Message from the Vice President
On my way back from the NASPA conference in Seattle, I ended up in the airport too early even for me and I'm an early arriver. Luckily, the Seattle airport has interesting shops to wander through. One shop is called Fireworks and its slogan is 'Celebrating Art in Life'. It had a wonderful collection of interesting items:
Beautiful glass magnets in a variety of shapes from butterflies to snails
A black 'onesy' (that's what very little babies wear, in case you don't hang around babies much) emblazoned with the slogan "Carpe Diem Seize the Day and Scream All Night"
Funny greeting cards using an eclectic collection of old photographs
Gray Salt Dark Chocolate Caramels – they really do have gray salt on top.
I came home with some of the Gray Salt chocolates, which taste a lot better than they sound, some huckleberry jam because you don't find that flavor in San Antonio, and several little books. One is called Yiddish Wisdom Yiddishe Chochma. The sayings in it range from the classic, "From your mouth into God's ears! Fun dein moil in Got's oi'eren arein!" To the unusual, "You can't chew with someone else's teeth. Men ken nit kaien mit fremde tsein." To the wonderful, "The heart is small and embraces the whole world. Die klainer hartznemt arum di groisseh velt."
Another book I picked up is called Taking Things Seriously: 75 Objects with Unexpected Significance. Pictured on its pages are 75 wildly varied things faced by 75 short essays. A bear lamp, a tiny little pinecone, a Zippy beverage bottle, a handful of dirt, to list a few. "…ordinary things instilled with extraordinary significance" is how the authors describe them. "[C]ontributors to this volume… do much more than catch a glimpse of things. They single things out, linger over them obsessively, then share their excitement and bemusement, their embarrassment and joy with the rest of us." There is meaning in the 'things' pictured for each contributor. The authors call this book "…an old fashioned wonder cabinet: it's an assemblage of this, that, and the other thing. Its sole purpose is to invite [the reader] to participate in the enjoyable act of interpreting the meaning of things."
I am enjoying this book in bits and pieces. I pick it up and look at a picture and read the accompanying essay. In doing so, I learn something about the person who wrote the essay and saved the 'thing'. It makes me wonder what things do others take seriously? What odd little objects have importance? Where do we find meaning or wisdom?
In our work world we talk about the big picture and the little details, but we usually mean lots of little details. Being able to change perspective from the details to the big picture and back again is an important work and life skill. These little books remind us to add one more perspective - not all the details, but rather one little thing of significance. It could be that really tacky paperweight that sits on your desk – take a moment today to pick it up and really look at it and remember how and why you have it. Or stop when you hear yourself speaking a wisdom saying that you learned from a grandparent and remember how and when you would hear those words. Noticing one detail in this way can help ground us in a busy day and be one of those mental deep breaths that refresh us or re-connect us with what is important.
So pick one object or idea of 'unexpected significance' and enjoy it—and perhaps share something (extra)ordinary with the rest of us.
Best wishes,
Gage
Announcements/Departmental Events
Short Term Housing for Summer Interns, Courtesy of University Oaks
University Oaks would like to offer a specialized service to Student Affairs. Many departments at UTSA hire summer interns. If your department needs short term housing (an apartment with a full kitchen) during the summer for an intern, please contact Erin Cook, Senior Marketing Coordinator at 210-877-4005. Erin can work with your departmental needs, budget, and help with the coordination of moving into the unit.
Professional Etiquette Dinner Cancelled
Due to scheduling conflicts and space issues, the Professional Etiquette Dinner on April 2, has been cancelled. Instead, we will offer an etiquette workshop, including an opportunity to network with employers, on Tuesday, April 21, at 5:30 p.m. More information to follow!
University Center Program Council (UCPC) March Events
For those that might not know, the UC Program Council is a newly forming student organization dedicated late-night and weekend student programming. We bring comedians, movies, coffee house singers and more to our student community, free of charge. We are currently recruiting students who are interested in being a part of this new initiative and who want to make a difference to campus programming. If you are interested in joining the UC Program Council or want more information about any of the listed programs, please contact us.
Click here (PDF) our events from now through March 28th.
Thank you!
The University Center Program Council
210-458-6044
ucpc@utsa.edu
www.myspace.com/utsa_ucpc
NI-UTSA
Mark your calendars: the 10th annual Ni-UTSA will be held April 4th, from 4pm –7pm!
