Skyline News

A Publication of UHD Public Affairs

Oct. 4, 2010

Submit news items to skylinenews@uhd.edu.

UHD's Faculty Senate will meet at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, in Room A-300 in the Academic Building.

UHD Police officers will participate in National Night Out activities from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, at Discovery Green.

London and Dublin Study Abroad information sessions will be at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 5, and 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, in Room N-420, the Library Special Event Room.

The UHD Veterans Services Office has scheduled its official opening from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, with refreshments in Room S-244, One Main Building.

The Community Involvement Center and the Rose will hold a breast cancer awareness event from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6 in the Library Special Event Room, N-420.

Soldier-Poet Brian Turner will read his poetry from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, in the Cullen Robertson Auditorium, third floor, Academic Building.

The College of Public Service will host an Information Session from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, in the Commerce Building, Room C100, for UHD students interested in pursuing degrees in education or criminal justice.

UHD featured in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Newspaper

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram interviewed UHD Interim Provost Michael Dressman and UHD Undergraduate Student Body President Ali Abedi for a story that appeared in Sunday's paper.

UHD's Public Affairs Office arranged the interviews for the story that takes a closer look at six-year graduation rates - rates that only take into consideration how first-time freshmen progress through college. The reporter took a look at institutions in Texas that were labeled "drop-out factories" in a recent Washington Post story, and found that a single statistic does not tell the whole story. Both UHD, an urban, non-residential university made up primarily of transfer students, and Sul Ross State, a rural institution that serves southwest Texas, serve many first-generation students.

Both universities clearly meet the needs of students who earn college degrees while working full or part time. Dressman points out UHD ranks 33^rd nationally for graduating Hispanic students with bachelor's degrees, and Abedi talks about UHD's diversity, what UHD has let him accomplish and UHD's affordability in the college marketplace. The story gives readers a broader understanding and context of the varied roles different colleges and universities play in Texas. You'll find the complete story here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/10/02/2514577/texas-public-universities-trying.html. An abbreviated version of the story ran in the Houston Chronicle today.

Breast Cancer Awareness event set for Wednesday in Library Special Event Room

The Community Involvement Center and the Rose, the Houston area's leading non-profit breast cancer organization, will hold a breast cancer awareness event from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6 in the Library Special Event Room, N-420.

The event is in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The program will teach participants the importance of cancer awareness and also how to do a breast self-exam. According to the Rose, "Early detection of breast cancer greatly improves the treatment options, chances for successful treatment and, most importantly, survival."

The Rose is provides mammography screening, diagnosis, access to treatment and support to all women regardless of their ability to pay. A flyer is available here.

Veterans Services Office sponsors information fair Saturday, Oct. 23

UHD's Veterans Services Office is sponsoring a Veterans Information Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, in the Special Events Room, A-300, in the Academic Building.

Representatives from difference agencies will be on hand to answer questions about benefits and services. For more information, contact Michael Records, UHD's manager of Veterans Services.

Community Involvement Day Oct. 13 features agencies, service opportunities

Community Involvement Day will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, in the Special Events Room, A-300, in the Academic Building.

Representatives from area agencies will be on hand to discuss their work and volunteer opportunities available for students. A door prize will be given away.

Application deadline for Red Rose Scholarship is Nov. 5

The deadline for students to apply for the Red Rose Scholarship is 5 p.m. Nov. 5.

The scholarship award is for $3,000 that pays $1,500 per semester. To be eligible students must have a grade point average of 3.5, 57 total credit hours, 24 credit hours at UHD and be a full-time UHD student the 2011-2012 school year.

For more information, go to the website, http://www.uhd.edu/financial/scholarships/institutional.html.

University standing committee list is now available on UHD website

A current list of universitywide standing committees, as well as links to details about their charges and memberships is now available on the UHD website at http://www.uhd.edu/committees/ in the Faculty & Staff section.

This resource is intended to provide information to committee members and the university community about committee responsibilities and representation.

To locate it, go to "Faculty & Staff" in the homepage left hand navigation area. "Committees" is now included as a subcategory in the left hand navigation of the Faculty & Staff main page.

Faculty Senate meets Tuesday

UHD's Faculty Senate will meet at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, in Room A-300 in the Academic Building.

