UTSA community invited to design UC mural

By Marlon Anderson
Director of Inclusion and Community Engagement

(June 20, 2007)--The UTSA Inclusion and Community Engagement Center, a new component of the Office of Student Affairs, is sponsoring a competition to design a mural for the expanded University Center at the 1604 Campus. The competition is open to UTSA students, faculty and staff.

Planned as the centerpiece of the main reception area, the winning mural will be selected based on the artist's interpretation of the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center's mission and core values. (Read the center's mission and values statements below.)

The new center is responsible for helping to create a campus climate that celebrates ethnic and cultural diversity and promote volunteerism and service to the community. The center will be a vibrant, active place for students to learn from one another, participate in and receive support for diversity programming, and utilize a resource library that provides opportunities for self-exploration.

Entries in the mural design competition must be in color and can be submitted electronically or on paper. If submitted on paper, the entry can be no larger than 11 inches by 17 inches.

The entry deadline is 5 p.m., Tuesday, July 31. Review of entries will begin Aug. 1; the competition will remain open until a winner is selected.

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E-mail electronic entries to Marlon Anderson. Paper entries must be delivered to the Office of Student Activities, University Center Room 1.02.08, 1604 Campus. Entries must include a cover sheet with the artist's name, address, phone number and e-mail address.

A committee will judge entries, and the winner will have the opportunity to paint his or her mural on a wall measuring 6 feet wide by 10 feet tall. Entries become the property of the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center.

For more information, contact Marlon Anderson, director of inclusion and community engagement, at (210) 458-4770.

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Mission Statement (proposed)

The Inclusion and Community Engagement Center is committed to fostering a campus culture in which issues relating to ethnic and cultural diversity and volunteerism are addressed with sincerity and respect and within which all members of the campus community feel safe, welcomed and valued. We seek to empower and develop all members of the UTSA community and to celebrate our diversity by providing varied educational opportunities and support services.

Core Values (proposed)

The Inclusion and Community Engagement Center strives for cross-cultural understanding and appreciation of all our diverse histories and experiences.

We value:

Meaningful dialogues across ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation and gender-identity lines while providing support for single group interest

Exploring the educational benefits of active volunteerism for our students

Access to higher education and other retention efforts that encourage the success and educational and professional development of all individuals, particularly those from underrepresented groups.

Cross-cultural collaboration with the San Antonio community through programming, symposia, volunteer experiences and skills development activities that enhance the community-involvement and academic missions of UTSA.

Guidance, training and support for other campus units toward the accomplishment of a vision of equality and diversity