• Austin Green, University Center
• Brenda Gonzales, Registrar
• Charlotte Kennedy Harper, Child Development Center
• Jeffrey Popovich, Athletics
• Joshua Brannon, Registrar
• Laura M. Little, Athletics
• Martin Mendoza, University Center
• Noelia Wilson, Student Health Services
• Raymond Fischer, Student Disability Services
• Samantha Martinek, Athletics

 Welcome to UTSA! We are glad you are here!

This year’s Student Affairs Awards Ceremony will be held on May 16, 2013. Before the ceremony occurs, we ask that you take a few minutes to recognize the many staff who went above and beyond to make this year successful. The nomination form is simple to fill out. Visit the Awards and Recognition website for full award criteria on the following categories:
        Outstanding Student Affairs Supervisory Leadership
            Award
        Outstanding New Professional Staff Member Award
        Outstanding Student Employee Award
        Outstanding Support Staff Award
        Outstanding Student Affairs Team Award
        Transformational Student Affairs Leadership Award

Nominations close on April 12 at 5:00 p.m.

Happy Nominating!

Awards and Recognition Team Co-Chairs,
Tiffani Hoot
Jared Jones

RSVP for the FREE Rowdy Cents and/or FAFSA assistance workshops this Spring, hosted by Student Financial Aid & Enrollment Services.

Spending Plan Workshop: Balance income vs. expenses & discover deals & steals for UTSA students.
    • Tuesday, April 23rd
        from 12 PM – 3 PM at UC Pecan (2.01.26)

Managing Credit Workshop: Discuss why credit is important, learn how to obtain a free credit report, and find out what determines your credit score.
    • Thursday, April 11th
        12 PM—1 PM at UC Pecan (2.01.26)

For more information, please contact Financial Aid Outreach Specialist, Lara Crouch, at 210-458-2803 or Lara.Crouch@utsa.edu.

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Saturday, April 13th
7:30pm – 9:30pm
UTSA Downtown Campus Bill Miller Plaza

This family-friendly Pre-Fiesta event has become a Downtown Campus tradition and features:
    • Two live jazz bands: The Alex Sutherlin Project
      and Atlantis the Band
    • Student Organizations Fundraising Booths – Bottled
      Water, Sodas & Chocolate Covered Oreos on a stick!
    • An inflatable game
    • Crafts
    • Informational Booths & Games for all ages
    • Bill Miller BBQ!

NIUTSA is free and open to the entire UTSA community!

PRE-NIUTSA Event:
City of San Antonio District 5 Candidate Forum – 6pm – Frio Street Building – Sam Riklin Auditorium
Hosted by: Student Government Association and College of Public Policy

*Inclement Weather Location: Frio Street Commons Area & Buena Vista Theatre

Questions?  Michelle.Montanio@utsa.edu, 210-458-2817

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The UTSA Department of Purchasing and Distribution will host Vendor Fairs for faculty, staff and students on April 16-17 at the Main and Downtown campuses. The events will feature more than 50 businesses including UTSA preferred suppliers and HUB (historically underutilized business) vendors, who will showcase their products and services. The event is free and open to all. There will be prize drawings throughout the fairs and light refreshments.

Downtown Campus
Tuesday, April 16, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Durango Building Southwest Room (1.124)

Main Campus
Wednesday, April 17, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
University Center Ballroom (1.104)

More information: Irene Maldonado, HUB program manager, 458-4068

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During the Week of the Young Child (WOYC) – April 14-20, 2013, the UTSA Child Development Center will celebrate ten years of excellence in early childhood education for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children. Over the years, we had the privilege of educating and caring for the children of our students, faculty and staff at UTSA. Our team has been busy planning an exciting week for the children and our UTSA families.

There are two active committees: WOYC Committee and the Breakfast Committee. The WOYC Committee has events planned each day from April 15-19, 2013. The WOYC calendar is available at the Child Development Center website or by sending an e-mail to Earlene.Gonzales@utsa.edu. The Breakfast Committee has planned a meal at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 for our guests. Current families and many families from the past ten-year period will be able to visit the program to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the center.

Our voice as a community that supports high quality early childhood education is very important to San Antonio and the surrounding areas. Join us as we celebrate Week of the Young Child by attending either the breakfast or the open house to be held on Thursday evening from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Click here for more information on Week of the Young Child or for a full list of events. We look forward to seeing you there.

According to the Fiesta San Antonio Commission, pin and medal collecting and trading is one of Fiesta San Antonio’s most popular traditions. The medals tradition goes back at least 50 years, but no one is exactly sure how this tradition began. Each year, more than 100 non-profit organizations order and sell the items as fundraisers. Local military organizations, private companies, individuals and other institutions also create the medals as mementos.

For the full article, visit ucnewsblog.

