September 2014

Meeting Date: 

September 18, 2014

ACA Monthly Meeting

Thursday, September 18, 2014

SAC 2.412 Ballroom

 

Meeting Sponsors:  UTeach Urban Teachers Program

8:30am
Welcome from ACA President – Julia Chinnock

Julia welcomed the membership and introduced her theme for the year: relationships; getting to know others, developing our ACA network.

One of the efforts to achieve this goal is the ACA photo roster. This project is a way to put a name to a face when using the ACA directory.  Members will be able to either send a photo to Josh Barham (ACA Treasurer) or take a picture at the ACA Meeting.

Julia introduced the new ACA Executive Committee for 2014-2015
Noe Gonzales – President Elect
Gina Higby & Emily Schroeder – Co-Vice Presidents/Program Chairs
Josh Barham – Treasurer
Lovelys Powell – Secretary
Sarah McKay – Historian
Eric Carter – Communications Coordinator

 

8:35am
UTeach Urban Teachers (UTUT).
http://www.edb.utexas.edu/education/departments/ci/utut/

Jessica Rubin introduced Dr. Cinthia Salinas (Associate Professor and UTUT Advisor). Dr. Salinas thanked the ACA membership for the opportunity to talk about the program.   UTUT is a modified version of UTeach Program that is designed to prepare Language Arts and Social Studies educators to work in culturally, racially, economically, and linguistically diverse environments.

Program can be completed at the undergraduate level or the master’s level.

Dr. Scare introduced a video about the UTUT Program can be found on the following website:  http://vimeo.com/72717763

Randy Bomer (Professor and Chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction).  UTUT is an effort to get highly qualified people in area where needs are greatest.  Urban teachers need more than the “sink or swim” training, but rather a thorough training.  The design of the program allows participants to learn in the UT classroom and then observe and apply their knowledge through field experiences and student teaching.

Dr. Allison Skerrett (Associate Professor and UTUT Advisor).  Dr. Skerrett oversees the Undergraduate Program in Social Studies and in Language Arts.  The program begins in the summer before a student’s final year.  During the summer the students take two courses and also have an opportunity to gain some field experience in the public school setting.  During the fall students take EDC 370, and are expected to round out their schedule with courses they are finishing up for their major.  For the spring semester, students are expected to have completed their major and will enroll in a full-time professional development/student teaching courses. Doing full-time student teaching.  At the end of spring semester, student will take their Texas Teacher certification test.

Dr. Cinthia Salinas oversees the Masters Program:   This program is designed for student who hold a bachelor’s degree and are already in a professor, as well as for students coming directly out of undergraduate experience.  The program is fall admit only and lasts for two years.  Includes all the components of the undergraduate program, but in addition, students also qualify for English as a Second Language endorsement.

Three of their current students gave their testimonials.

Lucy Griswold (UTUT M.Ed. Social Studies Program);  Lucy said she wanted to be a teacher since the end of her junior year.  She said her background was in Government and Sociology and was seeking a rigorous training program so that she would be prepared to work in an urban school setting and feels the UTUT Program is giving her what she was looking for.

Adalyn Burke (UTUT Undergraduate Program in English/Language Arts).  She was a member of the first undergraduate cohort.  Adalyn liked the emphasis the program puts on social and cultural diversity.  By taking the  first course in the undergraduate program she realized her commitment to social justice.

Josiah Steinle (UTUT M.Ed. Social Studies):  Started actually started while earning his undergraduate degree and appreciated how efficient and effective the program was.  Josiah said the professors were excited that the individuals were part of the program and committed to their success.  He said the courses were discussion-based and allowed him to have access to graduate students doing research in the area.

Dr. Bomer closed the presentation discussing the meaning of urban.  He said people usually picture northeastern cities and that people typically associate urban with images of African American and Latino children, as well as poor White and Asian American children.  From the perspective of the UTUT Program, urban also means areas like the Rio Grande Valley and cities like Manor that have racially and economically diverse populations. He said that UTUT wants to embrace the rich cultural history, linguistics and traditions of an area and build on it rather than replace it.

Q & A:
What high schools do students do their observations/student teaching? Akins, Lanier, Crockett, Travis, Reagan, Del Valle are schools that are used in the Austin area.

Are there plans for using this model for STEM certification?  UTeach Natural Sciences uses some of the same schools as the UTUT Program, so it already incorporates some of the elements of the program.

Could you consider the Management major as an option for majors to target? Yes. If there are any other majors that advisors think might work, please don’t let them know.

What is the Texas certification test like for UTUT students?  The program advisors and faculty coach them to do practice exams and to show them the tools to prepare for the exam.  They also have a bootcamp preparation before the exam.  Last year every student passed the state certification test.

Are there plans for a UTUT program with primary grades?  It is a much more complex with elementary certification because of the content knowledge necessary to get certified.

 

9:15am
Pre-Health Professions Certificate – Anneke Chy

The College of Natural Sciences is now coordinating a Pre-Health Professions Certificate.  Anneke is the person in charge of overseeing the certificate program and getting the website up and running.  Anneke attended to try to give more information about the program.  Lesley Riley and Eirin Gould from the Health Professions Office have worked closely with the college and Anneke in the implementation of this certificate and made themselves available for questions that relate to their role as a resource for students pursuing health professions careers.

There are two tracks for this certificate:

1. CNS Majors:  Certificate is designed to augment their science curriculum with complementary health-themed courses which includes healthcare policy; nutrition; cultural awareness; human and societal development; health and anatomy. vs
2. Other Majors:  Since these students will already have an interdisciplinary perspective through majoring in an area outside of Natural Sciences, their track of the certificate focuses on the science content.

Students who are not majoring in Natural Sciences must apply for admission to the Pre-Health Professions Certificate program after completing the following qualifying courses, earning a minimum GPA of B- in both:

*CH 301

*One course from:  SDS 302, M 316, M 408C, M 408K, M 408N

Students may apply while they are in the progress of taking these courses.  For students who are in progress when they apply, Anneke will check grades for these qualifying courses after grades are posted at the end of the semester.   Application is a Qualtrics Survey and mainly asks for demographic information.

Details regarding certificate requirements can be found on their website:

https://cns.utexas.edu/pre-health-professions-certificate

Students can direct their questions to:  hpcert@ausitn.utexas.edu
Messages sent to this this e-mail address are routed to Anneke.

Anneke will hold walk-in advising for non-Natural Sciences students at the following times:
M-W 9am to 10am.  Students should check in at WCH 1.106.  Anneke currently does not have a phone, but it is forthcoming.

College of Natural Sciences students should work directly with their current Academic Advisor.

Q & A:
Will students outside of the certificate have access to the lower-division science courses?
Yes, at this point they will have access to the lower-division science courses.  However, to take the upper-division courses, should expect that they must be admitted to the certificate program.

Is there a maximum number of students who can be admitted to the certificate program?
There are no limitations to the number of students admitted to the program as long as the students meet the requirements.

How do students get the certificate on their transcript?
Students must complete an application the semester they graduate to get the certificate put onto their transcript.

How is registration handled for these courses?  Will they get a special major code once admitted to the program?
For the lower-division courses, students just proceed as normal during the registration period.  Details are still being worked out for how registration will work for the upper division courses.

Is it still recommended that students take Stats/Calculus, Chemistry and Biology during the same semester?
The College of Natural Science Advisors no longer automatically recommend the “trifecta” of CH 301, BIO 311C and Statistics/Calculus anymore.

The Health Professions Office timelines currently have the “trifecta” on the course sequence.  It this still the recommendation
Lesley Riley, Director of HPO, said that these sequences are made to show students that the courses can be completed, but they echo the recommendation of the Natural Science Advisors that students do not need to take CH 301, BIO 311C and Statistics/Calculus their first semester.  Currently students discover health professions a different times during their academic career, so every student’s timeline looks a little different.  https://cns.utexas.edu/health-professions/health-profession-pathways

Lesley encouraged advisors to send students to them if students have concerns about their GPA or any other issue related to health professions as a career.

HPO will be hosting Information sessions throughout the semester.  Please encourage students to attend.  Anneke will co-present to make sure students have information about the certificate program.
https://cns.utexas.edu/health-professions/new-pre-health-longhorns#hpo-information-sessions-this-fall

 

9:40am
Provost’s Council on Student Advocacy (PCSA) – Ana Dison from the Women In Engineering Program & Phaedra White from Discovery Scholars (PCSA Co-Chairs) 

This committee formed late last fall and had their first meeting in spring 2014.  Membership of the committee is composed of representatives from student success progress on campus, student affairs programs, honors programs, athletics, as well as our ACA President (past, present and future).  PCSA works with the Provosts Office to address issues that deal with access for students (access to classes, to  UT, etc.).  The committee also works with issues related to the Four-Year Graduation Help Desk that is coordinated by Dr.  Cassandre Alvarado.   Last semester approximately 45% of questions were about retro-active withdrawals and/or incomplete grades.

Calendar issues are another topic that PCSA will address, including research on the impact of the last day to add a class being well before the last day to drop a class during the beginning semester registration period.  The current outcome is that many classes go unfilled for the semester.

Ana and Phaedra asked the membership to let them know if there are issues that advisors come across that can be addressed by their committee.

One of their primary goals is to clarify policies on campus.  All situations cannot be handled exactly the same.

In next week advisors should be on the look-out for an anonymous survey the committee is launching in an effort to learn about important issues the committee could address.

Policy:  last day of the next long semester is the deadline.  This policy is hard for students who have extreme issues that go beyond the next semester.

What are some things being done to be pro-active?   Workshops, language, information, websites that help students understand what will happen in crisis situations.

Want to really make change.  Things are happening quickly so this group must make sure they are keeping up and giving feedback before changes are made.

 

9:50am
Announcements/New Members Introductions

Riane Corter from the UT Study Abroad Office introduced Lori Richardson who is their new Program Coordinator.  Lori’s study abroad areas include African, France & Spain.  Riane took the opportunity to remind everyone that October 1^st is the deadline for most spring program.

Cindy Bippert from the McCombs BBA Program Office introduced Shauna Tantarelli who is a graduate intern in Business for the fall, spring and summer.

Richard Hogeda from the College of Education introduced Lily Baldazo who is a new Academic Advisor.

Megan Conner introduced Katherine “Katie” O’Donnell who is the new Academic Advisor in the CLA Advising Center (IRG/SOC/RGR/EVS)

Rob Poyner from the College of Natural Sciences introduced Mei Lai who is a new advisor in Computer Sciences.

Theresa Thomas from the Moody College of Communication announced that Dina Mireles is leaving their college and will be moving to the School of Nursing.

 

Meeting ended at 9:55am.

 

October 2014

Meeting Date: 

October 15, 2014

ACA Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

SAC 2.412 Ballroom

 

Meeting Sponsor:  The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost

8:30am
Welcome from ACA President – Julia Chinnock

Julia welcomed the membership and thanked the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost for providing food for the meeting.

