January 2007

SideNotes

Kerry's Korner...

Perhaps you’ve recently seen the movie, Freedom Writers.  It's an inspiring movie, a true story of inner-city teens fighting to survive in gang-dominated neighborhoods with little family or financial support, lead by a determined, audacious, passionate and creative sophomore English teacher who saw the potential in each child and who believed in change.  “I want to see 18,” says one student citing his primary goal in life – to stay alive until he’s 18 years old!  Few of us, certainly very few of our children, have that sense of immediacy and clarity of vision.  The flick made both Brenda and me think about our own lives – what impact are we making?  What should we be doing?  How clear and how large is our vision?  What do we have the audacity to believe can be done through us?

As we begin 2007 and prepare to honor and remember Martin Luther King Jr., you need to know that I too have a dream – actually several of them - and I’m investing my heart into them at UTSA.  I dream of a ground swell of courageous people, who no matter their position on the org chart or their job description, challenge each other - stand up and speak out for what is right, and all ‘normal' past practices and hindrances to change be damned.  I dream of an improved work environment for everyone, where Business Affairs is an easier place to do business and get your needs met.  I dream of an environment where we can all reach our potential and assist others in reaching theirs.  I dream of demonstrating ‘excellence’ and ‘partnering’ to our world, the university community.  But to fulfill these dreams I need each of you – because this is not a small feat to be accomplished by a few – to take action and be reminded of certain truths.  We are not here by accident, but for a great purpose – to expose young minds, the future generations, to learning – not only ‘book’ learning, but to life lessons.  We are all educators and have a role, whatever your position or job may be, to create a future much larger than ourselves.

Movies, especially those based on true stories, can be inspiring, but nothing should be more exciting than actually making a positive difference in other peoples lives. Let’s move forward to create – change – and communicate for the betterment of ourselves and our children and grandchildren.  That’s an eternal vision worth investing in – every person, every day, every job.

Kerry
 

Calendar
of Events

Martin Luther King Holiday
January 15

Business Affairs Breakfast
January 17

Business Affairs
Staff Relations Council
January 24

New Employee
Welcome Program
January 25

Worth Remembering...

Dianita Gee

Sprucing up Downtown

At the Downtown campus, recent plantings of roses, columbine, salvia, day lilies, rosemary and others have brightened several beds around the Frio Street and Buena Vista Street buildings.  Look for additional plantings and landscaping in other campus terraces, plaza and walkway areas during the coming weeks.

Also underway Downtown are improvements to the Monterey building, including 1^st floor reconstruction, roof restoration, and a new walkway with ADA ramp leading to the Frio Street mid-block crosswalk. 
 

Dianita Gee has been a UTSA Human Resource employee for approximately 7 1/2 years, and works as a Compensation Analyst. She also serves as HR representative to the VPBA Staff Relations Council.

Dianita is an alumni of Texas Womans' University located in Denton, Texas, where she received her Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. She recently began studies in the Master of Public Administration program at UTSA.

Away from work, Dianita enjoys singing in her church choir, and she also serves as President and is a member of the Executive Board for the Worship Council. She also volunteers as a mentor with a local rites of passage program. Some of her hobbies include shopping and interior decorating.

Thank you, Dianita, for the superb service you provide the campus community.

Dianita will be receiving a Roadrunner meal card to use for either breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Roadrunner Cafe, compliments of Chartwells.
Our thanks to Chartwells for their support!

SOE Update

To those who have already taken the Survey, I appreciate the rapid response and early participation.  As of the end of the day Wednesday, January 10th, 34% of the Business Affairs employees have taken the Survey.  This is very encouraging and you all are well on our way to breaking the 2005 participation rate of 83%.  We have about two weeks remaining before the Survey closes.  If you have not taken the Survey, please know that this instrument is a very important evaluation tool and you will benefit by knowing you played an important role in the results, which I will discuss with you at a series of Town Hall meetings this spring.  A significant element of our pursuit of excellence and partnering is being engaged and participating in such an initiative as this.  It will only take about 15 – 20 minutes and it will be time well spent.  A reminder: those of you who need assistance with the survey or would like to take it in small group sessions in Spanish, please notify your supervisor or contact Anne Jett in Human Resources at 458- 4659.

Thanks for your support and participation!  Let’s break the 2005 participation record!

Kerry

Patti Cutler Retires

After 22 years of service to Texas public higher education, Patti Cutler, Assistant Vice President for Budgets and Financial Planning, has decided to retire effective January 31, 2007.

Patti earned her BA from Austin College and her MBA from Texas A&M, College Station.  She worked at A&M for several years while her husband completed his Ph.D.  Entering into the private sector in 1984, Patti worked as a Marketing Director for The Texian Company and as a Customer Account Manager for Scott Paper Co/Sani-Fresh International.  She was hired as UTSA’s Budget Manager in 1992, promoted to Director in 1996 and became the AVP in 2000.

As AVP for Budgets and Financial Planning, Patti was responsible for development of the University’ Operating Budget and Legislative Appropriations request, and oversaw the administration of the university's administrative computing system (DEFINE) as it relates to budget, payroll, accounting, purchasing and human resources.

Patti and her husband, Brad, plan to travel around the country in their new RV.  We are grateful for her dedicated service to this university and the state of Texas and wish her well in her retirement.

Please join us in celebrating Patti’s retirement at a reception on Thursday, January 25, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Business Building’s University Room. 

Best Wishes to
Grace Hernandez

Grace G. Hernandez, Director of the Office of Institutional Diversity (OID), has accepted a position with the University of Missouri-Kansas City beginning Feb. 1, 2007.

