Message from the Vice President
“The Division of Student Affairs will be a leader in the development of a dynamic and diverse culture that facilitates learning and engages students.” Vision Statement, Division of Student Affairs
We often talk about the need to engage our students and the importance of students being engaged on campus. The reason we talk about engagement, work to engage students and put it in our vision and strategic plan is that we know students have a better academic experience when they are active learners and participate fully in the opportunities available to them on a campus. Those opportunities are nearly too numerous to mention, but they range from the classroom across the many programs and services offered by offices, departments and student organizations to attending events as part of a group of friends. So creating that dynamic and diverse culture that engages students is a crucial part of our work at UTSA.
However, the vision of our Division of Student Affairs is actually broader than that. I told someone recently that our mission was intentionally vague on a couple of key words. We say this culture that we are developing will be one that facilitates learning, but we don't say 'student learning' and that is not a misprint. We should be facilitating learning for everyone who is a part of UTSA and our greater community. There are many aspects to this, but for today I want to focus on just one component – our own learning.
If we believe, and I do, that engagement in a broad array of campus opportunities is important to student learning, doesn't it also follow that we need to be engaged in the opportunities available to us as staff members in order for us to develop a culture that facilitates learning? And there are plenty of opportunities around. For example, there are many classes offered by the Training and Development Department. Have you taken one lately? Have you looked at the schedule of classes to see if there is something that might be useful? Have you talked with your supervisor about new skills you want to learn? Performance review time is the perfect time to talk about individual learning plans for the coming year. All of us who have supervisory roles have the responsibility to make sure staff members are able to take advantage of the available learning opportunities.
What about the programs within Student Affairs developed by the Professional Development Committee? When you received the e-mail yesterday about our Staff Development team's Student Affairs Conference did you talk with your supervisor and colleagues about arranging work schedules so you could attend and so you could support the attendance of others? Or was it easier to just hit delete? Have you taken the opportunities provided by the Open House tours to learn more about other departments and meet staff? Or have you felt you were too busy?
Yes, it is hard to find time to take a class, attend an open house, go to a staff development event. But that is part of our responsibilities to ourselves as learners and it is part of our jobs. It is part of our vision of what we want to be as a division and how we want work. To facilitate learning, we need to be learners and to be learners we need to be engaged in our university and the many opportunities it affords us.
“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” Abigail Adams
We know students tend to have a better collegiate experience when they are actively engaged in learning in the broadest sense and the same idea applies to us. We have a better work experience when we are actively engaged in doing our jobs and taking advantage of the many opportunities for learning that exist on our campus. So let's all learn from Abigail Adams and diligently attend to our own learning as we attend to the learning of the students of UTSA.
Best wishes,
Gage
Announcements/Departmental Events
UTSA Newsletters
UTSA Today recently compiled a list of UTSA newsletters, including Student Affairs Staff News:
http://utsa.edu/today/2009/01/newsletters.cfm
All-Staff Meetings with Dr. Gage E. Paine
The Spring 2009 All-Staff Meetings will be held on February 16 and 17. This will be an opportunity to learn about important initiatives in Student Affairs and UTSA; to ask questions and make suggestions. All benefits-eligible staff are expected to attend one meeting; part-time staff are welcome to attend. The meeting will last a full 45 minutes. Please work with your supervisors to schedule the best time to attend a meeting.
1604 Campus
Monday, February 16
3:00 p.m.
UC Denman
Tuesday, February 17
9:00 a.m.
UC Ballroom
Downtown Campus
Tuesday, February 17
2:30 p.m.
FS 1.402, Multipurpose Room
UTSA student teams: Register for Ethics Bowl
Charlin Jones, Assistant Director of Special Events, 02/03/2009
Students teams can register now for the fourth annual UTSA Ethics Bowl sponsored by Honors Alliance and the Office of Student Judicial Affairs will be 5:30-9 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 18 in the University Center Retama Auditorium (2.02.02), 1604 Campus.
>> The registration deadline is Thursday, Feb. 12.
Each team will be...