Reminders:  The theme this year is “Relationship Building.”  As a tool to get members to put faces to names, ACA is creating a photo roster.  Julia encouraged members to either submit photos or have a photo taken by our ACA Historian (Sarah McKay) or ACA Treasurer (Josh Barham).  For the ACA photo roster

ACA is still seeking members for our committees.  Some committee are on-going committees (i.e. FUNdraising) and some are event based committees  (i.e. Professional Development Day).  We would love to have you participate.  Members are welcome to contact the committee chairs to learn more about these opportunities:  http://bit.ly/ACAcommitteesignup

 

8:40am
Initiatives in The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
Student Success Initiatives at UT
http://www.utexas.edu/enrollment-management
Featured Presenters:

Carolyn Connerat, Associate Vice Provost
Emily Johnson, Program Coordinator for Student Success Initiatives
Dr. Leonard Moore, Senior Associate Vice President & Professor
Caroline Enriquez, Associate Director of Admissions

Carolyn said that although she is the one speaking at the meeting, it is really Dr. Laude’s vision and his goal of making things happen that she is representing.  The Student Success Initiatives out of the Office of the Provost reach out across campus and all the units.  Every initiative is ultimately about students.  Dr. Laude’s portfolio includes Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, the Center for Teaching & Learning, Student Success Initiatives.

Texas Advance Program initiative:  Dr. Leonard Moore (Senior Associate Vice President & Professor of History) & Caroline Enriquez (Associate Director of Admissions).  The Texas Advance Program is a partnership with Admissions and the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement created by Dr. Laude’s office.
Texas Advance Program is aimed at lower-income students who may traditionally have a harder time funding their education.  The program is not funded by new UT money, but rather discretionary money that has been used for other initiatives.  In the past the scholarships were awarded in March/April and but with this program, scholarships are being awarded in November and December.  The amount is $5000 for 4 years (although some may be higher), to be combined with their financial aid package (most of the students who receive the Texas Advance will also be eligible for Pell grants and other aid).  October 15 is priority deadline.  Eligibility is based on the Apply Texas application and the program uses the self-reported income to put the candidate in the pool of potential recipients.  Essential Texas Advance is a merit-based scholarship for financially needy students.  The administrators are still working out the details.  Students do not submit an additional application.  However, to be fully considered for all other awards, the student needs to submit the Apply Texas Scholarship application, as well as the Texas Exes Scholarship Application.

They have made a push to get potential recipients in the applicant pool by the priority deadline.  At this point they already have 8000 UT applications in (which is up which is up from previously years).  10,000 students were mailed a Texas Advance Program brochure.  The priority deadline is extended until Nov. 3^rd.  Regular deadlines is December 1.
Deadline to submit FASFA is March 15^th.

Challenge:  We need to get students to apply to find out if they’re eligible.  The goal is to make first round announcements of Advance recipients early so that other students can see that UT can be a possibility for them as well.
Dr. Leonard Moore, who is celebrating his 8^th year at Texas, also spoke about the program.  He mentioned a letter he received from “B.W.” (a student who he taught that Dr. Moore characterized as disrespectful and rude).  “B.W.” is now teaching and coaching in Atlanta.  The letter that Brandon sent to Dr. Moore thanked him for being a positive role model in his life.  Dr. Moore said that the students who get you the most excited about our profession are ones who come in with really challenging situations.  He relayed the story of “I.S.” (ULN Student who came through Summer Bridge), who he tried to convince to consider studying abroad.  He really talked to him and made sure he understood that he could do it.  “I.S.” didn’t know how to even buy an airplane ticket, so the ideal of studying abroad did not seem realistic.  “I.S.” ended up getting funding to help him attend a study abroad program in Cape Town, South Africa.  After having this experience, “I.S.” now wants to do the Normandy Scholars Program in France.  He is a first generation college student who will leave UT with possibly two study abroad experiences.

“C.I.” was also in the Cape Town, South Africa program.  Her mother has been in prison since she was 8 years old.  Even against all odds, “C.I.” now has had a study abroad experience too.

The students who don’t understand how the system works; students who came to college against their parent’s wishes, are the students we have the greatest opportunity to impact.

A student in Dr. Moore’s UGS class told him that he has been homeless since 11.  College was the first time he could remember when he knew where he would be sleeping.  There is no price tag on hearing students tell you that you made a difference in their life.    “What we do today echos in eternity.”  The return on what we invest in students from low-income families is infinite.

Other updates:
University Leadership Network
http://www.utexas.edu/enrollment-management/programs/university-leadership-network
ULN is still happening.  Many students who are Advance recipients will also be in University Leadership Network.

President’s Achievement Scholarship
http://www.utexas.edu/enrollment-management/programs/presidents-achievement-scholars
UT is developing a program to give more support to students who receive this scholarship.

 

CARE (Counselors in Academic Residence) Program:
Laurea Dannemaier is the Program Director for this program coordinated by the Counseling and Mental Health Center.
Laura was hired in March and pulled together the program to begin in September.  The program is a collaboration between Provost and CMHC.  The program is designed to support students who are not doing well because of non-academic reasons.  So many issues prevent their success that has nothing to do with their academic skills.

CARE Counselors are housed in several of the colleges/units on campus including Cockrell School of Engineering, Natural Sciences, McCombs School of Business, Moody College of Communication, Undergraduate Studies, Liberal Arts, and the Division of Housing and Food.  The CARE Counselors do workshops in groups; attend FIGs; provide one-on-one counseling; serve as consultants and support the staff in the colleges.  They provide general information about mental health issues so that advisors have better knowledge.  The also provide training for staff (i.e. recognizing suicidal thinking), and offer crisis support by working with advisors who are working with students in crisis.  Students can be walked to the CARE Advisor instead of all the way to the CMHC.

Noe Gonzales gave a testimonial about how he used Abby, the CARE Counselor in Communication, who presented in FIG and helped a student experience stress with taking care of his mother back home.

 

Major Switch Program, Emily Johnson
http://www.utexas.edu/enrollment-management/programs/major-switch
Designed to help struggling STEM students who are first semester students.  The program allows delete drop of 2-3 STEM classes.  To take advantage of this, the student must complete paperwork to transfer to non-STEM major.  94% of students who participated in Major Switch last year have persisted at UT.  In comparison, 65% of students who declined Major Switch last year persisted.   The student are allowed to delete drop their STEM courses and add non-technical science and math courses.  The students also complete paperwork to switch to the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Undergraduate Studies.  During registration these students will meet with advisors in their new college.  To initiate the program, students work with their Academic Advisor (they must be failing at least 2 STEM courses).  Academic Advisors know their students best and can have an honest conversation with the students about whether or not the program is beneficial to them based on their academic goals.  College change paperwork is processed this semester for the switch to happen next semester (20152).

What about students who are not in STEM majors?  Major Switch is available to all students, but the student must be in 2 or 3 STEM classes that are part of the list (found on website).

Numbers?  About 111 were eligible last year.  38 students took advantage of the program.

Academic Advisors were asked to encourage their students to utilize Vick Center if the student is no longer sure of their major.

Advisors asked the Major Switch program to please encourage STEM instructors to submit mid-semester grades in time for students to take advantage of the program.

 

Four Year Help Desk
www.utexas.edu/students/4-year-help-desk

Started in the spring 2014 semester.  It is for all students, including seniors.  The goal is also to be supportive of advisors.

Diana Sanchez oversees the questions and works directly with Dr. Laude.  The 4-Year Help Desk is another tool for advisors and students.

62 students contacted them last year.  There was a rescheduled because of snow date and the professor didn’t want them to take the test at that time because of a funeral.  The Help Desk told the professor that he would need to allow the students to take the test.
Althnough some students claim mis-advising as a reason for their need for assistance, through the Help Desk investigations, only a handful of situations where actually mis-advising.  In most situations, the Helpline encourages the students to follow the exact advice the Academic Advisor gave them.

Progress to Degree update:

The progress to degree bar on IDA.  The reports regarding Class of 17 should be coming soon.  Based on the student’s declared academic profile, freshmen in the Class of 17 should be 37.5% complete at this point (full first year, the summer, and the current semester).

 

Utexas.edu & Student Portal
There is a planned redesign of utexas.edu in the works.  The goal is to make it responsive and easily navigable on hand-held devices such as smart phones and tablets.  Should be responsive and should work on phones.  The big change is that the main UT page will be for prospective students and the Portal will be used for current students, faculty and staff.

The portal will replace UTDirect.  Anything behind a UTEID will be part of the Portal (i.e. Canvas, calendars, etc.).  Carolyn showed the portal used at Florida State University as an example.  The portal  will be customized to students based on their classification, major, etc.
Jody Couch is overseeing this process.

The portal will have a way to emulate what a student sees so that Advisors can better direct them to resources on-line.   It will have alerts for the students.

 

9:40am
UTeach Liberal Arts – ESOL
http://www.utexas.edu/cola/progs/uteach/internationaloutreachprograms/teachenglishabroad.phpSpeaker:  Rose Potter, Clinical Assistant Professor

The College of Liberal Arts UTeach Program established this program to give participants and opportunity to teach English as a second language and to augment the experience by having them do a component of the program abroad.

Employers like teachers. Employers know that teachers come with the ability to read an audience and to create a plan.

Designed a program for students who are not pursuing education degrees but would like to have the opportunity to teach English to non-native speakers abroad.  The program allows the participants to develop a very special set of skills.  This is a summer program consisting of 3 weeks.  The program encompasses teaching pedagogy, doing observations, as well as teaching English as a second language.  For the abroad portion of the program, participants fly to Korea or Mexico to actually put into practice what they’ve learned in the classroom.  Mentor teachers from the host country college assists the program assistants in how to teach English in their particular country.

Prof. Potter commented that working with international students is mind-broadening beyond anything a person can experience.

Program participants can be UT or non-UT affiliated.  Dec 2^nd is the deadline.

 

9:50am
Announcements/New Members Introductions

Mickey Gonzales announced Dina Mireles as the new Senior Academic Advisor in Nursing.

Cierra Anderson introduced Daniel Ach. a new Program Coordinator in the International Office Study Abroad.  He will work with students going to Central Europe and the Middle East.

The Business Foundations Summer Institute is holding information sessions for interested students.  Liana Curtis is the contact.

Wellness Network All-Member meeting is Friday, October 31^st from 11am to 1pm in Gregory Gym.

Kayla Ford/Justin Brady are the new co-chairs for the ACA Mentor Program. The ACA Mentor Program is being rebranded as ACA Pods – “A Community of Advisors.”  The co-chairs want to give everyone an opportunity to participate.  Participating forms will go out Monday, Nov. 10^th., and will be due Wednesday, Dec 10^th.  Participants will be grouped in Pods and ready for their initial Pod Community meeting in January.

Matthew Haynes (R.O.A.D. co-chair):  NACADA Brown will be in GAR 1.126 on October 15^th from 12pm to 1pm.  This is an opportunity for members who went to NACADA to share information about their experiences.  Please bring your own lunch.

Jay Guevara (ACA Holiday Party co-chair):  This year’s Holiday Party Planning Committee is being chaired by Yesenia Sanchez and Jay Guevara.  Anyone who wants to participate in planning this event is invited to attend the first meeting today (October 15^th) at 12pm in CBA 2.304.