Grace developed a five-year plan for the OID, worked with the provost to review and update the faculty recruitment guidelines, trained faculty search committees, and worked with all of the colleges within UTSA to enhance diversity. At the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Grace will be responsible for developing campus wide affirmative action programs,  ensure the school is in compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations and university anti-discrimination policies and procedures.

Grace has been of a great service to Business Affairs and we'll miss her. All the best and much success to you, Grace.

UTSA Names New Vice President for Student Affairs

President Ricardo Romo recently announced the selection of Gage Paine as vice president for student affairs. Currently a vice president at Trinity University, Dr. Paine begins her UTSA duties Feb. 1.

Dr. Paine was selected after a nationwide search netted a slate of more than 100 candidates for the position. Dr. Paine replaces Rosalie Ambrosino, who became UTSA's provost and second-highest ranking administrator last spring.

Dr. Paine holds a juris doctorate degree from Texas Tech and a Ph.D. in educational administration from UT Austin. Her dissertation focused on the impact of public policy on organization development in disability services.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Paine!

Read more about Gage Paine

New Director of Engineering & Projects Management

Paul Goodman was promoted December 5th to the position of Director of Engineering & Project Management in the Office of Facilities. 

Paul has been with the Office of Facilities since 2000 and held the position of Assistant Director of Maintenance & Construction. Effective March 2006, Paul has also been serving as the Acting Director of Engineering and Project Management. He took on the additional responsibilities and has served in both capacities remarkably well. He has the admiration, respect and support of everyone in the Office of Facilities.

Paul received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Texas Tech University, obtained his MBA from Colorado State University and is a registered Professional Engineer. He has been in the engineering and construction field since 1990. When asked how he felt about the new position, Paul replied, “UTSA has great people and great challenges. I look forward to working with everyone to make UTSA a model for other universities.” We ask our UTSA family to join us as we continue to support Paul in his new position.

Congratulations, Paul!

Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management has moved from the Business Services Annex (BSA) to the Support Services (Modular) Buildings A, 1.102 and B, 1.104 next door.

This move completes a major phase in renovations of the BSA for use by Facilities expanding staff and allowed the Safety Office personnel to locate together. An open house will be held in late January after additional new furniture arrives, but in the meantime, feel free to drop by and say hello.

Farewell to Chartwells Director

Leslie Bulkley, currently Director of Dining Services for Chartwells, will be leaving her Chartwells position at UTSA in January, 2007 to become the Director of Food Service Operations at Texas State University in San Marcos. Leslie joined Chartwells at Texas State in 2000, before coming to UTSA in July 2004. Leslie was promoted in the summer of 2006 to Director of Dining Services at UTSA.

Born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Leslie is an alumna of Loyola University and the University of Honduras in Tegucigalpa. In the mid 1980's, Leslie was the International Press Coordinator for the Presidential Palace in Honduras. After marrying, she put her professional career on hold and dedicated her life to raising her two lovely daughters, Sasha and Andrea, as they followed her husband's US Air Force career assignments all over the world.

Leslie states that she “will miss all the wonderful people she has met and worked with at UTSA, from students in the dining facilities to the Student Government… to the university faculty and staff”.

Thank you for your dedication, Leslie. We wish you much success at Texas State.

Updated Aerial Campus Photos

Look at our growing campus! In October 2006, new aerial photos were taken of all 3 UTSA campuses to capture the beauty and growth we have experienced over the past several years. Here are a few of our best shots showcasing the new BSE building, Chaparral Village, Downtown Campus, ITC and the main building. Please contact the Communications or Business Affairs Office if you need updated campus photos for projects in your departments.

1604 Campus in 1996

1604 Campus in November 2006

Downtown Campus in November 2006

More Photos
 

Values Initiative

This Month in History

brought to you by

ITC Cultural Courier

January 1, 1863 Texas troops defeat federal troops in the Battle of Galveston to win back control of Texas' most important seaport for the remainder of the Civil War. 

January 3, 1823 The government of Mexico extends a grant to Stephen F. Austin to begin colonization in the Brazos River region. 

January 10, 1901 Oil is discovered at the Spindletop oil field in Beaumont, launching Texas into a century of oil exploration, electronics, and manned space travel.

Last year, as part of the strategic planning process, the University Wide Strategic Planning Committee developed a set of six University values:

Integrity
Excellence
Inclusiveness
Respect
Collaboration
Innovation

Come join us... we need your ideas!

Extended Retail Food Service Hours

RecycleMania 2007

UTSA is entered in the Per Capita Classic which measures the amount of acceptable recyclables per person on campus and the Gorilla Prize which is awarded to the school with the highest gross tonnage recycled in the time period (January 29 - April 8, 2007).

Details about the program are available at: RecycleMania. To learn more about UTSA's recycling program visit: http://www.utsa.edu/safety/
recyling

REMINDER.....
Please email us the new employees in your department,  so we can add them to the newsletter mailing.

In case of
inclement weather call
458-SNOW

Effective this Spring 2007 semester, the following food venues have extended hours Monday - Thursday.

JPL extended hours: Now open until 8 PM. JPL extended hours venues will included Freshens, Salad Bar, Route 90 and Mr. B's.

Construction Update

Construction of Laurel Village broke ground on 12/18/06. UTSA’s 680-bed housing development is located west of the parking garage at the intersection of Walter Brennan and Margaret Tobin. The first phase of the project will include 208 beds for Fall of 2007. The second phase--472 beds and an expansion to Roadrunner Café--will be completed the following year, to better serve UTSA’s resident students.

Business Affairs Promise

We are committed to helping you achieve your goals through excellence in service -- every person, every day, every job.