For the full article, visit: http://utsa.edu/today/2009/02/ethicsbowl.cfm
Staff Council Scholarship Application Deadline is Feb. 13, 2009
UTSA Staff Council is pleased to announce the continuation of the scholarship program for 2009-2010 to eligible employees. Applications for the UTSA Staff Council Scholarships must be received by the Scholarship Office by Friday, Feb. 13. Classified and Administrative and Professional employees who meet the scholarship criteria are encouraged to apply. Scholarships of $250 will be awarded for Fall 2009 to one undergraduate and one graduate student. The council raises scholarship funds by selling bottled water at May commencement ceremonies and other events. These and other fundraising events ensure the continuance for the scholarships.
Pick up an application at the Scholarship Office at John Peace Library Building Room 1.01.20, 1604 Campus, or download an application at the UTSA Staff Council Web site. The download includes the scholarship criteria and application. Read more at the Staff Council web site. Applicants must complete the application, write a biographical essay and submit them to the Scholarship Office by Feb. 13.
Health Professions Day - February 19, 2009
The University Health Professions Office and University Career Center invite you to attend the UTSA's annual Health Professions Day, February 19 from 9:00 am - 2:30 pm. This annual event attracts admission representatives from schools and programs in Texas and across the nation to share information about their programs, including preparing for admissions! In addition, there will be several panel presentations that cover different application processes and careers in the health fields. It will be held on both floors of the UC II, and panel presentations will be in select room within the UC buildings.
For more information about Health Professions Day 2009:
http://utsa.edu/healthprofessions/Opportunities_page.htm
5th Annual Family of the Year Essay Contest
Orientation and Family Programs and the UTSA Family Association are currently holding an essay contest for the 5th annual Family of the Year. The essay contest is intended to celebrate the supportive role families play in the lives of students and the University community. Honoring an outstanding family reminds the UTSA community that families are an essential part of the support network for our students. Their dedication and determination help our students achieve their higher education goals. Family can be defined as individuals and group members who support their student. While most consider support to be financial assistance, the Family Association understands that it comes in many other ways to students.
The winner of the contest will receive:
Two Roundtrip airline tickets, courtesy of Southwest Airlines. Fly anywhere Southwest flies!
A two night stay, with a perfect hill country view at The Westin La Cantera Resort.
Game tickets for your family (up to 4 members) to the Homecoming/Family Weekend Men's Basketball game on Saturday, February 28th, against Lamar University.
Tickets for your family to attend the Homecoming Luncheon, Saturday, February 28th in the UC Grandball Room.
A commemorative plaque** presented to you and your family during halftime of the men's basketball game.
**A perpetual plaque will also honor the Family of Year at UTSA.
Entries are being accepted through http://utsa.edu/family/foy. Please remind students about this great opportunity to honor their family! Deadline is February 20th.
2009 Homecoming Golf Tournament
UTSA Campus Recreation will be hosting the 2009 Homecoming Golf Tournament February, 28, at 8am. Round up a team of four and join us for a fun-filled day of golf and supporting the UTSA Roadrunners.
Roadrunner Remembrance - February 28, 2009
The UTSA community is invited to participate in Roadrunner Remembrance. Roadrunner Remembrance is a day of remembrance honoring members of our community (students, faculty, staff and alumni) who have passed away during the previous year. This memorial service will feature readings and music meant to honor the deceased individuals' contributions to the development of UTSA. It is intended that this program will be an annual event for our community.
Roadrunner Remembrance will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2009, at 10:00a.m. in the University Center Retama Auditorium. This event is open to all members of our community and everyone is encouraged to attend, particularly if you have lost a friend or loved one who was a part of our community.
For more information on Roadrunner Remembrance, please contact the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center at (210) 458-4770.
Save the Date! Upcoming Student Affairs Conference Information
On behalf of the Professional Development Committee and the Staff Development Team, we would like to invite you to save the date for our first Student Affairs Conference!
The Staff Development Team is planning two Student Affairs Conferences for the spring semester to be held March 25 and April 1. These conferences will be full-day events, but will be identical in content. Please, reserve the date for whichever fits into your schedule and ensures office coverage. We will be sending out more information shortly with the chance to pre-register (due to space limitations) and the session topics and presenters.