Julia Chinnock (on behalf of Jessica Hust, Chair of the ACA Awards and Recognition Committee):  Awards and recognition Committee will be sending out announcements for the upcoming NACADA Awards.

Sarah McKay:  please take your photo for the ACA photo roster.  Members can also send in pictures directly to Sarah.

Erin Waneck invited people to Toastmaster.

ACA Executive Committee for 2014-2015
Julia Chinnock – President
Noe Gonzales – President Elect
Gina Higby & Emily Schroeder – Co-Vice Presidents/Program Chairs
Josh Barham – Treasurer
Lovelys Powell – Secretary
Sarah McKay – Historian
Eric Carter – Communications Coordinator

Next Meeting:  Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Meeting ended at 9:58am.   Minutes taken by ACA Secretary Lovelys Powell

November 2014

Meeting Date: 

November 18, 2014

ACA Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, November 18, 2014

SAC 2.412 Ballroom

 

Meeting Sponsor:  The Office of Sustainability

8:25am
Welcome from ACA President – Julia Chinnock

Julia welcomed the membership to the meeting and “winter” in Texas.

Announcement from International Office (look for e-mail).  For I CLR deadline has been extended to the last class day for International Students ONLY.

Very special thanks to the Office of Sustainability for sponsoring our meeting and providing breakfast.

8:30am
Initiatives in the Office of Sustainability
http://www.utexas.edu/sustainability/
Featured Presenters:
Jennifer Hobson:  Zero Waste Coordinator
Jim Walker:  Director of Sustainability
Karen Blaney:  Program Coordinator:  Operations
Claire Moore: Human Resource Wellness Manager
Grace Hsieh:  Energy & Waste Conservation)
Alice Gerhard:  Program Coordinator:  Academics (was not able to make the meeting but helped arrange the meeting)

This meeting was designed to be a Zero Waste Event.

Sustainability has slowly lost its initial meaning over the years and is nnot always related to environment issues.

In our context we are talking about it from a resources perspective.  Will there be enough for everyone today and future?
“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein

UT Core Purpose:  “To transform lives for the benefit of society.”

We seek to identify and understand the emerging concerns of society through research and teaching.  We prepare leaders to shape the future with sound, ethical decision-making and new ideas.

The campus serves as a “living laboratory” that facilitates research and learning, as well as demonstrates best practices.

Many initiatives began years ago.  Recycling paper 15 years ago.

It was a student initiative to start can and bottle recycling as well as the “Trash to Treasure” program.

The Green Fee referendum was approved by students in 2010.   The referendum is in the last cycle and there will be a referendum to renew.  Funds are available for sustainability projects based on proposals presented to a committee.

Environmental Studies degree was approved in 2010.

Office of Sustainability was expanded in 2011.

Office of Sustainability:
Advance ideas and programs that transfer the physical, social and educational environments of campus for the enduring benefit of society and the planet.

Goal: UT Austin Zero Waste initiative:  by Aug 31, 2020, UT Austin will divert 90% of the total waste stream from landfill using a variety of methods including refuse and recycling.  Jennifer Hobson is the coordinators for this program.

Claire Moore – HealthPoint Wellness Program out of Human Resources; their goals/mission overlap with the Office of Sustainability.   http://www.utexas.edu/hr/current/wellness/
HealthPoint Wellness Program Goal:  To improve the health and quality of life for UT Austin Faculty and staff.

Programs for Staff/Faculty:
Farm to Work program:  $20  (pick-up sites:  San Jacinto Breezeway;  SSB; Pickle)  Order online by Mondays at 5pm. http://www.utexas.edu/hr/documents/ftw_flyer.pdf

UT has been a Tobacco-Free Campus since April 2013.

Getting Involved:  Wellness Champions (group) http://www.wellnessnetwork.utexas.edu/workgroups.html

*Healthy Dining Workgroup
*Farm-to-Work Committee (how to make the program better)
*Healthy Meeting guidelines

Grace Hsieh (Energy Steward) is actually part of Facilities Operations & Maintenance of UT and focuses on energy use in the libraries, classrooms, offices and University Unions.  Goals for Fiscal Year 2020:

17% reduction in Energy Utilization Index (EUI)  since 2009.  Since 2009 UT has been able to save $17.4 million based on this reduction in energy use.

HVAC Scheduling:  65% of buildings are now on digital monitoring.  Scheduling for holidays like Thanksgiving and Winter saves UT a huge amount of money.

Retro-Commissioning:  see if buildings are running the way they were designed.  Belo Media; Gates-Dell Complex

Behavioral Programs:
Horns Up Sash Down:  Close your sash (hooded windows) in labs

Longhorns Lights Out:  Volunteer program where staff and faculty are encouraged to turn off lights.
There have been 12 Longhorns Lights Out events.
Encouraged to:  Log off computers; Stay Secure; Save Energy

Conservation Conversations: talk more about issues and how to get more people involved.

Academic Directory for Sustainability:  serves as a user-friendly online search engine designed to communicate the scope and strength of the university’s academic offering with regard to sustainability. The directory presents faculty-staff profiles, research initiatives, courses, degree programs and curriculum, as well as centers and institutes with a sustainability-focus. Designed for multiple on and off campus audiences.

http://www.utexas.edu/sustainability/directory/

Directory upgrades:  better information from the Office of the Registrar; better sorting features; exploring how to track sustain ability-related research dollars; how directory can be useful for you and your students.

Q/A:
How much is the Green Fee? ($5/semester)
Can an office sign up for compost bins?  No, because there is not a way to figure out the logistics
Does your office work with Landscape/Grounds-Keeping services?  Yes, but the South Mall has a tradition that also needs to be maintained.
if the goal is 90%, where are we now?  We don’t have a way to assess everything yet.  Of the things we can weigh, we are about 30%-40%.
We are a single-stream recycling, even though they are all labeled separately.  No food in the recycling bins please.

9:10am
Bridging Disciplines Program – School of Undergraduate Studies
http://www.utexas.edu/ugs/bdp
Speaker:  Emily Watson (Program Coordinator for BDPs)

The Bridging Disciplines Programs (BDPs) at The University of Texas at Austin allow undergraduates to earn an interdisciplinary certificate through a course of study that integrates classroom, research, and internship experiences.  After completing 19 credit hours of coursework, research, and internship experiences, students earn a certificate demonstrating a secondary area of specialization that complements the major.

Christine Anderson (BDPs & Archer Coordinator)

Lauren Contreras (BDPs)

Rose Mastrangelo (BDPs)

Administration:  Celeste Middleton (Administrative Assoc.); Jeanette Herman (Assistant Dean)

Name Changes for some of the BDPs: will go into effect in new catalog (2016-2018)

Media, Culture & Identities
Ethics & Leadership in Business
Ethics & Leadership in Health Care
Ethics & Leadership in the Media
Ethics & Leadership in Law, Politics & Government.

Restricted to degree-seeking students.  Need at least 2 semesters to complete the program.  Freshmen can apply.   Must be in good academic standing (minimum 2.0 GPA).  Faculty Panel may have higher standards for GPA, but it is not an honors program.

Connecting Experiences (experiential learning aspect of the program).  Internships, Research, Creative Projects.  They can be done outside of Austin (including during a study abroad experience).

Integrate BDP with a major.  Looking for an additional area of specialization.  Should not add additional time on to their degree.  Courses taken prior to admission can be counted.  Students can petition courses that are not formally part of the curriculum.  Through Connecting Experiences (internships, honors thesis) the requirement can overlap with an already existing requirement.

Program size:  approximately 500 students are in the program; 45-50% complete the certificate

Application Deadlines:  October & March

Applicants meet individually with advisor to meet review applications and refine their application before the Faculty Panel reviews the applications (October/November or March/April)

Information Sessions:  Tuesdays 11am or Wednesdays at 3pm in FAC 4;  After attending an info session students can meet with an advisor individually.

Contact Information:  bdp@austin.utexas.edu  512-232-7564

 

9:25am
Wellness Network
http://www.wellnessnetwork.utexas.edu/
Speakers:  Frances Nguyen (UHS Health Promotion Coordinator) & Katy Redd (Prevention and Outreach for the Counseling and Mental Health Center)

A campus-wide coalition committed to the assessing and addressing the health and wellness needs of students, staff and faculty in a holistic manner.

A healthy choice is an easy choice.

Academic:  link between health and academic success

Environment We are only as healthy as the environment in which we live

Work together to create a healthier UT

Mental Health Promotion Committee:

Working toward initiatives that promotes:  mindfulness, expressing gratitude; social connectedness; resilience; personal growth & life-purpose discovery; seal-acceptance; creativity and play.

BeVOCAL:  The Bystander Intervention Initiative of UT.  Being an active bystander.  Not creating new program, but utilizing already available resources and unifying them.

Healthy Dining Workgroup:  designated healthy vending machines (8 or 9 machines).  Stocked with a certain percentage

5 workgroups and committees:

High-risk Drinking Prevention issues-based committee

Healthy Dining Work Group

Mental Health Promotion Committee

Hazing Prevention Work Group

Member Engagement Work Group

What’s in it for me?  Place for Professional Development; networking; can suggest work groups on topics that are important to you; contribute to a cultural shift at UT

Ways to get involved?
sign up on the website:  http://www.wellnessnetwork.utexas.edu/
Wellnessnetwork@uhs.utexas.edu
Hold all-members meetings once per semester;  join the listserv; join a sub-committee

9:40am
ACA Pods
Speakers:  Kayla Ford & Justin Brady

Kayla Ford/Justin Brady are the new co-chairs for the ACA Mentor Program. The ACA Mentor Program is being rebranded as ACA Pods – “A Community of Advisors.”  The co-chairs want to give everyone an opportunity to participate.  Participating forms are out now and will be due Wednesday, Dec 10^th.  Participants will be grouped in Pods and ready for their initial Pod Community meeting in January.   Pod leaders and Pod participants.  Pod leaders do not have to be long-serving members.
Vision:  ACA is a large group and even after being in ACA for a while, it is hard to get to know the other members.  This is an opportunity to get to know the ACA Community.
In December Justin and Kayla will match the applicants into their Pod groups.

9:45am
Undergraduate Research – School of Undergraduate Studies
utexas.edu/ugs/our Speaker:  Rob Reichle

Undergraduate Research in the School of Undergraduate Studies.  Goal is to assist students in getting involved in research with faculty and on their own.

Information sessions on a weekly basis:  Wednesdays at 1pm and 4pm in FAC 332.  Students are also able to make individual Advising appointments (512-471-7152)

Programs:

EUREKA!:  on-line database on faculty research projects (a good first stop) http://www.utexas.edu/research/eureka/

Research Week:  Will be held April 20-24, 2015.   Opportunity for different groups to present their research to the university community.  It is not just STEM research, but all kinds of research.  Research Bazaar happens during this week.
Goal:  increase amount of research in Liberal Arts and Humanities and Communications.

Can help students find research opportunities?

Can help student guide the contact with faculty

Can give students resources on how to get published.

 

9:55am
Announcements/New Members Introductions

The ACA FUNdraising Committee, in conjunction with the ACA Pod Program is hosting a November Traditions Potluck on Wednesday, November 19^th at 12pm in CBA 3.304.  Bring a dish and bring a friend.

