Message from Gage E. Paine, Vice President for Student Affairs
This Tuesday, I
attended the quarterly meeting of the UTSA Development Board. The
Development Board consists of about 45 members of the San Antonio
community who are supporters of UTSA. Today's specific agenda was
a briefing by the president on the state-wide discussion about
which universities have the potential to become Tier One
universities and what, if any, state support should they receive.
It's particularly important that this group of community leaders
understand all of the aspirations and plans we have because we need
them to help tell the UTSA story. And, because they are the
Development Board, we want them to be excited about what we're doing
so they will help us during the campaign with their gifts and their
willingness to help us talk to others who can support us - in other
words people who are willing to give to UTSA.
This academic year,
you will begin to hear more and more about UTSA's plans for a
comprehensive campaign. Across campus and the Division of Student
Affairs, we will be identifying programs, facilities and ideas that
we think will be interesting to potential donors. Jana Kennelly has
already been in conversation with staff members across the division
and she has an extensive list of ideas we would like to see funded.
Some of those items will be highlighted in a campaign, some will not
be, but Jana knows about all of them so she'll be able to tell
people about them as appropriate.
But a fundraising
campaign isn't just about the development staff asking for money. A
comprehensive campaign is about so much more. It helps create a
"buzz" about the campus. It helps bring alumni to campus. It
creates not only new funds but new friends for UTSA for the
long-term. And it creates a culture of support, a culture of giving
to UTSA.
I have worked about
half of my career in private higher education. Private higher
education is all about the culture of giving. It has had to be to
survive. Public higher education is a relative late-comer to this
reality, but has had to learn quickly since we can no longer rely
solely on state funds and tuition and fees to cover the costs of
what we do. Private higher education has long relied on the
donations of alumni, friends and university faculty and staff. Yes,
you read that right - faculty and staff. One of the elements donors
look at when they are considering giving to a university is the
extent to which alumni and employees participate in philanthropic
support for the campus.
Now I know that may be
a surprising concept for some people. It may even bother a few.
But it is important to think about as we start this campaign
process. The president of SMU, Gerald Turner, said it very well a
few years ago as SMU was launching a campaign. He said that if we
are going to ask the community to support the university, then the
members of the university need to do two things - show we support the community
through United Way participation (at UTSA that would be the SECC) and show we support our university through
financial contributions.
As the SECC campaign
begins next month and as we move toward our first-ever campaign, I
ask you to think about ways you can be part of this circle of
support. It is as important to moving us to a Tier One
university as developing graduate programs, increasing research
dollars, or creating a vibrant student life on campus. In my
own giving as an alumna and as an employee I have always been
frustrated that I could never figure out a way to give to
Student Affairs. I decided this year that I wouldn't let that
happen to us. So with the help of Jana and the University
Advancement staff we now have in place the Student Affairs
Transformation Fund. There are still details to be worked out, but
the basic idea is that money from this Fund could be used to support
a variety of special opportunities for students and staff. One
example that comes to mind is sending students to a national
conference to present their award winning program. Another might be
bringing a nationally known speaker to campus as a staff development
opportunity. But the general idea would be finding ways to support
our efforts as transformative leaders on the UTSA campus. If you
are interested in learning more about this endeavor, please contact
Jana Kennelly.
As we begin to ask others for financial support and we consider our
own contributions, it may be worth thinking about the benefits of
giving.
An organization called the Fetzer Center has been studying the
nature of generosity of spirit since 2001. This is from one of
their publications. "We observed a wide array of philanthropy
practiced by those blessed with abundance and have been humbled by
the astonishing kindness of those who live with poverty and hunger
at the door. We have been inspired by acts of kindness in times of
danger and personal devastation and witnessed how quiet acts of
generosity during the course of an ordinary day can positively
affect individuals, families, and communities. During this time we
have come to see that generosity is an impulse that invokes deep and
vital healing in the human family. With every story we heard, we
came to realize that sharing our gifts with each other, whether they
be gifts of love, time, attention, skills, or money, releases a
powerful force for change in both the giver and the receiver." Now
that's transformation. That's becoming a top-notch university in
the deepest sense. I hope you find it as exciting as I do.
Best wishes,
Gage
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Patricia Graham to be honored on October 3
UTSA executive director of special events, will be honored for her
34 years at UTSA at a luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m., Friday, Oct.
3 in the University Center III ballroom on the 1604 Campus. Proceeds
from the luncheon will benefit the Dr. Patricia A. Graham
Scholarship Fund, which will help future UTSA students achieve their
dreams.
UTSAToday Article....
