 

Departmental News

Athletics:

 

Texas Tech added to UTSA Baseball Classic field

Courtesy:  UTSA Athletics – Release Feb. 19, 2008

 

UTSA head coach Sherman Corbett announced Tuesday that Texas Tech has been added to this weekend’s UTSA Baseball Classic field. With the addition of the Red Raiders, what was originally scheduled as a three-day, championship-format tournament will change to a round-round robin format with an extra day of action being added. Army, Louisiana-Lafayette and Oral Roberts comprise the remainder of the teams playing this weekend.
 

Watch Basketball Live Online! Click Here

 

See More at  goUTSA.com

  Area Athletic Events:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date

Team

Opponent

Location

Time

 

 

 

 

 

Fri, Feb 22

 BB

 Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Army
UTSA Baseball Classic — Wolff Stadium

 San Antonio, Texas

 10 a.m.

 Fri, Feb 22

 BB

 Army vs. Oral Roberts
UTSA Baseball Classic — Wolff Stadium

 San Antonio, Texas

 2 p.m.

 Fri, Feb 22

 BB

 Oral Roberts
UTSA Baseball Classic — Wolff Stadium

 San Antonio, Texas

 6 p.m.

 Sat, Feb 23

 BB

 Texas Tech vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
UTSA Baseball Classic — Wolff Stadium

 San Antonio, Texas

 10 a.m.

 Sat, Feb 23

 MT

 Prairie View A&M

 San Antonio, Texas

 11 a.m.

 Sat, Feb 23

 WBB

 Texas State *

 San Antonio, Texas

 2 p.m.

 Sat, Feb 23

 BB

 Oral Roberts vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
UTSA Baseball Classic — Wolff Stadium

 San Antonio, Texas

 2 p.m.

 Sat, Feb 23

 BB

 Army
UTSA Baseball Classic — Wolff Stadium

 San Antonio, Texas

 6 p.m.

 Sat, Feb 23

 MBB

 Texas State *

 at San Marcos, Texas

 7 p.m.

 Sun, Feb 24

 BB

 Texas Tech vs. Army
UTSA Baseball Classic — Wolff Stadium

 San Antonio, Texas

 10 a.m.

 Sun, Feb 24

 BB

 Louisiana-Lafayette
UTSA Baseball Classic — Roadrunner Field

 San Antonio, Texas

 1 p.m.

 Sun, Feb 24

 BB

 Texas Tech vs. Oral Roberts
UTSA Baseball Classic — Wolff Stadium

 San Antonio, Texas

 2 p.m.

 Mon, Feb 25

 BB

 Texas Tech
UTSA Baseball Classic — Wolff Stadium

 San Antonio, Texas

 2 p.m.

 Tue, Feb 26

 SB

 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi *

 San Antonio, Texas

 5 p.m.

 Tue, Feb 26

 SB

 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi *

 San Antonio, Texas

 7 p.m.

 Wed, Feb 27

 SB

 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi *

 San Antonio, Texas

 1 p.m.

 Wed, Feb 27

 MBB

 McNeese State *

 San Antonio, Texas

 7 p.m.

 Fri, Feb 29

 BB

 Sacred Heart
Wolff Stadium

 San Antonio, Texas

 6 p.m.

 Sat, Mar 1

 WT

 Nicholls State *

 San Antonio, Texas

 11 a.m.

 Sat, Mar 1

 SB

 McNeese State *

 San Antonio, Texas

 1 p.m.

 Sat, Mar 1

 BB

 Sacred Heart
Wolff Stadium

 San Antonio, Texas

 2 p.m.

 Sat, Mar 1

 SB

 McNeese State *

 San Antonio, Texas

 3 p.m.

 Sat, Mar 1

 BB

 Sacred Heart
Wolff Stadium

 San Antonio, Texas

 5:30 p.m.

 Sat, Mar 1

 MBB

 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi *

 San Antonio, Texas

 7 p.m.

 Sun, Mar 2

 SB

 McNeese State *

 San Antonio, Texas

 12 p.m.

 Sun, Mar 2

 BB

 Sacred Heart
Wolff Stadium

 San Antonio, Texas

 1 p.m.

 Sun, Mar 2

 WT

 Southeastern Louisiana *

 San Antonio, Texas

 noon

 Tue, Mar 4

 BB

 Kansas State
Wolff Stadium

 San Antonio, Texas

 6 p.m.

 Tue, Mar 4

 SB

 Baylor

 San Antonio, Texas

 6:30 p.m.