Lexi Losch & Beth Andre:  Please submit topic proposals for Professional Development Day.  This is a good way to debut professional development topics that can later be presented at NACADA.

Noe Gonzales introduced  Jennifer Foster & Shannon-A’lyce Oulds who are the new Academic Advisors in the Moody College of Communication.

UGS Vick Center:  Kelly Frazer is a new Academic Advisor in the Vick Center – School of Undergraduate Studies

Philip Butler is the new Program Coordinator in the College of Liberal Arts working with Student Success initiatives.

Jay Guevara:  The ACA Holiday Party will take place on the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 10^th from 8:30am to 10:30am in NHB 1.720.   Breakfast Tacos, breakfast beverages and other breakfast foods will be served.  We will also play games and do a special white elephant gift exchange.  The Philanthropy this year will be Breakthrough Austin and Family Eldercare.  Please see the website for more details:  http://acaholidayparty2014.splashthat.com/

Josh Barham (ACA Treasurer):  Thank you for paying your dues!

 

ACA Executive Committee for 2014-2015
Julia Chinnock – President
Noe Gonzales – President Elect
Gina Higby & Emily Schroeder – Co-Vice Presidents/Program Chairs
Josh Barham – Treasurer
Lovelys Powell – Secretary
Sarah McKay – Historian
Eric Carter – Communications Coordinator

 

Next ACA Event:  ACA Holiday Party – Winter Wonderland on Wednesday, December 10, 2014

 

Next Meeting:  Wednesday, January 14, 2015

 

Meeting ended at 9:58am.   Minutes taken by ACA Secretary Lovelys Powell

January 2015

Meeting Date: 

January 14, 2015

ACA Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

SAC 2.412 Ballroom

 

Meeting Sponsor:  The School of Information

8:25am
Welcome from ACA President – Julia Chinnock

Julia welcomed the membership to the first meeting of the semester. “Chilly Texas winter”

Julia reminded the membership that the School of Nursing is offering wellness coaching for free from their Graduate Students.  If you are interested, please fill out the information below and return it to: hcuevas@mail.nur.utexas.edu

Emily Schroeder, ACA Co-Program Chair/Vice President, introduced the first speakers and thanked the School of Information for hosting the meeting and providing breakfast treats.

8:30am
The School of Information (aka iSchool)
https://www.ischool.utexas.edu
Featured Presenters:
Dr. Andrew Dillon, Dean of the School of Information
Tara Iagulli , Director of Career Services
Joel Lang, recent graduate from the School of Information

What advisors should know about the iSchool
“Best kept secret on campus.”  Regardless of student’s backgrounds there are opportunities for them in the iSchool.  Graduates have phenomenal placement opportunities.  Employers ask the iSchool why they aren’t seeing more graduates from UT?  Dean Dillon said that typically the Texas community doesn’t always look at the UT iSchool as an option, when in fact it is a great way to leverage their rigorous undergraduate education into a program offered by the iSchool.  The iSchool only does face-to-face education courses in their graduate program.  They feel this is important because the iSchool looks at technological issues through the lens of human and social issues, so the in classroom interaction is essential.  Students do not need a computer science background to be successful.  Humanities and Liberal Arts are great foundations.
Top-ranked: Top 5 national program.  Diverse faculty from a variety of academic backgrounds.  It is a two year program consisting of 40 credits.  The school is currently working on reducing the credits.  They are located at 1616 Guadalupe (across from the Clay Pit).  They have very selective admissions.  “Boutique” experience.  Want a graduate degree that almost guarantees a job.  The iSchool is working with Computer Sciences to launch an integrated 5 year (Bachelors of Science in Computer Science & Masters of Science in Information Studies).

Undergraduates need to know that there are opportunities for Information School graduate studies here at UT. Dean considers all UT undergraduates as awesome candidates for their program.

The iSchool currently has dual degree programs with:   the Law School, Women and Gender Studies, Latin American Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Global Policy Studies, and Public Affairs

Labs:  utilize User Experience (UX) and Information Architecture, Dig Architecture, IR, Conservation

The iSchool has a dedicated career development office.  “We can’t produce enough graduates.”

“One degree, limitless opportunities”
Approximately 300 students. Currently the population is predominantly female (about 75%).

Tara Iagulli: Director of Career Development at the School of Information.
Help students achieve their goals.  Also serves as an academic advisor for many of the students.  Meaningful career component is huge.  Meaningful preventative mental health – academic advising.  One of few graduate schools with a dedicated career office.

Book Recommendation for other advisors:  “The Defining Decade” – what people need to be doing in their 20s.

Based on data gathered from iSchool graduates, they are in the 90^th percentile for job satisfaction, which is double the national average.

Student populations of iSchool:  75% female, 25% male.

A very active organization within the iSchool is AWIT, which stands for Advocating for Women in Technology.  They host on-going events that some undergraduates may benefit from attending.  https://blogs.ischool.utexas.edu/awit/about/

Undergraduate majors represented in the iSchool graduation population (as of 2013):  Humanities (45%); Social Sciences (14%); Fine Arts (14%); Language & Linguistics (10%); Communication (5%); Natural Science (4%); Information Science (4%); Business (2%); Engineering (2%).

Fields of Study for iSchool students:  Librarianship, Archives Enterprise, Records Management, Social Informatics, Digital Humanities, Legal Information Services, Data Analytics

Upon graduation, 35% go into libraries; 65% go to other industries

Endless Opportunities:  Interdisciplinary Program + Diversity of Students + Experiential Learning Opportunities = Adaptive Competence

Tara gave a handout with job titles in variety of areas.

Joel Lang, a 2009 alum from the iSchool spoke about his journey to the iSchool.   He said the iSchool degree is a growth accelerator.  To hear more about his story, got to:  https://www.ischool.utexas.edu/people/alum_profiles/joel_lang

The iSchool is hosting an Open House on Friday, May 8^th from 12pm to 3pm

https://www.ischool.utexas.edu

For colleges that allow it, there are enough INF courses for students to earn a minor in Information Studies.

 

(scheduled for 9:15am)
University Compliance Services – Jennifer Hammat, Institutional Title IX Coordinator/Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, had to cancel due to illness.
We will try to get handouts through e-mail.

 

9:30am
Fitness Institute of Texas
http://www.edb.utexas.edu/education/departments/khe/aflprogs/fit/programs/getfit/
Speaker:  Rachel Watson

Get FIT is a 12 week program for fitness, weight loss program consisting of exercise classes, nutrition education, and behavior change strategies.  3 days/week of exercise.   Offered in spring, summer, and fall.

Reasons people don’t exercise
-No time: Get FIT actually happens 5 times/per day:  6am, 7am, 12pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm
-Gym is too far/no resources
-Too expensive:  This institute is only $289 for 36 exercise classes.  Less than $6/class
-No motivation: This institute provides social support

Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry
-Body Composition Analysis
-Pre/Post Assessment included ($180 value)

Classes:
StartFIT:  small group of no more than 8 participants; more individually focused; for those with no or little fitness background or injuries

GetFIT 1 & 2: Group classes of no more than 25 people

StretchFIT: once/week

FIT to Eat:  Discussion of food intake and how to improve

FIT to the Core:  understanding the importance of the core.

 

9:40am
Liberal Arts Information Technology Services
Speaker:  Dr. James Henson, Associate Director of Liberal Arts Information Technology Services

Live Online Courses:  these are courses that are completely on-line, streamed live at specifically scheduled times (like other UT classes), specifically for UT students who register using the main UT registration system.

These courses are delivered via Canvas and consist of varied forms of live interaction (i.e. chats, quizzes, exercises, more)

Current Courses available in this format:
-GOV 310L American Government
-GOV 312L US Foreign Policy
-PSY 301 Intro to Psychology
-PSY 346 Psychology of Sex
-ECO 304K Microeconomics

Student Support
They complete mandatory tutorial modules for each course.

There is dedicated user support specifically for these Live On-line Courses

Teaching Assistants for these classes receive specific training on the format of these courses.

Early notification in Canvas:  students enrolled in one of these courses receive a notification before classes begin making sure the student understand they signed up for an on-line course

Additional points brought up in discussion:
Provost Office is currently working to create some policies to govern the on-line courses that have been created.

Discussion on issues related to scholastic dishonesty in the on-line courses.

9:50am
Announcements/New Members Introductions

Because our speakers went over time, there was no time for announcements at this meeting.

 

ACA Executive Committee for 2014-2015
Julia Chinnock – President
Noe Gonzales – President Elect
Gina Higby & Emily Schroeder – Co-Vice Presidents/Program Chairs
Josh Barham – Treasurer
Lovelys Powell – Secretary
Sarah McKay – Historian
Eric Carter – Communications Coordinator

 

Next ACA Event:  ACA/APSA Professional Development Day:  Thursday, February 12, 2015 in Texas Union

Next ACA Meeting:  Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at 8:15am in SAC Ballroom North

Meeting ended at 10:00am.   Minutes taken by ACA Secretary Lovelys Powell

 

March 2015

Meeting Date: 

March 4, 2015

ACA Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

SAC 2.412 Ballroom

 

Meeting Sponsor:  UGS Vick Center for Strategic Advising and Career Counseling

Emily Schroeder, ACA Co-Program Chair/Vice President, thanked the School of Undergraduate Studies Center for Strategic Advising and Career Counseling for hosting the meeting and providing breakfast treats.

8:25am
Welcome from ACA President – Julia Chinnock

Julia welcomed the membership to our March Meeting.
She spent a few minutes highlighting the ACA website including the ACA Photo Roster.  She encouraged members to play around with the website to see how it can be used as a resource.

Congratulations to our new President-Elect Sarah McKay who was elected in the Special Election to fill the vacated seat of Noe Gonzales (who left campus to work in the private sector).

Sarah said a few words of thanks.  Sarah’s birthday was on Monday and had taken the day off, so she got to accept the position wearing her pajamas and eating birthday cake.  Sarah is excited to be working with the ACA through all the transitions in store for our university.  Thank you.

8:30am
The School of Undergraduate Studies Vick Center for Strategic Advising and Career Counseling
Featured Presenter: David Spight, Assistant Dean UGS
http://www.utexas.edu/ugs/

David Spight began by congratulating Sarah McKay for her election as President-Elect.  David, who was once her supervisor, said she is an amazing professional and person.
David also gave a special thanks to Melva Harbin for organizing and delivering the food.

David was recently sworn in as the new NACADA President.  He encouraged everyone to show up to Las Vegas for the national NACADA October 4 – 7.

Lastly, David said thanks for all that academic advisors do in implementing the decisions that are made by administrators. Advisors do the most valuable work on campus.

8:40am
UGS: Texas Success Initiative
Featured Presenter: Hillary Procknow (Program Coordinator)
http://www.utexas.edu/ugs/tsi

TSI Changes:
Two policy changes for fall 2015 after a student completes his/her developmental math courses, they must take their Math for credit course the immediate long semester after they complete the developmental course.  A student cannot take a Quantitative Reasoning course until they have completed the Developmental course.  The same is true with the Writing Flag – student making not take a course with a Writing Flag until completing Developmental Reading/Writing.

