Message from the Vice President

Dr. Gage Paine

All of us have jobs that are a mix of routine and variety to some degree. Individual jobs have their specific rhythms; some tend more toward routine and others toward variety. People have their preferences too. Some prefer routine- it's predictable, orderly and generally manageable. Some people need more variety in their day or they find it boring, but all of us have to deal with the mix. Depending on our preferences and experiences we may have vastly different ideas about what is a routine day.

By many standards my last two weeks have been non-routine and since occasionally I get asked, 'Just what do you do?' I thought I'd share a bit about my work life since the last newsletter. To give you some perspective, usually in my week I meet with every member of the Exec Council and Edna Dominguez. Carol Gonzalez and Jana Kennelly meet with me bi-weekly and Jean Troncale and I meet at the very beginning of every day. Those meetings don't show up much in this two-week period – part of this being non-routine. And yet, while this snapshot is somewhat unusual, except for the work related to the SACS accreditation visit, there is nothing on here that is not part of our on-going work at the University. It's not every day we hire a football coach, but we've certainly been talking a lot of football since I came to UTSA. So here it is – a glimpse at my calendar.

Friday, February 20, 2009

  • Campus Rec to Welcome the participants in Emerging Leaders in Recreational Sport Conference

  • Dr. John Frederick, Provost, Dr. Dan Gelo, Dean of Liberal Arts, Dr. Christopher Wickham, Associate Dean, and Dr. Gregg Michel, Faculty Athletic Rep. to discuss academic eligibility and support for athletics and other students.

  • Chief Dave Hernandez and Donovan Agans for a check-in on what's going on with UTSAPD

  • Administrative Brown Bag Lunch with SA staff

  • Meet with a Student Government Representative for a special issue

  • Meet with Jana Kannelly, Asst. Dir Student Affairs Development

  • SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools)/University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) conference call to prepare for site visit

  • Review Honor Code Draft with Charlin Jones and students Akshay Thusu, Andrea Delgado

  • Meet with Joe DeCristoforo, AVP


Saturday, February 21, 2009

  • Black Heritage Banquet


Sunday, February 22, 2009

  • Depart to Memphis for SACS site visit to U of Mississippi


Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, February 23-26, 2009

  • SACS/COC site visit at U of Mississippi


Friday February 27, 2009

  • Meet with Jackie Hobson on budget issue

  • Meet with Dr. Romo for performance review

  • Attend Financial Aid and ESC Open House

  • (Catchup on e-mail, etc after being out four days)

  • Participate in Homecoming - Rowdy Rampage – Golf Cart Parade, Concert, Rally, Fireworks


Saturday February 28, 2009

  • Welcome for the Roadrunner Remembrance

  • Attend and speak at Homecoming Luncheon

  • Attend Affinity Groups' Reunion Luncheon & Campus Tours

  • Attend Homecoming Tailgate Party, Rally, and Alum activities

  • Attend Homecoming Basketball Game and Festivities

Monday, March 2, 2009

  • Meet with Lisa Blazer/AVP

  • Attend Campus Management & Operations meeting (CMO)

  • Three phone interviews with Football Coach Candidates

  • Meet with George Norton/AVP


Tuesday, March 3, 2009
  • Teach "The Heart of Leadership Workshop" (3 hours)

  • Attend Awards Ceremony & Reception for 1st Outstanding Sophomore Scholarship Recipients

  • Depart for Houston

  • Attend Student/Parent night in Woodlands/Houston, Texas


Wednesday March 4, 2009

  • Return to UTSA from Houston

  • Meet with leadership consultant, Carol Mendenhall

  • Meet with Sam Gonzales/AVP

  • Meet with Lynn Hickey/AVP & Director of Athletics

  • Meet with Dr. Romo and Lynn Hickey to discuss Football Coach search

  • Missed VPSA Student Staff birthday celebration

  • Presentation to Provost Council on "Enhancing the Freshman Experience"

  • Attend Women's Basketball – final home game - half-time intervie with television announcer


Thursday, March 5, 2009

  • Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Commissioner Raymund Paredes' visit and meeting with Financial Aid and Academic Affairs

  • Attend Strategic Resource Planning Council

  • Finish writing this essay for Staff Newsletter before Edna and Stacy...



