July 24, 2008

Staff News

Message from Gage E. Paine, Vice President for Student Affairs

About 10 years ago I participated in the NASPA Stevens Institute, a weeklong institute for senior staff in Student Affairs.  It was a great week of learning and getting to know colleagues from across the country.  That week helped me get involved in NASPA beyond merely attending conferences.  Ten years later, I still use stories and lessons learned from that week so I count it as one of the best professional development experiences on my career.

Recently I pulled out the institute notebook to look up something and took the time to flip through the notes and handouts.  The director of the institute, Larry Roper VPSA – Oregon State University – did a wonderful presentation on an initiative from his campus designed to help people across the campus work together more successfully.  If I recall correctly, several hundred people on campus had gone through the training and it was helping people talk more effectively about a wide range of issues and concerns.  I think these notes are worth sharing even if they are incomplete and my memory is a bit sketchy at this point.

The basic concept was:

People Who Care

     Talking About Things That Matter

Isn’t that a great idea?  When we bring together people who care about UTSA and talk about the things that matter, it seems to me this is a way to create energy for positive change.  We do this in a number of ways already.  Sometimes we call them committees; sometimes they are weekly meetings.  But if, when we set up the committee or call the meeting, we look for people who care about the topic and we choose topics that matter in the life of this community, we create an opportunity for a dynamic discussion rather than just another dreary meeting.

Other bullets from my notes:

• People come first (but paperwork has to get done.)

• Change is always happening, our awareness of it varies.

• Lifelong training versus perpetual learning.  Lifelong learning has a set place and is synchronous. Perpetual learning happens any place, anytime and is asynchronous.

• Even in a problematic interaction your responsibility is to take care of the other person.  That’s a tough one, isn’t it?  Obviously this works best if everyone in the room has this perspective, but even if I’m the only one who ascribes to this idea, it will still change the dynamic of the interaction for the better.

• Take care of the organization, not the department. If my job is UTSA not __________ (fill in the blank with your department), that certainly changes the dynamic of turf wars and operating in silos.

• People are sacred.  Structure is not.  That’s an important idea.

• Relationships are a series of conversations.  We construct relationships one conversation at a time.   I think this is very interesting.  So the way to be in a relationship with someone is to actually converse with them.  This places a whole new face on our organizational disconnects.  We all know if we call someone we don’t know to try to solve a problem, it tends to take longer to get sorted out and the interaction is at the level of rules and routines.  But when we have a relationship with the person, the interaction is more likely to be on the level of “how can we get this accomplished.”

• The last three conversations can tell you the nature of the relationship.  Who are you in relationship with?  Who are you in conflict with? Can these ideas help you reframe this is some way?

• Team is where things happen in organizations.

This week as you go about your work think about these ideas.  Where do they help you identify a different way to interact with colleagues, friends and family?  I believe we are all people who care, but are we really talking about things that matter?  And, if we aren’t, shouldn’t we be?

Best wishes, Gage 

Top 

Announcements/Events

UTSA Roadrunner Days Web site has details of August back to school events

By: Barry S. McKinney

(July , 2008)--UTSA students, faculty, and staff will be pleased to learn that they can learn about the events centered toward back-to-school for the fall semester. 

The UTSA Roadrunner Days Web site is up and running with details about the special events set for Aug. 22-29.

Many Student Affairs professionals have been working behind the scenes for this annual tradition for several months. 

The events offer new students opportunities to preview UTSA campus life, learn about resources to ease the transition to college, experience the excitement of the growing campuses and meet other new students.  Returning students will enjoy many of the activities as well and are welcome to participate in these free events.  Faculty and staff are also invited to attend most of the events as well. 

The Website provides the UTSA Community with a listing of social and other activities during the orientation week.

UTSA Calendar of Events

Janet Parker, Associate Vice President, Financial Affairs, presented a PowerPoint presentation, Tuition and Fee Proposal and FY 2009 Budget, to UTSA Staff Council on June 26, 2008.

Judicial Affairs

Greg Fronimos, Coordinator

"Visiting With......." The Student Affairs Staff Development Team

Here are a few things we would like you to know about us:  

Our mission:

The Student Affairs Professional Development Team supports employee development through continuing education and acknowledges their contributions and commitment with recognition and networking programs which serve to enhance employee satisfaction, retention, and advancement.

Who we serve: We serve all Student Affairs staff members.

Something we’d like you to know about us:

We not only have a great ambitions and plans for the Professional Development Team, but we also have the best time at our team meetings. This group is truly about celebrating the work we do and enjoying the great people we work with every day.

How you can reach us:  John Kaulfus (team chair) ext.  4740

Top

Departmental News

Athletics

Summer Volleyball Camp

 Photo Gallery

Child Development Center

First Preschool Graduation Ceremony Big Success!

The UTSA Child Development Center is honored to recognize some of our Littlest Roadrunners at our very first Preschool Graduation Ceremony.  The ceremony was held in the Retama Hall on July 18th, 2008.  Quite a few of these special children have been with us since the center opened and all of them have been a joy throughout their journey here with us.  We have enjoyed seeing them learn how to walk, talk, and develop new skills throughout the years.  It gives us a feeling of pride and happiness to see these children grow from successful preschoolers to Kindergarteners, who will continue to flourish in the world.  Congratulations to the Preschool Grads of 2008 and their families, and a great "Thank You" to the 70 people who attended and participated in our wonderful ceremony.

Photo Gallery

Campus Rec

Campus Rec has changed the payroll deduction form for members

Letter (pdf) and Payroll Deduction Authorization Form (pdf)  

Olympics Theme of Roadrunner Days at the Rec

As a part of Roadrunner Days 2008, Campus Recreation will be hosting the 5th Annual Late Night at the Rec event on August 23rd from 9pm-1am.  The theme this year is the Olympics; which will include, a torch relay around campus the week prior to the event, a variety of different activities within the Rec coinciding with participating countries, as well as a fun and entertaining night. See Roadrunner events (below) on UTSA Calendar of Events.

Campus Rec Staff Engage in Strategic Planning Retreat - July 16, 2008

Photos.....

Inclusion and Community Engagement Center

Office of the Registrar

Remodeling brings more efficient student services

By Tim Brownlee
Assistant Director of Public Affairs

(July 17, 2008)--Last spring, a major remodel was completed in the Office of the Registrar and the Office of Financial Aid at the UTSA 1604 Campus. The expanded, redesigned offices are the culmination of a two-year process based on offering better student services.

More…UTSAToday Article

"Getting To Know You......."

Name: Omar Hernandez 

Title: Public Affairs Specialist