Week of October 15, 2001
A summary of recent past and upcoming news and events within the Division of Student Affairs at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

In creating the academy the department needs your assistance. If you know of a TAMUK freshman that you feel will benefit from this program and/or whom you feel has already demonstrated leadership abilities or the potential for leadership, please nominate him/her. You may nominate by phone at 593-2760 or by e-mail at barry.mckinney@tamuk.edu. Nominations will be accepted through October 17. Needed for nomination is the student's name, local address, local phone number, and e-mail address (where possible).

Two educational sessions were offered by professionals in the Division of Student Affairs. Dr. Tom Jackson Jr., Esmeralda Nandin, Steve Sutton (Houston-Clear Lake), and Leann and Gregory Elkins (Texas Tech) spoke on the challenges for dual career couples in higher education. Jackson, Rosas-Najera, Esperanza Cavazos, and Selena Ortiz spoke on recapturing balance and perspective in the work week.

As a reminder, Sodexho has the exclusive contract for catering at TAMUK and must approve any outside caterers or food service coming on to campus. Sodexho pays a commission to the university for all catering and retail food operations. This helps keep rates low across campus. Please note that an outside vendor may appear to be cheaper because they do not pay commissions to the university and do not offer the broader services that are expected from Sodexho. Sodexho can meet almost any price when comparing like services and costs. Please note that Sodexho takes food management/safety operations very seriously and wants to make sure that food served has been prepared properly and kept at correct temperatures. Food borne illness is a serious problem, but can be prevented with proper diligence. If you have any questions about Sodexho and the campus food service, please contact Steve Kauf, Sodexho General Manager at 593-3117.

• Intramural Flag Football play-offs begin on Monday, October 15. For Flag Football there are 13 Men's Division I teams, 12 Men's Division II teams, 6 Co-Rec Teams and 4 Women's teams. Championship games are scheduled for Thursday, October 18 as follows: Men's Division II @ 5:30 p.m., Women's @ 5:30 p.m., Co-Rec @ 6:30 p.m., and Men's Division I @ 7:30 p.m.
• Intramural Sand Volleyball play-offs begin on Tuesday, October 16 with 12 teams competing in the Open Division. All Sand Volleyball play-off games will be played on October 16 and 18.
• The first Intramural Track & Field Meet was held on Wednesday, October 10. There were 12 participants who competed in 5 events. A big thank you goes to Brent Erikson and Ruben Cantu for their assistance in this event.
• Aerobics Classes are being held Monday-Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the HKN building (Old Gym). So far the response has been incredible with full classes everyday.
• On Friday, October 5 the UPD presented the TAMUK Cheerleaders with a new Spirit Flag. The Cheerleaders are also preparing to submit their videotape for the National Competition in January (remember, TAMUK ranked Top Ten last year).

Jacob Galan and Gonzalo Lopez, Jr. presented research at the SACNAS conference in Phoenix, Arizona September 27- 30. Lopez also received a $250 award for his poster presentation at the 2001 Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Conference. Four scholars attended the 1st McNair Scholars Research Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Scholars Carmen Canales, Rupert Canales, Laurie Lomas, and Israel Saenz presented their research October 3-7.

The McNair Scholars Program is in the process of interviewing and selecting new scholars for the 2001-2002 academic year. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Almann Taylor Solis at 593-2241.

• Health Care hours have changed. The new hours are Monday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• The Upward Bound Program is on its 3rd year of a four year grant. There are currently 52 students participating in the program. The Upward Bound Bowl (Academic/Sports competition) is scheduled for February 23, 2002.
• The Shuttle (providing transportation for students in town) is available to students every Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 6:00 p.m.
• The Meningitis Vaccine is available to students for $65 at the Health Center. Please call x2904 to schedule an appointment. There is a very limited supply. Arrangements can be made for payment.
• The draft Student Travel policy is online for final review by the campus community. Click http://www.tamuk.edu/sass/policies/studenttraveldraft.htm to see the final version. Specific procedures are also being revised to simplify the process for faculty and student users. Look for more information in later issues of Enews.
• Dr. Tom Jackson Jr. has been named as one of the core faculty members for the upcoming Mid-Level Managers Institute to be held at Indiana University in Janaury. The American College Personnel Association (ACPA), the largest student affairs professional association in the United States, sponsors this four-day national institute annually.