Bring your lunch and join Student and Academic Affairs Mid-Managers for our monthly lunch discussions to be held in the Magnolia Room of the University Center from 12 noon-1:30 p.m. on the following Wednesdays: April 17th, May 15th, June 19th, and July 17th. Our lunch group focuses on informal networking with those in similar positions across both student affairs and academic affairs. We also plan to provide discussion and materials on special topics such as performance evaluation, leadership, management techniques, program management, and others. Please contact Joan Tsacalis, Director of the Colleges’ Freshman Advising Center, at 458-5170 or via email at Joan.Tsacalis@utsa.edu or Charlin Jones, Assistant Director for the Special Events Center, at 458-6736 or via email at Charlin.Jones@utsa.edu for more information and to get on the distribution list.

National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate people doing extraordinary things through service. Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week focuses national attention on the impact and power of volunteerism and service as an integral aspect of our civic leadership. The week draws the support and endorsement of the president, Congress, governors, mayors, municipal leaders, and corporate and community groups across the country. This year National Volunteer Week will be April 21-27, 2013. UTSA will have two events this year showcasing the impact that UTSA students, faculty, and staff have had in the greater community.

UTSA Gallery of Student Service
Students and student organizations are invited to showcase their service events from this year to the UTSA community. Students and student organizations are asked to create a visual representation of their service and the agencies they have worked with. They may choose to focus on one project or multiple projects for the display. Displays can range from posters, slideshows, collages, tri-fold display boards, etc. The displays will be up in the UC First Floor from Tuesday, April 23-Wednesday, April 24. To register yourself or your student organization, please fill out the form on RowdyLink on the Volunteer Services page.

UTSA Volunteer Appreciation Day
The Inclusion and Community Engagement Center will host a Volunteer Appreciation Day event from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, Wednesday, April 24 at the University Center Paseo on the Main Campus. The get-together is to thank UTSA students, faculty and staff for their volunteer service. Free ice cream will be provided!

UTSA students, student organizations, faculty and staff make a huge impact on the San Antonio community by giving thousands of hours to community agencies, neighborhood associations, schools, churches and more. These events are a chance to celebrate our service and think about new ways to give back.

To learn more about how to get involved with volunteer opportunities, visit the Volunteer Services website, visit the Volunteer Services Office on the Paseo UC 1.216, or email volunteer@utsa.edu.

Student Activities is coordinating the Texas R.E.A.L. Alcohol Coalition that will be held on the Main Campus April 24-25, 2013. Colleges and Universities from across the state are invited to participate in this Summit in order to address alcohol abuse among college students. The summit participants will have an opportunity to discuss best practices initiatives, network with other colleagues from across the state in the alcohol prevention and education field, and experience one of UTSA's own best practices events, Party on the Paseo (April 25th from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the UC Paseo).

Institutions are sending a team of colleagues from the following areas:

    • Peer Education Advisors
    • Student Conduct/Judicial Affairs
    • Police Department/Crime Prevention
    • Athletics/Life Skills
    • Student Health Services
    • Counseling Services
    • Housing and Residence Life
    • Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention

For more information, please contact Student Activities at (210) 458-4160.

The University Center (UC) is looking for new student representatives to fill positions on the UC Advisory Council–a student-led, volunteer organization that approves the University Center budget and provides ongoing input regarding the UC and its services.

For the full article, visit ucnewsblog.

The UTSA Community is invited to the spring 2013 UJIMA (oo-JEE-mah) Black Graduation Achievement Ceremony at 6 p.m., Monday, April 29, 2013 in the University Center Ballroom (1.104) on the Main Campus.

UJIMA is a program that celebrates and honors UTSA's African-American/Black students who will graduate this semester and also celebrates the achievements of African-American/Black community members who have held leadership positions on campus and in the San Antonio community. Nominations for the UJIMA Leadership Award, UJIMA Community Involvement Award are currently being accepted via RowdyLink at https://utsa.collegiatelink.net/form/start/20844 and https://utsa.collegiatelink.net/form/start/20846, and at www.utsa.edu/ice.

Click HERE to read the full article.

The Inclusion and Community Engagement Center at UTSA will host its inaugural Lavender Graduation ceremony this spring for graduating students who identify as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans, Questioning (GLBTQ) or Allies, and their families and friends.

Lavender Graduation celebrates and recognizes GLBTQ students and their allies and acknowledges their achievements and contributions at UTSA. The event will feature a keynote speaker, recognition of GLBTQ Scholarship recipients and the presentation of two new awards: Outstanding GLBTQ Student Leadership Award and Outstanding Faculty/Staff Supporter to GLBTQ Students. Nominations for both awards are currently being accepted via RowdyLink at https://utsa.collegiatelink.net/form/start/20843, https://utsa.collegiatelink.net/form/start/20497 and at www.utsa.edu/ice.

"This inaugural celebration will acknowledge our students’ academic successes as well as honor their personal journey and growth. Through this event, it is our hope that GLBTQ graduates will feel encouraged to maintain a connection to the university, the faculty and staff, and their fellow students, and become engaged alumni said," Yvonne Peña, Assistant Dean of Students.

Click HERE to read the full article.