Best wishes,
Gage


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Announcements/Departmental Events

Homecoming 2009

UTSA-LAMAR Basketball game final score:
UTSA 79 Lamar 72

GO RUNNERS!


Door Decorations: see the school pride!

Winners:

1604 Campus
First Place: Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
Second Place: College of Engineering
Third Place: UTSA Police Department
Honorable Mention: Campus Recreations

Downtown Campus
First Place: Prefreshman Engineering Program (PREP)
Second Place: Undergraduate Academic Advising
                      & Career Center Office
Third Place: Admissions & Visitor Center


Spirit, Game, Alums, oh my!

Golf Cart Parade, Pep Rally, Tailgate, Awards


Nominate UTSA Student Volunteer of the Year - Deadline March 6th

Jennifer Lilly, Assistant Director of Volunteer Services, Inclusion and Community Engagement Center, 03/02/2009

Nominations are being accepted for the UTSA Student Volunteer of the Year Award. The winner will receive the $500 Sandra Cisneros scholarship award. The nomination deadline is 5 p.m., Friday, March 6. The winner will be announced at the University Life Awards on Thursday, April 2.

The UTSA Student Volunteer of the Year Award was created to honor...

For the full article, visit: http://utsa.edu/today/2009/03/volunteeraward.cfm


University Excellence Awards - Deadline March 6th

TO:           UTSA Faculty and Staff
FROM:      Ricardo Romo, President

Our most valuable asset at UTSA is our people, and our university is rapidly becoming a premier research university, thanks to the endless hours of dedication from our employees. It is important that we take the time to recognize and honor those who go beyond the call of duty. This is why I encourage you to take the time to nominate your colleagues for the University Excellence Awards.

The goal of the University Excellence Awards program is to honor outstanding UTSA staff across the Tri-campuses who demonstrate excellent work performance. The nomination deadline is 5 p.m., Friday, March 6, 2009.
A monetary award of $1,000 will accompany each of the following:

Additionally, the Tri-Campus community is invited to nominate individuals or work teams for the Richard S. Howe Excellence in Service to Undergraduate Students Award. This award is presented to faculty and staff members who have shown exemplary commitment to UTSA undergraduates and have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to UTSA undergraduate students. The recipient(s) of this award could receive up to $2,000.

>> Please download the University Excellence Awards nomination packet (Word document) at this link:
http://utsa.edu/today/2009/02/uea08-09nominationpacket.doc

The document includes the nomination form and descriptions for each of the awards. I ask that supervisors provide printed copies to those employees who may not have access to a UTSA personal computer.

The 2009 ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 14, 2009 in the University Center III Ballroom (UC 1.104) at the 1604 Campus. Also, at the ceremony, we will recognize UTSA employees who have reached milestones in their length of service with the University.  Additionally, retirees from the previous year will be invited to return to the campus to receive a token gift of appreciation.

I thank you in advance for taking the time to nominate your colleagues who help make UTSA a better place for all.


2009 Student Affairs Conference


Mark your calendars! Don't miss the Student Affairs Staff Conference – Investing in Your Future. Expect more news in the next few days.


PDF poster to print and post


Inclusion and Community Engagement Center Events

ICE logo

Interested in becoming an Ally for Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender and Questioning Students? This session is the one for you! See the flyer for more information.



United to serve -- UTSA's day of service Saturday, April 4, 2009. See the flyer for more information.




UTSA Campus Recreation receives national award

Omar Hernandez, Public Affairs Specialist, 03/04/2009

If you have visited the UTSA Recreation Center at the 1604 Campus, the immediate reaction to the facility is, "Wow!" And, you're not alone in your reaction --the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) recently honored the center with the 2009 Outstanding Sports Facilities (OSF) Award.