Students who do not have the SAT scores necessary can take a NCBO (Non-Course Based Options).  They sign up for RHE 306 w/ DEV 000W (concurrently).

HB 5 was passed which reduced the number of exams for graduating high school students (removed Algebra II and English III, which were used to exempt a student from TSI).  This means that this year we will have more students who don’t meet the TSI cut-off and will have to take the TSI Assessment on the third day of orientation.

8:40am
UGS: Core Curriculum Issues
Featured Presenter: Jennifer Morgan, UGS Core Czar (Senior Program Coordinator)
https://www.utexas.edu/ugs

Possible new courses being added to the core (have already been proposed):

AFR 302M (to satisfy Mathematics Core Area/cross-listed with SDS 310T)

GEO 302P (to satisfy Science and Technology, part 1)

C S 303E & EE 302 (to satisfy Science & Technology, part 2)

ARC 309W, ARC 342C (proposed to add to Visual & Performing Arts)

Documentation from Faculty Council:
http://www.utexas.edu/faculty/council/2014-2015/legislation/core_curriculum_updates.html

Changing Catalog Issues:
Remove Core Course list from catalog and instead input 3-digit codes in the course inventory.  If a student takes a course when it is marked with a core 3-digit code, it will follow-them as satisfying that core requirement no matter which catalog they move to in the future.
Core courses are being moved to General Information catalog so it can be updated annually.

In fall 2016, the core codes will be identified in the Course Schedule.

Core Attributes will follow students through changes.
Core will be Core for every student sitting in the same classroom.

Eventually this change will speed up the degree audit system because it won’t have to read through lists.  Instead the programming can have the IDA look for the core attribute number.

This new method will be more easily transferrable to whatever new system the university chooses.

Core course lists can be updated and core attributes will be added in the inventory each year in the fall for the following fall semester.

 

9:10am
UGS:  First-Year Experience Office
Speaker:  Patty Micks
http://www.edb.utexa

All of this will also be e-mailed as pdf.

Signature Course FAQs.
Don’t send students to the faculty to add a UGS after the 4^th class day.

Petitions are part of the Core and so they must go through Jen Morgan’s area.  If a student is core complete, for example, and want to be exempt from UGS course, they must talk to core curriculum office, not FYE.

There are still some Signature Courses that have some seats reserved for students who are not first year students.

During the April registration period, if a course is open, it is open.  If it is closed, it is being held for summer orientation.

Students not in their first year, will be required to call the Signature Course office during their registration time and they can be added over the phone.

During the summer, there are not special sections for students outside of their first year.  However, if a student is not in their first year, they will need to work with Signature Course office to get in.

FIGs:
This year there will be about 5000 freshmen participating in FIGs.
Advocating for fall 2016 that the discussions for UGS 303 courses should move to 20 students per section instead of 17.

Patty introduced the FYE Staff:   Kristen Wines, Josephine Bibby, Michelle Weichold, Andrea Gonzalez, Lisa Valdez. The staff is available to help.

 

9:40am
College of Natural Sciences – Internal Transfer Process
Speaker:  Sean Smith, Coordinator for First-Year Advising

New policy in the College of Natural Science.  In the past it was an open college.  Since 2008 the college has exploded in size without faculty increase.  When this new policy was implemented, not much was available to advisors, but now it is easily available.

24 hours in residence (acceptable course substitution for students who place out or take the following in transfer):
Math course (M 408C
2 sciences (BIO 311C, 311D; CH 301, 302)

They want students to move forward.  There are acceptable course substitution based on the major the student is considering.

There is also an essay due.  How will added the major help the student reach their educational and career goals.

Students can attend an option Internal Transfer Session to get more info (RSVP on line).  They go over the process.  They also have an available e-mail address students can use cns.internal.transfer@austin.utexas.edu

If advisors have questions, they should e-mail Sean directly.

Application is a pretty simple process.  Students should read the directions first because it lets them know the essay prompt and they can just paste it in once they open the application.

Deadline:  April 15
Notification:  June 15

Students are applying for a specific major, not to the whole college,

Appeal process for 4 semester, 60 hour rule.  If a student is beyond the lower limits, they will have to appeal and show that they can still graduate on time to be considered.

There is not a set GPA requirement at this point. There is no historical information to go by.  It will be pretty competitive.

Currently half the applications are for Computer Sciences.

Students need to appear to be dedicated to the curriculum and should go beyond the minimums if they can.

What courses can I take prior to acceptance?
The list is divided into each of the majors.  It shows what courses all the majors within the department take.

They are still figuring things out.

What if they are interested in two different majors?
The student can only apply to one major (one application per student).

Essay, how much weight will it have if it is a GPA driven system?
It isn’t GPA driven, but GPA will be important.  The essay will play a part of process, but the college hasn’t done this yet so they don’t know.

BSA vs. BA vs. BS on application?
It will not make a difference

Simultaneous majors vs. major changes.  Does it make a difference?
At this point, only if by doing the change it limits their options for graduating on time.

For students who have already earned a degree, will it still be an option?
They usually come back with a specific purpose and direction, so these students will not be eliminated from the process.  They will still have an opportunity to apply.

For majors that were initially restricted (i.e. Computer Sciences), does it have a different process to apply?
All NS major will be using the same “internal transfer” application EXCEPT Environmental Sciences, which will continue to use their own process.  .

 

9:10am
ACA Pod Program
Speaker:  Justin Brady &
http://www.edb.utexas.edu/education/departments/

All-Pod Event: Thursday 3pm to 4pm

Pods have been meeting and things are going great.

How do I join the Pod Program?  There is a Pod that has not formed yet and people can still join the Pod.

 

9:50am
Announcements/New Members Introductions

Sanger Learning Center:  Laura Weingarten brought postcards to advertise services available in Sanger.

David Spight:  Sanger does not do Career Counseling.  The Career Counseling is part of the Vick Center for Strategic Advising and Career Counseling

Melva Harbin (UGS):  Introduced Lorena Ramos who was formerly at the University of Texas at El Paso

Anna Tapsak:  ROAD Event:  Common Reading tomorrow (Wednesday) at 2pm.  Article is available in the UT Box – ROAD.  About the transition from high school to college.

Kristen Anton (PACE):  ACC/UT Event is Thursday, March 5^th.  She will be in contact based on weather delays.

Sean Smith:  Introduced Jane Marie Agnew as a new advising in the First-Year Advising Center

Jen Morgan:  Kate Jolie will be part of the degree auditing system

Malik Crowder:  Announced he is now a Program Coordinator at the Multicultural Engagement Center which is part of the Division of Diversity & Community Engagement.  Please send students to MEC who want to engage in social justice issues.  Come by and visit the MEC in SAC 1.102
http://ddce.utexas.edu/multiculturalengagement/

Tepera Holman:  University Leadership Network is looking for proposals for internships for their ULN students.  Please contact him if you have questions.

Justin Brady:  Introduced Kristen Kessel and Amanda Golden who are new to the Engineering Student Services.

Jessica Hust:  announced the applications for ACA Staff Professional Development and Student Scholarships (up to $300) are available.

FUNdraising Committee:  Gina Higby:  There is still time to donate to the Scholarship Fund and they will then deliver a goody back to a person of your choice.

March 24 (Tuesday Adult Night) from 7pm to 10pm for Skate Night

Look for the April 9^th Happy Hour

Community Service Project will also happen this semester.

 

Emily Watson:  BDP application is now on-line.

 

ACA Executive Committee for 2014-2015
Julia Chinnock – President
Noe Gonzales – President Elect
Gina Higby & Emily Schroeder – Co-Vice Presidents/Program Chairs
Josh Barham – Treasurer
Lovelys Powell – Secretary
Sarah McKay – Historian
Eric Carter – Communications Coordinator

 

Next ACA Event:  N/A

Next ACA Meeting:  Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 8:15am in SAC Ballroom North

Meeting ended at 9:45am.   Minutes taken by ACA Secretary Lovelys Powell

 

April 2015

Meeting Date: 

April 8, 2015

ACA Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

SAC 2.412 Ballroom

 

Meeting Sponsor:  International Office | Study Abroad

8:30am
Welcome from ACA President – Julia Chinnock

Julia Chinnock, thanked the International Office | Study Abroad for hosting the meeting and providing breakfast treats.

Julia welcomed the membership to our April Meeting.

 

8:30am
International Office | Study Abroad 
Featured Presenter: Monya Lemery
http://world.utexas.edu/abroad

Excited to see everyone.  Heather Thompson lost her voice so Monya Lemery came in her stead.  Monya is the Associate Director of Study Abroad.

Staffing Updates:
Heather Thompson, Director
Monya Lemery, Assoc. Director
Arelis Palacios, Assist. Director for Program Development [Dan Siefken, Rebekah Junkermeier, Laura Kaplan, Christian Fredericks] Curtiss Stevens, Assist. Director of Advising [Mona Syed, Riane Corter, Sierra Anderson, Daniel Ach, Lori Richardson] Margaret Storm McCullers, Curriculum Integration and Special Projects Coordinator

Specialist:  IT, Curriculum Integration, Health & Safety

What we’re working on:

3000 students abroad/year.  2^nd largest number in the nation.  400 programs in 80 different countries.

18,000 courses in the mycreditabroad database https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/abroad/credit/list/nlogon/

Key Initiatives:  Reaching out to students who don’t normally study abroad
First generation in college students:  20% of students; created scholarships to make it a more doable reality.  Hutchison Scholarship was created and awarded to students at admission.  This program will continue indefinitely.  Supporting approximately 30 awards per year.  There is also a First Abroad Scholarship that is more of a planning scholarship.  Helps with up-front costs (passport, plane tickets, etc.).  Recognized nationally by AFSA.

Low cost program options:  Program that targets BFP students in Mexico City and Barcelona.  Low cost program.  40 students going this year.

Curriculum Integration:  Study Abroad by major brochures to show how it can happen in 4 years.  Currently:  Economics, finished Chemistry, RTF, Education, Social Work.

Semester Plus:  (ex:  IRS in Paris and GOV in Madrid) Combine a faculty led piece with a semester exchange in an effort to get students to go abroad for a full semester.  The students go with the UT faculty member and take a 3 week course with the faculty and the cohort of students.  After that, they then do the full-semester exchange.  Counts as part of their full-time status.  They pay flat-rate tuition for the fall, but basically get that extra course and get to ease their way into the program.

Advising on Campus:  Study Abroad advisor is available in Jester on Monday afternoons, SSB on Wednesday, CLA on Thursdays.

New Initiatives:
Hub sites:  Shanghai, China, and Mexico City:  have a variety of programs going on in the same part of the world (exchanges, faculty led, etc.),  Capitalize on the relationships in this area.  You will start to see more and more about these locations in the coming years.

Projects for Underserved Communities:  student-driven community based projects around the world.  It has been mainly Engineering but trying to expand.  Develop a project from the ground up.

Internships:  in Asia and world-wide.  Currently have a source of money for internships in Asian countries, but plan to expand to other areas.