 Wed, Mar 5

 BB

 Kansas State
Wolff Stadium

 San Antonio, Texas

 noon

 Thu, Mar 6

 WBB

 Sam Houston State *

 San Antonio, Texas

 7 p.m.

Code:

BB - Baseball

MBB - Men's Basketball

WBB - Women's Basketball

MT - Men's Tennis

WT - Women's Tennis

SB -

 


Fourth Annual Black Heritage  Ball on Saturday, February 23rd

See article and complete schedule (UTSA Today Article)

 


Student Health Services announces Spring Break Event:

This year’s theme is Spring Break Survivor: Caribbean. Featured will be over 100 exhibitors from local community programs and agencies and campus departments, clubs, and organizations and expect over 2500 participants to attend.

The Spring Break Survivor: Caribbean offers alternative activities and awareness for safe spring break and to provide health and wellness resources to the UTSA community.

The Spring Break event cannot have a Survivor theme without a Survivor challenge, so we're accepting applications for teams! We're calling all departments, clubs, and organizations to participate. The number of teams are limited. For more information, check out the Student Health Services website or call 458-6428.

Sponsored by: Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management, Student Health Services, and SHADES.


Student Activities 

Where’s Rowdy?

• Thursday, February 28, 2008
• 7pm Sombrilla, 1604 Campus

"Where’s Rowdy?" is a UTSA Homecoming tradition. The Student Alumni Association invites you and your friends to find Rowdy. He is on campus. Follow the clues, play the games, locate him first and win!

For more information on the game and other Student Activities news and events, click on In The Loop Student Activities Newsletter.

Top


 

"Getting To Know You...." Paul Ayala and Julio "Joey" Ramos

 

Here are a few things we would like you to know about us:

 

Julio "Joey" Ramos

Paul Ayala

Title: Assistant Director

Department: Orientation and

Transition Services

Title: Assistant Director

Department: Orientation and

Transition Services

 

Background

 

Joey:

I grew up in a small Texas border town named Del Rio.  If you have never been there, I would recommend that everyone visit it at least once.  It is not in a dry county, in fact there is an awesome body of water, Lake Amistad, located there!   Once I finished high school, I booked it to San Antonio, and have been here ever since.  I graduated from UTSA with a BBA in 2000 and received an MBA in 2005 from Our Lady of the Lake University.

 

Paul:

I am originally from Corpus Christi, Texas, but have lived in San Antonio for nine years, so this is home.  I received my undergraduate and graduate degrees from the UTSA College of Business.  Due to my entrepreneurial spirit, I began dabbling in magic and renting my services out as a means of supplementing my income.

 

Complete Article ......

Top

 


 

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 un- solicited 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 


 

Rex Algate receives Thank You Rowdy from Carol Gonzalez

 

February 20, 2008

 

To:  Rex Algate, Assistant Director, Student Financial Aid

 

Thank you for providing excellent customer service.  As an internal customer, I recognize and truly appreciate your assistance in helping me address and resolve various financial aid questions and concerns.  You have always answered your phone and are readily available to help.  You are polite, knowledgeable and prompt.  Thank you for diligently working behind the scenes to get things done and for being such a consummate professional.

Carol (L) surprises Rex (R) with Thank You Rowdy

With gratitude,

 

Carol Gonzalez

 

 

 

(R) Carol reads Thank You Rowdy Rules to Rex

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Previous 'Thank You Rowdy' Visits

 

Bob Miller presents Rowdy to Sam Gonzales who passes Rowdy on to Kevin Price 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) Beth Scholl received Rowdy from Luretta Filberth

 

Hmmmm, wonder where I'll go next?
Anne Macintosh Speights receives Rowdy from Beth Scholl Carol Gonzalez receives Rowdy from Anne Macintosh Speights    

 


 

Kudos

 

KUDOS from Mary Hill, Consultant for Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission,

regarding UTSA’s Alcohol Awareness Programs (Hazards) presented to student organizations:

 

I use UTSA for all of my program presentations about enforcement of underage drinking laws and alcohol education. I talk about your crime prevention office in your on-campus living areas. I commend Corporal Geoff Meritt for his knowledge of "Providing Alcohol to Minors" and TABC is also very complimentary of his work. Your good work with student organizations especially Greek is also noteworthy.

 

Top


NOTE: Please submit your newsletter entries by March 3, 2008  to Vivis.Lemmons@utsa.edu

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

Top