Definitely deserving the award, the UTSA Campus Recreation Center has the highest indoor...

For the full article, visit: http://utsa.edu/today/2009/03/recaward.cfm


A note from the Student Affairs Development Office…

Student Government Logo

The Development Office was happy to co-host a reunion for past Student Government Association members at Fox & the Hound on February 12, 2009. Past SGA presidents, officers, class reps and advisors gathered to reflect on their adventures in SGA. Football was the buzzword of the night as the SGA members reminisced about the beginnings of the football initiative during their tenure at UTSA. SGA members also shared fond memories of the campus contributions of each alumni class. Our current student body President Christina Gomez attended to shed light on current issues faced by UTSA students.

Amongst the catching up, alumni were amazed by all the changes on campus, past and present, and were eager to find ways to support UTSA. While old friends reconnected and new friendships bloomed, a great spirit of excitement was in the air. Check out the pictures! We were so happy to help out with this event, yet so many of these great connection opportunities happen outside of UTSA, if you know of any upcoming affinity group reunions, please notify the Student Affairs Development Office. Let's get them back on campus!


2009 Homecoming Golf Tournament Winners

Over 36 people participated in the 2009 Homecoming Golf Tournament hosted by Campus Recreation on Saturday, February 28. The results for the tournament are as follows:

Overall Winners:
Gregg and Syd Muenster, Art and Jeanene Campsey

Closest to the Pin Female:
Allison Guettner

Closest to the Pin Male:
Brandon Moore

Farthest Drive Female:
Jeanene Campsey

Farthest Drive Male:
John Tejada

Click here to view tournament pictures.


True Colors

True Colors Logo

The Professional Development Team in Student Affairs provides an array of educational activities for staff to promote lifelong learning. True Colors is a part of that with the facilitation by the Education Team. The True Colors initiative in Student Affairs hopes to provide teams with the tools to establish safe and trusting working environments, establish a divisional common language that promotes engagement and success; and help staff develop an understanding of peers, themselves and the strategic initiatives of the division. Your introductory session, Keys to Personal Success, was only the first step.

How has your department decided to accomplish these objectives? Has your confidence in communication grown? We have included in this newsletter a menu of options that your department can request to further your team's understanding as well as a sample list of simple ways departments at UTSA have implemented True Colors back at their workplace.

        True Colors Departmental Menu
        True Colors Application Tip Sheet

Also, look for new, insightful, thought-provoking, funny and entertaining information from True Colors in every Student Affairs newsletter.

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Photo Galleries

Mid Managers Meeting

The Mid Managers met on January 22, 2009.



Fat Tuesday Feast

The Registrar's Office celebrated Mardi Gras with a Fat Tuesday food feast.


Registrar's Office Fat Tuesday 1   Registrar's Office Fat Tuesday 2


Money Gras

Financial Aid & Enrollment Services "Money Gras" - February 27, 2009

Open House Photo Gallery








"Sombrilla Island" - Health and Wellness Expo

Aloha! Spring break is around the corner! March 4th was a great day to Escape to Sombrilla Island for the Safe Spring Break.