Questions:  none

Thank you from

8:40am
Business Foundations Program
Featured Presenter: Regina Hughes
http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/Business-Foundations

Regina missed the meeting last year (rumors of her retirement are greatly exaggerated).  6,300 students in BFP classes.

Regina Hughes teaches in Finance Department and does BFP coordination.  Also teaches “Grey is Good” UGS 303 Signature course.

Business Foundations Program mirrors core classes of what business majors take.

Certificate (transcriptable) Program.  Fundamentals of business; 8 courses

Helps prepare for graduate programs.

No application for the program.

ECO, STA, MIS 302F, ACC 310F, FIN 320F, and any 3 chosen from:  MKT 320F, MAN 320F, LEB 320F, I B 320F, B A 320F.

Maintain a 2.0 overall to get the certificate.  Must take classes for a grade to count towards a certificate.

Certificate is awarded on the transcript at graduation.

University Extension part of the program is transitioning to on-line.  This should not be confused with the McCombs on-line courses (part of regular registration).  University Extension are also on-line, but they are not covered by flat-rate and they must go through

Texas Business Foundations Summer Institute.
Targeting to Engineering and STEM students to do an 8 week intensive 5 course program in one some.  It became popular with other majors as well, so now it draws from all colleges.  Takes an integrated approach to make sure the students and faculty are all on the same page.  ACC, MAN, BA 320F (Global Entrepreneurship), FIN, MKT
Stock market simulation, mock interviews, professional development, etiquette luncheon, etc.

Dates:  June – July 20015; Mon-Fri 9:00 – 4:30

Cost:  $4,950 (includes book)
Housing available:  approx. $2000
Requires:  3.0 to apply for the summer

Created a cohort called the business of health care last year.     Exact same courses and program for people who want to get into the business side of health care, this cohort of the program.  Examples are health care related.  Faculty have a strong interest in health care.

“It’s not as bad as it looks.”

Work hard, play hard environment.

Open to non-UT students.  Registration is through University Extension so you don’t have to be admitted to UT.

The best summer for the program is any summer, including the summer after freshman year.

Benefits of Business Foundations Program:
Provides survey of all core business disciplines
Critical business introduction for entrepreneurs
Meets pre-requisite requirements for most MBA program
Demonstrate business knowledge to prospective employers
Certificate on the transcript

Internship Class:  an accommodation for an internship that requires college credit.  It does NOT count towards the BFP certificate.  It is through University Extension.  It is only offered in summer.

Business Foundations Program Online
Different than the online courses offered through the Course Schedule

Still have spots for students in the summer.

Contact the BFP Office:  CBA 2.210 and 2.214

Office hours:  MWF 10am – 12pm, TTh 1-3pm

Phone number:  512-232-6748

Questions:
Credit for internship course:  3 hours

A system is being created that will allow students to monitor their own progress in the program.

Online courses are listed as “web based” in the Course Schedule

Typical population is the traditional age group of BFP (not many non-traditional students).

As Regina coughed she said, “I’m losing my voice.  Does that come with standing up here?”

9:10am
Staff Council
Featured Presenter: Stephanie Crouch
https://www.utexas.edu/staff/council/

Staff Council is a great way to get some leadership experience without having to go out and run a committee or being the chair of something.  When the e-mail comes asking for representatives for the area, consider running.

What has staff council done?
Professional Development Lynda.com is an initiative of the Staff Council
Wellness Program (i.e. farm to work)
Bringing Claire Moore to campus.

Important to be prepared for upcoming changes.
If elections are coming up, consider running to be a representative.

9:15am
McNair Scholars
Speaker:  Tonia Guida
http://ddce.utexas.edu/academiccenter/mcnairscholars/

Housed in the Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence
First generation, low-income students to pursue their PhDs.

Students should learn about this program early on because the timeline mirrors the application process for graduate school.  The students who learn about it their freshmen and sophomore year are more likely to benefit from it.

Looking for sophomores in their spring semester to apply for their junior year.  There is a summer component that includes a research projects and a free GRE Prep course.

 

9:20am
ACAD Scholarships Committee
Speaker:  Jessica Huss

Recognizing the ACA Professional Development and Student Scholarships
Appreciate help in spreading the word

Student Development Scholarship winners:  paraprofessionals/student workers who support the mission of the academic advising community.  There were 3 winners this year.
Rose Mastrangelo announced:  Maite de Paz, Bilingual Education major & student working in Education Student Division

Sarah McKay announced:  Chism DeMiree, junior Actuarial Sciences major and TIP mentor.

Christine Anderson announced:  Lauren Loper, student associate in Government/FIG Mentor/Orientation Advisor

Staff/Advisor Professional Development Scholarship winners:
ACA members who support the mission of the academic advising community and want support for more professional development.  There were 3 winners this year.
Rose Yurcina announced:  Lexi Losch, Senior Academic Advisor, Cockrell School of Engineering.

Sara Sanchez announced Kelsey Thompson who is from Texas Success Initiatives, Undergraduate Studies.

Julia Chinnock announced Josh Barham who is an Academic Advisor in Undergraduate Studies.

Jessica thanked the committee for their hard work.

9:35am
ACA Executive Committee
Speaker:  Lovelys Powell
ACA Officer Nominations will begin this month and candidates who accept their nominations will be asked to give a 2 minute speech at the May ACA Meeting.  Candidates will also be asked to submit their speech electronically, along with a photo, for members to view prior to voting.

Elected officer positions can be found on the ACA website:
http://www.utexas.edu/staff/aca/bylaws#executive

 

9:50am
Announcements/New Members Introductions

Sarah Kitten:  Wellness Network:  brownbag lunch on Monday with Larry Speck.  How buildings and environments

Jennifer Brookins introduced Michael Jackson

Justin Brady:  8^th Annual Lavender Graduation;  Wed, May 20^th at 4pm here in the SAC Ballroom.  Students register online.  Afterwards they walk to the Alumni Center.

BFP:  The courses are open to staff members.

Arelis Palacios introduced new staff member Rebekah Junkermeier

 

 

ACA Executive Committee for 2014-2015
Julia Chinnock – President
Sarah McKay – President Elect (elected to replace Noe Gonzales)
Gina Higby & Emily Schroeder – Co-Vice Presidents/Program Chairs
Josh Barham – Treasurer
Lovelys Powell – Secretary
Sarah McKay – Historian
Eric Carter – Communications Coordinator

 

Next ACA Event:  N/A

Next ACA Meeting:  Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 8:15am in SAC Ballroom North

Meeting ended at 9:45am.   Minutes taken by ACA Secretary Lovelys Powell

 

May 2015

Meeting Date: 

May 6, 2015

ACA Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
SAC 2.412 Ballroom

Meeting Sponsor:  New Student Services

12:45pm Ice Cream & Networking

1:00pm
Welcome from ACA President – Julia Chinnock

Julia Chinnock, thanked New Student Services for hosting the meeting and providing ice cream in anticipation of the warm months ahead.

1:02pm
New Student Services 
Featured Presenter: Kyle Clark
http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/nss/

Summer is almost here!  Getting ready to orient 10,000 – 12,000 students

This meeting will be an overview of what we will be doing this summer.

13 Sessions including:
Freshmen Orientation (6 sessions)
Transfer Orientation (3 sessions)
August Orientation (combination of Freshmen and Transfer)
Spring Orientation (mostly Transfer students)
Summer School Orientation

Cross-Campus Coordination – almost everyone at UT is involved
90 Orientation Advisors along with the staff coordinate all the events that are part of orientation.

Gretchen Pierce:  Communication Plan (started in October)
Social Media:  twitter and Instagram accounts
@UTorientation @UTAustin2019
Hashtags:   #UTOrientation  #UT19   #LonghornStateofMind

UT19Digital Assets
bit.ly/TX19logos

Websites:
Freshmen:     bealonghorn.utexas.edu/texas-19/orientation
Transfer:   deanofstudents.utexas.edu/nss

Reminders of events, reminders to do modules

e-mail communication:
Reminders about modules went out yesterday

Best Practices:
– please remember to CC: new student services on messages to students
– language guideline found on the UT Orientation at a Glance handout

Leslie Kavanaugh:  Assessing Our Success
Manager of Assessment & Research
-tracking success at orientation – online surveys
– how do you assess or evaluate new students?
– opportunities to connect on assessment

In fall Dr. Celena Mondie-Milner (new Director of NSS) will be meeting with NSS Contacts across campus to make sure she is aware of the concerns of staff on campus.

Most information goes though Academic Liaisons

Rosie Garza:  Orientation Logistics (9 summers sessions)
– Facilities updates, reminders
June 15^th and 22^nd are the overflow sessions that accommodate more than the normal number of students

Esmer Bedia, in her 9^th year with NSS, facilitated question and answers from the audience.
Highlights include:
-What are colleges doing about food that happens before College Meeting #1?  Most colleges are utilizing their college meeting room.
-ACA member suggested that NSS copy the ACA listserv on any messages sent to students
-Pre-Advising with Orientation Advisors will be in UTC on the 4^th floor
-Are there designated spaces for registration?  FAC, UTC
-Summer Orientation Staff (SOS) will be in Jester East to answer questions for students at orientation.

College Meeting #2 location will not be in orientation guide.   There will be a meet-up prior to this meeting to try to have students walk over as a group.
If there are students who do not attend College Meeting #2, liaisons should let the staff know.

Alex Kappus – Coordinator of New Student Services and Deputy Advisor to the Dean
2015 Orientation Highlights
-Orientation expectations (safety awareness); agreement from student that he/she plans to abide by requirements and show up to programs; code of conduct; honor code
-Longhorn Lounge (increased partnerships):  UT Athletics/Campus Computers/HornsLink
-Orientation schedule streamlining:  try to familiarize yourself with the schedule/timing and arrangement.  Improving flow was a high priority for this list.

Greek life parties – who addresses this issue?  Communication has gone through Greek Life to make sure they understand the importance of orientation and that the students need to stay focused on orientation.  This is not just a Greek life issue but also athletic groups and other student organizations.

Dr. Soncia Regents-Lilly, Dean of Students and Senior Associate Vice President offered thanks to the NSS Staff and the Academic Advisors for the commitment to the academic experience of our students.

New Student Services Staff:
Beginning June 1:  Director of NSS will be Dr. Celena Mondie-Milner
Kyle Clark, Interim Director (going into his 13^th summer)
Esmer Bedia, Senior Coordinator of New Student Services
Alexander Kappus, Coordinator of New Student Services
Rosie Garza, Logistics Manager/Senior Administrative Associate
Leslie Kavanaugh, Manager of Assessment & Research
Gretchen Pierce, Manager of Communication
Lauren Marriott, Graduate Intern (but now an Academic Advisor in the Department of Government)

New Student Services
SSB 3.410
(512) 471-3304
Jester East Reception Desk
(512) 471-1652
www.utorienation.com
@utorienation

Thank you from

1:45pm
Vick Center Career Counseling
Featured Presenter: Lynn Chang
https://www.utexas.edu/ugs/csacc/career

Facilitated a breathing activity.
Lynn Levinson and Lynn Chang are the career counselors that meet with the students we send over to the center.

