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Message from the Vice President

Dr. Gage Paine

A few years ago I participated in a diversity workshop led by staff members from the Anti-Defamation League. It was an excellent workshop, but what I remember most was the point made by the leaders about our identity. There are many reasons why we should not base our opinions about people solely on their external characteristics. On the other hand, said the presenters, if we walked away from the workshop and did not think of them as female and Jewish or male and African-American, we were ignoring important elements of their identity. That is as wrong as it would be to think those elements comprised their entire identity. And that makes sense. A significant part of my life experience in the world is created by the fact that my skin tone is white, that my gender is female, and that I grew up in the U.S. Change any one of those external elements and my life experience would be different than it has been.

And yet, those words don't describe the entirety of my life experience. There are many other words that can identify us if we are willing to use them and not let others define our use of them or try to tell us we don't have a right to them. A presenter at the NASPA conference this spring made the important point that identity is not something we impose on another, rather each individual defines his/her own identity.

So, what identities do you claim? Are there identity words you would like to claim but something stops you? Sometimes we think we have to get paid for doing something to claim the words, but these days I use some new words as part of my identity, and I don't get paid for these activities. For example, I claim an identity as a dancer and as a writer. In my family, I'm a daughter, a wife, a stepmother, an aunt and a grandmother. In my organizational life, I’ve finally admitted to myself that I'm a change-agent; I'm also a teacher, a learner and a leader. I have to admit it feels vain to claim that last one, but an important part of my role as a vice president is to lead our division, and if I'm hesitant to admit to that identity, it will lessen my effectiveness in many situations.

It can be difficult to claim some of these identities: admitting to ourselves and others that we have a talent for math means we are more likely to be called on to use that talent for the benefit of others. That can be a little scary, but it can also be liberating. You may not think your hidden talents and identities are useful to the organization, but you might be surprised. Nikki Lee is a great stage-manager and the SECC fund drive benefits from her skills. Joyce Fox is very creative and her abilities support many division endeavors including Thank You Rowdy. (She made his t-shirt and backpack!) Adam Bennett is a talented singer/entertainer and Lisa Blazer is an accomplished pianist. Both have shared their talents at division celebrations. Bob Miller brings his love of travel and his knowledge of the airline industry to work on travel arrangements. Joe DeCristoforo's artwork decorates the waiting area in the Office of the Registrar.

This very short list doesn't come close to including the varied identities of our colleagues, but it serves to give you an example of the many talents and skills everyone brings to their work—no matter what the job description may be.

What identity words do you use easily? Are there some identity words that you use in your heart but aren't willing to share with others? Where are you shortchanging yourself, your family or UTSA if you don't admit to those identities? Our university and our division need us to develop all of our skills and talents. Bringing all of these skills and talents to everything we do is one of the ways we improve our university. Even more important, it is one of the ways we learn and grow as individuals and bring our best self to everything we do.

Come on! Open your mouth and sound off at the sky!
Shout loud at the top of your voice, 'I AM I!'
ME! I am I!
And I may not know why
But I know that I like it.
Three cheers! I AM I *

Best wishes,
Gage


* Happy Birthday to You! by Dr. Seuss

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The University Center has launched a monthly newsletter to keep the campus regarding UC news, special events and services. Please download a copy today!

www.utsa.edu/uctr/newsletters/uc_newsletter.pdf




Announcements/Departmental Events

Child Development Center Open House

When: Friday, June 26th
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Where: Child Development Center
CDC 1.100 (Parking Lot # 11)

PDF to print and post


Registrar's Office Open House

Wednesday, July 1st
Registrar’s Office, JPL 1.01.14
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

PDF to print and post




Discrimination & Diversity Classes - Summer 2009

Your role is key in preventing unlawful discrimination & building diversity awareness at UTSA.

Take a class to strengthen your knowledge & skills at work!

PDF with classes and schedule


Student Spotlight: UTSA chemistry graduate student Magaly Salinas invited to attend Nobel laureates meeting in Germany

Christi Fish, Public Affairs Specialist, 06/17/2009


This month, doctoral student Magaly Salinas will do what no Roadrunner has ever done before. Salinas, a UTSA graduate student in organic chemistry, will attend the 59th Meeting of Nobel Laureates and Students in Lindau, Germany. At the meeting, scheduled for June 28 to July 3, Salinas will discuss current scientific research, network and dine with the world's finest chemists and chemistry students.

Approximately 600 students from 66 countries are expected to attend the invitation-only meeting. Salinas is one of four attendees from the state of Texas and one of 74 students representing the United States at the prestigious event, which is ...


