Message from the Vice President
Recently, a student told me it was important for students to know what job they want when they choose a major. I told her I think it is the other way around – find a major you love and then Career Center staff can help you with the job. That may sound picky, but I do believe it is an important difference. Picking a job you want, and may know nothing about, can have the effect of narrowing one's choices rather than opening up the possibilities. It's all about the way you look at it, your perspective, and that informs your decision-making.
Perspective is an interesting concept. If you look in the dictionary you will find a number of definitions. It is both a visual word and an attitudinal one. I think we tend to mix the two versions in our everyday use. We talk about needing a new perspective, meaning we need a new way of considering an issue – sounds visual, but it's also attitude. We may say we need 'fresh eyes' because we know we can get locked into a point of view and it can be hard to change our perspective on the topic – again a mixed use.
Have you ever looked at a picture of two people and wondered why everyone else was talking about the lovely vase? Similarly, have you ever been in a meeting where everyone else was sure the answer to the problem was 'A' and you couldn't figure out why they didn't know it was clearly '32,000'? Sometimes that's caused by differing knowledge, but it's often a matter of perspective. We all come to each interaction with others or with ideas from our own point of view. It's one reason why we want to engage a variety of people in our meetings and on our teams – to look at problems or projects from different perspectives.
Our individual perspectives are an important contribution to the whole of what we do, so it is important to be as informed as possible about the different ways the topic at hand can be understood. And that means we need to find ways to see things from different angles, from new perspectives, to find ways to pay attention to the details and see the big picture. It means we need to step out of our routines, look up from our desks and understand what's going on around us, learn something new about a topic we find old and uninteresting.
These opening weeks are very hectic and it's hard to think about the big picture, but in some ways this is when shifting our perspective is most important. Can we see past the detail of all those students to the big picture of this one student and her needs right now? Can we understand the next student's perspective and work to address his needs? An important shift for all of us is the ability to shift perspective from the large to a small … and left and right.
So, face or vase, all students or one student, big picture or all the details--the more we can switch back and forth, the more perspectives we can see and the more effective we can be in all we do.
Best wishes,
Gage
* image from: http://www.scholarpedia.org/article/Figure-ground_perception
Announcements/Departmental Events
UTSA Staff Council Blast Newsletter
PDF of the November newsletter
Women's Recource Center - National Stalking Awareness Month, January 2010
January is National Stalking Awareness Month, a time to focus on a crime that affects 3.4 million victims a year.1 This year's theme—"Stalking: Know It. Name It. Stop It."—challenges the nation to fight this dangerous crime by learning more about it.
UTSA's Women's Resource Center will offer information to promote awareness and public education about stalking during the annual observance.
January 20th, from 10am to 2pm, in the Sombrilla, see our table in front of the UC bookstore.
January 26th: the film, "Real Fear, Real Crime" will be screened. For more information and details, please visit our
website, www.utsa.edu/wrc/wrc/.
PDF with citations and more information.
Annual Student Affairs Conference Presentation Call
Priority Deadline: January 21, 2010
The UTSA Student Affairs Staff Development team is seeking dynamic, interactive presentations for their Annual Student Affairs Conference-- an opportunity for all staff members within Student Affairs to grow professionally. We are currently accepting applications to be considered for presentation at the Student Affairs Conference. The deadline to submit your application to the Staff Development Team is January 21, 2010.
Our theme for the 2010 conference is TEAM! This is an opportunity for you to share your expertise with Student Affairs staff members. The interest sessions will be offered at both of our two separate conferences that will take place on March 31, 2010 and April 14, 2010 at the Main Campus. You and those helping you present/moderate will need to commit to present on both of these days. We regret that due to time constraints not all proposals will be selected. You will be notified if your topic is selected for presentation by January 29, 2010.
Presenters/moderators for the Student Affairs conference will not be compensated monetarily for their presentations. If you have questions regarding the conference's purpose, audience or scope, please contact the Staff Development Team through Eric Cooper at eric.cooper@utsa.edu (4859) or Shirley Rowe at shirley.rowe@utsa.edu (4596). Please complete, print and send the attached application via campus mail to Eric Cooper in Financial Aid and Enrollment Services JPL 1.01.04.
Proposal Application (PDF)
UTSA Today Article
Volunteer with Alternative Spring Break 2010!
VOICES (Volunteer Organization Involving Community Education & Service) and The Inclusion & Community Engagement Center are hosting three service trips for students this spring break:
Habitat for Humanity Amarillo (March 14-19): This trip is part of the Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Challenge, a program that brings college students to sites all over the country to help build houses for people in need. The group will spend four and a half days on site building and will explore the Texas Panhandle each evening.
HandsOn New Orleans (March 14-19): The New Orleans trip will consist of different projects each day. HandsOn came to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and continues to help with recovery from the storm while tackling other social issues in the New Orleans area. During free time, the group will have the opportunity to enjoy the food and culture of the city!
