Message from the Vice President
Writing is a tricky business. Sometimes it goes smoothly and easily – other times, not so much. Today’s newsletter article is of the ‘not-so-much’ variety. I’m already succumbing to the end-of-the-semester, slow-down mentality and one problem is, of course, that things haven’t slowed down. In fact, the week has been rather busy.
I decided it might be fun to have some sort of wintery poem. Two problems with that plan – first, it’s not all that wintery outside and second, as often happens, I found myself wandering around the web looking at all sorts of odd, sometimes interesting stuff – none of which was remotely useful. First I found a ‘poem’ by Parker Palmer on his Facebook page.
Snow, snow, snow, snow.
Why does it always come and go?
It hardly makes a sound, although,
Sometimes you can hear it if you listen real good.
Not really what I was hoping for.
Okay, let’s try Robert Frost, at least the name is wintery. This is what I found:
A Patch of Old Snow, by Robert Frost
There's a patch of old snow in a corner
That I should have guessed
Was a blow-away paper the rain
Had brought to rest.
It is speckled with grime as if
Small print overspread it,
The news of a day I've forgotten--
If I ever read it.
That’s not it either, but if we’re going to be silly, let’s try Ogden Nash.
The Abominable Snowman, by Ogden Nash
I’ve never seen an abominable snowman,
I’m hoping not to see one,
I’m also hoping, if I do,
That it will be a wee one.
Now where do I go? I was hoping today would be something useful and profound, maybe inspiring, but hopefully interesting about the end of the semester coinciding with the end of the calendar year and soul-searching and reflection. However, what has really happened is I’ve got some odd limerick (clean) floating through my head that starts like this:
There once was a school that had six graduations,
WHAT were they thinking?
Seems to be missing a few lines, but really there is still a lot of work for all of us to complete before the semester comes to an end. It’s not a time of quiet; and reflection, while a great idea, is a luxury to be wished for.
I know there is a lot to be accomplished at UTSA and our to-do lists are longer and more ambitious than anyone with any sense would create. Yet tonight, and for the next few days, we have an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the students of UTSA. It doesn’t get much better than that. Students who breezed through their work, students who struggled, students who gave something up to gain an education, students who are role models for the rest of their families, students who faced enormous challenges – they’re all crossing the stage in the next few days. And with that, I have found the point of this article--which is that this is the point of what we do.
So, take a moment in the craziness and appreciate the fact that we’ve played some small part in making all this happen. That’s inspiration enough for me. I hope it is for you.
Enjoy the holiday break, travel safely if you’re leaving town and come back refreshed and ready to do it all again. And remember, to paraphrase the not-so-immortal words of Parker Palmer:
Students, students, students, students.
They always come and go
They don’t always say thanks, although
Sometimes you can hear it if you listen real good.
Best wishes,
Gage
Announcements/Departmental Events
Student Affairs Holiday Service 2010: Adopt-a-Family
Thanks to all of the Student Affairs staff members who generously donated to the 2010 Adopt-a-Family program and made this year’s adoption the biggest and best yet! UTSA Student Affairs adopted 25 families and 4 seniors, helping a total of 134 individuals in our community have a happy holiday season. Special thanks go to all of the department coordinators and delivery volunteers who made this year such a success.
Best Dressed Door and Office Competitions
The Best Dressed Door and Office Competitions are sponsored by the Campus Activities Board to encourage all UTSA faculty and staff to decorate their doors or departmental offices as part of the homecoming festivities. For homecoming, we will be playing Lamar University Cardinals and our theme is “Capture the Cardinals, Battle in the Birdcage”.
This year, we will separate the competitions and offices will have to pick between decorating their office or decorating their doors. They will be judged separately.
Judges will be looking for those with the most UTSA Spirit, creativity, and use/integration of the homecoming theme. Decorating may begin on Monday, January 24th and must be completed by Friday, January 28th. Judging will take place January 31st – February 2.
DT/ITC and 1604/UH winners will be announced at Rowdy Rampage on Friday, February 4th. Plaques will be awarded in multiple categories. First place winners will also receive breakfast tacos in their office on a day and time which works for them.
Interested departments/offices need to fill out the online form
Faculty and Staff: Please submit presentation proposals for Professional Development Conference sponsored by Student Affairs
UTSA faculty and staff members can apply to participate as presenters in the third annual Professional Development Conference to be hosted this spring by the UTSA Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.
"With the theme "Building Bridges," it is an opportunity to share expertise and strategies on leadership approaches...
For the full article, visit: URL
PDF to print and postUTSA Best Fest 2010
Student Activities and Campus Activities Board step up to the National Association of Campus Activities Challenge:
The NACA Your Best Campus Tradition Video Competition™ by submitting a UTSA BestFest nomination.
