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Staff News
December 12, 2007
In This Issue
Message from Gage E. Paine, Vice President for Student Affairs
Today as I drove in at 6:30 a.m., it was completely dark outside and not just because of the clouds and rain. We’re nearly to the longest night of the year, and it seems appropriate even here in the southern part of our hemisphere that it should be cold in December. So it’s not surprising that so many traditions and holidays at this time of year involve light.
It is one of our powerful paradoxes of life that things are most visible, most precious when seen against their opposite. The light is most welcome when it calls to us from the dark. The warmth of the fire (or the heater) is most valuable when it’s cold and rainy. We enjoy the quiet at the end of a long semester – but if the break is too long we get antsy waiting for the noise and energy the students bring as they return to campus for the next semester.
So as we wrap up the fall semester, we prepare to enjoy one of the benefits of university life—the fact that we can see the cycles of our life. One semester ends and we prepare for the next. But in between there are moments where we can step aside and see the contrasts and appreciate each for what is important. The semester is busy and vibrant and full of good yet sometimes difficult work to be done. But at the end, there is a moment to take a breath and see what was accomplished and enjoy it.
That breath allows us to draw in energy to get ready for the next round. That moment of quiet is valuable because we’ve been too busy to stop, and because it prepares us to continue to do our good work in the next semester. Taking that breath rejuvenates us. That quiet time allows us to be ready to enjoy the joyful noise of the next semester.
So, in this time of short days and long nights, of cold days (sometimes) and darkness, I hope all of you will take a moment to appreciate what the dark shows us even as we are drawn to the warmth and light. I hope we will appreciate all that we have accomplished during this long, busy semester and find the time to be quiet and calm in the midst of all of the holiday frenzy. The ebb and flow, back and forth, light and dark, good and bad -- whatever the pairing may be - each may help us to appreciate or shed “light” on the other.
I urge you to stop awhile and take a breath soon to reflect upon your accomplishments this semester. I appreciate all of your many efforts in service to our students and each other. Most of all, I wish you enjoyable holidays.
Gage
Announcements
Due to the holiday schedule, there will be no Student Affairs Staff News on December 27, 2007. Next Staff News will be on January 11, 2008. Please submit your news items to Vivis.Lemmons@utsa.edu by January 8, 2008 . Submit items at least four days before an event and include a contact name, e-mail address and phone number. Items may be edited for clarity and format.
Flu Shots Student Health Services is open to provide flu vaccine at a cost of $15 for students and $20 for faculty/staff. Cash or checks will be accepted and no appointment is necessary. The hours for each location are as follows:
1604 Monday & Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Wednesday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Downtown Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Monthly Birthday Celebration with Dr. Paine
Please come celebrate your birthday with co-workers and Dr. Paine. The next celebration is scheduled for December 13, 2007 for all Student Affairs staff December birthdays. The celebrations will be on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Location for the celebration will be included in the birthday invitation.
News from University Staff Council
The University Staff Council is pleased to announce that applications are being accepted for the Staff Council Scholarship. More
New Staff in Student Affairs University Center
Adam Bennett, Event Coordinator
"Visiting With....." The UTSA Child Development Center
Here are a few things we would like you to know about us :Our mission: is to provide a child-centered program for children of UTSA students, faculty, and staff in which parents, teachers and administrators work together to benefit the whole child through developmentally appropriate programs dedicated to helping children reach their fullest potential and develop necessary life skills. Who we serve: UTSA students, faculty, and staff Our innovations or successes: We opened our doors in 2003 as a service for UTSA and have since then grown into a high quality early childhood education facility.
We are:
Longest serving staff member: Jennifer Wegman and Cindy Lira (1/06/03) at the CDC; Norma Castillo has been the UTSA organization for over 10 years. Newest staff member: Jennifer Pace (11/1/07) You may not know that: We have children here from 6 weeks to 5 years of age.
