The University Centers Presents..21 Questions

Now through April 15th, the University Centers is featuring a virtual scavenger hunt as part of its event, University Centers'"21 Questions". This event will use the SCVNGR texting platform, which initiates participation by having students text in to enter, then receive questions, and text back answers to move on to the next question. This challenge requires student's feet and thumbs to move while learning more about the different amenities and resources offered by the University Centers.

There are two ways to play. To play via text message text uc21q to 728647. Or, students may play by downloading the SCVNGR app on to their I-phone, I-pod Touch, or Droid. After making a profile, students should select "treks", then choose UC 21 Questions trek, and begin playing.

Once students begin playing, they may participate at their own pace, taking one day or a few weeks to finish.  However, those who finish quickly will be rewarded, the first hundred finishers will receive a FREE "I <3 UC" t-shirt. After event closes, those who finished all of the University Centers' "21 Questions" will be entered into drawings for larger prizes. The prizes include a $50 Barnes & Noble Gift Card, an Amazon Kindle, and an I-Pad.

For more information about the University Centers'"21 Questions" email Xavier Livingston at xlivings@central.uh.edu or call 832-842-6169.

Order of Omega Greek Honor Society, Kappa Tau Chapter, is hosting their Annual Faculty/ Staff/Advisor Appreciation Reception on Monday, April 18^th at 5:00-6:30 PM in the Rockwell Pavilion (2^nd floor of the MD Anderson Library). Order of Omega is a Greek honorary that represents the elite among fraternity and sorority members across the country. The reception will honor the faculty, staff, and advisors that have supported the fraternity and sorority community. There will be a special presentation at 5:30 PM that you don't want to miss. Please RSVP by April 12^th to uh.orderofomega@gmail.com or call 832-842-4951. Please include your name, phone number, email address, and department name and/or fraternity/sorority you advise.

 Center for Student Involvement is hosting its Campus Leadership Reception on April 27^th in the Houston Room from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. The Campus Leadership Reception is a semi-formal celebration of student leaders, student organizations, their advisors, and programs. Nominations for outstanding contributors to student involvement and activities are due by April 4^th at 5:00 PM click here.

Center for Student Involvement

51 University Center-Underground

832-842-6245 

www.uh.edu/csi 

The Center for Leadership and Fraternity & Sorority Life hosted its inaugural leadership luncheon, The Cat-alyst on March 24, 2011. The Cat-alyst, is a free leadership development opportunity for new and emerging leaders to gain knowledge from experienced leaders about how to be a catalyst-an agent of positive change.  

At the inaugural event, Associate Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students, Dr. William Munson facilitated an activity to emphasize "Collaboration and Teamwork." At the conclusion, Dr. Munson answered student questions drawing from his personal leadership experiences.

There were 20 UH student participants from various educational levels and leadership experiences. At the conclusion, students completed a survey and were asked to share one thing they learned from the event. The following are student quotes:

• "I learned how to utilize new members coming into the organization."
•    "The importance of collaboration."
• "How to integrate persons toward a single goal/mindset."
• "Although win-lose situations happen, try your hardest to maintain the relationship so no one feels burned."
• "Think for the betterment of everyone so at least there is some gain for everyone."

Additionally, students shared that they learned a lot from the event and they appreciated  Dr. Munson making the activity interactive. Students made suggestions for future topics regarding conflict resolution, time management and moving up the ladder of success.The Center is currently planning another luncheon this upcoming April.  

Keep updated about CLFSL events by visiting the website.   

   

Staff Member: Rommel Abad   

Rommel is the newest staff member within the Center for Student Involvement.  He is the Assistant Director for Campus Life and his advisory responsibilities include Student Program Board (SPB), Activities Funding Board (AFB), Student Government Association Elections Commission, and Co-Chair of  the University Center Event Committee (UCEC).  He is originally from the Philippines; however he considers San Diego, California his place of origin. His wife works at Rice University and his son Ryland is attending the Children's Learning Centers. Rommel graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Business Information Systems and Syracuse University with a Master's of Science in Higher Education Administration. He has previous experience at various institutions of higher education in Texas and Oklahoma.  He is happy to be at UH and it is a good fit because of the diversity of staff and students here. "UH just feels right.  I know change is scary, but when it's done for the right reasons it is good and it will take some time to get adjusted."

Student Staff Member: Nha Mai

Nha Mai

Nha works as a UC Technology Support Assistant and is a sophomore transfer student majoring in accounting at the University of Houston. Originally from Vietnam, Nha came to the United States to get a better education.  After graduation, she would like to work for the University of Houston or an accounting firm in the Houston area.  Nha really likes working for UC Technology Support.

Staff Member: Linda Rodriguez

   

Linda has worked for the University Center for 18 of the 21 years she has worked at the University of Houston.  She serves as a UC Event Services Coordinator where she enjoys helping customers make their event special and she also provides outstanding customer service.  She enjoys the variety of her job and assisting customers to make their ideal room set up a reality.

