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Message from the Vice President

Announcements/ Departmental Events

Getting To Know You

Thank You Rowdy

Kudos

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October 30, 2008

Staff News

 

 

Message from the Vice President

“Slow down, Sarah.  Slow down, Sarah.  Slow down faster, Sarah.”

These words, said in a tone of absolute calm, were quietly uttered by my husband Peter as our new driver daughter hurtled (my word) downhill toward a red light at a busy intersection near Austin.  “Slow down faster, Sarah” instantly became a family classic to be repeated at various times over the years. 

Of course, I love the paradox – the idea of going slower faster tickles my sense of the ridiculous and speaks to the many conundrums we face in our lives and the odd combinations of speed and calmness that we must create.  Parker Palmer tells a great story about this idea.  He tells of a heart surgeon working with a new resident who says during surgery ‘now at this point you have exactly 60 seconds to reconnect this artery or the patient will die.  So what you must do is go very slowly.’ No matter how many times I read or share this story, the idea of it still catches at me.  I'm amazed by the idea of holding someone’s life in your hands with a deadline - and you can’t rush.   Most of our usual work isn’t life or death so it ought to be simple to slow down and take a little time.  But it isn’t, is it?   So often in our lives we get caught up in the urgency of the moment, thinking this has to be done now, and so we rush through it and later find a mistake we made.  We all know about someone else’s emergency that becomes ours, so those we rush through with a bad attitude.  Not fun and totally within our control. 

And here it is, the middle of the semester, so much to be done before Thanksgiving and then before the semester break.   And that’s just at work.  When you start adding all the upcoming family and social obligations that this time of year can bring, we can be forgiven for feeling like we need to rush from one task to another meeting, from one project to another phone call.  But what if we took a moment to slow down and instead of rushing hither and yon, we quit trying to be champion multi-taskers and pay attention to the one thing in front of us and do it slowly and very well?   We might find we could very slowly get a lot more done, done well and with a lot less stress. 

Deadlines aren’t always in my control, but how I approach them is.  Interruptions aren’t always in my control, but how I handle them is.  I can be exasperated by that call or student at my door but there are other options.  I could evaluate priorities and ask the person to call back later while I finish the current task.  Or I could see the call as a welcome break that lets me talk about a new topic and come back with fresh eyes to the task at hand.  Either way, if I take a moment to slow down and choose my response, I’ll feel less harried and more in control.  In the middle of a hectic day, a moment to stop and chat, to laugh, to be quiet will help us be more productive. 

So when you have a major task and too little time in the day, remember the words of my husband and the heart surgeon and slow down.  Then as we hurtle toward the end of the semester we can calmly help each other slow down faster and enjoy the ride a little bit more.

All the best,

Gage


Announcements/Departmental Events

The Undergraduate Admissions Office launches the first of a series of departmental “Open Houses”.

 

Friday, October 31st

2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

1604 Admissions Office

MS 2.02.24

 

Stop by after enjoying Best Fest to meet and visit with colleagues, learn more about what happens in the admissions operation, and enjoy some trick-or-treating throughout the offices.

 

Costumes are optional!!!!

 


 

Are you ready to NETWORK Student Affairs?

 

The Student Affairs Staff Networking Committee (Professional Development Team) is proud to announce the first of many networking initiatives in the works for the division, the Student Affairs Department Campus Tours! Complete Article (PDF)

 

 


 

Business Procedures Tips

 

The new University of Texas at San Antonio Non-Payroll Direct Deposit (Automatic Authorization Agreement (Credit) form preferred by the Disbursement for travel advances and/or reimbursements can be found in Microsoft Outlook, Public Folders, Forms, Travel. (PDF copy of form)

 

This form and support document (voided check or a copy of an account number card or deposit slip) is completed and sent to Dorothy Cheatham, Disbursement, for processing.

 

If it is submitted and processed before the VE5 is created, the correct vendor ID can be chosen at the time the VE5 is created. This will then allow for the VP5 to actually be a direct deposit at the final stage in Disbursement.

