Subject: Student Affairs E-News -- November 19, 2001
Week of November 19, 2001
A summary of recent past and upcoming news and events within the Division of Student Affairs at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
| November 10 | 2:00 p.m. | Football vs. Angelo State | Stadium |
| November 15 | 9:00-2:00 p.m. | Health Fair | SUB |
| November 16 | All Day | Dean of Students Interview - Dr. Felicia McGinty | |
| November 27 | All Day | Dean of Students Interview - Dr. David Braverman | |
| November 28 | 3:30-5:00 p.m. | University Ring Ceremony | SUB Ballroom A |
| November 30 | All Day | Dean of Students Interview - Dr. Richard Danals |
WHO'S WHO CEREMONY HELD HONORING SIXTY-THREE STUDENTS
Sixty three students were awarded the Who's Who Among American Universities and Colleges award during a ceremony held in the SUB Ballroom Thursday, November 8. Approximately 155 guests, family, friends, faculty, and staff were in attendance. The recipients were selected based on scholarship, leadership in academic and extracurricular activities, citizenship, service to their department, their colleges, and/or to the university, and their potential for future achievement. Only juniors, seniors, and graduate students are eligible for inclusion in Who's Who. Who's Who began in 1934.
DEAN OF STUDENTS FINALISTS VISITING CAMPUS
Dr. Felicia McGinty visited campus..., Dr. David Braverman, and Dr. Richard Danals. The multi-day campus visits will be Thursday/Friday, November 15-16 (McGinty); Monday/Tuesday, November 26-27 (Braverman); and Thursday/Friday, November 29-30 (Danals). There are several opportunities for key staff to meet the finalists. The open meeting with faculty & staff will be on the second day from 2:15-3:00 p.m. in room 221 B of the Student Union Building. The open meeting with students is also on the second day from 3:15-4:00 p.m. in room 221 B of the Student Union Building. Friendly e-mail reminders, along with summary bios on each finalist will be provided later in the week.
CAMPUS HOUSING SHOWS APPRECIATION TO PHYSICAL PLANT EMPLOYEES
Campus Housing hosted an Appreciation Luncheon for the Physical Plant employees on Friday, November 16. The theme for the event was physical plant rocks. The event was for all the hard work and dedication the workers have given to the Residence Halls.
PETE CISNEROS RACKETBALL TOURNAMENT
The 3rd Annual Pete Cisneros Racquetball Tournament will be held on December 1, 2001 at the SPEC Racquetball Courts. The tournament is open to the university community as well as the general public. Entry Fee: $30 for the first event, $5 for the second event (discounts available for students). All events must be prepaid. Entry Forms are available at the Rec Sports Office located in the SPEC Fitness Center. Entries are due by November 21, 2001 Men's C & D, Women and Juniors will start @ 8:30 PM; Men's Open, A & B will start after lunch; Men's Open Singles will start after lunch. Trophies for 1st and 2nd USRA rules apply; including mandatory USRA approved eye guards.
CAMPUS HOUSING SEEKING RESIDENT ADVISOR APPLICANTS
Campus Housing is looking for students interested in becoming Resident Advisors. Please encourage students to apply for this great opportunity. Students interested should go to financial aid, get a referral, and then go to Campus Housing and complete an application. The selection process includes two parts. On November 26 there will be an RA Orientation at 4:00 p.m. in Turner-Bishop Café. On November 27, 28, and 29 interviews will be conducted from 2:00-5:00 p.m. and 7:00-10:00 p.m.
UPWARD BOUND MATH & SCIENCE BEGINNING SUMMER RECRUITMENT
The Upward Bound Math & Science is currently in the process of recruiting for the summer component throughout the region. This process consists of contacting the TRIO programs and the schools and setting up presentations. Once this is completed, applications are left with the school counselors or those interested in the program. The deadline for completed applications to be submitted to the Upward Bound Math & Science office is March 28, 2002. If you have any questions, please contact Esmeralda Nandin, Program Coordinator, at (361) 593-2277. The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program had four scholars present at the 10th Annual McNair Research Conference in Delavan, Wisconsin on November 2 - 4, 2001. The following presented: Kathryn Stalcup, Marilyn Esparza, Laurie Lomas, and Jacqueline Besinaiz. Also, the following scholars have had the opportunity to prep for the Ph.D. program. Kimberly Benedict, Rupert Canales, and Laurie Lomas are currently preparing applications for graduate school. Finally, Gloria Chapa will be completing her Masters in Biology in May. At the present time, the Upward Bound Math & Science Program and the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program are taking measures to enhance each program with a visit to the UNT campus. This opportunity will allow growth in developing a better system for the programs.