For more information contact Phil Lyons, Faculty Senate President, at 713-221-8489 or lyonsp@uhd.edu. The agenda includes the following:

Reports

Approval of Sept 21 Minutes

Old Business

Online Survey Report

Student phone contacts

New Business

Fall Senate schedule

Join UHD Police in National Night Out

UHD Police officers will participate in National Night Out activities from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, at Discovery Green where the Houston Police Department is sponsoring a "Give Neighborhood Crime and Drugs a Going Away Party."

Contact HPD Officer Gail Sanchez at 832-394-0033 for more information.

National Night Out activities will be taking place throughout the Houston area. UHD Officers encourage students, faculty and staff to participate in National Night Out activities at Discovery Green or in their own neighborhoods, and join the effort to take a united stand against crime.

TTLC offers training in ePortfolio tool Taskstream on Oct. 19

The Technology Teaching and Learning Center (TTLC) is holding a Brown Bag Showcase on the ePortfolio tool Taskstream from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 19 in Room A-715 in the Academic Building.

Taskstream eliminates the need for hardcopies of student portfolios and requires minimal effort to retrieve material. It is organized and searchable. A flyer is available here. This training session enhances computer and technology skills. Bring your lunch and dessert and drinks are on the TTLC. Click here to reserve a spot for 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19, in the TTLC (A715).

New Veterans Services Office opens

The UHD Veterans Services Office has scheduled its official opening from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, with refreshments in Room S-244, One Main Building.

The new office offers veteran students the assistance and support of a full-time staff who can provide them with educational benefits information and guide them through the enrollment process. Staff members can also certify their benefits and serve as their advocate at UHD. The office includes a computer lab.

Study Abroad Program to London and Dublin information sessions Oct. 5, 9

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences Study Abroad Program this year is to London and Dublin and information sessions will be at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 5, and 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, in Room N-420, the Library Special Event Room.

The Study Abroad Program includes seven nights in London and four nights in Dublin.

For information contact Sandra Dahlberg, professor of English and program coordinator, at dahlbergs@uhd.edu or phone 713-221-8949. A flyer is available here. Information is also available at the website, http://www.uhd.edu/academic/colleges/humanities/chsssummerabroad/index.htm

Stories from previous Skylines

Community service project to be featured on KHOU Channel 11

Cadets in UHD's Criminal Justice Training Center's daytime class (BPOC 247) are selling armbands to help a young man who is recovering after being shot in the head with a pellet gun, and their effort was part of a broader story broadcast during the weekend on KHOU TV.

Rex White, director of the center, says each class takes on a service project, but the corps tradition is not to seek publicity for their work. "Over the years, students in the program have quietly helped many organizations and individuals," he said. "This year Corporal Kevin Wolf, became aware that Seaton Jorden and his family needed assistance and the class decided to help."

The class is selling armbands for a minimum $2 donation that will help Seaton Jorden and his family pay for medical expenses. Anyone interested in purchasing an armband can contact the Criminal Justice Training Center.

Above: Director Rex White looks on while AllisonTriarsi, anchor and reporter for KHOU, shows her armbands while speaking to Capt. Susan Hobbs, Lt. David Browning and Matt Cenatiempo.

Free online Service Jam discusses world problems and role of social innovation

The UHD community can join the Service Jam, an online event, that will engage non-profit organizations, corporations, academic institutions, and government agencies in a discussion Oct. 10-12 on how social innovation can help solve world problems.

The event brings together prominent leaders, professionals, and passionate individuals, to generate breakthrough ideas that will redefine service and social innovation. Sponsored by IBM, participants can collaborate virtually and have the flexibility to log into the Jam from anywhere in the world at anytime during the three-day event. Eight discussion forums will occur at the same time.

To register for the jam, go to this website: https://www.collaborationjam.com/minijam3/service.

Contact Jean DeWitt, UHD director of community engagement, for more information.

Gail Evans heads Leadership Montgomery County for 2010-2011

Gail S. M. Evans, J.D., Professor of Business Law in UHD's College of Business has assumed the role of Chairman of the Board of Leadership Montgomery County for 2010-2011.

Evans received her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and her BA from Northwestern University. She has been active in the South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce, serving on the Economic Outlook Conference team and the Education Conference team. Gail has also had leadership roles with the Panther Creek Village Association, and Texas Women in Higher Education.