 

It will also allow for the travel advance to be a direct deposit as well. Those with travel advances still have to sign the promissory note regardless of it being a direct deposit or a check.

 

Note: Tip submitted by Margaret Black, Student Health Services.  If you have a Business Procedures Tip, please email Bob.Miller@utsa.edu.

 

More Business Procedures Tips...

 


 

Keri Kreuzer, Amanda Russell, and Rebel Campbell at the early voting

Early Voting at UTSA Big Success!

UTSA students eager to participate in this historic presidential election were among the first to early-vote in the San Antonio area on October 20.  Members of UTSA’s Omega Psi Phi fraternity organized “Walk for Change” – a stroll across the 1604 campus from the Roadrunner Café to the early-voting site in the Main Building.

The purpose of the walk was to increase awareness among minority students about early voting.  Over 100 student and staff voters turned out for the event and crowded the early-voting site on campus.  Since then, many students and staff have lined up to vote each day, all smiling and patiently waiting their turn to vote.

 

Early voting for the 2008 presidential election continues through October 31 at the Main Building ground floor lobby on the 1604 campus. More Photos......

 


 

Flu Vaccine is Here!

 

Student Health Services has the flu vaccine available for students, faculty and staff. If you have not had the flu vaccine for this season, each person should consider it.

 

Student Health Services is located at the Recreation Wellness Center building, RWC 1.500 at 1604. We are the one story structure adjacent softball field. The downtown site is BV 1.308, University Health and Counseling.

 

You must present your UTSA ID card at the front counter in order to receive the flu vaccine.

 

  • Cost: $15 for students and $20 for faculty and staff; cash or check only

  • 1604 hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.

  • Downtown hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.


 

University Center Programs Council (UCPC) Wicked Halloween Ball in UC III

 

  • 8 p.m.-12 (midnight) UC III Ballroom

  • Free Candy, Food/Drinks, Music, and more…

  • Prize for Best Costume Contest

More UCPC Events


VOICES and Inclusion & Community Engagement Center Sponsor Hunger Banquet

  • OXFAM Hunger Banquet

  • November 12, 2008

  • 6:00-8:00 pm

  • UC Ballroom II

Please encourage your students to join VOICES for the 2008 OXFAM Hunger Banquet (great extra credit opportunity!!). This experiential dinner will inform participants about world hunger issues and how each of us can make a difference.

In conjunction with the Banquet, VOICES will be collecting cans to support the San Antonio Food Bank, so bring one along or stop by the VOICES Office to donate! The Banquet can accommodate 150 guests, and participants can RSVP beginning November 1st to Jennifer.Lilly@utsa.edu.

Event sponsored by VOICES and the Inclusion & Community Engagement Center. Please call 458-4770 or come by the VOICES office in UC 1.216 for more information. To learn about OXFAM Hunger Banquets and other events visit http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whatyoucando/act_now/fast


Campus Rec hosts 2nd Annual Rowdy Rec Run on November 1

Partner with Campus Recreation this Saturday, November 1st for the 2nd Annual Rowdy Rec Run 5k.  There will be friendly competition, run entertainment and light refreshments and snacks.  The deadline for preregistration is today October 30th. 

The first 150 people to register will receive a run t-shirt.  The award ceremony will be held out at the pool, with sample smoothies provided Smoothie King.  Join us for a fun morning of activities, tours and exercise at UTSA Campus Recreation.


Student Social Sense (SSENSE) Social Norming Press Conference and Kick Off Event Unveiled

UTSA unveiled its poster media campaign on Friday, October 17, 2008 during a press conference and kick off at the UC Paseo. The SSENSE campaign (stands for Student Social Sense) aims to address the statistics on risky behaviors of UTSA students with the goal of addressing misperceptions that exist about alcohol consumption by UTSA students using banners and posters displayed around and outside of campus.

