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Association benefit of the month: Scholarships
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The deadline for the fall Association scholarship application is quickly approaching! As a reminder, all students who have a parent or family member in the Association are eligible to apply for Association scholarships in the fall and spring semesters.
The Association awards three scholarships each semester: 1 freshman, 1 upperclassman, and 1 open to all students. Students can fill out the scholarship application online.
The deadline to apply for the fall scholarship is September 27, 2013. Winners will be announced during Parent & Family Weekend.
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Common student issues this month
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Some typical issues upperclassman students face in September include:
- Excitement
- Struggling to feel connected to campus
- Uncertainty about choosing a major
- Homesickness and loneliness
- Contemplating studying abroad
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UTA uses multiple outlets to keep the campus community informed about emergency situations and rapidly changing conditions - from hazardous weather and campus closures to building emergencies and life-threatening criminal activity. As the new school year is starting, encourage your students to check and make sure their emergency contact information is correct so they can be contacted quickly in the event of an emergency.
For more information on campus safety, please visit the new Safe & Sound in Maverick Country website.
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Rent cars on campus through Connect by Hertz
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No car for your student? No problem! Students can use Connect by Hertz to rent an environmentally-friendly car by the hour or day, all for a low price.
Visit Hertz On Demand or call 877-654-4400 for more information.
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Request disability accommodations
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In order to receive academic accommodations in college, students must first register with the Office for Students with Disabilities. Visit this website for more information on registration and accommodation procedures. Returning students must submit this form at the beginning of each semester.
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FERPA rights for students
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According to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), once a student attains the age of 18 or attends an institution of higher education, regardless of age, FERPA rights transfer from the parent to the student. Under FERPA, parents have no inherent rights of access to their students' education records.
Students can give express written permission for their parents' access to their education record by downloading this form and submitting it with UTA identification to the Office of Admissions, Records and Registration, Room 129 Davis Hall. Please note that there is a separate release form for financial records, available in Bursar Services.
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Opt-in to Association directory
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If you have not done so already, please let us know if you would like to be included in the Maverick Parent & Family Association membership directory. The directory will be an electronic document that is only available to members who agree to be included. It will include the following information for each family:
- First and last name of parents/family members
- Hometown
- Email address
- Student name(s) and classification(s)
The purpose of the directory is for parents to be able to connect with one another. For example, two families from the same area may want to work out a carpool arrangement when their students travel home.
If you would like to be included in this directory, email parents@uta.edu and simply type "opt in" in the subject line. Please RSVP by September 22, 2013. The directory will be available in October.
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Become a fan of the Parent & Family Center's Facebook page and follow us on Twitter!
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| Welcome Maverick Parents! |
Welcome to the Maverick Parent & Family Association! We are so excited to partner with you this year.
For a reminder of all of the benefits available to you as an Association member, please visit our website. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns throughout the year. You can reach us at parents@uta.edu or 817-272-2128.
Welcome to UTA!
Sincerely,
Casey Gonzales
Director, Parent & Family Center
Kendra Kliesen
Assistant Director, Parent & Family Center |
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UT Arlington ranked 7th among fastest-growing public research universities
The Chronicle of Higher Education has ranked UT Arlington seventh on its 2013 list of fastest-growing public research universities, noting a 58% increase in enrollment from fall 2001 to  fall 2011. Enrollment at UT Arlington increased from about 21,000 in 2001 to more than 33,000 students in fall 2011.
"National rankings such as this highlight the fact that more students than ever choose to pursue their academic dreams at UT Arlington," President Vistasp Karbhari says. "They are enhancing our reputation on a global scale, and they are propelling our University to new heights in research and scholarship."
UT Arlington named one of the best in the West
The Princeton Review recently named UT Arlington as one of the best colleges in the West. The University was selected as one of 124 institutions in the website feature "2014 Best Colleges: Region by Region." The 643 colleges named to the region-by-region list constitute about 25% of the nation's 2,500 four-year colleges.