For the full article, visit: http://utsa.edu/today/2009/06/salinas.cfm



First wedding reception at UTSA set for this month

Omar Hernandez, Public Affairs Specialist, 06/15/2009

Ashley Starkweather '09 was two weeks into her first semester at UTSA in fall 2005 when she met Tim Mazzanti '05; he was in his last semester. They met in a class that Mazzanti had put off taking for four years. They had no idea their chance meeting would culminate with the celebration of their marriage on the campus where they met and fell in love. It also would be the first wedding celebration at UTSA.

That semester, the couple spent much of their time at basketball games in the Convocation Center. Both students where highly involved on campus...


For the full article, visit: http://utsa.edu/today/2009/06/wedding.cfm




Rowdy New U Wellness Program

Wellness Program

https://www.utsa.edu/safety/#/workplace/wellness

Walking is one of the easiest and cost-effective forms of exercise. UTSA has made it easier for you with mapped trails around the main campus. So get a buddy and get moving. Here are some tips for your next walking trip:

  1. Wear sunscreen.

  2. Dress comfortable for the climate.

  3. Drink water before, during, and after the walk.

  4. Bring a bottle of water with you.

  5. Wear good walking shoes.

  6. Walk with a buddy. Better yet, walk in a group.

  7. Bring an umbrella for shade if you like. Shade can be 20 degrees less.

  8. Use a walking stick.

  9. If you are by yourself, let someone know where you are and how long you’ll be out.

  10. Bring music. The moderate music beat may make you walk faster, and in turn, burn calories.

Look out:

  1. For poison ivy, snakes, and critters.

  2. Potholes on the ground.


Local Hiking Locations (PDF)

Contact:
Gina English at 458-6751
Rowdy New U Wellness Program


Student Affairs Awards & Recognition Committee

The Student Affairs - Awards & Recognition committee is looking for members to join the committee

Please view this PDF for more information.





True Colors Logo

Brown Bag Mixers

Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm

Orange: Tuesday, June 16th - UC1 Oak Room

Green: Thursday, June 18th - UC3 Harris Room

Gold: Tuesday, June 23rd - UC2 Ash Room


Downtown Mixer for all four colors: Wednesday, July 8th - BV 1.322 Community Room

Blue: Tuesday, July 14th - UC1 Oak Room


PDF to print and post





Athletics




All Sport Schedule - Area Events

Click here for UTSA Camp Information



Complete Schedule

GoUTSA

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Business Procedures Tips

briefcase State agencies and four-year institutions of higher education are required to verify a vendor's hold status for payment card purchases over $500. Procard holders can access the Texas Identification Number System (TINS) to verify hold status by going to https://cpafmprd.cpa.state.tx.us/tpis/search.html and follow instructions.

If you are unable to click on the links above, right click on the link and click open hyperlink for access or copy and paste.

For future reference, you might want to bookmark the website to your favorites.

If you need assistance, contact Anne Jackson at 4059 or Rita Sutton at 4063.


This Business Procedures Tip was submitted by Anne Jackson, Procard Specialist.


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

Fitness Myths Revealed

Fitness Myth: You can train your upper and lower abdominals separately.

The truth: The abdominal muscle is one continuous muscle. When you work your abdominals, you are working the entire length of the muscle and not just the "upper" or "lower" portion. There are, however, layers of abdominal muscles and a class like Pilates is designed to hit these various layers for a full core workout.


Heather Stark
Assistant Director, Fitness/Wellness
Campus Recreation
heather.stark@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 ...

See past Thank You Rowdy Recipients



Thank you Rowdy is on vacation visiting the Recreation Center.

Click image for larger version.

Rowdy walking down the Paseo
Climbing the rock wall
Fooseball
Ping! Pong!
Relaxing by the water

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Kudos

To: Josh Cuevas- Enrollment Services Officer II, Enrollment Services Center
RE: Thank You

A parent that ESO II Josh Cuevas had been helping on the phone stopped by during Orientation to personally meet him and thank him for all of his help. This parent is a CAP parent and he said he feels at ease dropping off his daughter at UTSA because of how helpful and friendly the staff are. It was amazing that he took the time to come by and speak with us regarding his satisfaction. He truly made our day.


To: Melissa Bruni- Career Counselor II, University Career Center Downtown
      and Susanna Driver- Career Counselor II, University Career Center
From: University Career Center
RE: Farewell and Congratulations!

Farewell and Congratulations to Melissa Bruni and Susanna Driver. Melissa's last day at UTSA is Friday, July 3, she has accepted a position as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State. Susanna Driver parted ways with UTSA late May and accepted a position with the University of Maryland. It has been an honor to have worked with 2 talented career counselors. Best wishes to both Melissa and Susanna, we will be truly miss you.

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NOTE:  Please submit all newsletter entries by 5:00 pm, Tuesday, July 7, 2009, to VPSAmedia@utsa.edu