Message from the Vice President
"I believe we can change the world if we start listening to one another again. Simple, honest, human conversation. Not mediation, negotiation, problem-solving, debate or public meetings. Simple, truthful conversation where we each have a chance to speak, we each feel heard, and we each listen well." Margaret J. Wheatley in Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future.
I used this quote about two years ago at the end of an essay about the importance of community in making changes of significance in an organization or in society. If we want to make a change beyond our own New Year's resolutions, it takes others. (Actually, enlisting others is a good way to achieve our own resolutions, but that's another topic.) And to find others to work with, we have to talk and we have to listen.
Several years ago, in an institute designed to develop leaders among students with disabilities, there was a workshop on developing allies. What the presenter said was really striking to me. She said we often go about this process in a manner that is completely backwards. We're on fire with our idea, our cause, our need and we dump it all over the person we're talking with, and then wonder why they don't immediately sign up. She talked with us about going in to this discussion with the intent to listen, to learn what the other person cares about. Once we understand what is important to others, we have a chance to find common ground, but there is no chance to find it when we're blathering on. We have to be willing to listen to another's story as well as to tell our own. We need to hear what hurts them, makes them mad, fills them with joy, where their drive for change exists, if we want them to be our allies.
Two years ago when I used this quote, I invited people to commit a day each month to the idea of conversation. About 25 people did and for that Spring semester and a few other dates later in the year, Tuesday Conversations happened on campus.
I'd like to find a way to open up the opportunity for conversation again. This time I won't ask that you commit to being there on all four dates; I'm just creating the space for conversations to happen. You can put it on your calendar as a meeting with the VPSA so you think it's important, but really all you have to do is come with a willingness to listen and to talk when you have something to say. We'll gather for about an hour and a half on four dates – location TBD. There's no particular problem I'm trying to solve, but I know that the more we know each other and the more we know what we care about the better our work experience, the better our service to our students and each other, and the better our world.
Shall we have a conversation?
Take care,
Gage
Conversation Times:
Feb. 17 (Wednesday), 12:00 – 1:30
March 16 (Tuesday), 12:00 – 1:30
April 13 (Tuesday), 12:00 – 1:30
May 12 (Wednesday), 12:00 – 1:30
Congratulations
Robert Dickens, formerly UTSA's Contract Manager, has been named the Director of Purchasing and Distribution Services. Robert and his office work very closely with many staff in the Division of Student Affairs. Please join us in congratulating Robert in his new role at UTSA!
Announcements/Departmental Events
UCPC Activities for October
Black History Month Events
CAB
After the heart pounding UTSA basketball game that went into overtime last Saturday night, the rowdy crowd filled the UC Ballroom to enjoy pizza and ice cream treats at the Roadrunner Late Night spring kickoff event, Ice Ice Baby! Campus Activities Board and the University Center Programming Council combined forces to provide an artificial skating rink, gallons of ice cream and toppings, and hundreds of pizzas to entertain students. There were t-shirts, personalized snow globes and keychains to remember the event and everyone left fed, exhausted and happy.
It was a huge success for the first event of the semester and we hope to see some of the same faces back at the Roadrunner Latenight Events and other CAB and UCPC collaborations in the future. Please visit us at www.utsa.edu/sa/latenight/ and on Facebook to keep in touch with whats going on on campus.
Up next for CAB is country music performances! Singer/songwriter Keni Thomas on Febuary 6th played out on the UC Denman room at 9:00pm. BBQ catered by Bill Millers was enjoyed. Next up is country music star Zane Williams performing his new radio released singles at Dinner & a Date which starts at 7:00pm on the 11th. Come out and enjoy what this growing campus has to offer you!
Spring 2010 Student Affairs Conference - Save the Date!
Please mark your calendars for the Spring 2010 Student Affairs Conference. The two dates for the conference are March 31 and April 14, 2010 and will be all-day events at the Main Campus. Please choose the date that fits in your schedule as both dates will have identical sessions. Our theme for the 2010 conference is TEAM! We believe last year's conference was a huge success and we look forward to an even better conference this year!
PDF to print and post
Save These Dates!