The NACA Challenge is looking for the campus with the best campus tradition that showcases school spirit at its best. The BestFest nomination will compete with other campuses with undergraduate FTE over 15,000. Three semi-finalists will be selected in our category by December 20 (Monday!). The semi-finalists will then participate in a voting contest promoted by NACA to school members. Voting will occur January 3-28, 2011 and the winner will be announced at the NACA National Convention in February.
No matter the outcome, Student Activities and Campus Activities Board believe that BestFest is the best campus tradition as it embraces multicultural traditions and encourages an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered. Each year, BestFest reflects the UTSA students and the University’s growth in a unique way. And you have to admit, it’s just fun and full of Roadrunner Spirit!
A Special Thank You to Ernest Hernandez and the Video Production Team for their time and talents assisting in the video contest submission.
'Careers in Student Affairs Month' Contest Winners!
Judging a contest is never easy and this one was no different. The Staff Development Team recently created a contest to find out your thoughts about your career in Student Affairs at UTSA in order to increase the awareness of Careers in Student Affairs month during October. The team posed three questions as part of the contest and received some great responses. The Staff Development team reviewed all 26 entries and, after much deliberation, identified 6 winning answers.
Congratulations to both the winners and everyone who took the time to submit their entry!
Question & Winners:
1. If you could be Vice President of Student Affairs at UTSA for one day/week, what would you do with the opportunity?
1st Place: to be announced in January
2nd Place: Nickolaus Cioci, Inclusion & Community Engagement Center
2. What do you think is most rewarding about your career in Student Affairs at UTSA?
1st Place: Kelsey Bratcher, Student Activities
2nd Place: John Montoya, Student Activities
3. Which UTSA Student Affairs Professional Development opportunity (Education Workshop, Student Affairs Orientation, True Colors, Four C’s, Spring Conference, etc.) has benefitted you most and why?
1st Place: Sally Bench, Registrar’s Office
2nd Place: to be announced in January
Honorable mention: Mark Macias, Student Health Services
Individual Responses...
Photos
Neel Desai Named Roadrunner of the Month
UTSA Today, 12/3/2010
(Dec. 3, 2010)--The UTSA Student Leadership Center announces Neel Desai as Roadrunner of the Month for November 2010. Desai was nominated by Krisellen Maloney, UTSA dean of libraries.
Desai is from Katy, Texas, where he graduated from Mayde Creek High School. A UTSA sophomore studying electrical engineering, he plans to have a career working with software.
"Leadership means being a good role model for others," Desai said.
As a student peer leader, he has been an excellent example of leadership at UTSA. This semester, he offered help and guidance to students enrolled in a Freshman Seminar course. Because of his organizational skills and dependability, the students were able to trust and rely on him for support. Many noted his desire to serve the students above and beyond their expectations.
"On many occasions Neel has responded to requests from students for issues that did not pertain to our class including information related to degree plans, internship opportunities, Honors College enrollment and general scheduling tips," said Maloney.
The UTSA Roadrunner of the Month award is sponsored by the Student Leadership Center to recognize outstanding UTSA student leadership contributions.
Nominees must meet these criteria:
* Full-time UTSA undergraduate or graduate student
* Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher at the time of nomination
* Must have demonstrated excellence in leadership above and beyond typical expectations
* Nominations should be for actions that positively impact the UTSA community
www.utsa.edu/slc/
Holiday Blues
Human Resources Management and Development inform staff of employee assistance program resources.
Holiday Blues 2010 (Spanish version)
Holiday Stress Poster (Spanish version)
Direct from the University Center
University Newsletter - December 2010
UTSA Fall 2010 Commencement ceremonies are Dec. 16-18 at Main Campus
Tim Brownlee, Assistant Director of Public Affairs, 12/14/2010
More than 3,000 graduation candidates will walk across the stage this week as UTSA celebrates three days of commencement ceremonies from Thursday, Dec. 16 through Saturday, Dec. 18 in the Convocation Center on the Main Campus. After Saturday's ceremonies, UTSA will have nearly 85,000 alumni. UTSA President Ricardo Romo will officiate at all ceremonies in the Convocation Center.
"A total of 2,419 undergraduate students will participate in six ceremonies...
For the full article, visit: URL
UTSA receives alcohol abuse prevention award at national conference
Omar Hernandez, Public Affairs Specialist, 12/6/2010
UTSA students representing the student organization Be A Responsible Roadrunner (BARR) recently attended the BACCHUS Network General Assembly where UTSA received the Outstanding Alcohol Abuse Prevention Award for the event Party on the Paseo. The national award recognizes creative programming.
"The BACCHUS Network General Assembly provides students and professionals...
For the full article, visit: URL
UTSA Athletics and you will help the fight against hunger
Help the fight against hunger and enjoy Roadrunner Basketball at a great price. Bring any non perishable food item and receive a $5 ticket* for any game on Dec. 20th or 21st. Items will be donated to the San Antonio Food Bank. Call 210-458-UTSA (8872) or email us at ticketoffice@UTSA.edu for further information.