Discrimination Prevention Classes at UTSA
Help prevent discrimination at UTSA by taking one of these training
classes. There are classes geared toward all UTSA employees. No
matter what level of experience or knowledge you have in this field,
these classes will provide key information in a dynamic and
challenging format. Help make UTSA a safe, respectful, productive
place for everyone to study and work. Schedule and
Instructions ....(PDF)
Spring Admissions Deadline has changed for
Undergraduates
One of the purposes of a deadline is to provide the necessary
time to complete the admission process, render an admission
decision, and still have adequate time for all necessary follow-up
actions to happen; i.e., financial aid processing, advising,
registration, etc. The December 1 spring deadline has created a
challenge for this to happen, due to backlog from Thanksgiving
vacation and the Christmas break on our campus and other campuses.
Therefore, beginning with the Spring 2009 term, the SPRING
application deadline for domestic (non-international) undergraduates
will be November 15th. However, since in 2008, November
15th is a Saturday, documents will be accepted through
the close of business on Monday, November 17.
Forward any questions to Jennifer Ehlers, Director of Undergraduate
Admissions.
United Way Days of Caring: Labor of Love Project
During the 2008 Days of Caring, a United Way effort that brings
together businesses throughout the San Antonio area for a day of
volunteering, UTSA staff & faculty volunteers will have the
opportunity to restore the resting place of patients of the San
Antonio State Hospital.
Historically, patients admitted to the San Antonio State Hospital
have always had little family support. During 1892-1924 those that
died at the facility, were buried on the hospital grounds in
cemetery 1. Recently the ongoing project, Labor of Love, was
launched to not only rehabilitate cemetery 1, but to also initiate a
research project to locate family members who may not be aware their
loved ones are buried here. At this time, the hospital is in need
of volunteers to help reset those original headstones.
Saturday, Oct. 4th 2008
8:30 am to 12:00 noon
San Antonio State Hospital
All volunteers will receive a Days of Caring T-Shirt and a carpool
will be coordinated from the campuses. To sign up, please email
Jennifer.Lilly@utsa.edu
or call 458-4770 for more information. Family members ages 12+ are
welcome.
Business Procedures
Tips
With the new decentralized travel procedures in Student Affairs,
RTAs will route to the account owner (department head) for final
approval. Payment vouchers and VP5s will route through the account
owner to Travel.
Exceptions are:
-
Directors/Department Heads documents will route to the AVP
-
AVP
documents will route to VPSA
-
Staff
whose travel is being funded by another department's account
will
additionally need the DEFINE
approvals
from the funding
account(s)
administrator(s)
As part of the pilot program for
decentralizing travel, Bob Miller (Below L) and Jackie Hobson (Below R) conducted workshops to cover information about the processes.
More Business Procedures Tips
Student Travel
Upcoming student travel training sessions are as follows:
-
Monday, October 6th, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. BV 4.304A
-
Thursday, October 16th, 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. UC 1.102
(Bexar Room)
-
Thursday, October 23rd, 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. UC 1.102
(Bexar Room)
-
Tuesday, October 28th, 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. UC 1.102
(Bexar Room)
These sessions are offered through TX Class (SD 320).
We look forward to seeing you there!
Edna Dominguez (ext. 7818) and Carol Gonzalez (ext. 4040)
Student Affairs
Training classes for Student Affairs staff will take place in 18
sessions from October through December 2008.
True Colors
is a
communication tool that builds effective relationships across
offices and departments.
Staff attendance is being scheduled through their individual
departments and staff may choose to attend either 1604 or DT
Campus location sessions. Please sign up through department
directors.
The model utilizes the colors of orange,
green, blue and gold to differentiate four basic personality
types. True Colors lively and interactive programs are a way
of discovering one's strengths, and understanding human
behavior.
The Education Team looks forward to "communicating in colors" -
Donna Edmondson, Eric Cooper, Desiree Alva, Dee Kennedy, Susanna
Driver and Michelle Montanio* and Keith Pilger*.
*True Colors
Veteran Facilitators
UTSA faculty-staff dining plans: value,
flexibility
Student Affairs Staff now can leave the leftovers, bagged
lunches and frozen meals at home. This year, they have the
opportunity to buy one of two dining plans offered by ARAMARK,
UTSA's dining services vendor. Not your ordinary meal plans,
they have been created with flexibility and value specifically
for faculty and staff members.
UTSA Today Article...
UTSA Ambassadors
2008 Fall Retreat
Photo Gallery....
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Departmental News
Admissions
Visitor's Center Announcement:
The 1604 Visitor Center will be experiencing a leadership change
this semester. Abimbola Akintolayo will be leaving as the 1604
Visitor Center Coordinator and her last day in the office will be
Friday, September 19, 2008. She has been a great asset to the
Undergraduate Admissions Office and UTSA - we will miss her greatly.