As you know, the May 2013 Commencement Ceremony will be held in the Alamodome! Many of you have volunteered for commencement in the past, and this year we need your support more than ever. Commencement no longer needs volunteers to take tickets or usher, but we do need volunteers to check in and line up students. Graduation Coordination is calling for volunteers to work the graduate line-up before the commencement ceremonies.

Monday, May 13, 2013

2:00 p.m. Ceremony
Volunteer Time 12:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
   COE
   COLFA
   COPP
   COS

7:00 p.m. Ceremony
Volunteer Time 5:00 p.m. – 7: 15 p.m.
   COA
   COB
   COEHD
   University College

Volunteer duties will include checking in students by college and directing students where to go. If you have a preference on what you would like to do, who you would like to sit at a check-in table with or which college you would like to work with, please let us know.

Please email Kayla.Larsen@utsa.edu and Alejandra.Perez@utsa.edu when you would like to volunteer. If have any questions, please feel free to contact Kayla Larsen at x7554, Alex Perez at x4603 or Cié Gee x7552.

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Let’s Get Ready to Bowl!

When: Thursday, June 6, 2013
Where: University Bowl
Check-In: 5:15-6:00 pm
Bowling: 6:00-8:00 pm
Who: VPSA Staff and Families

Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.

The UTSA Office of Housing and Residence Life announces the newest addition to UTSA on-campus housing, San Saba Hall, which will open in fall 2013. Conveniently located next to the Recreation and Wellness Center on the UTSA Main Campus, San Saba Hall consists of 618 residential rooms… and is now leasing to UTSA students.

For the full article, visit UTSA Today.

The UTSA University Career Center will host a Professional Etiquette Dinner on March 21 and the College of Liberal and Fine Arts Career Expo on March 28. Both events will provide students opportunities to polish their professional skills while meeting and networking with employers.

For the full article, visit UTSA Today.

Student Financial Aid and Enrollment Services (SFAES) had their annual spring staff conference during spring break. This year’s theme was “SFAES Assemble: Beat the Legislative Year!” based off of the movie The Avengers. The staff received multiple updates on things to come regarding verification, summer awarding, financial literacy, satisfactory academic progress and athletics. Special guest speakers from Texas Guaranteed (TG), Laura Kowalski and Tom Rebstock, updated the staff on legislative issues and to how to enhance customer service skills through appreciative inquiry.

During the conference, staff members learned how to positively influence students, parents, UTSA departments and co-workers through customer service. Staff members were encouraged to think about the premise of The Avengers, analyze the movie and come up with correlations to the SFAES office. They also learned the importance of each staff member’s strengths and contributions to the SFAES team as they face new challenges at the federal and state levels.

The week of Spring Break flew by for 35 UTSA students who gave up their spring break in order to participate in UTSA’s Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program. The Alternative Spring Break program has been engaging students in service during spring break for several years now through VOICES and the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center. This year, VOICES coordinated three Alternative Spring Break trips, two to Atlanta, Georgia (the farthest a UTSA ASB has gone) and one here in San Antonio. The issues confronted by the trips were diverse and complex and focused on the social issues of creating community in an urban environment, urban poverty, and youth and education.

In Atlanta, students worked with agencies to create community in an urban environment by sorting tools that are loaned to community agencies with the Atlanta Community Toolbank, worked in a community garden with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, fed the homeless with Hands on Atlanta, and helped maintain Piedmont Park Conservancy. Another group of students focused on learning about how poverty affects families by working with the Atlanta Boys and Girls Club, serving pancakes to the homeless and maintaining Safehouse Outreach, and landscaping at Emmaus House. As a group, the students explored Atlanta and participated in a behind-the-scenes tour of CNN studios, visited and toured the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, ate at the famous “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives“ restaurant “The Varsity”, and on the way back to San Antonio, visited the French Quarter in New Orleans.

ASB participants who stayed in San Antonio were able to work with the SA Children’s Museum as camp assistants and provided educational activities for children, hosted a youth science camp for SA Youth, and had a fun water day with the Good Samaritan Center. They celebrated the end of their week with dinner and games at Dave and Busters. All the groups participated in ice breakers, energizers, and reflection activities throughout the week to get to know each other better and connect their service with their values, beliefs, and emotions.

For more information about the UTSA Inclusion and Community Engagement Center and Volunteer Services, call 210-458-4770. To learn how to get involved in projects, visit the VOICES website.

The Fraternity and Sorority Community adopted Pennies for Patients change drive for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society three years ago. During the past three spring semesters, the community collects change during a three week period of time. This spring, the Fraternity and Sorority Community came together to triple the amount collected from last year. The funds raised during the Pennies for Patients drive funds research around the world creating opportunities for blood cancer cures and therapies. This spring semester the Fraternity and Sorority Community collected over $2500.00.

      • Newsletter is distributed the 2nd Wednesday
        of every month
      • Newsletter submissions are due by 5pm on
        the Monday before the newsletter is distributed
      • Thank You Rowdy message for new recipient and
        photo are due by 5 pm on the Monday before
        the newsletter is distributed

Please email VPSAmedia@utsa.edu with your articles and photographs, or if you have questions.