OFFICE OF SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES RECOGNIZES VOLUNTEERS & FACULTY
On Tuesday, October 30 the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) held their Fall 2001 Volunteer Recognition/Training. SSD recognized 34 volunteers who have helped SSD students. The volunteer's consist of note-takers, readers, lab assistants, and office helpers. The Volunteer Assistance Program has nearly tripled its amount of volunteer's since the start of the program in the spring of 2000, where there were 11 volunteers. In addition, the department has added the recognition of outstanding professors. This semester seven outstanding professors chosen by SSD students and staff were recognized. These seven professors stood out from the rest by going out of their way to help and cooperate with both students and staff. The keynote speakers were Dr. Dianne Brown, interim dean of students and Connie Rosas-Najera, interim director of Life Services and Wellness. Professors who were recognized were Anna Valdez, College I, William Renfrow, Department of Art, Dr. T. Joe Boehm, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Kendra J. Huff, Department of Accounting & CIS, Betty J. Black, Department of College I, Susan W. Sabrio, Department of Mathematics, and Dr. Richard C. Scherpereel, Department of Art.
TEXAS LEGISLATURE PRODUCES BACTERIAL MENINGITIS BILL
The 77th Texas Legislature (2001) recently required all public institutions of higher education in Texas to notify all new students about bacterial meningitis, starting January 1, 2002 (Chapter 51, Education Code, Section 51.9191; Chapter 38, Education Code, Section 38.0025). The Texas Higher Coordinating Board was assigned the task of developing informational materials to implement this law in September 2001, and convened an advisory committee to recommend what students should be told about bacterial meningitis. Connie Rosas-Najera, interim director for Life Services & Wellness, represented TAMUK to develop the procedures that universities should use to ensure and confirm that students receive the information. The content has been developed and the general procedures that universities should implement are located at: www.thecb.state.tx.us/UHRI/meningitis
BE FIT BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS HIT
The holidays are coming, and the last thing you want for Christmas is 5 extra pounds. "Be Fit before the Holidays Hit" is this year's theme for staff, faculty, students, and children to use. The Health and Wellness Committee is encouraging healthier nutrition choices, maintain a regular exercise schedule during all the holiday festivities, and obtain health screenings to lead an optimal healthy lifestyle. Mark your calendar for the Health Fair, November 15 at SUB Ballroom B from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to participate in free health screenings, exhibitions of low and high impact exercise, self-defense, nutrition education and counseling, and many more activities. Children are also welcomed and prizes will be given! Contact Connie Rosas-Najera at 593-3991 for more information.
QUIT SMOKING - GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT APPROACHING
The American Cancer Society is celebrating its 25th Anniversary "Great American Smokeout"-Thursday, Novemeber 15. Smoking…It's Just Not Cool. Smoking is an addiction that kills. More than 400,000 people die every year from smoking-related diseases. That's more than from alcohol, cocaine, crack, heroin, murders, suicide, car accidents, and AIDS combined. Please visit one of the booths during the Health Fair on November 15 between 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Student Union Building (Ballroom B) for a free pulmonary screening and smoking cessation education. For more information, contact Health Care Services, 593-2904, or call American Cancer Society at (361) 857-0134 or 1-800-ACS-2345. You can also print materials off of the web. Go to www.cancer.org, enter your zip code or city-click on more about ACS in Texas-follow the link under Community Events.
UPWARD BOUND PROGRAM ASSISTS FAMILIES WITH TRANSITION
It is evident that success is attained when parents are involved in their son or daughters lives. One of the many services that Upward Bound provides is assisting all U.B. Bridge students and their parents with 100% of their financial aid needs in collaboration with the TAMUK Financial Aid Department. The U.B. program strives to achieve this financial aid objective by hosting a financial aid student/parent workshop during one of the scheduled Saturday meetings. In fact, the student/parent financial aid workshop is scheduled for November 10. Currently the Bridge students are excited about their upcoming future in college; and have already provided our U.B. staff with 85% of their financial aid documentation. The next step is seeing the students succeed by assisting them with their transition from high school to higher education.
