Message from the Vice President

Dr. Gage Paine

The 4 C's of Student Affairs: Communicate, Connect, Collaborate, Create

Today's word is Connect. That sounds a bit like Mr. Rogers, doesn't it? As we did with the concept of communicate, the Division of Student Affairs has defined the concept 'connect' and delineated outcomes that we expect from excellent connections in service and programming.

[[Click for definition of Student Affairs Connect]]

There are numerous ways to consider the concept 'connect' as is apparent from our discussions. First, we say we want to make every interaction positive and memorable – in other words we want to connect with each person we meet. Now, I know we connect more with some people than others, but the reality is that if every interaction is positive and memorable it won't take long for people to feel connected to this community-- because they won't feel like a number and neither will we. Several of our expectations relate to this kind of 'connection.'

But, there is another way to connect which is reflected in the expectations that we engage the community in our processes and that we build relations and community. This version of connect occurs when we pull staff from three offices together and find ways to join our disparate jobs into something that is greater than any one person or office. Or, when we help students find ways to accomplish tasks and develop ideas by introducing them to other folks on campus who care about the same issues. Or, when we spend time learning why the two of us disagree so strongly about something and we figure out that we want the same outcome; we just have different ideas about problems or processes on the way there.

In all of these ways of connecting, we want to "recognize and honor commonalities and differences." We have set a high standard for ourselves, but one that I think is attainable.

So I challenge, no, encourage—no, really I expect each of us to read the definitions and outcomes of 'connect' and to think about the ways in which these ideas apply to us, both in the big sense and in our daily tasks. When we do this we’ll serve UTSA students and our colleagues more effectively and we'll enjoy our work more because when we connect with others we benefit as well.

I close with a few quotations. I hope you find one or more that inspires you to connect.

Our life is composed greatly from dreams, from the unconscious, and they must be brought into connection with action. They must be woven together.
    ~Anais Nin

Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected.
    ~William Plomer

When we seek for connection, we restore the world to wholeness. Our seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we are to each other.
    ~Margaret Wheatley

If we can connect in some tiny way with a human that doesn't agree with us, then maybe we won't blow up the planet.
    ~Nancy White

Best wishes,
Gage

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Announcements/Departmental Events

University Excellence Awards

Kelsey Bratcher receives the Rising Star Award

Kelsey Bratcher receives award from Barry McKinney

The Rising Star Award: Kelsey Bratcher, Assistant Director of Risk Education and Alcohol and Drug Programs, Office of Student Activities

The Rising Star Award recipient must be a new employee with less than three years of continuous service with UTSA and who has made significant contributions throughout the year to his or her area or to the university community. This individual has innovative ideas and has made significant contributions. He or she has a demonstrated record of improvement, has progressed through cooperation, initiative and are self-starters with a take-charge attitude. This talented employee has volunteered to assist when and where needed.


For a list of other University Excellence Awards winners, visit UTSAtoday:
http://utsa.edu/today/2009/04/ueawinners.cfm




University Excellence Awards Logo

List of Student Affairs Employees
by years employed with UTSA or UT System
(PDF)


University Life Awards

Kudos to University Life Awards winners, ceremony held, April 2, 2009University Life Awards logo

Outstanding Support Staff Member Nominees: Ruth Coates, BJ Gola, Mary Smeltzer
Awardee: Ruth Coates, Office of Assoc. Dean of Students

Outstanding Professional Staff Member Nominees: Kelsey Bratcher, Doug Sonego, Ann Margaret Trujillo
Awardee: Captain Douglas Sonego, University Police

Diane Abdo Outstanding Student Organization Advisor: Charlin Jones, Jennifer Lilly, Ann Margaret Trujillo
Awardee: Charlin Jones, Special Events

Photos of the 2009 ceremony

ULA website


Disability Services Open House

logo

Viva Fiesta! Join Disability Services for their open house:

Date: April 17, 2009
Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Place: MS 2.03.18

PDF to print and post





Volunteer Appreciation Day

ICE logo

All students, staff, and faculty who have volunteered their time in the last year are invited to UTSA Volunteer Appreciation Day, April 21st 1-3pm, UC Paseo

Please see this flyer for details



Women's Resource Center logo

April Proclaimed Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

San Antonio, Texas – Governor Rick Perry designated April 2009 as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) in Texas. UTSA Counseling Services and Women's Resource Center (WRC) join rape crisis centers across the state in commemorating Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month to promote awareness and encourage support of this issue. The color teal is known nation-wide as the signature color for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Counseling Services and the Women's Resource Center have partnered with other departments on campus to recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Some of this month's events include:
April Awareness Displays: Check out awareness displays in various locations on campus such as the library, campus housing, and Women's Resource Center.

April 22nd National Wear Denim Day: The entire UTSA Community is encouraged to wear denim to recognize sexual assault awareness. PDF to print and post

Photos

Continued...

