 
Staff News February 07, 2008
In This Issue
Message from Gage E. Paine,
Vice President for Student Affairs
“Everybody gets so much information all day long that they lose their common sense.” Gertrude Stein
It’s now the first week of February and our spring semester is well underway. Students are attending classes and student organization meetings and working out at the Recreation Center. Basketball season is in full swing and a Starbucks opens in the middle of the campus next week. There is a lot going on!
Organizationally, UTSA is busy too. The Campus Master Planning process has started and there will be a variety of ways for everyone to express their opinions about the physical layout of our campus. The RFP process for on-campus food services is at about the mid-point. Our self-study portion of the reaffirmation of accreditation process (usually shortened to SACS) is well on its way and the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) part will begin soon. I encourage everyone to learn about the QEP as information becomes available. Anyone can choose to submit an idea to improve student learning at UTSA, and we’ll all benefit from having a wide range of good ideas for consideration. Then, of course, there is our own strategic planning and assessment - every Student Affairs department should be engaged in collecting data; some should be ready to start the analysis of the information they have gathered. As a division we have completed our strategic plan and it is time to begin the implementation process. One aspect of the implementation process has been the creation of two cross-departmental teams. The Assessment Team and the Education team will be instrumental in moving us forward in both assessment and implementation of our strategic plan. There will be more information on these two teams in the near future.
And that doesn’t include all of the good work happening in every department. So, it is all too likely that all this information will make us ‘lose [our] common sense.’ So before we make ourselves too crazy, let me give you a suggestion from yoga class - Breathe.
Breath and breathing are crucial components of a good yoga class. It is one of the reasons yoga is a stress reducer. So I do mean it literally. Take time during the day to take a deep breath and let it out slowly. You’ll be amazed at how much better you will feel. Breathing nourishes the entire body and in yoga the time taken to stop for a moment allows the physical work of the class to have an impact at a deeper level.
But, I also mean it in another way. Let me share a story from one of my yoga teacher’s spring newsletter. He writes about attending a multi-day yoga conference and going from session to session. As he does this each day, he sees a friend. Once, she is napping under a pine tree. Another day she is patiently holding an apple out to a squirrel. The third day she is on the lawn writing in a journal and invites him to join her. Charles writes about their conversation:
“ 'I don’t have time. I’m on my way to a session. Why don’t you come with me?’
" Smiling, she declined the invitation. 'I have already been to two workshops today.’
“ ‘You paid a lot of money to attend this conference. Do you really feel like you are getting your money’s worth?’
“ ‘Do you? … Can you tell me which workshops you attended yesterday and one thing you learned from each?’ "
“ I was surprised at how little I could recall – the first three days of the conference were a distant blur. I must admit I still attended [the talk.] However, following her presentation I found a quiet corner in a nearby park and took time to think about her talk, and make notes on what I thought was most valuable to me. I still remember and make much use of what I learned from her presentation, which is more than I can say for any of the other equally good presentations I attended prior to her talk.” (Charles MacInerny)
That’s breathing. Taking time to process all that is going on, to identify what was most important out of the meeting you just attended, or to capture an idea from the e-mail you just read is worth the time. It allows you to process the mental work more deeply. It clears the head so you can identify what you really needed to learn, what you really need to do next.
Kevin (Price) and I were talking today about the pace at UTSA. There is so much that we need to do, so much that we want to do, yes, so much that we have to do - and it all feels like it has to happen now. And maybe it does, but taking a moment to breathe, to reflect, taking your lunch break on the Sombrilla rather than at your desk will make it easier to get done what needs doing. And doing this will help you keep your sanity and enjoy one of the best things about UTSA this spring – there is a lot going on!
Best wishes, Gage
Monthly Birthday Celebration with Dr. Paine:
Please come celebrate your birthday with co-workers and Dr. Paine. The next celebration is scheduled for February 14, 2008 for all Student Affairs staff February birthdays. The celebrations will be on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 3:00 p.m. Location for the celebration will be included in the birthday invitation. February birthday guests: please be sure to RSVP to facilitate refreshment orders.
Business
Procedures Tip:
Bob Miller (right), Chair of the Business Procedures Committee, tracks various business processes. More Business Procedures Tips
Black History Month at UTSA How To Start A Small Business 1604 Campus, University Center - Chicano A Cultural RoomTuesday, February 12th - 7:00 p.m. Events (pdf) "A Live Presentation of the slideshow that’s changing America’s mind." "An Inconvenient Truth - The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It."February 7, 2008 - 6:30 p.m. - UTSA University Center Retama Auditorium Speaker: Haily Summerford, City of Fort Worth, Environmental Management Department From Housing and Residence Life: Chisholm Hall, Chaparral Village, Laurel Village and University Oaks are all now recruiting for Resident Assistant positions for the Fall of 2008
University Staff Council Scholarships: The University Staff Council is pleased to announce that applications are being accepted for the Staff Council Scholarship. Employees who are Classified and Administrative and Professional and meet the remaining criteria for the scholarships are encouraged to apply. The scholarships will be awarded for fall 2008, to one undergraduate and one graduate student in the amount of $250 for each application, biographical essay, and submit to the UTSA Scholarship Office (JPL 1.01.20) is February 15, 2008.
Departmental News
Athletics:
Roadrunners receiving votes in Collegiate Baseball, NCBWA preseason polls Courtesy: UTSA Athletics – Release Feb. 1, 2008
SAN ANTONIO —
While the 2008 season does not begin for another three weeks, the
preseason honors are starting to rack up for the UTSA baseball team.