Project San Antonio (March 15-19, day time only): Each day this week, volunteers will serve a different community agency in San Antonio. Friday the group will celebrate their service with a social outing in town. Confirmed projects include San Antonio Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity San Antonio.
Student applications are due January 29th and can be found in UC 1.216, UC 2.01.04 or at www.utsa.edu/ice/vs/. Applicants must be enrolled UTSA students in good standing with the University, and all applicants must participate in an interview. Trip fees and additional details can be found on the application. For more information call 458-4770 or email engaged@utsa.edu.
2nd Annual Homecoming Golf Scramble
As a part of Homecoming weekend, Campus Recreation will be hosting the 2nd Annual Homecoming Golf Scramble presented by Custom Sports Surfacing on Saturday, February 20, 2010. This will be a 4-person, 18 hole scramble held at the Cedar Creek Golf Course, located off Kyle Seale Parkway. Come join the festivities and support the University of Texas at San Antonio. For more information visit our website: www.utsa.edu/recreation.
Registration Form (PDF)
Spring 2010 Student Affairs Conference - Save the Date!
Please mark your calendars for the Spring 2010 Student Affairs Conference. The two dates for the conference are March 31 and April 14, 2010 and will be all-day events at the Main Campus. Please choose the date that fits in your schedule as both dates will have identical sessions. Our theme for the 2010 conference is TEAM! We believe last year's conference was a huge success and we look forward to an even better conference this year!
Orientation Leader Staff 2010-Congratulations!
Orientation and Family Program is proud to announce our new staff in training for 2010. The staff includes Orientation Leaders, Returning Orientation Leaders, Team Leaders and Student Coordinators. They are an excellent group of students. Please take a moment to congratulate them for attaining this prestigious leadership position.
Click here for a list of all the students.
Photos
Update from Joe DeCristoforo regarding UTSA's virtual world initiatives
This past semester seemed to go by in the blink of an eye! I really can't recall any semester going by so fast. Regarding the UT System Virtual Learning Community Initiative (VLCI), if you follow this link you'll be taken to an article on the UT System VLCI website regarding the creative efforts that Dr. Carmen Fies, an Assistant Professor in our College of Education, has put forth to promote both this technology and our own University: http://tuelearningcommunity.com/vlci/.
Several of us here at UTSA were fortunate enough to do a variety of presenations at local and state conferences regarding the deployment of virtual space for a variety of purposes. Some of the conferences that were attended included TACRAO in Lubbock, the TFLA in Austin, the SAVE-ET II conference in San Antonio, and the 13th annual UHCL Student Leadership Conferernce in Houston (for more information, see "UTSA inSL Presentations": http://utsa.edu/registrar/inSL/).
Lastly, Rebecca Luther, editor of the Sombrilla, wrote the following online article that gives an excellent summary of what has been happening with virtual worlds on our campus: http://utsa.edu/sombrilla/webExclusive/story/virtual-possibilities.html.
If any of you are interested in learning more about this technology, you can register for training on TXClass via HR's website or email Sara.Bordelon@utsa.edu.
UTSA now accepting deposits for football season tickets
JKyle Stephens, Sports Information Director, 12/16/2009
The UTSA Athletics ticket office announced Wednesday that deposits now will be accepted for football season tickets for the 2011 season.
Fans can make a deposit of $50 per seat to reserve season tickets for the inaugural campaign...
For the full article, visit: http://utsa.edu/today/2009/12/footballtickets.html
Student Affairs staff members celebrate season by adopting families
Jennifer Lilly, Assistant Director of Volunteer Services, Inclusion and Community Engagement Center, 01/05/2010
Eighteen offices within the UTSA Division of Student Affairs adopted 24 families and five seniors this holiday season. Three families were adopted through the UTSA Child Development Center and the other families and seniors were adopted through the Family Service Association Adopt-A-Family program.
Each office put its own spin and tradition into the service project. Campus Recreation created a challenge between student workers and professional staff to raise funds...
For the full article, visit: http://utsa.edu/today/2010/01/adoptfamilies.html
Faculty and staff: Nominate students for UTSA Ambassadors program
01/07/2010
UTSA faculty and staff are invited to submit nominations for the UTSA Ambassadors program. Nominees must be students who have a strong desire to learn about and represent the university and are committed to service, leadership and integrity.
>> Submit up to five student names (including Banner ID) by completing the nomination form. Forms must be returned by Friday, Jan. 22 to the Special Events Center, University Center Room 1.224) or by fax to 210-458-6116....
For the full article and more information, visit: http://utsa.edu/today/2010/01/ambnoms.html
University Center presents 'Spring into the UC' through Jan. 15
Jared Jones, Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing, University Center, 01/13/2010
The UTSA community is invited to join in the fun at the inaugural "Spring Into the UC" celebration through Jan. 15 in the University Center on the Main Campus. There will be activities, giveaways, music and more to celebrate what is new and exciting at the UC.