Upcoming Events
The Staff Networking Team invites you to participate in the following events:
Book Club (Beloved), 2/16/10, 12:00-1:00pm, Cameron Room
Administration Support Staff Network (discussing Travel), 2/18/10, 4:00-5:00pm, Travis Room
Mid Managers Network, 2/25/10, 11:30am-1:00pm, Magnolia Room
New Professionals/Dinner Club, 2/26/10, 6:00pm, Buffalo Wild Wings (DeZavala)
Tailgate Party, 3/3/10, 5:00-7:00pm (We will be collecting blue jeans to donate to Haven for Hope)
If you have any questions about these activities, please contact Misty Kelley (210.458.4160 or misty.kelley@utsa.edu).
Downtown Undergraduate Advising Center Open House
The Downtown Undergraduate Advising Center is inviting all Student Affairs Staff to their open house. For further information please contact: ginnifer.gee@utsa.edu
PDF to print and post
Student Affairs Employee Workshop
Student Affairs Employee Workshop
Thursday, February 25, 2010
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
University Center Harris Room
You are invited to attend "Uppers, Downers, All Arounders."
This work shop will be facilitated by Dr. Darryl Inaba author of Uppers, Downers, All Arounders which is the text is used in our Drugs and Society course.
Dr. Inaba will discuss drugs and addictions as well as answer questions from the audience. This presentation is beneficial to all Student Affairs staff to promote the awareness of addictions within our student population.
If you would like to attend, please RSVP to VPSA@utsa.edu by Monday, February 22.
PDF to print and post
For more information about Dr. Darryl Inaba please visit http://www.cnsproductions.com/46.html
For more information about the workshop, please contact kelsey.bratcher@utsa.edu
Homecoming poster design contest winners are announced
Charlin Jones, Assistant Director of Special Events and Honors Alliance Adviser, 02/04/2010
Winners of the 2010 Homecoming Art Contest were announced Jan. 19 at the University Center on the Main Campus. Selina Garcia of the Student Homecoming Committee was on hand to announce the winners and present the awards. Casey Johnson won first place with his submission titled "Traditions." Ann-Margaret Gonzalez was awarded second place for her submission, "40 Years of Tradition, Spirit, Pride." Third place went to Christian Villarreal for his submission, "UTSA Rising."
The first-place poster design will be used in homecoming publicity and promotions. Each artist received a trophy and a cash prize...
For the full article, visit: http://utsa.edu/today/2010/02/hcposter.html
Alkek Elementary School Student Council Visits UTSA
Alkek Elementary School Student Council visited the UTSA campus January 29th. Their goal was to learn why it is important to stay involved and what opportunities are available to those that do.
The student council received a campus tour lead by two UTSA Ambassadors and participated in an open discussion with UTSA student leaders. They represented potential students for the class of 2021 & 2022! It is never to early to start recruiting future Roadrunners.
UTSA apartment shuttle service remains at six complexes
02/03/2010
Because of limited funding, the UTSA transportation budget could not continue free shuttle service in spring 2010 to apartment complexes near the UTSA Main Campus unless a $10,000 fee per semester was paid by each apartment complex. The good news for many students is that UTSA Business Auxiliary Services estimates that more than two-thirds of students riding the off-campus shuttles were not be affected by the changes.
Additional good news is that six of the 11 complexes affected have agreed to participate in the fee: High View Place, Hill Country Place, Maverick Creek Villas, The Reserve, The Outpost, and Broadstone Ranch. Complexes that no longer have a shuttle...
For the full article, visit: http://utsa.edu/today/2010/02/shuttles.html
Coker signs 24 to inaugural UTSA football class
Paul J. Weber - Associated Press
For the full article, view this PDF
First haul for UTSA, and it's a big one
Dan McCarney - Express-News
For the full article, view this PDF
UTSA women prevail in 'must-win' game
Pat Turner - Special to the Express-News
For the full article, view this PDF
Photo Galleries
Multicultural Greek Council Chapter Showcase - January 21, 2010
The Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) hosted their first Chapter Showcase on January 21st were over 100 students attended. Chapters gave an educational presentation on the facts of their chapter and then performed a stroll if they chose too. The council has grown in size due to two new organizations, Delta Xi Nu Multicultural Sorority, Inc. and Iota Nu Delta South Asian Fraternity, Inc., colonizing this past Fall. In the Fall 2010 semester the council will also have a Multicultural Fraternity and hopefully a South Asian Sorority expanding to campus.