Watch Basketball Live Online! Click Here
Basketball-specific packages available at goUTSA.com
Area Athletic Events:
Code: BB - Baseball MBB - Men's Basketball WBB - Women's Basketball MT - Men's Tennis WT - Women's Tennis 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
Financial Aid Awareness Month Continues: The Office of Student Financial Aid & Enrollment Services staff officially kicked off Financial Aid Awareness Month on Wednesday, February 6th with a pirate-themed Open House titled Roadrunners of the Caribbean: The Hunt for Financial Aid. Students were taken on a "treasure hunt" through the newly remodeled area where they were provided with valuable information on Financial Aid and were encouraged to submit applications for Scholarships before the February 15th deadline.
Student Activities Sams Club donated water to BARR: Be a Responsible Roadrunner for Thirsty Thursday. Thirsty Thursdays is a program to promote Alcohol Awareness by giving away free drinks in the University Center as well as educational materials.
"Visiting With...." Campus Recreation
Here are a few things we would like you to know about us:
Our mission: Campus Recreation provides a wide variety of recreational and wellness opportunities which stimulate a fun, healthy and safe environment that enhances the quality of life and educational experience for a diverse University community.
Who we serve: Registered UTSA students who have paid the Recreation Fee. We also serve faculty, staff, alumni and spouses/partners of students, faculty, staff, alumni who pay the monthly membership fee.
Our innovations or successes: The Recreation Center expansion and renovations are almost complete. Campus Recreation provides numerous innovative programs. The Intramural Sports program offers over forty activities each year with the standard programs like flag football and basketball to not so standard indoor soccer, foosball and disc golf. Fitness and Wellness works hard to stay up with latest craze in their field. The newest additions to the group exercise schedule are On the Ball, Lyrical Dance and Plyometrics. In addition to group exercise one of our most unique areas is the demonstration kitchen where students actively participate in the preparation of healthy low budget meals. Outdoor Pursuits also continues to increase its offerings by providing more than just hiking and canoeing. Survival skills, caving, several climbing and surfing are among the outings offered by Outdoor Pursuits this spring. Aquatics will bring a new dynamic to Campus Recreation adding the ability to not only train lifeguards but also offer swim lessons to children of students, faculty and staff.
Longest serving staff member: with UTSA - Sylvia Gonzales, Building Attendant I since June 17, 1985 and Campus Rec since August 2007. Bob Miller is our longest serving Campus Rec staff member since July 1, 2002
Newest staff member: Mike Garza since August 8, 2007
You may not know that: · The men’s and women’s champion flag football teams have represented UTSA at Regional and National tournaments each year since 2002. In 2004 the men’s team was the NIRSA Region IV champions. · The men’s and women’s championship basketball teams have represented UTSA at NIRSA Regional basketball tournaments each year. In 2004 the men’s team won the NIRSA Region IV tournament and played in the National tournament in Atlanta. · There is a nine hole disc golf course near the Recreation Center and Field Complex. · Campus Recreation has twelve (12) active sport clubs that compete against other colleges and universities in their specified disciplines. · Over 50 different group exercise classes are offered each week by the Fitness and Wellness program area. · All members of the UTSA Community can purchase and receive a massage in our new Wellness suite. · Fifty students spent a week during the Winter break in Ruidoso, New Mexico snow skiing. · Outdoor Pursuits has an equipment lending program for members that allows and individual to borrow equipment needed to camp, kayak or canoe. · At 54’, the rock wall at the Recreation Center is the tallest collegiate rock wall in Texas.
How you can reach us: 1604 Campus Recreation Center 1.204 Phone: (210) 458-7575 Fax: (210) 458-7272
Downtown Campus Durango Building 3.302 Phone: (210) 458-2735
Thank You Rowdy 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 un- solicited 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
Carol Gonzalez receives Thank You Rowdy from Anne Macintosh
Speights
Passing along Thank You Rowdy has been one of my toughest decisions at UTSA. I am thankful to so many people at UTSA from my co-workers in my 16 years in the Registrar’s Office, to colleagues in Business Affairs, Academic Affairs, and yet Thank You Rowdy should go to a Student Affairs person. I have chosen you, Carol Gonzalez, because you have helped many of us along the journey to make UTSA a great University! (Anne (L) surprises Carol (R) with Rowdy.)
I’ve known you, Carol, since you first came to UTSA as an employee. You’ve worked in a variety of areas and most of my interaction with you was when you were in COB advising, then as a Director of COB advising. Then--what a concept—Ombudsman! With this new position, I was happy with the choice though not real thrilled with such a position. My thinking was why create another position when so many staff areas were short handed? You proved me wrong when I learned what your new position involved. 
You helped me to understand the need for such a position as you worked diligently with the students to get to the root of the problem so the students could overcome fears and anxieties and avoid potential confrontations with other staff and faculty throughout campuses. Since UTSA and Student Affairs only exist because we have students, then Carol, you were a perfect fit!
You have always retained composure and a very caring attitude as you have related to students throughout your years here and your constant understanding as you interact with faculty and staff, too. You always ask the right questions and many that I wish I had asked! You, Carol, are a terrific asset to UTSA! I, for one, want to thank you so much for your contributions to UTSA and Student Affairs and to the students who will be our future. If there is ever an Ombudsperson for Staff and Faculty, I hope you will go for it!!
Anne Cooper Macintosh Speights Associate Registrar—UTSA and Student Affairs
Previous 'Thank You Rowdy' Visits
Kudos
From Barry McKinney, Student Activities: Dear Colleagues,
Please join me in congratulating the following staff members on their upcoming promotions:
Once again, please join me on congratulating these two very deserving employees as their promotions take effect on February 1, 2008.
Barry NOTE: Please submit your newsletter entries by February 16, 2008 to Vivis.Lemmons@utsa.edu Current and previous newsletters are located on the Student Affairs website under News and Events, Staff News. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