The Princeton Review, widely known for its test prep programs and college guides, used institutional data and student surveys to rate schools in six categories. Those categories are: academics, admissions selectivity, financial aid, fire safety, quality of life, and green.
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| Study abroad fair to be held September 11 |
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Is your student ready for a life-changing experience? Studying abroad is often one of students' favorite college experiences and allows them to grow culturally, spiritually, linguistically, personally, and intellectually.
The general study abroad application deadline for Spring 2014 is Oct. 1, although specific programs may have earlier deadlines. For more information, encourage your students to attend the study abroad fair on Sept. 11 or visit the Office of International Education.
If you and your student are unsure about studying abroad, here are a few questions for you to discuss:
- What part of the world does your student want to visit? What does your child know about the politics, culture, and climate of the country?
- Does your student have the language skills to be comfortable there?
- How will the cost of studying abroad compare with the costs of staying home?
- Will your child travel while abroad?
- What classes will your student be taking and how will the credits transfer?
- How will the study abroad experience help with future plans and/or career?
Savage, M. (2003). You're on your own (but I'm here if you need me): Mentoring your child during the college years. New York, NY: Fireside. |
| University College offers advice and tips for students |
Wondering what it takes to be academically successful in college? University College has several videos in which students and faculty members give students tips and advice.
Video topics include the importance of going to class, study techniques, campus resources, and more. Visit the University College website to view these important videos. 
In addition, a ll students are invited to participate in Success Series, workshops designed to improve academic performance and build important life skills. Various workshops are planned from September through November; check out the calendar of events for more information. |
| Maverick Speaker Series announces 2013-2014 lineup |
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The Maverick Speakers Series provides a dynamic forum for today's brightest minds to examine the people, ideas, actions, and solutions that impact the world around us. Featuring some of the leading voices of our time, the series is more than just speeches on current events or timely issues. These are thought-provoking conversations led by renowned innovators who make change happen.
The 2013-2014 speakers include:
 Jose Antonio Vargas
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
September, 24, 2013
7:30 pm
Texas Hall
Tickets available now!
Bill Rasmussen
ESPN founder
October 24, 2013
7:30 pm
Texas Hall
Anderson Cooper
Journalist and anchor of Anderson Cooper 360
November 11, 2013
7:30 pm
College Park Center
Sanjay Gupta
Neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent
March 18, 2014
7:30 pm
College Park Center
Nina Totenberg
NPR legal affairs correspondent
April 8, 2014
7:30 pm
Texas Hall
Guests have two options for tickets: general admission is free or guests can purchase a premium reserved seat with the Preferred Package option. The Preferred Package is $25 and includes reserved seating and parking, among other benefits.
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Resources available for commuter students
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Did you know about 85% of UT Arlington students commute to campus each day? Off-Campus Mavericks  is an office dedicated to helping commuter students navigate through the college experience.
Off-Campus Mavericks offers several programs and services for commuter students, including:- The Off-Campus Mavericks Center, located within the Maverick Activities Center
- The Off-Campus Mavericks blog, The Parking Lot
- A monthly newsletter
If your student lives off campus, here are some ways to encourage him or her to get involved and stay connected to campus:- Treat going to campus like a workday - go to campus and stay there all day, not just for class.
- Form study groups in class and get together outside of the classroom.
- Get a job on campus.
- Make getting involved in an organization as important as going to class.
- Instead of working out alone, play an intramural sport.
- Join a leadership group.
- Eat on campus in the dining halls.
- Live near campus.
Cohen, H. (2010). The happiest kid on campus: A parent's guide to the very best college experience (for you and your child). Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks, Inc. |
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Job Fair to be held September 18
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Whether your student is a sophomore or a senior, it is never too early to begin searching for internships and full-time employment. 
The Fall 2013 Job Fair, hosted by the Career Center, will be held Wednesday, September 18, 2013 from 10 am-3 pm in the Maverick Activities Center. A list of participating employers can be found here. Before your student attends the fair, discuss these tips and tricks with them to make sure they make the most of their time.
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