Through Friday, Jan. 15, UC guests will be able to enjoy a wide range of events and...
For the full article and more information, visit: http://utsa.edu/today/2010/01/springuc.html
We're happy to introduce the staff who were recently certified as True Colors® facilitators:
Carol Gonzalez, Office of the VPSA
Eliot Howard, Campus Recreation and Wellness
Marisol Scheer, Admissions
Michelle Montanio, Student Activities-Downtown Campus (re-certification)
Misty Kelley, Student Activities
Paul Remmert, Financial Aid and Enrollment Services
Tony Daniels, Campus Recreation and Wellness
Michelle Montanio is not pictured
To schedule True Colors training for staff, student employees, student organizations, or community groups, please be sure to send a request to VPSA@utsa.edu
Athletics
York leads UTSA past McNeese State in Southland Conference opener
Strong second half propels UTSA past McNeese State, 78-69
All Sport Schedule - Area Events
| Sat, Jan 16 | WBB | UT Arlington * | San Antonio, Texas | 2 p.m. |
| Sat, Jan 23 | MBB | Texas A&M-Corpus Christi * | San Antonio, Texas | 7 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan 27 | WBB | Texas State * | San Antonio, Texas | 7 p.m. |
Business Procedures Tips
BDL / BUD season is nearly upon us! Mark your calendars now for the following workshops and opportunities to help you through the FY11 budget process.
BUD (Budget Update Document) Overview and Preparation (AM 565)
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 2pm – 4pm location TBD
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 9am – 11am location TBD
Thursday, February 25, 2010 2pm – 4pm location TBD
This is the official TxClass offered by the Budget Office. Please enroll through TxClass.
Student Affairs Hands-On Budget Workshops Jackie and Bob will be there to answer your questions.
Bring your materials and work on your budgets in the computer lab with us. No registration required. Stay the whole time or come-and-go as you need. You can work independently, but if you have questions, we will help you. These sessions are exclusively for Student Affairs staff.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 9am – noon HSS 2.02.02
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 1pm – 4pm HSS 2.02.02
Have a Business Procedures Tip to share? Please send it to Bob Miller.
For previous Business Procedures Tips, please visit the archive.
Wellness Tips
When it comes to another person's, or your own, body image make sure you are supportive. Most of our internal dialogue is negative, so try this: the next time you find yourself saying a critical comment about yourself or others, counter that with two positive comments.
Heather Stark
Assistant Director of Fitness & Wellness
Campus Recreation
heather.stark@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
Don Swinson & Dave Spangler
See past Thank You Rowdy Recipients
To: Don Swinson & Dave Spangler, Office of the Registrar
From: Jamie Satterwhite and Michael Wallen, Office of Admissions
Don & Dave,
Today we pass along the Thank You Rowdy to you for the fun and camaraderie that you bring to Student Affairs. The yearly Hot Dog Bash is always a huge success and has come to feel like a yearly reunion. We appreciate all of the hard work that goes into keeping everyone connected.
Thank you!
Jamie Satterwhite & Mike Wallen
|
L to R: Jamie, Don, Dave, Mike |
Kudos
The Office of the Registrar would like to thank Sandra True for 11 years of dedicated and loyal service to the UTSA community. Due to early retirement, Sandy's last day in the Office of the Registrar will be January 29, 2010. We will miss her and her exemplary work ethic, attitude, and professionalism. We congratulate Sandy on her retirement and wish her well as she leaves the Office of the Registrar, the Division of Student Affairs, and UTSA.
To: Pat Graham- Executive Director of the Special Events Center
Harrison Pierce- Supplimental Instruction Leader, Thomas Rivera Center
UTSA Ambassadors
From: David Deering- Writer/Producer, University Communications/Web & Multimedia Services
RE: UTSA TV commercials
Hi, Pat. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your help in connection with the recent videotaping of UTSA's broadcast televsion commercials. I am so glad I was able to turn to you for help in casting the ten UTSA students we needed for this project. Each of them arrived at the studio promptly with the wardrobe selections we'd requested, and they were all very happy to help us get the content we wanted from them.
I also want to give special thanks to Harrison Pierce, who worked hard to coordinate the schedules of the students... in the industry, we would call him a "talent wrangler"! He delivered everything we needed, and on a short deadline.
We are proud to have these members of the UTSA Ambassadors represent our university in the broadcast campaign!
Thank you so much,
Dave Deering
To: Sally Bench- Director of Registration and Records, Office of the Registrar
From: James Schneider- Interim Department Chair, Department of History
RE: Thanks
Hi,
I just wanted to say thanks for following up on the Incomplete issue involving a student. We were puzzled about why her screen lacked the IN link, and you've cleared that up. At this very busy time, I'm much impressed that you took the trouble to follow up. Have a great holiday.
Jim Schneider
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NOTE:
Please submit all newsletter entries by 5:00 pm, Tuesday, January 26, 2010, to
VPSAmedia@utsa.edu