This is one of many projects UTSA has developed, conducted or participated in to proactively reduce high-risk alcohol consumption and high-risk behaviors associated with alcohol consumption to include issues such as underage drinking, binge drinking and sexual activity.

Complete Article (PDF)  


Don’t Miss Best Fest 2008!

Friday, October 31st

11am - 3pm in the Sombrilla

Your purchase of food and drinks will help support

69 Student Organizations!

Back By Popular Demand From Homecoming: 

Live Music by Alpha Rev

UTSAToday Article


Health and Wellness Expo DT Campus


ELECT HEALTH! was the mantra at the annual Health and Wellness Expo at the DT campus on October 21, 2008.  There were over 300 participants who received community health and wellness community resources and health screenings.


The DT campus was inundated with activities.  In addition to resource exhibitors from around San Antonio, health screenings were being performed:  blood glucose checks, cholesterol checks, body composition, blood pressure, height and weight, vision, spinal checks, and body fat composition.   Exhibitors ranged from local community agencies such as the San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Metro Health to departmental exhibits such as Environmental Health, Safety, and Risks Management’s Workplace Ergonomics that included a desk, ergonomic chair and computer station. Around the Bill Miller Plaza was Health and Kinesiology’s Mobile Unit and Campus Recreation’s Tai Chi demonstrations, Student Activities hosted the movie “Death by Alcohol” in the Durango Building, and Human Resources hosted a couple presentations “The Importance of Nutrition, Exercise, and Your Health” with guest speaker from the UT System Rolando Roman.

The next health fair:  March 4, 2009 at the 1604 campus in celebration of Spring Break at the Sombrilla.  For more information, contact Student Health Services’ Health Education and Promotion at (210) 458-6428.

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to a special all-campus event, "Celebrate UTSA! All Different. All Roadrunners." This year's celebration is 5-8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19 at the UC Paseo on the 1604 Campus. (The rain site is the UCIII Ballroom.)

The event includes an onstage showcase with performances, readings and speeches, along with more than 30 information tables and activities with valuable information about UTSA departments and organizations. Special ethnic foods will be served, along with the opportunity to enjoy interactive programs, prizes, give-aways, t-shirts and other fun and educational activities. For more information, call 210-458-4770.

Read more about Diversity Month at http://utsa.edu/ice/


 

Mandala Sand Painting Exhibition November 5 to November 7

 

Tibetan Buddhist monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery will construct a Mandala Sand Painting November 5 to November 7 in the University Center Window Lounge from 9:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m. daily.

 

From all the artistic traditions of Tantric Buddhism, painting with colored sand ranks as one of the most unique and exquisite. Millions of grains of sand are painstakingly laid into place on a flat platform over a period of days or weeks to form the image of a mandala.

 

To date the monks have created mandala sand paintings in more than 100 museums, art centers, and colleges and universities in the United States and Europe. Read more....

 


 

State Employee Charitable Campaign UTSA's Got Talent

 

This year's SECC talent show on October 24 featured a variety of performances by Student Affairs Staff, including Dr. Gage Paine in "Dancing Without a Star" with Ruben Diaz (Photo, Right). 

 

More Student Affairs staff participated in the campaign event, including staff members from Career Services, Joey Ramos, Paul Ayala, The "Fabulous Four Loving Caregivers" from Health Services, and Adam Bennett. Photo Gallery...

 

Student Affairs SECC Update

This the last week of the SECC effort.  Due to your strong commitment and caring, Student Affairs is at an overall rate at 64%. Thanks! This is a great number-but we believe we can make it higher!  Please take a look at your department’s participation level.  Let’s keep in mind that UTSA's goal is to reach 72%…let’s do our part to make it happen!  As an incentive, Dr. Paine will sponsor a celebration (refreshments) for staff members of departments that reach 100%. We will let you know the date soon! 

SA department participation rates...