Photo Gallery






Athletics

Cato named Southland Conference Hitter of the Week


All Sport Schedule - Area Events

Fri, Mar 6  MT  UT Arlington *  at Arlington, Texas  2 p.m.
Fri, Mar 6  BB  Southeastern Louisiana *  San Antonio, Texas  6 p.m.
Sat, Mar 7  WT  Central Arkansas *  San Antonio, Texas  11 a.m.
Sat, Mar 7  SB  McNeese State *  at Lake Charles, La.  1 p.m.
Sat, Mar 7  MT  TCU  at Fort Worth, Texas  2 p.m.
Sat, Mar 7  BB  Southeastern Louisiana *  San Antonio, Texas  2 p.m.
Sat, Mar 7  SB  McNeese State *  at Lake Charles, La.  3 p.m.
Sat, Mar 7  WBB  Stephen F. Austin *  at Nacogdoches, Texas  6 p.m.
Sat, Mar 7  MBB  Stephen F. Austin *  San Antonio, Texas  7 p.m.
Sun, Mar 8  WT  Northwestern State *  San Antonio, Texas  10 a.m.
Sun, Mar 8  SB  McNeese State *  at Lake Charles, La.  12 p.m.
Sun, Mar 8  BB  Southeastern Louisiana *  San Antonio, Texas  1 p.m.



Complete Schedule

Visit GoUTSA for more news and information.

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Business Procedures Tips

briefcase BDL season is nearly upon us! Mark your calendars now for the following workshops and opportunities to help you through the BDL process.

Budget Overview and BDL Preparation – DE 685

This is the official TxClass offered by the Budget Office. You will need to enroll through TxClass.

Student Affairs Hands-On BDL Workshops – Jackie and Bob will be there to answer your questions.
Bring your materials and work on your BDLs in the computer lab with us. No registration required. Stay the whole time or come-and-go as you need. You can work independently (the room will be quiet), but if you have questions, we will help you. These sessions are exclusively for Student Affairs staff:


Have a Business Procedures Tip to share? Please send it to Bob Miller.

For previous Business Procedures Tips, please visit the archive.


Payment Process for ARAMARK Catering

This file is a revised copy of the payment process for ARAMARK catering. The revision includes new contact information for ARAMARK as well as a link to UTSA Entertainment and Hospitality Guide. Please replace your old copy with this new information.

I would also ask that special attention be given to Option 1, #7, payment terms. This is very, very important. Presently we are getting reports from ARAMARK that there are certain areas of the University that are not adhering to Aramarks' payment terms. Even if one area of the University is behind in payments, this reflects badly on the entire University community, therefore we must ask that every effort is made to process payments accordingly.

Thank you,
Deby Bailey
Director of Disbursements & Travel Services, X5915

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Wellness Tips

Pay attention to posture! While working at a computer, it's quite easy to slip into bad habits. Every 30 minutes or so, take in a deep breath, pull your shoulders back and down, and tuck your chin. Hunching over all day long can lead to back and neck pain, as well as forward head posture even while away from the desk.

Abbi Lane, MS, CSCS
Assistant Director, Fitness/Wellness
Campus Recreation
Student Affairs Networking Team
abbi.lane@utsa.edu

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Getting to Know... Stacy Peña

Name: Anastasia J Peña (prefers to be called Stacy)

Title: Website Coordinator for the Division of the Vice President for Student Affairs

Job Description: To coordinate the updating of all Student Affairs websites. This will include the look/feel of the website's interface, ease of navigation on the site, and organization of file structure on the webserver.

Background: My love of webpages began in 1999, starting off with the stereotypical "About Me" site. I previously worked for the UTSA History Department, but as a freelance web designer, I worked on many websites until being hired by Student Affairs. At St. Mary's University, I majored in Computer Science before switching to UTSA's Anthropology program--I love both topics equally.

Experience: As the Student Affairs webmaster, I began creating a long-term plan for reorganizing not only the content of the Student Affairs websites, but also the behind-the-scenes organization. Along the way I have updated/maintained department websties, and created online, interactive PDF forms for the Office of the Registrar, as well as a few others. I have also taken on the task of producing the Student Affairs newsletter.

What do you do most often in your position? I determine webpage layout and design; content placement; as well as create webpages as needed (using HTML, CSS, and various scripting languages). I also perform web consulting for Student Affairs and campus staff.