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Melissa Hernandez, LCSW
Assistant Director, Counseling Services
Coordinator, Women’s Resource Center
210-458-4140


Party on the Paseo

logo

Party on the Paseo
Thursday, April 23, 2009
7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
UC Paseo

For 118 years, San Antonio has celebrated the heroes of the Alamo, and the city's rich, diverse cultures during the 11-day Fiesta celebration. It's known for the parades, fairs, concerts and lots of food that spans over 100 events.

This year, Party on the Paseo will be hosted on the University Center Paseo for students, faculty and staff. Party on the Paseo will provide the UTSA community the opportunity to celebrate Fiesta on campus in a safe environment.

The event kicks off Thursday, April 23 at 7:00 p.m. Participants will enjoy the food, games, prizes and a concert by Natalie Stovall. You can hear Natalie at http://www.myspace.com/nataliestovall.

The alcohol-free event is made possible by the collaboration of the Office of Student Activities, Be A Responsible Roadrunner, Campus Activities Board, University Center Programs Council, Judicial Affairs, Housing and Residence Life, Campus Living Villages, Counseling Services, UTSA Police Department, Student Health Services and ARAMARK. The event was developed at the TABC College and University Symposium held last October in Corpus Christi by UTSA representatives.

For more information about this event, contact getinvolved@utsa.edu or 210.458.4160.


Additional Information:

Please take a moment to answer a few questions within this survey about Fiesta 2009.


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Submit Nominations for Student Affairs Awards

The Student Affairs Awards and Recognition Committee encourages staff members to nominate individuals for one of the Student Affairs Awards to be presented at this year’s Awards Ceremony. The award categories are:

Outstanding Student Staff Member
Outstanding Support Staff Member
Outstanding New Professional Staff Member
Outstanding Student Affairs Team
Student Affairs Divisional Leadership Award
Transformational Student Affairs Leadership Award

Nominations will be accepted through April 30, 2009. To nominate a deserving individual or team, simply complete a nomination for online at http://utsa.edu/students/forms/awards.html.

Additionally, nominations are being accepted for Spring Employee of the Semester Award(s). To nominate a staff person for Employee of the Semester, individuals can complete a nomination form using the same link above.

The Student Affairs Awards Ceremony is scheduled for May 14, 2009 from 3pm-5pm in the University Center Ballroom. For more information of on the awards process, contact Marlon Anderson at ext. 6114.


University Center Program Council (UCPC) April Events

UCPC logo

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 May 1st.

Thank you!
The University Center Program Council
210-458-6044
ucpc@utsa.edu
www.myspace.com/utsa_ucpc


UTSA Soccer Camp

The following are the camp dates. A discount of 15% will be given to any camper who has a parent employed at UTSA.

Brochure (PDF)

Coed Day Camps (Ages 5-13)
  June 8-11
  June 15-18
  June 22-25
  July 27-30

Advanced Girls Residential & Commuter Camp (Ages 13-18)
  June 19-21

For more information, please contact:
Kristin Boeker
Associate Head Coach
Women's Soccer
University of Texas @ San Antonio
PH: (210) 458-4915
Fax: (210) 458-4813
http://www.goutsa.com


Student Health Services has a brand new side walk!







It was installed last month and a convenience for pedestrians who need to cross from the parking lot to the Recreation and Wellness Center.








UTSA offers year-round safety, security services

Tim Brownlee, Assistant Director of Public Affairs, 04/01/2009

Safety and security in the UTSA community is a top concern of university officials. In consideration of recent events at an off-campus housing complex, UTSA officials remind students, faculty and staff to keep in mind these safety and security programs and services provided year-round at UTSA:

Call the UTSA Police Department at (210) 458-4242 at any time to request an on-campus escort to your car or a bus stop. In an emergency, call...


For the full article, visit: http://utsa.edu/today/2009/04/safety.cfm


Mr. and Ms. UTSA are proud Roadrunners

Anne Englert, Assistant Director of Student Relations, UTSA Alumni Programs, 04/08/2009


Akshay Thusu and Megan Graham were crowned Mr. and Ms. UTSA 2009 at the UTSA Roadrunners basketball game against the Lamar Cardinals. The competition is sponsored by the UTSA Alumni Association.

A junior biology major from Mumbai, India, Akshay Thusu is a member...



For the full article, visit: http://utsa.edu/today/2009/04/mrmsutsa.cfm





Southwestern Intercollegiate Fencing Association Tournament

fencing photo

Campus Recreation hosted the Southwestern Intercollegiate Fencing Association (SWIFA) Tournament the weekend of April 4-5 in the Recreation Center. 77 of the best club collegiate fencers in the region competed in three different events: foil, sabre and épée. Saturday's competitions were team events in each category while Sunday's competitions were for individual titles. The University of Texas at Austin won the overall competition in what people were quoted as saying as this event was "the best SWIFA tournament in six years." Kudos go out to the Fencing Club as well as the Campus Recreation staff for hosting an outstanding tournament.




True Colors Logo

Gold, Blue, Orange, Green…so what do your "True Colors" really mean? This introductory level workshop will 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 – it will be like going to a reunion where everyone reunites and leaves feeling refreshed!"