*One ticket per food item
PDF to print and post
Spring 2011 Training Schedule
Four C’s (see notification attached)
April 12, 2011
8:30 – 12:00
UC Harris Room, UC 2.212
April 25, 2011
1:30 – 5:00
UC Harris Room, UC 2.212
VPSA@utsa.edu
Spring 2011 Training Schedule
Student Affairs Staff (full-time and part-time)
True Colors (see notification attached)
February 10, 2011
1:30 – 5:00
UC Bexar Room, UC 1.102
VPSA@utsa.edu
Photo Galleries
VPSA Holiday Luncheon - December 7, 2010
Over 600 Student Affairs staff and student employees attended our annual holiday luncheon.
Photos
Athletics
Three Roadrunners earn Southland All-Academic honors on Wednesday
Franklin tabbed Southland Conference Player of the Week
Gregg named Southland Conference Player of the Week
UTSA wins another nail-biter against Houston, 68-63
UTSA looks to end road trip on winning note on Saturday night
All Sport Schedule - Area Events
| Mon, Dec 20 | WBB | St. Bonaventure vs. Middle Tennessee UTSA Holiday Classic |
San Antonio, Texas | 4 p.m. |
| Mon, Dec 20 | WBB | Kansas State UTSA Holiday Classic |
San Antonio, Texas | 6 p.m. |
| Mon, Dec 20 | MBB | Samford | San Antonio, Texas | 8 p.m. |
| Tue, Dec 21 | WBB | Middle Tennessee vs. Kansas State UTSA Holiday Classic |
San Antonio, Texas | 5 p.m. |
| Tue, Dec 21 | WBB | St. Bonaventure UTSA Holiday Classic |
San Antonio, Texas | 7 p.m. |
| Sat, Jan 8 | MBB | Sam Houston State * | San Antonio, Texas | 7 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan 12 | WBB | Texas A&M-Corpus Christi * | San Antonio, Texas | 7 p.m. |
Business Procedures Tips
When making travel arrangements, please check UTSA’s Disbursements and Travel site and the GSA site for any updates prior to processing an RTA or booking flights or hotel rooms. This way you’ll have the most updated information.
Have a Business Procedures Tip to share? Please send it to Bob Miller.
For previous Business Procedures Tips, please visit the archive.
Wellness Tips
Here it is, the last healthy holiday recipe idea before the holidays roll around.
Butternut-Squash Couscous
Adapted from: http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/butternut-squash-couscous-recipe-8162
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
Erika Cox
See past Thank You Rowdy Recipients
To: Erika Cox- Assistant Director, Enrollment Services Center
From: Norma Castillo- Administrative Associate II, Child Development Center
Erika,
Today I pass “Thank You Rowdy” along to you for all your hard work and dedication at Student Financial Aid. You have gone above and beyond to help our parent-students who have children enrolled at the Child Development Center. It is a great feeling, knowing our parent-students can depend on your compassion to help others. By passing “Rowdy” to you is a way of letting you know that your support makes a difference in people’s lives. Thank you for everything you do!
Thank you,
Norma
| 
|
Norma passes on Rowdy to Erika |
Rowdy is ready to work |
Kudos
To: Eva Montecinos- Enrollment Services Officer I, Student Financial Aid and Enrollment Services
Aurora Arellano- Enrollment Services Officer I, Student Financial Aid and Enrollment Services
From: Michele Rench- Enrollment Services Officer II, Student Financial Aid and Enrollment Services
Thank you Ladies for going above and beyond the call of duty in outreach presentations. Our office expects each person to do 4 during an appraisal year. Yet both of you have exceeded that amount: Eva has done 9 and Aurora 11. Way to go!
Thank you!
Michele Rench
To: Christy Noland, Enrollment Services Officer I, Student Financial Aid and Enrollment Services
Zanne Coon, Enrollment Services Officer I, Student Financial Aid and Enrollment Services
From: Michele Rench- Enrollment Services Officer II, Student Financial Aid and Enrollment Services
Thank you Ladies for helping us at the downtown counter this past year when we were short staffed due to training/illness. I know our counter is in good hands when you come to cover it!
Thank you!
Michele Rench
To: Late Night Volunteers
From: Office of Housing and Residence Life
I wanted to say thank you for the outstanding support our volunteers provided during the Late Night Breakfast on Tuesday, December 7th at the Roadrunner Café. We had a total of 1,500 students attend! The event was a huge success and it is all thanks to YOU! This event would have not been possible without our wonderful volunteers! Again, thank you!
Zwisel M. Gandia
Complex Coordinator
Office Housing and Residence Life Staff
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NOTE:
Please submit all newsletter entries by 5:00 pm, Tuesday, January 13, 2010, to
VPSAmedia@utsa.edu