Prepare students for the world of work.  One-on-one career advising, tips on interviewing happens in the Career Services Office.
Career Center focuses more on “who you are” and “what do you want to do?”; provide assessments.
Graduate School planning; career decision making process

Modified an activity to think about what the student’s experience.
Try to make students assess their values and interests.

In addition to meeting students one-on-one, they also do programming for students.  Examples include:  LinkedIn for Career Exploration; Identifying Strengths; Resume Writing; Professionalism; Internship planning.  These are all run by Career Counseling staff (not students).  Notice is needed for special programs.

Career Assessment Coordinator but must meet with a Career Counselor to take the assessment.  Starting in fall 2015, StrengthsQuest will be added to the other assessments currently offered.

Lorena Ramos is the new non-UGS Academic Advisor.

2:00pm
Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
UT Math Assessment
Featured Presenter: Dr. David Laude; Carolyn Connerat; Cassandre Alvarado
https://cns.utexas.edu/ut-math-assessment

Dr. David Laude had two items to discuss (he was supposed to be teaching at this time).
The in-coming class to UT Austin are experiencing an environment completely different than the one that currently exists.  Much of that is attributed to the individuals who help explain how the University works.   On the microscopic level, this place is different.  There were two surveys that rank UT campus as one of the top 10 happiest campuses.

At UT there is not a distinct understanding of what “seniors” means.  Senior Countdown was created to assist in this process.  Help students get the classes they need, provide career counseling, make them feel special.  The group that can sort this out is Academic Advisor.  Make sure students get the classes they need to graduate and can graduate.

UT Math Assessment
Sometimes students wish Math would go away, but it will not.
If we do Math incorrectly then it causes a huge problems.  Using the front end readiness phase, we can prepare students to be assessed before they come to campus.
Students come from all walks of life in terms of Math needs.
How students feel when they engage the experience has an enormous impact on how students do.  We need to figure out how to remove the fear.
The messaging we need as we prepare for Math Assessment is important.  There is no word “failure” but rather assessing where a student fits into the Math structure.

2:15pm
TSI Updates
Speaker:  Hillary Procknow
https://www.utexas.edu/ugs/tsi

TSI, Z-bars, & Orientation 2015
Students who utilize TSI graduate in same numbers as other students and make similar grades.

Change:  Can no longer use TAKS/STAAR or high school tests to exempt from TSI
This year there are already 1,100 students identified (in the past it was 100+).

TSI has contacted every student with a Z-Bar. Communication has been on-going since February.  Also they have been sent letters.
Z-Bars are given to the following students:
Combined SAT below 1070
Combined ACT below 23
This Z-bar can only be removed by Hillary and Kelsey Thompson.

Kelsey Thompson is the TSI advisor and knows the answers.

Direct students to the TSI Office (Carothers 23):
tsi@ausitn.utxas.edu
512-232-7146
Hillary.procknow@austin.utexas.edu
Kelsey.htompson@austin.utexas.edu

How can it be cleared before they come?  They can take TSI assessment at any community college and other institutions.  It is so helpful for them to do it prior to orientation.

At Orientation, it will be offered on Day 3 at 8am of Orientation for those who do not take TSI before they come.

Deadline given was June 1^st for the newly admitted students.  However, those that don’t do so, they must go to TSI Office and get registered for the test.  $40 if taken on campus

2:20pm
ACA Executive Committee Officer Nominee Speeches
Speaker:  Lovelys Powell

Candidates for the respective offices were asked to make a speech.  The following candidates participated.

• President- Elect:  Kayla Ford; Courtney Sy
• Vice-President/Program Chairs:  Lexi Losch & Amanda Golden (co-chairs)
• Treasurer-Elect:  Craig Gilden; Sarah Talley; Sara Sanchez
• Secretary:  Yesenia Sanchez
• Historian:  Kelsey Thompson
• Communications Coordinator:  Blake Willms

The uncontested offices were voted in unanimously by the membership.  Those offices included:

• Vice-President/Program Chairs:  Lexi Losch & Amanda Golden (co-chairs)
• Secretary:  Yesenia Sanchez
• Historian:  Kelsey Thompson
• Communications Coordinator:  Blake Willms

Dues paid members will be sent an official ballot for voting and will need to vote on-line by the given deadline.  The new officers will be announced via e-mail once voting has concluded.

 

2:45pm
Announcements/New Members Introductions

Arelis Palacios:  1100 to 1200 people studying abroad this summer.  Thanks for those of you who advise those students.  Laura Kaplan & Christian Fredericks are new Program Coordinators

Nathan introduced Lauren Marriott as a new advisor in Government

Emily introduced Scott Gary is a new Academic Coach with the Discovery Scholars Program

Justin Brady announced that Lavender Graduation is on May 20^th (students can sign up on line)  Recognition of LBGTQ students and will happen during the week of celebration.

Julia Chinnock:  wanted to public thank the Exec Team for doing a great job.  Congratulations and thanks for their hard work.  Looking forward to the new team.

 

ACA Executive Committee for 2014-2015
Julia Chinnock – President
Sarah McKay – President Elect
Gina Higby & Emily Schroeder – Co-Vice Presidents/Program Chairs
Josh Barham – Treasurer
Lovelys Powell – Secretary
Sarah McKay – Historian
Eric Carter – Communications Coordinator

 

Next ACA Event:  N/A

Next ACA Meeting:  Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at 8:15am in Gregory Games Room

Meeting ended at 2:55pm.   Minutes taken by ACA Secretary Lovelys Powell

 

June 2015

Meeting Date: 

June 3, 2015

ACA Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Gregory Games Room

Meeting Sponsor:  McCombs BBA Academic Advising Team

8:15am  Breakfast and Networking

8:30am  Welcome
Sarah McKay, ACA President-Elect (almost-President) welcomed the ACA Members to our June meeting and introduced ACA Baby Tobias Robert Howze

8:30am  McCombs Advising Team and Internal Transfer Updates
Featured Presenter: Cindy Bippert, Director of Advising
Featured Presenter:  Lovelys Powell, Assistant Director of Advising (fill-in for Charles Enriquez, Director of Recruitment & Scholarship)
https://my.mccombs.utexas.edu/BBA

Internal Transfer website:  https://my.mccombs.utexas.edu/My/BBA/Internal-Transfer

4500 undergraduates.  Advisor caseloads vary amongst advisors.

Tisha Monsey works with Business Honors

iMPA are advised by Kathy Saqer and Jason Tasset

Caseload advising and stick with their advisor until graduation.

All students are required to be in FIGs (or Wednesday Seminars) as of last year, and it helps with caseload development. This past year McCombs also added a community service component to FIGs so now all McCombs students engage in community services.

8:40am  Gregory Gym
Featured Presenter: Rhonda Cox
http://www.utrecsports.org/facilities
Membership and Guest services at Gregory Gym.  Advisors are responsible for managing the general health of students.  To that end, Academic Advisors are also in need of self-care.
6 Program Areas:  Fitness/Wellness; Outdoor Recreation; Instructional; Informal Recreation; Intramural Sports; Sport Clubs
9 Facilities:  Anna Hiss Gym; Bellmont Hall; Whitaker Fields; Whitaker Tennis Complex; Caven Lacrosse & Sports Center @ Clark Field; Gregory Gym Aquatic Complex; Gregory Gymnasium; Pickle Research Center Niels Thompson Commons Rec Center; Recreational Sports Center

Membership (brochure provided):
Membership Add-Ons (available at additional costs):  Texercise Classes; Climbing Wall Class; Locker; etc.
Can add on members who are not UT:  family, neighbors, etc.
Faculty/Staff:  payroll deduction; faculty/staff gym; special exercise classes; priority hours in Bellmont Hall
Cost:  annual is $308 (Sept – Aug);  Cool Summer Options ($102)

Rec Sports is student fee funded (registered students).  Their philosophy has been that faculty/staff should pay what students pay.

Conducting Focus Groups of faculty/staff to discuss issues related to utilization of Recreation Sports.

8:50am  Gender & Sexuality Cener
Featured Presenters: Ixchel Rosal & Liz Elsen
http://ddce.utexas.edu/genderandsexuality/
SAC 2^nd floor 2.112 (Mon-Thur: 9am to 7pm; Fri 9am to 5pm)
512-232-1831

Discussed Mission:

Services:
Mentorship Programs:  Connect first year students to faculty and staff on campus; helps students find community

Walk-In Advising:  student talk to staff about a variety of issues:  sexism, relationships, coming out

Lending Library:  books, movies, tv shows; Open to students, faculty, staff and community members

Educational and Fun Programming:  speaker series; feminist Friday, living with pride

Weekly e-bulletin with campus and community events (just e-mail us at gsc@austin.u.texas.edu to join

Trainings and Workshops:  Ally Training; Sexism 101; LGBTQ 101; Design your own!;
Peers for Pride (class for academic credit; still recruiting for the fall); Kristen Hogan is the new instructor for this class.  There is an application process for this course.

Student Organization:  information about the over 20 student groups that we work with on campus

Feedback from students:
Students were very excited to have discussions with academic advisors

Happy when they were asked what pronouns they used (and then used them correctly!)

They were happy when advisors took a second to ask them how they were before going into the info they needed

They liked it when advisors asked “What kind of support do you need?”

Sometimes they were really overwhelmed when they came to talk to them

They appreciated being given resources

They were happy to see Ally Cards in offices (sometimes it was a surprise for them)

GSC is doing more active involvement with

What are your questions for us?

 

9:05am  Campus Security Authority
Featured Presenter: Paul Liebman
Featured Presenter:  Linda Millstone
http://www.utexas.edu/compliance/

Paul Liebman, Chief Compliance Officer (2 year anniversary)
Linda Millstone, Interim Title IX Coordinator
Think about UT as an industry and all the laws that exist

Reporting on Title IX & Clery Act

Title IX is more than just athletics.  (1972) Concerns itself with reporting of sex discrimination events wherever they occur so that investigation and mitigation can occur.

Title IX, April 2011, the Office of Civil Rights issued a “Dear Colleague” letter that addressed issues related to gender.  UT has a great reputation nationally because of what we do.  The policies being written are gender neutral.
Reporting requirements for “responsible employee”
Director of Student Emergency Services & Equity (no confidentiality)

UT has 60 days to investigate a complaint when
Clery Act:  Designated people on campus who report crimes. It is designed to make sure people know data about what happens on campus.
Requires 3 principle obligations
-Prepare and distribute an annual campus security report
-Provide timely warnings and/or emergency notifications to the campus community on crimes that pose a threat to the campus community
-Create, maintain and make available “easily understood” daily crime logs

This is a location-based law and must be concerned with a facility we own and control.
Offenses:  murder, sex offense, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, vehicle, hate crime, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking

Who must report?
Local Law Enforcement Agencies
Third Parties
Campus Security Authority (University Officials)
College Deans and Program Chairs, Staff in the student center or student union building
faculty advisors
There is a process that is used to identify these people.  There will an on-line training/module; ability to report; creation of an anonymous hotline.