Photos
Cowboy Breakfast with Counseling Services - January 29, 2010
On Friday, January 29, 2010, Counseling Services saddled up to celebrate their 2nd annual COWBOY BREAKFAST! The entire staff of Counseling Services and the Women's Resource Center enjoyed some fine vittles in their chow hall – biscuits 'n gravy, sausage and hen fruit, flapjacks and lots of other fine concoctions. A fine time was had by all!
Photos
Until the Violence Stops Viewing, Women's Resource Center - February 4, 2010
On Thursday evening, February 4, 2010, the Women's Resource Center, The CURE, the UTSA Counseling Services, SHADES and The San Antonio Rape Crisis Center joined together to present a showing of the Until the Violence Stops, a film by Abby Epstein featuring emotionally charged interviews and readings from women revealing their intimate experiences to "break the silence" surrounding abuse. A filled Willow room listened to a panel of local advocates and participated in a discussion after the film.
Other events being planned for the month include several informational tables with the theme of "healthy relationships" and a fun cooking demo for couples who want to learn how to work together in the kitchen making a meal for each other! This will be an interesting event - the "he said" "she said" version of how to read a recipe! Don't miss it on February 9, 2010 at 6:30pm in the demo kitchen (REC) Sounds like fun!
A PDF listing of all upcoming events in February to print and post.
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Athletics
All Sport Schedule - Area Events
| Sat, Feb 13 | WT | Abilene Christian | San Antonio, Texas | 11 a.m. |
| Sat, Feb 13 | MBB | UT Arlington * | San Antonio, Texas | 7 p.m. |
| Sun, Feb 14 | WT | St. Edward's | San Antonio, Texas | 11 a.m. |
| Mon, Feb 15 - Tue, Feb 16 |
MG | UTSA Oak Hills Invitational | San Antonio, Texas | All Day |
| Wed, Feb 17 | WBB | Texas A&M-Corpus Christi * | San Antonio, Texas | 7 p.m. |
Business Procedures Tips
Please make sure the Business Purpose listed on BEFs lists the business purpose of the event, not a specific action of the event. Also, please include a meeting agenda with the BEF.
Example: The [name of student group] retreat provided operational and risk management training to enhance daily work and improve skills. To maximize time, lunch was provided during the one-day retreat and was complemented by a networking skills exercise during lunch.
An example not to use is: [Name of staff member] purchased food for [X event]. (This doesn't provide a business purpose for the event.)
Have a Business Procedures Tip to share? Please send it to Bob Miller.
For previous Business Procedures Tips, please visit the archive.
Wellness Tips
Fitness Myth An aerobic workout will boost your metabolism for hours after you stop working out.
This statement is actually true -- but the calorie burn is probably not nearly as much as you think!
An aerobic workout will boost your metabolism slightly for about 1 hour after completing the workout. This can equal around 20-30 extra calories burned. A strength training workout will boost your metabolism for much longer (24-48 hours), although the extra calorie burn is still low. What does help increase your metabolism is the extra muscle you get from strength training. One pound of muscle can help you burn an extra 50 calories per day!
Heather Stark
Assistant Director of Fitness & Wellness
Campus Recreation
heather.stark@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
Angela Hicks
See past Thank You Rowdy Recipients
To: Angela Hicks, University Center
From: John Garza, University Center
Today I pass Thank You Rowdy along to you for all your hard work at the University Center. You always ensure the student working at the Information Center are well trained and knowledgeable in everything from testing supplies and faxes to ticketmaster and homecoming t-shirts. Your commitment to the student development committee has helped every student worker learn to become a better part of the UC team and has helped our full time staff become better supervisors and leaders to our student staff. The UC would not be able to be successful without you, thanks again!
-John David
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John, Rowdy, and Angela |
Kudos
To: Barry McKinney- Director of Student Activities
From: Nikole Vaughn
RE: Kudos
Dear Barry,
Thank you for taking time out of your day today to help manage the photo shoot (impromptu). As you know, this is our first run, so we will be able to work through an enhanced process in the future.
Mark McClendon, UTSA photographer took over 300 photos, so we made a tremendous amount of progress.
Thank you again for spending the day with us. We would not have made it without you.
Sincerely,
Nikole Vaughn
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NOTE:
Please submit all newsletter entries by 5:00 pm, Tuesday, February 23, 2010, to
VPSAmedia@utsa.edu