For the length of the fall semester, Evelyn Betancourt-Martinez will
serve as interim coordinator of the 1604 Visitor Center. Evelyn has
been and Admissions Officer for the past two years and has extensive
programming experience. She looks forward to working with you all
on the different visitor center activities we plan. We expect to
have the Visitor Center Coordinator position filled during the
spring semester. You may contact Evelyn by email at
evelyn.betancourt@utsa.edu or by phone at
210.458.5145.
Marisol M.
Scheer
Athletics
Area September All Sports Schedule:
Date |
Team |
Opponent |
Location |
Time (CT) |
|
|
|
|
|
Fri, Sep 19
|
WCC
|
Ricardo
Romo/Six Flags Fiesta Texas Classic
|
San
Antonio (Brooks-City Base)
|
6
p.m.
|
Fri,
Sep 19
|
MCC
|
Ricardo
Romo/Six Flags Fiesta Texas Classic
|
San
Antonio (Brooks-City Base)
|
6
p.m.
|
Fri,
Sep 26
|
VB
|
UT
Arlington *
|
San
Antonio, Texas
|
7
p.m.
|
Sat,
Sep 27
|
VB
|
Texas
State *
|
San
Antonio, Texas
|
4
p.m.
|
Sun,
Sep 28
|
WS
|
TCU
|
San
Antonio, Texas
|
1
p.m.
|
Tue,
Sep 30
|
VB
|
Prairie
View A&M
|
San
Antonio, Texas
|
6
p. |
|
|
|
|
|
Complete Schedule
GoUTSA
Career Services
Career Services will
be hosting Professional Etiquette Dinner
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
5:30-7:30
University Center III Ballroom
Tickets are now on sale and may be purchased for $15.00 each.
Go on-line to
www.utsa.edu/careerservices, log in to your Jobbank account
and click on Career Event #2214.
UTSA students, alumni, faculty, and staff may bring a guest.
Business attire required.
For more information, contact Career Services at 210-458-4589.
CAREER SERVICES Announces NEW PROCEDURES FOR ON CAMPUS INTERVIEWING
UTSA Career Services is launching a new initiative to better prepare
student candidates for job interviews when participating in the On
Campus Recruiting Program through Career Services. This initiative
was designed as a direct result of feedback and suggestions from
employers who recruit UTSA students.
So how does this work?
To qualify to participate in the On Campus Interview Program, all
students must attend the newly designed Professional Interviewing
101 workshop. This workshop will be presented a number of times
each week, so there are numerous opportunities to sign up and attend
BEFORE you try to sign up for on campus interviews. If students are
not able to attend they can
1) scheduling an appointment with your career counselor for
interview preparation or a mock interview; or
2) completing the Professional Interview 101 Module on our Career
Services homepage,
http://utsa.edu/careerservices/Modules/Professional%20Interviewing%20101/player.html
Inclusion and Community Engagement Center
15th Annual Babcock Road Clean-Up!
On Friday September 26, VOICES and the Inclusion & Community
Engagement Center will sponsor the 15th annual Babcock
Road Street Clean-Up. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to
help beautify our neighborhood from 10:00am - 3:00 p.m. We currently
need staff to drive students in minivans from the
Convocation Center to the Babcock/UTSA Blvd. locations and back in
one hour shifts as follows:
10:00am - 11:00am (full)
11:00am - 12:00pm (1 slot)
12:00pm - 1:00pm (2 slots)
1:00pm - 2:00pm (3 slots)
2:00pm - 3:00pm (2 slots)
Please contact Jennifer Lilly at
Jennifer.lilly@utsa.edu
or 458-4770 if you would like to volunteer with us! If you are able
to do more than one shift that would be welcomed. By the way, all
volunteers will receive a free Babcock Rd. Clean-Up t-shirt!
National Hispanic Heritage Month -
FREE Tu
Vida, Tu Salud:
Live
entertainment provided by DJ CALIENTE, free food, giveaways on
September 23
To: UTSA Communities
From: SHADES at Student Health Services
Date: Monday, 22 September 2008
Re: National Hispanic Heritage Month -
Tu vida, Tu Salud
When: Monday, September 22, 2008, 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Where:
1604 Campus at the UC III Ballroom
More...(PDF)
Tu vida, tu salud is sponsored by SHADES, Inclusion and Community
Engagement Center
and Student Health Services.
University
Center
New UC Program Council's Coffee House, featuring The
Alex Sutherlin Project
on
Sept 10, was a big success! More than 100 students attended the event. The
courtyard was full and some students took advantage of the music and
danced.