How you can reach us: 210-458-6364 - web
site –
www.utsa.edu/cdc More Photos
Departmental News
Courtesy UTSA Athletics Release: 12/06/07
Study estimates $193 million impact of proposed athletics complex
An economic impact study released today
estimates that a proposed UTSA athletics complex would generate $193 million
for the local economy through the construction of the facility and addition
of athletics events. The economic impact would occur over a three-year
construction phase and the first five years of operation.
Read the complete athletics complex economic
impact study
here. Local Athletic Events
Code: MBB - Men's Basketball WBB - Women's Basketball
NCAA® Men’s Final Four® Be a part of the MADNESS in 2008 as San Antonio hosts next year’s NCAA® Men’s Final Four®, April 5 and 7 in the Alamodome! We need 2,000 volunteers to support the many NCAA® events during Final Four® week. RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY
University Oaks and Chisholm Hall Campus Living Villages
From Theresa Yackeyonny: Congratulations to Yvonne Castellanos, Bookkeeping Manager of University Oaks and Chisholm Hall for being declared "Bookkeeper of the Year" for all of the Campus Living Villages properties in the United States. Congratulations to Christina Garcia, Residence Life Coordinator of Chisholm Hall for being declared "Resident Director of the Year" for all of the Campus Living Villages properties in the United States. Congratulations to Carolyn Garcia, Erin Cook and the marketing teams of University Oaks and Chisholm Hall for winning the "Outstanding Community Service Initiative of the Year" for their work with the Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras Disaster Relief.
Student Judicial Affairs
From Anne Jimenez: I'd like to announce that both Jan McKinney and Todd Wollenzier have been reclassified from Coordinators to Asst. Directors of Student Judicial Affairs. I'd like everyone to join me in congratulating them on this achievement.
"Getting To Know You....."
Name: Henry Cantu
Title: Director of Student Enrollment Services
Department: Office of Student Financial Aid & Enrollment Services
Job Description: Provide management and supervision to Enrollment Services teams including the 1604 ESC Counter, Downtown ESC, Call Center, Financial Aid Counseling Team, and Financial Aid Outreach.
Background: I was born and raised in San Antonio and graduated from Holmes High School. I received my BA in Social Work from Texas Tech University in 1987 and just completed my MA in Adult & Higher Education here at UTSA.
Experience: Well, it’s kind of hard to believe that I just began my 18th year working in higher education. I started here at UTSA in 1990 as an admissions counselor and recruiter. Since then, I’ve held positions in admissions, recruitment, financial aid, and registration/student records at various institutions including UTSA, The University of the Incarnate Word, Carleton College, Texas Tech University, and the UT Health Science Center. Each of these positions prepared me well for my current role as Director of Enrollment Services.
Describe your job: I was hired a little over three years ago as the first director for Enrollment Services. What appealed to me most about the job was that I was going to be able to make it my own – I wasn’t following anyone else’s footsteps. My responsibilities have changed and evolved over the last 3 years due to increases in staff and several re- organizations within the office. I think the thing I’m most proud of is that I’ve been able to hire the right people for the right jobs. The staff in Enrollment Services do their best each day to assist students with all aspects of enrollment to UTSA. Their hard work and professionalism have contributed to the success of our office.
What is the most unusual job related case you have worked on? When I worked for Texas Tech, I was responsible for supervision and oversight of 5 Regional Recruitment Centers located throughout Texas. A personnel issue arose with a recruiter who was based in one of the centers. It was a highly unusual situation and one where I spent several days meeting with Human Resources, Legal Affairs, EEOC representatives, and other administrators to make sure the situation was handled appropriately. I then had to meet with this individual at the regional center to address the issues. It was an uncomfortable and unpleasant situation, but I learned a great deal from that experience. I learned that as a manager, you must be prepared to handle unusual or unexpected situations that can arise when supervising people.What job skills to you use most often? Communication, organization, flexibility, and relationship building. Enrollment Services deals with so many offices on campus that I feel it is important to maintain positive working relationships with other staff members and departments. Flexibility is also key since we work in an environment that is constantly changing and evolving, particularly changes with rules, regulations, and policies involving student financial aid.