Send your requests to VPSA@utsa.edu


Photo Galleries

UTSA United to Serve

The 5th annual UTSA United to Serve took place April 4, 2009, with over 300 students, faculty, and staff serving at 14 different projects city wide. Thank you to all Student Affairs Staff who participated and/or promoted the event!


Athletics

Phillips tabbed Southland Conference Player Athlete of the Week

Dana Mecke named SLC track-field athlete of year


All Sport Schedule - Area Events

Fri, Apr 17  BB  Lamar *  San Antonio, Texas  6 p.m.
Sat, Apr 18  BB  Lamar *  San Antonio, Texas  2 p.m.
Sat, Apr 18  MT  Lamar *  San Antonio, Texas  2 p.m.
Sat, Apr 18  SB  Cal State Bakersfield  San Antonio, Texas  3 p.m.
Sat, Apr 18  SB  Cal State Bakersfield  San Antonio, Texas  5 p.m.
Sun, Apr 19  SB  Cal State Bakersfield  San Antonio, Texas  12 p.m.
Sun, Apr 19  BB  Lamar *  San Antonio, Texas  1 p.m.



Complete Schedule

GoUTSA

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Business Procedures Tips

briefcase When an electronic signer in DEFINE is not available, if you FYA to try to bypass that individual, DEFINE will reroute the document back to that approver before the document can be final approved. We recommend multiple signers on an electronic desk in DEFINE. DEFINE will not allow you to bypass a signer – it will follow its normal routing path.


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

For previous Business Procedures Tips, please visit the archive.

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Wellness Tips

Looking for fun ways to be healthy-or just bored with the gym? There are many opportunities for activity around us! Try walking around the mall for a few hours (avoid the unhealthy offerings of the food court, though!), playing golf or tennis, swimming, mowing the lawn, gardening, or hiking. Try to find an active endeavor you enjoy that makes time fly by.


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

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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 April Gonzales

See past Thank You Rowdy Recipients


To:  April Gonzales, Office of Financial Aid
From:  Christopher Goldsberry, Enrollment Services Center

I am passing "Thank You Rowdy" on to you, April, in recognition of all the diligence, patience, and creativity you have provided to our Outreach program over the past few months. Whenever I needed someone to attend a complex presentation on my behalf, I was always able to count on you, in spite of your own inordinately hectic schedule. Our biggest recruiting event of the year, College Goal 2009, would not have been possible without your dedication and determination for success. You took on a great deal of stress in a short amount of time and managed it admirably, including contacting media outlets, creating extraordinary paperwork and guidelines, and maintaining communication with our partners at Alamo Community College District. I have watched you at work in your own role, always willing to assist and lend a helping hand to all who ask. Thank you, April, for all you do, and keep up the outstanding work!

April receives Rowdy from Christopher
April receives Rowdy from Christopher

April Gonzales receiving Rowdy from Christopher Goldsberry

April Gonzales and Christopher Goldsberry pose with Rowdy

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Kudos

To: Barry McKinney- Director of Student Activities

Kudos to Barry McKinney who successfully defended his dissertation last week and earned a Doctorate in Education in Educational Leadership from a joint program at Texas A&M Kingsville and Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Congratulations, Dr. McKinney!


To: Brian Hernandez- Associate Sports Info Director, Athletics
From: Todd Dunnington
RE: helpful staff

Ms. Hickey,

My name is Todd Dunnington, and I own a video production company in Hammond, Louisiana, where I produced several coaches show's for Southeastern Louisiana University which air regionally on cox sports television. A couple of weeks ago I came to San Antonio for a Southeastern/UTSA baseball series. I just want to take a moment and write you a quick note to let you know how friendly and accommodating Brian Hernandez from your Sports Information staff was. Brian went above and beyond what a normal sports info assistant director would do to help out. You truly have a wonderful staff, and a great environment for baseball. Thanks Again for all the help, and if UTSA ever has any video needs from one of our local Southland schools please don't hesitate to ask, I will be more than happy to help.

Best Wishes,
Todd Dunnington


To: Veteran's Affairs Office
From: Jessica C., student
RE: Thank You

Dear VA Office,

Hello; I just wanted to say "thanks" for all the work your office does. I went to UTSA as an undergraduate student, and I'm a grad student now; the UTSA VA Office has always been immensely helpful to me. I really appreciate it.

So, "thank you"!

Best,
Jessica C.


To: Jennifer Lilly
From: Richard Barber
RE: UTSA Day to Serve

Hi Jennifer:

Just to let you know, I volunteered last Saturday with the Humane Society of San Antonio. We had 16 dogs up for adoption, and 12 were adopted, which was a 75% adoption rate. I stayed all day, 9am – 4:30, because we were short people, and to help break down our area. I had a fantastic time, and worked with a great bunch of volunteers from the Humane Society, and UTSA. You are AWESOME!!, and I thank you for all that you do.

Best regards,
Rich

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NOTE:  Please submit all newsletter entries by 5:00 pm, Tuesday, April 28, 2009, to VPSAmedia@utsa.edu