Campus Security Authorities and Responsible Employee Quick Reference Guide:

http://www.utexas.edu/compliance/wp-content/uploads/Quick-Reference-Guide-for-CSA-Training2.pdf

 

9:25am  Awards and Nominations
Featured Presenter:  Jessica Hust

Recognizing the ACA members who won NACADA Awards this year.

Outstanding Advising Awards:

Casey Bushman (Senior Academic Advisor in the College of Liberal Arts Student Division) – Outstanding New Advisor Award – Primary Advising Role

Yma Revuelta (Cockrell School of Engineering) – Certificate of Merit – Primary Advising Advisor

Dr. Robert Abzug (College of Liberal Arts – Chair of Jewish Studies and Director of Schusterman Center for Jewish Studies) – Certificate of Merit – Faculty Academic Advising

James W. Vick Center for Strategic Advising & Career Counseling – Outstanding Advising Programming Award

9:35am  New Officer Inductions
Featured Presenters:  Gina Higby & Emily Schroeder

Recognizing the new Executive Board members

ACA Executive Committee for 2015-2016
Sarah McKay – President
Kayla Ford – President Elect
Lexi Losch & Amanda Golden – Co-Vice Presidents/Program Chairs
Josh Barham – Treasurer
Yesenia Sanchez – Secretary
Kelsey Thompson – Historian
Blake Wilms – Communications Coordinator

Oath of Office:
I (state name), as duly elected officer of the Academic Counselors Association at The University of Texas at Austin, do swear to faithfully fulfill the duties of this office as outlined in the Bylaws and  to the best of my ability, I will uphold the mission of the Academic Counselors Association and The University of Texas at Austin.

9:45am  Announcements/New Members Introductions

Terra Ousley is a new Academic Advisor in Biological Sciences Advising Center

Maggie Rigney is a new Academic Advisor in Human Ecology Advising Center

Eric announced that ACA is recruiting members to serve on our standing committees for next year.  He asked that people sign up on the lists available outside of the meeting.

Caitlin James, Admissions Counselor from the Office of Admissions, thanked academic advisors for all the work they do in anticipation of the new incoming class attending orientation and beginning in the fall.

ACA Executive Committee for 2014-2015
Julia Chinnock – President
Sarah McKay – President Elect
Gina Higby & Emily Schroeder – Co-Vice Presidents/Program Chairs
Josh Barham – Treasurer
Lovelys Powell – Secretary
Sarah McKay – Historian
Eric Carter – Communications Coordinator

 

Next ACA Event:  N/A

Next ACA Meeting:  Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at 8:30am in T-Room in the UT Stadium

Meeting ended at 2:55pm.   Minutes taken by ACA Secretary Lovelys Powell

 

July 2015

Meeting Date: 

July 29, 2015

ACA Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
UT Stadium T-Room

Meeting Sponsor:  UT Athletics Student Services

8:15am  Breakfast and Networking

8:30am  Welcome
Sarah McKay, ACA President-Elect (almost-President) welcomed the ACA Members to our July meeting.  Special thanks to Athletics Student Services for sponsoring this meeting, and continually sponsoring a meeting every year.   She thanked the ACA Members who kept the meetings and organization going.  Thanks to anyone who volunteered their energy for the year.

8:30am  Athletics Student Services
Featured Presenter:  Kat Hastings
Featured Presenter:  Tina Carter
http://www.texassports.com/index.aspx?path=academics

Appreciative of all that ACA and academic advisors do on campus.  We are all working towards the same goal to get students to pursue their academic interests and get them towards graduation.  Each college/school operates under different rules and policies and so navigating the system can be challenging.  Align student athletes with the goal and mission of the UT institution.  NCAA, public scrutiny are all very real.  Most students are not on full-scholarships, as may be commonly believed.  Embrace the opportunity to partner with ACA.  This is a wind-down time before we go into the academic year.  Many students do a summer bridge and begin school in the summer.

Staff works with all sports and operate under one system.  Each student has an academic counselor, but it is not designated by sports.

Spring semester GPA:  3.09

Tina Carter talked about the day in the life.
There are lead, Pod Captains, for every sport.

Each Academic Counselor is in charge of a group of students, plus administrative duties.  Making sure they are making the appropriate percentage marks; missed class letters; testing taking schedule;

Monica Paul:  discussed athletic orientation.  Many are not able to attend UT Orientation so they create an orientation that takes place right before the fall semester.  It also includes a parent gathering.  Welcome for all the student athletes happens the Monday before classes begin.  They really try to model the orientation that others attend.

Alana B discussed study hall and mentoring.  Study hall is a designated amount of time a student must be with their mentors (Mentors teach them to organize their time, develop study skills, work on academic skills and how to approach college, serve as the front line of support.  Mentors communicate daily with the Academic Counselors.

Athletics provide tutors for the subjects they need.    Mentors and tutors do on-going professional development to continuously approve on their skills.

Upper-class students are also able to use study hall.

Jim Shelton discussed campus connections.  To do job they work with Sanger Learning Center that provides framework of how they train tutors.  The University Writing Center is also a program that is emulated by Athletic Student Services to make sure students are getting consistent assistance.  They try to stay connected to the colleges/schools to make sure they are aware of what is happening with policies and procedures in the colleges.

Jordan Parker is an Academic Counselor and coordinates community service for Athletics.  They are involved in Neighborhood Longhorns, Marathon Kids, Longhorn Halloween, and many other activities.

Tina Kein is the Career Services Director and she works with the Career Directors across campus to make sure athletes are being provided appropriate career planning strategies.  Advising Night is something that happens in the fall.  Prepare them for when their sport career ends.

Lindsey Boyles introduced Travis and Morgan who were student athletes.

Travis Duke who is a baseball player majoring in Corporate Communication.  He thanked his academic advisor Wendy Boggs.  Travis described the life of a baseball player during the off-season and baseball season.  He talked about the time commitment involved in the life in their life.  He emphasized that this is something that he loves to do.  He discussed the academic success of the baseball players.  He discussed the variety of majors and schools that baseball players are a part of.  He thanked the membership for their support in allowing them to follow their passions and dreams.

Morgan Snow is a Public Relations major and is a track and field athlete.  She just finished her final track season and is now doing her internship at the American Heart Association.  She was very appreciative of her advisors assistance (she mentioned Doug Hakke).  Once she graduates she will return to Georgia and continue her pursuit to be a part of the Olympics and possibly one day be an actress.

 

9:00am  Student Emergency Services
Featured Presenter: David Chambers & Beth Andre
http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/emergency/

David Chambers discussed how he has spoken to so many of us over the years and he said it was nice to put a face with a name.

Made of 5 staff members and have connections all over campus.
SES helps students, faculty, and staff by thinking outside of the box, offering creative solutions and providing a resource.

In their 10^th year, they are still trying to figure out what they do.
Emergency Fund; Professor notifications; student emergency funds;

Family emergency; death of a relative; student injury/illness; interpersonal violence; stalking; sexual assaults; missing student; apartment or house fire; natural disaster; financial problems; concerns about academic adjustment or performance; attempted suicide; student death.

For staff, it is important to know how they can help.

They also operate the BCAL phone line.  It is a 24/7 resource line to report behavior concerns.  This can be on-line (which is not anonymous and requires an eid) or phone, which can be anonymous.  Kinds of concerns they deal with include odd behaviors, disruptive behaviors, harm to self or others.

Privacy vs. Confidentiality:  They cannot promise confidentiality.  They can provide privacy, but they may need to let someone else know when required by law and policy.   Privacy means that if it must be shared it is to support the student.

Title IX:  Mandatory reports; can report to Student Emergency Services and Behavior Concerns Advice Line.

Contact SES and BCAL

Student Emergency Services:  SSB 4.104; (512) 471-5017; studentemergency@austin.utexas.edu

BCAL: (512) 232-5050;  https://www.utexas.edu/safety/bcal/

Unique numbers:  2400 individual students (person of concern) that SES/BCAL have interacted with.

 

9:20am  2015 ACA Advising Awards
Featured Presenters: Awards and Recognition Committee
Scholarships, Awards, NACADA Nominations, etc.  For this meeting they wanted to give out the Advising Award.

Dedication to Students:  Cindy Zimmerman (began at UT in 2004).  “She’s the best.” Cindy is the most wonderful person she has ever met, but you can’t have her because she belongs to Engineering”

Service to Advising Profession Award:  Kayla Ford “she is amazing and so deserving of this award.”

Taking Initiative to Create Positive Change:  Adele Magnani, Engineering Mechanics Tutoring Center.

Jess recognized the committee who have been involved in this committee.  Christine Anderson, incoming Awards and Recognition Chair thanked Jess Hust for her work as the committee chair.

 

9:30am  ACA Budget Update
Featured Presenter: Josh Barham, ACA Treasurer
Dynamic speech from Josh showed that ACA has been fiscally responsible for the year.  Profit for the year:  $2816.71

Current Bank Account Stats:

Checking:  $6,423.54
Savings: $2,553.17
12-Month Web Certificate: $7,703.65

 

9:35am  Announcements/New Members Introductions

Laura Weingarten:  Wayfinder e-mails are going out to ask for updates/changes to Wayfinder content.  This year they are doing a design refresh for the website.

Rose Yurcina (Fine Arts) announced:  Fine Arts now has 4 advisors:  Chris Montes is the new Assistant Academic Advisor

Shirley Sanchez (UGS) introduced:  Lilly Doñes who is a new advisor in Discovery Scholars and a former Longhorn Scholar

Laura Mondino (College of Education) introduced: Trevor Alwin and Gabby Rodriquez

Celena Monde-Milner – introduced herself as the new Director of New Student Services.  Thanked everyone for their hard work with orientation.

Jeffery Marsh (College of Communication) introduced:  Ashley Clark who is a new advisor for RTF

Andrea Gonzalez (First Year Experience Office) introduced:  Jeff Mayo, the new Transfer Experience Coordinator

Theresa Thomas (College of Communication):  introduced Andreyez Alvarado who is a new advisor Associate Academic Advisor.

Brooke Rich introduced herself as Flag Petitions Coordinator in the School of Undergraduate Studies

Kelly Frazer (Vick Center) introduced:  Kellie Caroselli who is a new academic advisor in the Vick Center for Strategic Advising and Career Counseling

Jennifer Brookins (College of Natural Sciences) introduced:  Mandy Davidson who is returning to UT to be an advisor in the Biological Sciences Advising

ACA Executive Committee for 2014-2015
Julia Chinnock – President
Sarah McKay – President Elect
Gina Higby & Emily Schroeder – Co-Vice Presidents/Program Chairs
Josh Barham – Treasurer
Lovelys Powell – Secretary
Sarah McKay – Historian
Eric Carter – Communications Coordinator

 

ACA Executive Committee for 2015-2016
Sarah McKay – President
Kayla Ford – President Elect
Lexi Losch & Amanda Golden – Co-Vice Presidents/Program Chairs
Josh Barham – Treasurer
Yesenia Sanchez – Secretary
Kelsey Thompson – Historian
Blake Wilms – Communications Coordinator

Next ACA Meeting:  Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 8:30am in SAC 2.302 Legislative Assembly Room

Meeting ended at 9:40am