NI-UTSA is a Pre-Fiesta event that has become one of the traditions at the Downtown Campus that builds community and is a collaboration between the Campus Activities Board (CAB) and the Office of Student Activities.
Inclusion and Community Engagement Center Events
United to Serve -- UTSA's day of service Saturday, April 4, 2009. See the flyer for more information.
Educator Career Fair
University Career Center's upcoming career fair is the Educator Career Fair, which targets all educators. The fair will be held on Wednesday, April 8, from 9am – 11:30am in the UC III Ballroom. This educator fair will consist of approximately 90 school districts looking to hire educators for the perspective schools.
2009 Student Affairs Conference
The Student Affairs Staff Conference "Investing in Your Future" will be held on March 25 and April 1, attendance depending on the date that staff have registered.
Registration is now complete and attendance is expected to be around 230 staff.
All activities begin in the Denman Room with breakouts in the Ballrooms and Bexar room. Conference Brochures with Final Room assignments will be emailed early next week.
Get ready for a great conference experience!
UTSA introduces Larry Coker as first football coach
Kyle Stephens, Sports Information Director, 03/06/2009
Officials at The University of Texas at San Antonio today introduced Larry Coker as UTSA's first head football coach. Coker was selected from a field of three finalists to build an NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision program from the ground up. The announcement, attended by more than 500 students, faculty, staff and friends of UTSA took place just before students were heading off campus for their annual spring break.
"This is an exciting time for athletics at UTSA and we had a great group of finalists," said UTSA President Ricardo Romo...
For the full article, visit: http://utsa.edu/today/2009/03/coker.cfm
SGA Election Results
Please find the results from the SGA election. There will be a run-off next week.
SGA Results (PDF)
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Making alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs irrelevant in the lives of youth
UTSA Staff Members and Students attended the Texans Standing Tall Forum on Thursday, February 26.
Texans Standing Tall collaborates with community coalitions and organizations across the state to hold Regional Forums. The Forums, our premier annual events, focus on preventing youth substance abuse by creating healthier and safer communities.
The representatives were equipped with tools, information and resources for creating community change to prevent youth substance use. This year, the Forum hosted a Student Track. The students learned about community issues and discussed partnerships and strategies for change.
Continued...
True Colors
Is your communication style as smooth as cotton or does it need some tuning up? This introductory level workshop will assess personality traits in a fun and interactive setting. "True Colors" will demonstrate how to utilize the information to raise awareness and appreciation of differences, enhance communication skills, and build better teams.
Photo Galleries
NCCS Basketball Championships 2009
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Welcome Coach Coker!
More photos of the rally.
Career Fair
A successful Career Fair was held in the UC III Ballroom on March 4, 2009.
"Sombrilla Island" - Health and Wellness Expo
March 4, 2009 - Photo Gallery
Athletics
Gibbs- All American Candidate -- Click on thumnail for larger version
UTSA earns second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth on Saturday
Ride bus to Lubbock for UTSA women's basketball
Gibbs' double-double leads UTSA past McNeese State, 71-52
Hernandez named Southland Conference Hitter of the Week
Scida named Southland Conference Player of the Week
All Sport Schedule - Area Events
| Sat, Mar 21 | MT | Southeastern Louisiana * | San Antonio, Texas | 12 p.m. |
| Tue, Mar 24 | BB | Texas-Pan American | San Antonio, Texas | 3 p.m. |
| Tue, Mar 24 | SB | UTEP | San Antonio, Texas | 4 p.m. |
| Tue, Mar 24 | SB | UTEP | San Antonio, Texas | 6 p.m. |
| Thu, Mar 26 | MT | DePaul | San Antonio, Texas | 2 p.m. |
| Fri, Mar 27 - Sat, Mar 28 |
WTF | UTSA Relays Outdoor |
San Antonio, Texas | All Day |
| Fri, Mar 27 - Sat, Mar 28 |
MTF | UTSA Relays Outdoor |
San Antonio, Texas | All Day |
Business Procedures Tips
When processing return travel vouchers, please use this version of the Travel Voucher Cover Sheet. Please include the reason for travel (business purpose) on the cover sheet.
Have a Business Procedures Tip to share? Please send it to Bob Miller.
For previous Business Procedures Tips, please visit the archive.