 


 

Links:

 

Summary - Staff Council Meeting Minutes, September 25, 2008

UTSA progresses in reaccreditation process (UTSAToday)

UTSA students: Enter homecoming poster contest (UTSAToday)

UTSA Campus Rec hosts 'dive-in' movie, 5K run (UTSAToday)

Campus Rec hosts wilderness first-aid course (UTSAToday)

Christian Menefee named Student Leader of Month (UTSAToday)

Fall Back This Weekend - Change in Daylight Savings Time!


 

Athletics All Sport Schedule - Area Events

 

 

 

DATE TEAM OPPONENT LOCATION TIME

Thu, Oct 30

 VB

 Sam Houston State *

 San Antonio, Texas

 7 p.m.

 Fri, Oct 31 -
 Sun, Nov 02

 MT

 Texas Invitational

 at Austin, Texas

 All Day

 Fri, Oct 31

 WS

 Central Arkansas *

 San Antonio, Texas

 7 p.m.

 Sat, Nov 1

 VB

 Lamar *

 San Antonio, Texas

 2 p.m.

 Sun, Nov 2

 WS

 Northwestern State *

 San Antonio, Texas

 1 p.m.

 Sun, Nov 2

 WBB

 Dallas Diesel
Exhibition Games

 San Antonio, Texas

 4 p.m.

 Tue, Nov 4

 VB

 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi *

 San Antonio, Texas

 7 p.m.

 Thu, Nov 6

 MBB

 Mary Hardin-Baylor
Exhibition Game

 San Antonio, Texas

 7 p.m.

 Fri, Nov 7

 VB

 Nicholls *

 San Antonio, Texas

 7 p.m.

 Sat, Nov 8

 WT

 Texas State Scramble

 at San Marcos, Texas

 All Day

 Sat, Nov 8

 VB

 Southeastern Louisiana *

 San Antonio, Texas

 2 p.m.

 Sat, Nov 8

 WBB

 St. Edward's
Exhibition Games

 San Antonio, Texas

 7 p.m.

 Thu, Nov 13

 VB

 Texas State *

 at San Marcos, Texas

 7 p.m.

 Fri, Nov 14

 WBB

 Texas A&M International

 San Antonio, Texas

 7 p.m.

 

Complete Schedule

 


 

Southland Conference Television Network Will Televise UTSA Basketball Games

 

Sixteen men’s and women’s basketball games will be televised this year on the new Southland Conference Television Network, the conference office announced Thursday. The network will televise 10 men’s games, six women’s games and five games from the SLC Tournament, including the women’s championship game. The men’s championship will be televised on ESPN2.

 

All 12 men’s teams will have at least one regular-season appearance on the network, while Sam Houston State and UTSA each make two appearances. Women’s teams from Lamar, Northwestern State, UTSA and Texas State also have regular-season games on the network.

Schedule

 


Student Travel Training

Student travel training has been completed for this semester.  Six sessions were offered with a total of eighty-seven participants.  Attached is a copy of the PowerPoint presentation and web link.  We will continue to work with departments and individuals to review concerns or further streamlining of the process.  Also, training will be offered in the spring.

Presentation....(PowerPoint PDF)

Facilitator Carol Gonzalex

Attending Student Travel - Charlin Jones


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

Name:  Brenda Stevens

Title:  Business Operations Manager

Department:  Housing and Residence Life

Job Description:

I handle all budget issues in the housing department.  I assist and support office staff with travel, procards, purchases, vacation/sick leave issues, appointments as well as auditing and reconciling the accounts.

Background:

I have been at UTSA since 1987.

 

Experience:

I am a bookkeeper to the core.  I have dealt with preparing income taxes, being a full charge bookkeeper, worked in a bank vault, worked as an assistant to the barristers (attorneys) in Bermuda (that was a real experience), worked with in a CPA firm balancing bank statements and completing financial statements for income tax purposes, to having my own bookkeeping service which did not support me. 

 

I have worked in the Art Department, the Archaeology Department, the English Department, Judicial Affairs and am now at home in the Housing Department.  I have made friends with many students and even adopted some or wanted to.  I have shared a lot laughter and tears with students as well as staff.  Now I feel like I am UTSA to the core.  I basically handle anything that deals with money and credit cards, personnel and tears.