Fall 2010 Fact Sheet is now available

A new report is available on the Office of Institutional Research's website.

The Fall 2010 20th Day Fact Sheet is available here: http://www.uhd.edu/about/irp/sheet.html It includes information on UHD students broken down by ethnicity, gender, student type, classification, and majors. It also includes information on the breakdown of semester credit hours our students are taking this semester.

Soldier-Poet will read at UHD on Oct. 7

Soldier-Poet Brian Turner will read his poetry from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, in the Cullen Robertson Auditorium, third floor, Academic Building.

Tuner is regularly referenced in the New York Times as a veteran/poet spokesperson for his generation. His debut book of poems, Here, Bullet, won the 2005 Beatrice Hawley Award, the New York Times "Editor's Choice" selection, the 2006 Pen Center USA "Best in the West" award, and the 2007 Poets Prize, among others.

His second poetry book, Phantom Noise, was released by Alice James in the spring of 2010. Turner has recently been selected as one of 50 United States Artists Fellows for 2009.

For information contact Jane Creighton, associate professor of English and Cultural Enrichment Center director, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, at 713-221-8295 or creightonj@uhd.edu. A flyer is available here.

Announcing new research journal geared toward helping children

New Journal focuses on research

UHD President Bill Flores was guest editor of the first issue of the Journal of Applied Research on Children. Co-editors-in-chief Bob Sanborn, president and CEO of Children at Risk, and Angelo Giardino, medical director of Texas Children's Health Plan, were on hand for the announcement that was held at UHD. The online journal's mission is described on its website, http://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/childrenatrisk/:

"The Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk is an open-access and peer-reviewed online journal that is uniquely focused on the needs of children through a holistic prism. Focused on interdisciplinary research that is linked to practical, evidenced-based policy solutions for children's issues, JARC serves to inform legislative and policy decisions, as well as existing and innovative practice models....."

UHD's Garcia named vice president of Texas Association of School Boards

The Texas Association of School Boards elected its 2010-11 officers during the Associations recent annual Delegate Assembly and Convention in Houston and named UHD's Viola Garcia as a vice president.

Garcia is an associate professor and she has served on the Aldine Independent School District since 1992. As a board member, she has served as president, vice president, secretary and assistance secretary. She was elected to the TASB Board of Directors in September 2004 as served as a member of the Lone Star Investment Pool Board from 2003 to 2009. She has chaired the TASB Bylaws and Resolutions Committees, and was vice chair of the Legislative Committee.

A graduate of Leadership TASB and master trustee, she is a fellow of the American Leadership Forum-Houston Education Class 2, has participated in the Reform Governance in Action program with the Aldine ISD Board and administrative team, and is actively involved in the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Leadership Initiatives. Garcia earned her undergraduate degree from Texas Woman's University and master and doctorate degrees from the University of Houston.

TASB is a nonprofit association established in 1949 to serve local public school districts. School board members are the largest group of publicly elected officials in the state. The districts they represent serve more than 4.7 million public school students.

College of Public Service hosts information session on degrees in education and criminal justice Oct. 7

The College of Public Service will host an Information Session from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, in the Commerce Building, Room C100, for UHD students interested in pursuing degrees in education or criminal justice.

The event will provide information on declaring a major, THEA and TExES exams, internships, and scholarships. CPS advisors and faculty will be available to answer questions and meet informally with students.

An additional information session will be at 4:30 p.m. for Urban Education candidates on Oct. 7 in Room C100.

Refreshments will be served. For more information, please contact the CPS Advising Office at 713-221-8906.

Sports and Fitness offers workshop on breathing and healthy living Oct. 8

UHD Sports and Fitness is sponsoring a workshop, "Can You Breathe," from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 8 in Room N-1099, One Main.

The workshop is free and open to UHD faculty, staff and students. Breathing is essential to healthy blood flow, helps keep the body functioning properly and increases the body's ability to heal. A person's posture, fitness level, and sleeping habits can affect all of these things.The guest presenter, who is a certified fitness and ergonomics professional, will lead participants through breathing exercises and show proper body alignment that will improve the air flow through your body.

Light refreshments and attendance gifts will be provided. To reserve a spot for this seminar, please call 713-221-8481, stop by the Student Life Center or email Rhonda Scherer at Schererr@uhd.edu. A flyer is available here.