How do you unwind? I don’t think I have been able to truly unwind for the past two years since I’ve been taking graduate courses and working full-time! Now that I’m finished with grad school, I look forward to catching up on all the movies and TV shows I’ve missed as well as spending more quality time with my two beautiful daughters, Meghan and Melanie. I also enjoy walks and play time at the park with my dog, Annie – a corgi/border collie mix.What advice would you give to other Student Affairs staff? We all know that balance in one’s life is important, but I think that this is something that can easily be forgotten or overlooked in the hustle and bustle of our daily responsibilities. Achieving and maintaining a sense of balance should be something we all should strive for as we continue to grow and be successful in our personal and professional lives.
Thank You Rowdy continues his travels across Student Affairs
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 E. Paine
Kudos
Beth Scholl, Administrative Services Officer II, Office of the Associate VP for Student Life, receives ‘Thank You Rowdy’ and message from Luretta Filberth, Director of the Child Development Center and Sondra Gervasi, Assistant Director of the Child Development Center (not present).
Beth,
We would like to show our appreciation and sincere gratitude for all your continued support and guidance throughout the many semesters we have been together. No matter what our distress may be, we are so glad you are on the other end of the line. You are always kind, courteous, and willing to find the answers we may need. We know that you will always be the guiding light in our quest to provide the best quality program for our children.
-Luretta & Sondra
Ed Note: Obviously, Beth was overwhelmed with Rowdy's visit - but they settled in, and commenced their first Rowdy task: turning the room from a strange magenta glow to a normal hue...
Previous 'Thank You Rowdy' Visits
Kudos to Pat Hedelius
Pat, a Multimedia Editor III in the Office of the Registrar, is the mystery Student Affairs employee who recently graduated from clown school! A mystery staff member just told us that her clown name is “Sparkle”.
Congratulations Pat!
Kudos to Charlin Jones and Jennifer Lilly for their recent appointments to leadership positions in the Texas Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators (TACUSPA). Starting in the new year, Charlin Jones will take over as the Chair of the Awards and Recognition Committee and Charlin and Jennifer Lilly will co-chair the New Professionals Caucus. Congratulations!
From John Kaulfus
Kudos to Paul Ayala, and Julio Ramos, Assistant Directors for Orientation and Transition Services, each received the Outstanding SECC Area Champion award presented by Dr. Romo for their work on the campaign this year. Paul and Joey served as Area Champions for Admissions, Orientation and Transition Services which combined nearly doubled their overall total contribution from last year-great job!
From Lisa Alonzo
Kudos to all the Student Affairs Staff and student employees who helped with the Holiday Luncheon on December 4th. Over 700 Student Affairs staff and student employees enjoyed the food and festivities
Kudos to New Professionals Network (NPN) organizers Jennifer Lilly, Charlin Jones, Jana Kennelly What a great idea to venture to First Friday. I had never been and I was excited about spending it with UTSA colleagues and friends. This is a great way ... to socialize and experience San Antonio at the same time . I hope that next semester more people join us in our social events. I think this is a great program altogether and it will help with the success of our new professionals! I look forward to more exciting events and meetings..
From Kelsey N. Bratcher
Kudos to the Late-Night Breakfast Volunteers- John White and Kim Ellicks-Center coordinated (with support from Chartwell's and Auxiliary Services) this semester's Late Night Breakfast at the Road Runner Café, held the night before semester finals started. Over 43 UTSA, Student Affairs, and Chartwell's staff provided support and encouragement and lots of pancakes to over 1,200 students. Each student's attendance was dutifully checked in by Dr. Pat Graham. We're talking paper and pencil, folks. Thanks, Dr. Graham! John and Kim and all the Housing staff were very appreciative of the support and the fantastic student turn-out. Way to Go!Holiday Luncheon - Photo Gallery
Late-Night Breakfast - Photo Gallery
Academic Publications and Graduation Coordination in the Office of the Registrar - Holiday Photos
Current and previous newsletters are located on the Student Affairs website under News and Events, Staff News.
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