We are currently identifying presenters, but we anticipate having sessions for both new staff and those who have been in the field for some time. A quick preview of the topics we hope to finalize include: several leadership topics, professionalism related topics, an advanced True Colors focused session, and a Student Affairs panel. Several others are in the works, but we don't want to give too much away!
There is no charge to you for this conference and we hope that many Student Affairs staff will take advantage of this opportunity. We think it will be informative and fun!
The Staff Development Team
US History first-hand from a UTSA student
Rachel Finn, Senior Psychology major, Attending Baylor College of Medicine in fall 2009
I was very proud to represent UTSA at the University Conference for the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D. C. From January 17th to 21st, I was surrounded by five thousand other college students from across the nation, all of us joined together to celebrate that monumental moment in United States history.
Throughout the Inaugural Conference, I heard from Keynote speakers like Former Secretary of State Colin Powell and Former Vice President Al Gore. I also attended several leadership development workshops and sessions. 
Of course, paramount to the Conference was visiting the downtown historical part of D. C., where I spent lots of time at the National Mall and its surrounding memorials and museums. The highlight of the Conference was witnessing the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America on January 20th surrounded by almost two million other people.
The Inaugural festivities ended perfectly with a private Gala Ball held at the National Air and Space Museum. I cannot explain the feelings of excitement and optimism and hope that filled the air in the days leading up to the Inauguration. I will remember that energy for the rest of my life. Thank you to the SGA LeaderFund and the Carlos and Malu Alvarez Special Opportunities Fund for their financial support in this venture. Thank you to UTSA for facilitating a college experience that has led me to opportunities like this one!
Inauguration Viewing Party Downtown UTSA
Photo Gallery
If you missed the photos from the 1604 viewing, they can be found here:
gallery/0120_ObamaInauguration/
Student Organization Advisors and Leaders Attend Risk Management Symposium on January 31, 2009
A new state law requires colleges and universities to educate student leaders and advisors of organization on seven specific risk management topics once a year. One advisor and four officers of every UTSA student organization was required to attend the Risk Management Symposium on Saturday, January 31, 2009 from 12:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
The event was well attended with nearly 800 participants representing 200 registered student organizations.
The seven risk management topics covered at the Symposium were alcohol, drugs, hazing, sexual harassment, firearms and safety, behavior at organization events, and organization travel.
Risk Management Symposium serves as a unique way for UTSA Student Organization Leaders and Advisors to learn about risk management and how it effects their organization. Student organization representatives will learn how to identify potential risks within their organization, how to address the risks and obtain the necessary tools to develop a working risk management plan for their organization.
"There are many student accidents every year that can be prevented when the proper steps are taken," said Kelsey Bratcher, assistant director of Student Activities. "With this law, Texas is striving to reduce the number of accidents by college students and encourage safer and healthier college experiences."
Governor Rick Perry signed into law House Bill 2639 effective September 1, 2008 which requires organization leaders and advisors to attend an annual risk management course.
"The goal is to make sure that everyone on campus knows there are some guidelines to follow before planning organization events and trips, as well as discourage hazing, boozing and other illegal activities," said Representative John Smithee, author of the bill.
Student leaders and advisors across the state of Texas taking risk management workshops similar to UTSA's Risk Management Symposium will all learn how to reduce risks within their organizations.
University Center Program Council Events - Feb. 2-14
UC Programming and Events click here.
The Professional Development Networking Team Tailgate Party
The Student Affairs Staff Networking Committee hosted a tailgate prior to the men's basketball game versus Texas State. Both the tailgate and the game were successful! Go Runners! Hot dogs, chips, desserts, and drinks were provided by the committee. The event incorporated a Student Government tailgate to produce a huge turnout! Thank you to Carlos Borberg, Campus Recreation, for serving as the DJ.
Please enjoy these pictures of the event... to include a hot dog eating contest!
Cowboy Breakfast
Career Services and the Registrar's Office had their own Cowboy Breakfasts.
View the photos here.