How do you unwind? I unwind by watching Japanese Anime and playing video games (on both the computer and various consoles). Oh, and by eating chocolate…

What direction do you foresee the Student Affairs web and other media taking in the future? This is a great opportunity to streamline the online information flow so that students, faculty, and staff can obtain accurate information as quickly as possible. I am honored to help better the university to which I have given the past 7 years of my working life. Student Affairs staff are very warm and accepting, and this team environment will make my job all the more successful. I sincerely look forward to working more closely with all of you!

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Thank You Rowdy

Thank You Rowdy

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

Thank You Rowdy is presently visiting with Sara Bordelon

See past Thank You Rowdy Recipients


To:  Sara Bordelon, Office of the Registrar
From:  Cié Gee & Monica Bowden, Office of the Registrar-Graduation Coordination

Sara Bordelon with Rowdy

Graduation Coordination would like to pass the "Thank You Rowdy" to someone that is most deserving. Sara Bordelon is the Administrative Associate and Receptionist for the Registrar's office. Sara always has a smile on her face and is ready and willing to assist students and staff.

Many times simply because of our location, lost students wander in asking for directions to other offices, or where they need to go for a service. Sara whips out a map and gives not only current students, but also soon to be students and parents, and former students a comfort in an unfamiliar place.

Not everyone that enters our office is in a "good" mood. Students have complaints, or problems, or are simply looking for someone to help them. We all have days when we have a hard time keeping a positive face, but not Sara, she is like a Miss Congeniality Superwoman! We have seen Sara in many different situations, and she is always professional and helpful. It shows that Sara's concern is the individual and getting their issue resolved in a positive, polite, and professional manner. She is a communicator, resolver, and fact finder between the student and each area of this office.

Sara is a great asset to the Registrar's office and GCO values her astronomically!

Thanks Sara!

Cié Gee and Monica Bowden

Sara receiving Rowdy from Monica and Cie
Rowdy with Sara, Monica, and Cie

(L-R)  Sara Bordelon, Monica Bowden, Cié Gee

Thank You Rowdy poses with his new friends

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Kudos

To: Patricia Hedelius- Editor III, Academic Publications/Office of the Registrar
From: Bridget Drinka- Chair, Department of English
RE: Fall 2009 Class Schedule

Pat,
Thanks for making our lives easy over here in the Department of English--you have helped Maureen immensely through her first semester here, and have always done so very cheerfully. Your can-do spirit is very much appreciated.

Thank you!
Bridget Drinka
Chair, Department of English


To: Colleen Snodgrass- Administrative Associate II, Office of the Registrar
From: Sally Bench- Director of Registration and Records, Office of the Registrar
RE: Online Grade Change Training Guide

I want to give Colleen special thanks and much praise for the step-by-step "Online Grade Change training guide" given to faculty. Colleen covered all the information and provided very clear, concise instructions. Several faculty members have commented on how clear it is; Joseph Vidaurri, the programmer from IT who worked on the project, also said it was wonderful. Colleen will also be developing another guide with different information for academic advisors and admin assistants.


UTSA was well represented at the annual Southwest Association of College and University Housing Officers (SWACUHO) held in Hot Springs, Arkansas February 22-25, 2009. Curtis Odle, Lennon Prothro-Jones, Jennifer Fueglein, Donna Mahan and Theresa Yackeyonny, all from Campus Living Villages, attended as UTSA representatives. Curtis Odle worked on the Programming Committee. Donna Mahan is the new chairperson for Human Resources Development Committee. Theresa Yackeyonny is the new chairperson for Exhibits and Displays Committee. Lennon Prothro-Jones completed the New Professionals Track at the conference and was recognized. Jennifer Fueglein won one of the Top Five Programs of the conference. Theresa Yackeyonny was recognized with the Bob Cooke Distinguished Service Award for the service, dedication, and notable contributions to the institutions where she has worked, the student housing profession and to SWACUHO.

Congratulations to everyone!

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NOTE:  Please submit all newsletter entries by 5:00 pm, Tuesday, March 17, 2009, to VPSAmedia@utsa.edu