BA Connect Newsletter - December 2024
Veronica Salazar
Executive Vice President for Business Affairs
and Chief Enterprise Development Officer
Dear Business Affairs,
The end of the semester is on the horizon, and I am truly grateful for your hard work and service over the past months. We’ve faced challenges together, restructured our teams to better align our division to serve the university's needs and celebrated successes with one another.
As we begin the holiday season, I hope to see many of you this Wednesday, Dec. 4, at our yearly Hot Chocolate and Holiday Cheer event. Join us for a warm drink, cookie decorating and the opportunity to create holiday cards to spread cheer in our San Antonio community.
Next week, each area in Business Affairs will also host its own holiday party—a perfect time to connect, relax and celebrate with your colleagues. These gatherings offer a chance to reflect on all we’ve accomplished and look forward to an exciting year ahead.
After the winter break, we’ll kick off the new year with our annual Let's Chat! Virtual Town Hall. This event allows us to reconnect, recognize our divisional award winners for 2024 and discuss a few of the exciting things to look forward to in 2025.
Wishing you all a joyful holiday season filled with peace and well-deserved rest!
Sincerely,
Veronica Salazar
Executive Vice President for Business Affairs
and Chief Enterprise Development Officer
Celebrate the Holiday Season with Us!
There are so many ways to celebrate the holiday season with Business Affairs! Join us for Hot Chocolate and Holiday Cheer this Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 9-11:30 a.m. in the Student Union Denman Ballroom. Carry that holiday spirit forward to your virtual meetings with holiday-themed backgrounds. For a chance to be featured on the Business Affairs website and Instagram, share photos from your department's holiday party by 3 p.m. on Dec. 13. Finally, if you’re heading downtown for holiday events or shopping, take advantage of your VIA U-Pass for free rides within the VIA Link Downtown Zone.
Winter Break Reduced Operations
This year, winter break begins Monday, Dec. 23 and continues through Wednesday, Jan. 1, with skeleton crew days scheduled on Dec. 27 and 30. Supervisors should consult with their leadership to determine appropriate staffing for their areas. Visit our Winter Break Reduced Operations website to learn more and explore helpful planning resources, including a reduced operations checklist, FAQs, out of office message examples and more.
Curious About What the New Integrated University Will Look Like?
Once UTSA and UT Health San Antonio integrate, the university will include over 40,000 students and 15,900 employees. UTSA will become the third largest research university in Texas with over $467 million in research expenditures and a budget of $2.2 billion.
Volunteers Needed for Commencement
Help celebrate the achievements of UTSA’s graduating students by volunteering at the Fall 2024 Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 14! These ceremonies, scheduled for 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., are special opportunities to honor the hard work, dedication and resilience of our Roadrunner students. As a volunteer, you’ll play a vital role in creating an unforgettable experience for our new graduates and their loved ones. Sign up today to connect with the UTSA community and help make Commencement a success!
Business Affairs Retirees: We Want to Celebrate You!
Business Affairs staff who have served 15 years or more at UTSA and plan to retire in 2025 are invited to share their information so we can acknowledge them at the upcoming Retirement Celebration in January 2025. This special event will recognize staff who have made a long-lasting impact on our Roadrunner community. For questions, please contact VPBAOffice@utsa.edu.
November Riddle Challenge Winner
Congratulations to our November Riddle Challenge winner: Julia Poo, business service center manager for Campus Services! With the correct answer of 166, Julia has won a Business Affairs-branded insulated tumbler. Thank you to everyone who participated! Stay tuned for more riddles and games in future Business Affairs Connect newsletters.
Ease into the Holidays with Mental Wellness
The holiday season is a time to reflect, celebrate and connect with loved ones—but it can also bring extra stress and emotional challenges. UTSA’s Deer Oaks Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential and free counseling, stress management resources and guidance for work-life balance. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by holiday planning, experiencing financial pressures or simply need someone to talk to, Deer Oaks provides a supportive, professional space to help you focus on what matters most. Remember, taking care of your mental wellbeing is the best gift you can give yourself this season.
Communications Tip: University and Departmental Logos
Need to use a university or departmental logo for your upcoming presentation but aren’t sure where to start? The Marketing Resource Library has everything you need! Visit the Business Affairs department logos gallery, find the zip folder for your department and click the download icon. When prompted to log in, select the "Internal Login" option and log in with your UTSA credentials. After you’ve downloaded your logos, check out the Visual Style Guide to ensure you’re using them correctly. For questions, contact the BA Strategic Communications team.
Social Media Spotlight:
➜ Visit Financial Affairs to learn more about support available from Fiscal Services.
Calendar
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
|
12/04 |
Hot Chocolate & Holiday Cheer |
|
12/05 |
Last Day of Classes |
|
12/06 |
Student Study Day |
|
12/06-13 |
Department Holiday Parties |
|
12/14 |
Commencement |
|
12/23-1/1 |
Winter Break |
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Congratulations to all of our employees celebrating birthdays and work anniversaries this month!