Orientation Leader Retreat
Dr. Paine lead a training session for the Office of Orientation and Family Programs' Orientation Leader Retreat on January 9th. Her session was titled "The Dance of Leadership."
Please enjoy a few photos of the fun!
University Center Programming
Here are some photos of their recent events:
gallery/0100_UCProgramming/
Register for UTSA Black History Knowledge Bowl
Tim Brownlee, Assistant Director of Public Affairs, 02/04/2009
As part of Black History Month, UTSA will present the Black History Knowledge Bowl from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24 in the University Center Denman Room (2.01.28) on the 1604 Campus. UTSA student teams will demonstrate their knowledge of African-American history in the annual contest.
Participating teams will compete for cash and...
For the full article, visit: http://utsa.edu/today/2009/02/knowledgebowl.cfm
Athletics
Gibbs named Southland Conference Player of the Week
All Sport Schedule - Area Events
| Sat, Feb 7 | WBB | Southeastern Louisiana * | San Antonio, Texas | 2 p.m. |
| Sat, Feb 7 | SB | Texas A&M Aggie Classic |
at College Station, Texas | 3:30 p.m. |
| Sun, Feb 8 | WT | UTEP | at El Paso, Texas | 11 a.m. |
| Sun, Feb 8 | SB | Prairie View A&M | at College Station, Texas | 12:15 p.m. |
| Mon, Feb 9 - Tue, Feb 10 |
MG | New Orleans Invitational | at New Orleans, La. | All Day |
| Wed, Feb 11 | MBB | Central Arkansas * | San Antonio, Texas | 7 p.m. |
Click above image to visit the Homecoming website
Buy official UTSA Homecoming 2009 t-shirt
Angela F. Hicks, Retail Manager, Information Center, 01/30/2009
It's time to show your UTSA school pride! Official UTSA Homecoming 2009 t-shirts will be available Feb. 2 at the University Center information center at the 1604 Campus and the Durango Building information center at the Downtown Campus.
Short-sleeved t-shirts are...
For the full article, visit: http://utsa.edu/today/2009/01/homecomingshirt.cfm
Homecoming poster contest winners announced
Charlin Jones, Assistant Director of Special Events, 02/04/2009
The winners of the 2009 Homecoming 2009 Art Contest are students Jesse Buchoz (first place), Matt De Leon (second place) and Shannon Kenworthy (third place. The prizes were announced Jan. 20 in the University Center galleria on the UTSA 1604 Campus.
Buchoz claimed first place with...
For the full article, visit: http://utsa.edu/today/2009/02/hcomingposter.cfm
Business Procedures Tips
There are some new websites for contracts. We recommend you bookmark these/save them to your favorites for ease in access. As always, please contact Bob Miller in the VPSA Office directly with any questions before routing your contracts and agreements and having the vendors sign these documents.
Please use this website (instead of Public Folders) to download current templates for contracts and agreements: http://utsa.edu/bussvc/departments/forms.html. Please do not attach any routing forms from this website. We have a routing form that applies to contracts and agreements in Student Affairs (which helps to expedite their handling).
Guidelines, Training and Informational Resources about contracts and agreements are available on http://utsa.edu/bussvc/departments/training.html
Have a Business Procedures Tip to share? Please send it to Bob Miller.
For previous Business Procedures Tips, please visit the archive.
The New Separation Process coming online on Friday, January 30, 2009!
In an effort to create a simple, streamlined process for employees who are terminating employment with UTSA, the Human Resources (HR) department is happy to announce the new University Separation Process. To view the new Process, please visit the HR website at http://utsa.edu/hr/Separation/empsepprocess.cfm
For questions, please contact Jackie Hobson or Bob Miller.
Wellness Tips
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 20-60 minutes of aerobic exercise at least 4 days per week. This amount of exercise can be daunting! But it's actually both effective and acceptable to break the exercise up into 10 or 15-minute chunks throughout the day. So, a 15-minute walk at lunch and a 15-minute walk after work will get you on the way to achieving the benefits of being physically active! Just remember to walk quickly enough to begin to breathe harder and feel warm.