Wellness Tips
Getting structured exercise is terrific, but daily activities can be extremely important in reaching or maintaining a healthy weight. Walk and move more in your day! Each hour, stand up from your desk and walk down the hall or up some stairs and back. Do some gardening or heavy cleaning, park far away, and avoid elevators! All of these little bits of activity have been proven to help individuals stay mobile into advanced age.
Abbi Lane, MS, CSCS
Assistant Director, Fitness/Wellness
Campus Recreation
Student Affairs Networking Team
abbi.lane@utsa.edu
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
Jeanette Francovich, Jessica Thompson & the Visitors Center Staff
See past Thank You Rowdy Recipients
To: Jeanette Francovich, Jessica Thompson & the Visitors Center Staff
From: Sara Bordelon, Office of the Registrar
I'm passing Thank You Rowdy to y'all as a token of appreciation for all you do! There were a few months during the office shuffle in which we were neighbors, and it was a wonderful experience. We were able to share information back and forth and really collaborate on solving some problems with visitors/students who weren't sure where they needed to be. I don't visit as much as I used to, but the both of you and all that you work with at the Visitors Center keep the atmosphere so bright and welcoming. By listening to some of your tours (including yours Jessica!), I've been able to find out much more about the university.
Thank you!
Sara Bordelon
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Jeanette Francovich and Jessica Thompson receive Rowdy |
Thank You Rowdy poses with his new friends |
Kudos
| UTSA Housing staff wins National Award
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To: Audrey Lallier, Ryan Jesberger, Adriana Alicea-Rodriguez, and Erik Stein - UTSA Housing Residence Hall Coordinators at Chaparral and Laurel Villages
From: Em de la Rosa – Associate Director of Residence Life and Education, UTSA Housing
RE: RA Recruitment and Selection Process
Many thanks to this remarkable team for doing an amazing job with the RA Recruitment and Selection Process. We had over 60 candidates apply, and the team interviewed each one during a one week time span! It made for some long days, but the end result was well worth the effort. This team showed dedication in wanting to get the best RA staff for our UTSA Housing community!! Thank you!
Marietta Em de la Rosa
To: UC Events staff
From: David Gabler - Associate Vice President for Communications & Marketing
Wow... What a great team that helped stage this
morning's event for the announcement of UTSA's first football coach.
You did a great job! Kudos!
David
To: Terry Allison - Administrative Associate II, Office of the Registrar
From: Tammy Casas - Assistant Director of Student Information Systems, Office of the Registrar
RE: WEBI Documentation
Joe [Decristoforo],
I really wanted you to be aware of how much help Terry Allison is with the WEBI documentation. She has been a tremendous help and always stays on top ensuring that we have a more than adequate number of binders or packets for every one of our WEBI trainings. She always comes by while we are setting up to see if we need any help.
I tell her thank you all the time but I really wanted it known that she has come to play a very important role in the success of the WEBI program.
Tammy Casas
To: Tony Daniels, Laura Munroe, and all Campus Recreation staff
RE: Supervisory Series Graduation Celebration
From: Denni McCarter - Administrative Associate II, Human Resources
Thank you so much for allowing us to have the Supervisory Series Graduation Celebration in the Texas Room today! Several in attendance commented about how nice the room was.
I wanted to tell you that your set-up staff did an excellent job and they were very friendly and helpful after we arrived. We look forward to having our next big event there on April 22 for Administrative Professionals Day.
Thank you again!
Denni McCarter
From: Anne C. Jett - Associate Director of Training and Development
I just wanted to add my comments about how well your folks did to determine and meet our needs. I mentioned to the student at the door that there would be a number of people arriving for the event, and he knew to expect them and was prepared and professional. We also ran out of ice and one of your folks came and got our ice chest, filled it and brought it back. I didn't catch her name, but she said her job was 'roving'.
Thanks again for your excellent service! Keep up the good work!
Anne
To: Barbara Reyes - Assistant Director of Health Services
From: Kelsey Bratcher - Assistant Director of Student Activities
RE: Safe Spring Break Health and Wellness Expo
Great job coordinating the Safe Spring Break Health and Wellness Expo! It was a very successful event and I enjoyed collaborating with you and all those involved.
See you at the next one…Kelsey
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NOTE:
Please submit all newsletter entries by 5:00 pm, Tuesday, March 31, 2009, to
VPSAmedia@utsa.edu