DID YOU KNOW...
- The Residence Hall Association (RHA) participated in one of their community service projects on Tuesday, October 10 at the Canterbury Villa retirement center. The center held a big Halloween Carnival for the residents and children of the community. RHA helped work the different booths, such as beanbag throw, balloon dart throw, bowling pin toss, haunted house and more. Some of the members assisted some of the residents by helping them to play the games. The evening was a big success!
- On October 26-28 fifteen Resident Advisors and two staff advisors attended the annual Southwest Association of College and University Housing Officers (SWACUHO) RA Conference. The delegates met RA's from schools in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mexico. It was a good time to see how other schools develop programs, deal with conduct problems, and develop leaders among their residents. This was the first time TAMUK has sent delegates to this conference.
- Martin Hall House Council will be having a Thanksgiving Food Drive to assist the needy families in Kingsville to have a Happy Thanksgiving. Please donate canned and dry goods at the Martin Hall Front desk or call Billy Knapp Martin Hall Director at Ext. 3239 for a pick up. Please limit pickups to on campus.
- Bishop Hall had its Senior Staff Social, "Monster Bash" on Monday October 29. Activities included a mummy wrap, ring toss, and costume contest. Approximately 75 residents for the residence halls attended the festivities.
- Lewis Hall had its Senior Staff Social, "Dressed to Kill" on October 31. The costume party included the following activities: A mummy wrap where the attendees wrap their partner with toilet paper to create a mummy, a costume contest, and a pumpkin basket decorating for a personalized trick or treat container. Refreshments of sandwiches, chips, cookies, and drinks were served to the residents in attendance.
- The Residence Hall Association has returned from the Southwest Association of College and University Residence Halls (SWACURH) conference held at University of Texas at Austin. The object of the conference was to promote leadership and self-confidence. In this conference students who live in Residence Halls learn the way that other students across the southwest live and they learn to communicate with them. The students who attended this conference returned very enthusiastic because they learned that our residence halls are indeed a great place to live.
- November is National Diabetes Month, National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness, National Epilepsy Awareness, National Home Care, and Great American Smokeout (15th).
- Alzheimer's disease doesn't have to be the end of the world. For information regarding diagnosis, treatment, and support of people with Alzheimer's disease and their families look into www.alz.org.
- Let's talk turkey for the holidays! Remember the following tips for safety: allow 24 hours defrost time for every 5 lbs of turkey; always thaw in the refrigerator (never thaw at room temperature; stuff the bird just before cooking; allow 1/2 to 1/3 cup stuffing per pound of turkey and don't overstuff; preheat and cook at 325 degrees in a shallow pan; and allow the bird to reach an internal temperature of 180 degrees. Who ever said Student Affairs doesn't try to help?!!
- Free HIV Testing! Kleberg County Human Services Project F.I.N.D. and Life Services and Wellness will be offering free, anonymous, and confidential HIV testing at Life Services and Wellness. The Ora Sure HIV testing kit is used which tests for the HIV antibodies inside the mouth; no blood or needles are used. Pre and Post-test counseling is provided and results are obtained within three days. For further information contact Health Care Services at 593-2904. The following dates are scheduled throughout the semester: November 13 from 9:00 a.m. - noon; November 26 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.; and December 3 from 9:00 a.m. - noon.
ABOUT STUDENT AFFAIRS E-NEWS
Student Affairs E-News is an electronic newsletter service provided by the Division of Student Affairs at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. This is in an effort to further increase the positive communication of recent past and upcoming events taking place throughout campus. If you missed the last Enews, look for all past editions online. If you have an item you would like included in this electronic newsletter, please submit it via email to Student Affairs by Thursday of each week.
Division of Student Affairs
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
MSC 103
Kingsville, TX 78363
(361) 593-3612 -- office (361) 593-2161 -- fax
www.tamuk.edu/sass