UTSA Update - The University of Texas at San Antonio

When it opened in 1997, UTSA’s Downtown Campus served 900 students and offered 51 courses. Ten years later, the Downtown Campus has an enrollment approaching 6,000 students and is home to the College of Architecture and College of Public Policy as well as the Institute for Economic Development, the Bank of America Child and Adolescent Policy Research Institute and the Mexico Center.

On Wednesday, Feb. 27, everyone is invited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the UTSA Downtown Campus as part of Homecoming 2008. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with an open house in the Frio Street Building, followed later in the day by a lecture by University of Chicago Vice President for Community and Government Affairs Henry Webber and a free jazz concert.

University launches emergency notification system

It's called Reverse 911, and on Jan. 30, UTSA activated the system across the Tri-campuses. "... Instead of you calling 911 for help, we would be calling you with a 911 emergency message," said Donavan Agans, UTSA director of business continuity and emergency management. In the event of a campus emergency, messages can be sent via telephone, text or email. To date, more than 90 percent of UTSA and 60 percent of faculty and staff have registered via the ASAP information system.

Symposium teaches students to balance rowdy with responsible

On Feb. 9, UTSA student leaders, faculty advisers and others involved in campus organizations attended a daylong symposium to improve practical skills for managing issues such as alcohol, drugs, hazing and peer pressure, credit card debt and Internet safety. The "Be Rowdy, Be Responsible" event encouraged students to help one another recognize and respond to potential risk.

"We had 75 students participate," said Kelsey Bratcher, assistant director of risk education, alcohol and drug programs in the Office of Student Activities. "The workshops emphasized noticing risk and learning how to handle a variety of situations," added Bratcher, who plans to make the symposium an annual event.

CIAS receives $6.4 million in federal funding

The UTSA Center for Information Assurance and Security (CIAS) recently received $6.4 million in federal funding. The announcement by Rep. Ciro D. Rodriguez, D-Texas, who helped secure the funding, and Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, was made Jan. 2 at an event hosted by UTSA. The funding will be used to expand the center’s exercises in which mock cyber attacks are conducted on computer networks that handle public services. CIAS is recognized as a leader in cyber security testing.

ITC exhibit to commemorate HemisFair 1968

Forty years ago, San Antonio invited the world to visit during HemisFair 1968. Beginning April 6, UTSA’s Institute of Texan Cultures will commemorate the event with a yearlong exhibit, "HemisFair 1968: San Antonio's Introduction to the World." On display will be records, images, film, souvenirs, mementos and other items that chronicle HemisFair and the turbulent decade in which the event took place. ITC will offer complimentary admission to guests throughout the day. The public is invited to a special commemoration ceremony at 1 p.m. followed by a 2 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the exhibit.

Athletics complex to benefit if voters keep venue tax

UTSA stands to receive $15 million in funding for a new multi-sport complex if voters approve the extension of a local venue tax this May. The complex would include NCAA-quality stadiums for baseball, softball, soccer, track and tennis, and a practice facility for football, if UTSA pursues a Division I football program. The estimated cost for the complex is $60 million.

The UTSA athletics complex is part of a $415 million package of civic improvements that could move forward with the extension of the tax on hotel rooms and car rentals. A UTSA study released in December estimated that the multi-sport complex would have an economic impact on San Antonio of $193 million.

UTSA Research and Program Funding

UTSA Tomas Rivera Center receives $129K grant

The Tomás Rivera Center for Student Success was awarded $129,441 by the TG Public Benefit Grant Program. The grant will be used to help improve access and participation in higher education, college retention and student success.

Specifically, the funding will help create a UTSA student success program to benefit first-generation graduate students. TG is a public, nonprofit corporation that administers the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP), formerly known as the Guaranteed Student Loan Program.

Mexico Center receives $280K in federal funding

The UTSA Mexico Center, an umbrella organization that connects existing Mexico-related expertise at UTSA through cross-disciplinary collaboration on research projects and activities, will be the recipient of $280,000 in congressional funding, announced Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, D-Texas, in January. Harriett Romo, executive director of the Mexico Center, said the funding will support UTSA student workers and additional programming. Pictured from left to right are Alejandro Madrigal (deputy consul general of Mexico in San Antonio), Romo and Gonzalez.

Come to the table... it's time for Great Conversation!

A UTSA signature event, Great Conversation!, is 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 26. At this special event, the public is invited to converse on a variety of topics expertly led by UTSA professors and community leaders. Tables and individual tickets are still available. More than 60 conversation-starting topics will be conducted this year in the categories of arts, culture, religion, science, education, technology, parenting, business and community. Proceeds go to scholarships for Honors College students. More than 600 guests attended in 2007, so be sure to join this year's great dinner party at UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures.

Get details at the Great Conversation! Web site

Diploma Dash and other Homecoming events welcome back alumni

This year's UTSA Homecoming is Feb. 27-March 1. A full menu of events for the weekend includes a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Downtown Campus, golf at the Quarry Golf Club, a fireworks display and the 24th annual Diploma Dash -- a 5K run/fitness walk benefiting student scholarships, alumni programs and services. A tailgate party and the UTSA men's basketball game vs. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi round out the events. Join us!

Read more at the UTSA Alumni Programs Web site.

Alumni Association travels to the Caribbean

Like to have your tour move on its own speed? Then join the UTSA Alumni Association for a Caribbean cruise designed especially for young alumni. This fun-filled tour launches May 17 from Galveston and returns May 22. Travel on the Carnival ship, Ecstasy, includes stops in Cozumel and Progreso, Yucatan. Cabin reservations range from $502 to $562 per person -- so bring your friends.

Learn more at the UTSA Alumni Programs Web site.

An official Fiesta San Antonio event: UTSA's Fiesta Under the Stars, April 25

UTSA will host “Fiesta Under the Stars: An Evening of Dance Music,” at 6:30 p.m., Friday, April 25. The official Fiesta San Antonio event presented by the Department of Music is at Sombrilla Plaza on the 1604 Campus. The evening begins with a seated dinner followed by a concert of Latin Tango, 40s Swing and Flamenco music. Ticket sales benefit music scholarships. For reserved seating, call (210) 458-4357 beginning April 1. General admission tickets will be sold at the event -- feel free to bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets. For more information, call (210) 458-5685.

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