Office
of Student Activities
Nominations for
Student Leader of the Month Award
UTSA Community, we have had an exciting kick-off to our academic
year and now it is time to recognize the contributions our student
leaders have made. The Student Leader of The Month Award is
sponsored by the Office of Student Activities as a means to
recognize outstanding leadership contributions of a particular UTSA
student during a given month. Nominees must meet the following
criteria to be considered for the award:
-
Must be a full-time UTSA undergraduate or graduate student
-
Must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.25 or higher at the
time of nomination
-
Must have demonstrated excellence in leadership above and beyond
typical expectations
-
Nominations should be for actions that positively impact the UTSA
community
Nominations are made through the Student Activities website and the
deadline for September Student Leader of The Month is September 25.
http://utsa.edu/sa/leadutsa/slotm.cfm
For more information contact John Montoya at 458-4936 or
John.Montoya@utsa.edu
Student Financial Aid
More
Roadrunner Days photos - contributed by Bryan Hilburn:
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"Getting To Know You......."
Name:
Susanna Driver
Title:
Career Counselor II
Department: Career Services
Job
Description:
I assist students and alumni from various disciplines across
colleges regarding career development, planning, and practical job
search skills. I have specialized in assisting international
students and those who are seeking overseas opportunities. Let's
just say: "Been there, done that, and know the challenge."
Background/ Experience:
I grew up overseas in Germany. After high school graduation, I
decided to return to the United States and attend UTSA and pursue a
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Women/Gender Studies.
During my last year of school, I got the "itchy-foot syndrome" and
accepted a position that took me abroad to work for colleges
supporting the military. I have lived in diverse areas to include:
Kosovo, Egypt, back to Germany, and Afghanistan. I love to visit
new places and experience other cultures, so there are smatterings
of other countries in between. While working as a college liaison in
Germany, I took advantage of the opportunity to earn my M.A. in
Counseling Psychology with Bowie State University.
I have more than seven years of experience in working in higher
education and taught as an adjunct to service members on a small
forward operating base during my last tour in Afghanistan. Last
summer I decided to return to the United States and come to San
Antonio specifically. I am very excited to be here working for my
alma mater. It will be a year in October.
Describe your job:
Our work encompasses many services for students, individual
assistance from career planning to resumes, career events, online
chat, and instruction. For a comprehensive snapshot of our services,
please visit:
http://utsa.edu/careerservices/
What
is the most unusual job related duty?
I hadn't realized that learning to dance the "Soulja Boy" would be
one of the "other duties as assigned."
What
job skills to you use most often? In
career counseling, we talk a lot about core competencies; these are
basic and essential work skills one carries across job functions. I
highly value the skill of communication. Communicating to team
members, up and down the ladder of supervision, across departments,
and most importantly, to students in educating them about career
development and job searching.
Speaking of communication, this is a perfect place to plug-in the
upcoming True Colors training. As a member of the VPSA Education
Team, I am very excited about the idea of communicating in
colors. This training will further enhance our
communication with one another in our daily routines. Through this
training we become more aware of ourselves and of others in terms of
work style, stressors, and how to approach someone. And hey, maybe
"Bob" isn't really a slacker, we just didn't realize he's
a... Oops! I almost gave a color tip away. -It's promised to be fun
and practical. I look forward to meeting some of you in my class!
How
can we reach you? By
visiting the Career Services in the UC II. Above the book store and
through the breezeway. You'll see our office. Have a cup of coffee
or tea on us and ask the front for Susanna.
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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 Paine
Previous Thank You Rowdy Recipients
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Kudos
From John Kaulfus:
Kudos to Misty Kelley for her outstanding work as "acting" Director
of Student Activities while Barry McKinney was on paternity leave.
Misty did a great job of overseeing the SGA elections, the
Involvement Fair, all the issues that come with the first two weeks
of class, and all the preparations that had to take place for
Hurricane Ike. Great job Misty!
From Office of the Registrar:
This is customer service at its finest! Thanks to Monica Bowden in
Graduation Coordination, Office of the Registrar, a former student
no longer had a serious timing issue in Shanghai. He expressed his
gratitude in the email that follows:
Wow,
One day turn around. The web site indicated a week or two.
I'm not sure if you get many people as grateful as me for you going
the extra mile in your work, but there is a very happy alumni in
Shanghai today thanks to you. I have many things to do before I have
to leave on the 25th, (last day of my current visa), and
my residency agent cannot get started without this last piece of the
puzzle. Getting it back to me so quickly gives her the time she
needs and it's one less item I have to worry about before I leave.
My sincerest thanks. Living overseas can be frustrating at times
regarding issues in the USA. You have made this painless. I just
need to learn how to use a fax machine.
Have a
great day.
Fritz
From Financial Aid and Enrollment Services:
A student sent a thank-you card to Andria Cox in the Call Center:
Andria,
I just wanted to thank you again for your help with my financial
aid. I had been dealing with that issue for several weeks, and you
literally took less than 24 hours once you got your hands on it!
That is a job extremely well done!! Thanks again for all your help
with that matter!
Sincerely,
Greg Ruder
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Please submit articles and events to
Vivis.Lemmons@utsa.edu no later
than Monday, September 29, 2008. |
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