Abbi Lane, MS, CSCS
Assistant Director, Fitness/Wellness
Campus Recreation
Student Affairs Networking Team
abbi.lane@utsa.edu
Thank You Rowdy
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 Paine
Thank You Rowdy is presently visiting with
Elli Mitchell
See past Thank You Rowdy Recipients
To: Elli Mitchell, Office of Enrollment Services
From: Nancy Hughes, Office of Admissions
| 
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(L-R) Elli Mitchell, Nancy Hughes |
All smiles |
Throughout the years I have worked at UTSA, I have observed you in your position with Enrollment Services and as you work with students. They come to you with questions that you must hear a million times a day. Often they come to you as frightened first-time college students other times as frustrated veterans of academia, but I have never seen you waiver.
From day one, I have admired your interaction with students… young and old. Your tone of voice is always pleasant and reassuring. You have always answered questions authoritatively. I have never seen you short with a student, regardless of the issue discussed. You know your stuff.
Two years ago, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity available to all employees and I became a non-traditional student…a very non-traditional. Elli, once again, you put on your Enrollment Services hat and treated me like I have watched you treat any number of students.
You answered my endless questions, reassured me, and offered appropriate strategies to someone who last attended college, shall we say, in the dark ages. I realize you had heard my questions repeatedly, but you never skipped a beat.
Elli, thank you for what you do for UTSA, for the students and what you did for this very non-traditional student…you're the best.
Nancy Hughes
Kudos
Hi Anne [Macintosh],
I just wanted to say thank you again for all of your help. Thanks not just for today, but over the past couple of months since I have met you. You are an outstanding asset to UTSA, and I hope that everyone that works with you realizes how vital you are to our institution.
Sincerely,
Melinda Villarreal
Kudos to Kelsey Bratcher, Misty Kelley and all the staff in Student Activities for their hard work on the first annual Risk Management Symposium. Great job!
From: John Kaulfus
Procard Usage and Records Maintenance Excellence: Congratulations to Canda Brown for being mentioned in the February 2009 HUB Newsletter for NO AUDIT RECOMMENDATIONS necessary on December's records. Great job!
Charlin [Jones],
Thank you for all of your work in coordinating the Who's Who evening last weekend. It was a wonderful event. The speaker's remarks were well thought out and inspiring; the tables were decorated elegantly; the dinner was delicious! It was apparent that lots of careful planning was involved in pulling off such an excellent and memorable event. Thank you to you and your team for your many hours of preparation and for making the evening special for all in attendance! Please send my thanks to all who were involved.
Warm regards,
Sarah Compton
Abbi [Lane], Jana [Kennelly], and Jim [Sarra],
Although this is a few days tardy, on behalf of UTSA Athletics, I want to thank you for your efforts last Wednesday for the Student Affair Tailgate prior to our men's basketball game against Texas State. It was a fun evening and your event certainly contributed to the great atmosphere! Please forward this note of appreciation to any other individuals (SGA, Campus Recreation, etc.) that were involved with the planning and/or operation of the event.
Both of our basketball teams are having exciting seasons - the women are currently atop the SLC West Division, while the men are only a game out of the top spot. While the women will be at home over the next three Saturdays, the men will feature some great games at home on the next three Wednesday nights, on Feb. 4th vs. Sam Houston State, Feb. 11th vs. Central Arkansas, and Feb. 18th vs. TAMU-Corpus Christi. So, there are some great opportunities for some successful tailgates and games prior to Homecoming on Feb. 28th. In fact, Sam Houston State and TAMU-Corpus Christi are the two teams currently a game ahead of us in the standings, so those games cannot get much bigger.
Again, thank you for your efforts on our behalf last week, and we appreciate you helping us spread the word about the important games happening at the Convo over these remaining five weeks of the season. GO RUNNERS!!!
Andrew Haring
University of Texas at San Antonio
Assistant Athletics Director for Development
Roadrunner Athletic Fund Executive Director
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NOTE:
Please submit all newsletter entries by 5:00 pm, Tuesday, February 17, 2009, to
VPSAmedia@utsa.edu