Career Services hosts Reynolds & Reynolds for recruiting presentation

Career Services is hosting the company, Renolds and Reynolds, for a recruiting presentation, open house and question-and-answer session from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, in Room N-1099, One Main Building. (job # 1825 in jobs4gators)

Such company presentations usually include information about the company, details on the positions available (see list below) as well as tips for graduating seniors on interviewing, networking and career fairs. All majors are welcome to attend.

They are typically recruit for:

· Marketing
· Sales
· Consulting
· Software Implementation
· Programming
· IT related positions
· Technical writing
· Software Education
· Clerical

All classifications are welcome to participate and network with the recruiters, but seniors/alumni will be encouraged to submit resumes and/or apply for posted positions. (See jobs4gators for multiple job openings for Reynolds & Reynolds.)

Reservations are not mandatory, but would be appreciated. If interested in attending, please RSVP to: UHDCareer@uhd.edu or call Career Services at 713-221-8980.

Spanish Program Open House is scheduled for Oct. 11, 12 in Room N-602

The UHD Spanish Program Open House will be from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11, and from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, in Room N-602, One Main Building.

Participants can meet Spanish Program faculty members and get answers to such questions as:

Why should I study Spanish?

I speak Spanish, is there a placement test at UHD?

What are the requirements for a bachelor of arts degree or a minor in Spanish?

What courses are offered in the program?

Are there any Hispanic associations on campus?

Are there volunteer opportunities?

Do Spanish-speaking internships exist?

What are the job opportunities for Spanish majors/minors?

Does UHD offer study abroad programs in Hispanic countries?

A flyer is available here. The open house will also include a special question and answer session with Rocio Cobo for the Study Abroad in Cadiz, Spain next summer.

Criminal Justice Speaker Series features Harris County Sheriff Garcia on. Oct. 13

The Criminal Justice Speaker Series will feature Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia who will provide an Overview of Harris County and Crime from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, in Room C-100, first floor, in the Commerce Street Building.

The free event is open to UHD faculty, staff and students. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. for seating. A coffee reception will follow the presentation.

The Speaker Series is sponsored by the Department of Criminal Justice in the College of Public Service.

UHD officer plans to rappel down hotel to raise funds for charity on Oct. 30

UHD Police Lt. Fred Varela is planning to step off the roof of the Intercontinental Hotel-Galleria in October, and he'd appreciate your support.

Varela will rappel down the hotel's 23 floors Oct. 30 to raise funds for Special Olympics. The rappelling event is open to anyone willing to commit to raising $1,000, but a special contingent of Houston area law enforcement officers, including Varela, has agreed to participate. "Go Over the Edge" is one of several Special Olympics fund-raising events the policing community participates in throughout the year, Varela said.

Varela has a goal of raising $2,000, but "I have a ways to go in raising funds," he said. The effort has special meaning for Varela.

"I've been blessed with a 12-year-old son who is autistic. He is high functioning and interacts with regular kids. I see kids not as fortunate and it is heartbreaking," Varela said. "Special Olympics gives everybody a chance. Everybody can participate and everybody gets something at the end of the day."

Varela said, "Something exciting like this with an adrenaline rush is right up my alley. I haven't done any rappelling since I got out of the military (U.S.Coast Guard) where we rappelled from a helicopter onto the deck of a ship."

He encourages people to support the effort and to come out and watch the event. "We have to learn to help one another. If you lend a hand to help people, somewhere down the line, somebody will help you," Varela said. "I have a lot of faith. You have to in this kind of job (law enforcement)."

To support Varela's effort, visit the website, http://www.firstgiving.com/frederickvarela.

Religion and the First Amendment are topics of Oct. 12 public discussion

The Center for Public Deliberation is sponsoring a the public discussion, "Religion and the Public Sphere," from, 8 to 9:45 a.m. Oct. 12 in room N-420, the Library Special Events Room, One Main Building.

The discussion will focus on religion and the First Amendement of the U.S. Constitution.

Students will address a set of questions about how religion fits and does not fit in public spaces like universities, government, courts, and the media. The discussion will focus on the document, "God and the Commons," produced by the Kettering Foundation. Snacks and beverages will be provided for participants. A flyer is available here.