 

How do you unwind?

I walk when I can and I spend a lot of time with my six perfect grandchildren, which reduces me down to 10 years old.  My cup overflows with giggles. 

 

What is the most unusual situation that you have encountered?

Having worked in a few different dapartments over the years, I have encountered many interesting situations.  Housing has been one of them in a different sense in that we have been "the trailblazers" for UTSA housing.  I have always moved into a position that has existed for several years and dealt with classes and grades and books and faculty and it was already established for me.  UTSA housing was like starting up a new business with all the trials and challenges and every step has been something usual and a new bridge to cross.  I'm going to look back someday and say I was part of the birth of UTSA housing.

 

 How can we reach you? I am located at Laurel Village in Building 9.


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

-------

The Adventures of Thank You Rowdy

 

Thank You Rowdy had quite the adventure while visiting Kelsey Bratcher in the Risk Education, Alcohol and Drug Programs office.  It just so happened he was visiting at the time of Alcohol Awareness Week, October 21-24.

 

Thank You Rowdy started his adventure by inviting UTSA Students, Faculty and Staff to the Alcohol Awareness Week events by announcing the event posters.

 

Rowdy's Adventure...

 

 

To: The Campus Crawl Team

 

Campus Crawl Team  members (L-R) Curtis Odle, Ryan Jesberger, and Jennifer Fueglin pose with Thank You Rowdy and Kelsey. 

Kelsey reads her "Thank You Rowdy" message to the team.

Curtis Odle

Jennifer Fueglein

Christina Garcia

Ryan Jesberger

Erik Stein

Audrey Lallier

 

 

 

From: Kelsey Bratcher

 

Thank you for being a part of the Campus Crawl Team.  You and your RAs made the Second Annual Crawl educational and fun for UTSA students.  I appreciate your support of Alcohol Awareness Week and the Risk Education programs from Student Activities.  Be Rowdy!  Be Responsible!

 

Previous Thank You Rowdy Recipients

 

 


Kudos

To: George Norton

From: Gage Paine

 

Please join me in congratulating George on the successful defense of his dissertation this morning.  I was privileged to be present and he did an excellent job. 

 

Now you can enjoy that celebratory cruise, Dr. Norton!

 

Gage

 


From Lisa Alonzo:

Kudos goes out to Paul Ayala, Assistant Director of Orientation and Family Programs, and his leadership team for conducting the first ever Rowdy's (Raising Opportunities While Discovering Your Strengths) camp, October 17-19 at the T Bar M Ranch at Lake Travis.  Students had the opportunity learn about their 5 top Strengths as determined by Strengths Quest and participate in a variety of low and high ropes initiatives.  The goal of the camp was to provide students with new strategies to successfully navigate their academic and social transition to UTSA.  Here is a link to the camp photo gallery http://utsa.edu/orientation/Rowdyscamp/photos.html This camp was made possible by a VPSA Innovation Grant.

 

Thank you to students and staff members:

From: Megan Chavez
To: Paul Ayala
Subject: Thank You!

Hey Paul!

I want to again thank you for this weekend!! It was so amazing and filled with lots of fun!! In other words it was great!!

From Diane Davila: I just wanted to let you two know that you guys did a phenomenal job with ROWDY’S camp! It was awesome! All your painstaking planning and hard work really showed and I know the students noticed too. You deserve the highest accolades for a job well done. Thank you for letting me be a part of it!

 

From Edna Dominguez:

KUDOS to Nikki Lee for her excellent production of UTSA’s Got Talent!  Nikki’s coordination of the many ‘behind the scenes’ activities led to a smooth and enjoyable presentation of all the wonderful acts!   Go Nikki – You Got Talent!

-Edna Dominguez


Please submit your newsletter entries to Vivis.Lemmons@utsa.edu by Monday November 10, 2008. 

Happy Halloween!!

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