Linda Rodriquez

Linda was born and raised in Houston.  Prior to her service to the University of Houston, she worked at Foley's warehouse and at various hotels in the Houston area.  She has two daughters she enjoys spending time with when not working at the UC. Their next big adventure is walking in the March of Dimes walk at the University of Houston on May 1, 2011.

Student Leader: Daray  Olaleye

 

Daray is the new Director for the Metropolitan Volunteer Program in the Center for Leadership and Fraternity & Sorority Life and is a junior accounting major in the C.T. Bauer College of Business.  He is originally from Boston, Massachusetts and has lived in Lagos, Nigeria; London, England and settled in Houston for the last 14 years.

Daray Olaleye

Daray has been with MVP for the last two years where he started as a volunteer, and then moved up to head marketing coordinator, office assistant, assistant director,  and as of April 1^st director.  Outside of his work with MVP, he excels in the classroom and has made the UH Dean's list for the past two years. After graduation he plans to obtain a graduate degree in accounting. His quote to live by is from Aristotle, "We are what we continually do; therefore excellence is not an act, but a habit."

Metropolitan Volunteer Program (MVP)

The Metropolitan Volunteer Program (MVP) serves as a resource for volunteer opportunities. MVP plans volunteer programs on and off-campus and provides a calendar of volunteer opportunities outside their programs. Some of MVP's most enduring programs focus on areas of the community that need help, as well as empowering and impacting the youth in that community.  

MVP Mentoring event

MVP has a longstanding relationship with the Houston community, fostering the volunteer spirit among students. MVP members volunteer at local schools, food banks, and shelters. Additionally, MVP hosts volunteer opportunities during the week such as Adopt-A-Troop, in which students create care packages for their adoptive troop along with words of encouragement and respect.

Some of MVP's upcoming volunteer events for the month of April are the Houston Food Bank and the Healthcare Family Resource on April 2^nd. The Revolution of Heroes which helps various local non-profits in the Houston community on April 5^th, the Special Olympics on April 9^th at

Strait Jesuit.

Sandwiches for Homeless

Additionally, MVP will organize its traditional Sandwiches for the Homeless on April 14^th, in which volunteers help to make and distribute peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to Houston homeless people on the streets of downtown Houston and local shelters.

For more information about the Metropolitan Volunteer Program and volunteer opportunities contact mvp@uh.edu or visit www.uhmvp.com.

Student Video Network

Student Video Network (SVN) is the University of Houston's student-run television network which focuses on student produced television and is open to all UH students. Students involved with SVN can write, produce, film, and edit their own shows and short films.

SVN attended the Film and Interactive portion of SxSW in Austin last March. There, Student Video Network expanded its knowledge of film production. Some of the seminars that SVN members attended were John Lang's Hollywood Lessons, which addressed film realities rarely discussed in most classes, and Katherine Hardwicke's (Director of the 2010 film Red Riding Hood) Directing Seminar, which taught members that 80 percent of the video production process is the pre/post production process and tips on execution.

SVN members also interviewed directors John Lang and Lucas Mireles. During his interview, John Lang gave SVN insight on how the film industry is evolving and how, for him, the best way of learning about the film process was

Viral Bhakta and Lucas Mireles

working on other student's projects. The young director who  is a University of Houston Alumni and past Student Video Network Director, was one of SVN's most interesting interviews according to SVN Director Viral Bhakta. Mireles' interview revealed the role SVN and the University of Houston played in his career development. Mireles is attending directing school at UCLA in the fall and has had several projects that have been shown at the Sundance Film Festival and SxSW, including the short film Love Analysis. 

Student Video Network is hosting the Outdoor Movie Festival with free popcorn and soda on the UC North Patio at 7:00 PM on the following dates:

April 6^th- Shaolin Soccer 

April 7^th- Tangled

April 8^th- Harry Potter 7

SVN is also continuing its Networking Seminar Series in the Architecture Theater. Students interested in film and directing can meet University of Houston Alumni and Houstonian's whose projects and films have received the accolades of directors such as George Lucas. The Networking Seminar Series will end with the following dates and speakers:

April 1^st- Francisco "Cole" Calza at 2:00 PM

April 13^th- Adam White at 3:00 PM

Additionally, SVN's production classes are still open. Visit calendar for dates and times.

To learn more about SVN and how to get involved go to www.uh.edu/svn, call 713-743-5216, or email ch6vnp@central.uh.edu

Recyclemania 2011 

RecycleMania is a friendly competition and benchmarking tool for college and university recycling programs across the nation to promote waste reduction activities to their campus communities over a 10-week period.  This year marks the 3^rd Annual Recyclemania contest hosted at University of Houston and the University Center has participated in the contest for 3 years. The UC won first place in 2009, second place in 2010, and is in position to win first place this year.  The name of the UC team is The Ultimate Recyclers and is headed by Beverly Garcia. When asked to reflect on the contest, Beverly stated, "This (recycling) takes a lot of work and I wish more people would participate in both recycling and helping to organize the recyclables because in the end it ultimately helps our planet." Be sure to come to the closing ceremony on Wednesday, April 6^th from 11:30 AM- 1:00 PM  at the UC Satellite to find out who wins the recycling challenge for the staff challenge and the student challenge.