MavWire 2016 Archive » MavWire — Thursday, February 11, 2016

UTA enrollment rises to record 38,650 Texas-based students

Enrollment at UTA reached a record 38,650 Texas-based students for the spring 2016 semester, a figure that is up 6 percent from a year ago. At a time when most universities see declines in enrollment from fall to spring, UTA’s numbers rose 4.4 percent from fall of 2015 when enrollment was 37,008.

The University now has a total of 50,661 degree-seeking students on campus and in online degree programs. That number is projected to climb to 55,000 this year as new sections of online nursing and education degree programs begin throughout the spring and summer.

The enrollment report showed the College of Engineering, now the third largest in the state of Texas, increased enrollment 13 percent over the previous spring. The College of Nursing and Health Innovation enrollment grew 16 percent over spring 2015 and is now the largest producer of trained nurses in the state of Texas and the third largest in the nation. The College of Education also saw healthy growth with a 4 percent increase over spring 2015.

Read more about UTA's spring enrollment.

Dr. Yuze 'Alice' Sun

Sun earns NSF CAREER grant to develop laser to better detect diseases

Yuze “Alice” Sun, assistant professor of electrical engineering, has been awarded a National Science Foundation five-year, $500,000 Faculty Early Career Development, or CAREER, grant to create technology that will lead to a versatile biosensing platform featuring exceptional detection sensitivity, selectivity, and throughput.

Dr. Sun is developing an all-liquid optofluidic laser that could better detect cancer in the comfort of a doctor’s office. The new generation laser also could be used for other biosensing applications and fundamental biological and medical research as well.

Most lasers are semiconductor-based and require solid material to create cavities to confine light. In optofluidic lasers, two-phase liquids are controlled using microfluidics and nanofluidics to form a highly efficient optical microcavity. The all-liquid nature makes the laser adaptive and achieves high-precision tuning in an unprecedented manner.

Read more about Sun's NSF CAREER grant.

Military Times ranks UTA Top 50 Business School for 2016

The College of Business is among the top 50 best business schools for veterans in the United States, according to rankings released Monday by Military Times.

UTA serves more than 3,000 student veterans or dependents of military veterans among its more than 50,000 students. UTA placed No. 43 on the list of 77 institutions recognized for their commitment to providing opportunities to America’s veterans.

Military Times evaluated 180 institutions based on university culture, student support for military veterans, academic outcomes, quality academic policies, cost, and financial aid when conducting and scoring the fourth annual Best for Vets: Business Schools survey.

Read more about the Best for Vets recognition.

New tech lab The new technology lab in the Center for Mexican American Studies officially opened thanks to support from the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and representatives of the General Motors Arlington assembly plant. Part of LULAC’s Empower Hispanic America with Technology initiative, the lab will assist students with college applications and provide information about STEM programs. Watch the video.

Volunteers needed for Spring Job Fair

The Career Development Center needs more than 125 volunteers to help make the Spring Job Fair a success. The Job Fair is from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, at the Maverick Activities Center.

Choose a 1.5-hour shift or indicate your availability between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tasks include set-up, clean-up, carrying employer materials, escorting employers to their booths, and staffing the student check-in tables.

Register by 5 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 24.

For questions, call 2-2932 or email Alissa Anderson at alissa.anderson@uta.edu.

ARDC maintenance planned for Feb. 27

The Arlington Regional Data Center will undergo maintenance on Saturday, Feb. 27, to continue stabilizing UTA’s services in the event of a power disruption.

As a result, High Performance Computing and High Energy Physics services will be temporarily unavailable. Other services may be temporarily interrupted. In the event of a service interruption, you will be notified through the IT status page.

Subscribe to the IT Status list to receive scheduled maintenance notifications.

Your message here The foyer glass walls in the Central Library are available to student organizations and University departments. The walls may be reserved for up to seven days, but only once per semester per organization or department. See the Foyer Glass Walls Request Form. For questions, email Kiriakis Newman at kiriakis@uta.edu.

Become an adviser for Alternative Spring Break

Staff or faculty are needed as advisers for the Alternative Spring Break trip to St. Louis, Mo., for March 13-18. Alternative Spring Break is an opportunity for students to serve as volunteers for issues such as sustainability, education, and disaster relief. They must be licensed to drive a 12-passenger van or be willing to participate in the licensing process.

Contact Susan Dequeant at dequeant@uta.edu for more information.

Show your artistic talents in MavsArt

Whether you paint, take photos, sculpt, or merely doodle, show your artistic side in UTA Libraries' MavsArt spring exhibit.

Artwork in two- and three-dimensional forms will be accepted. Submission deadline is Monday, Feb. 15.

Questions? Email janeth.colmenero@uta.edu or visit the MavsArt website.

Friday, Feb. 12

Center for African American Studies Conference "Critical Issues in the Black Community: Pursuing Justice for All" profiles progressive solutions to social problems. Speakers include Valeisha Butterfield-Jones, CEO of Women in Empowerment Entertainment Network; Shaun King, social justice writer for New York Daily News; film director Arthur Muhammad; and actor Aundre Dean. Register online. 6 p.m., E.H. Hereford University Center. Also, Saturday, Feb. 13. Center for African American Studies.

Monday, Feb. 15

Unit Effectiveness Process Refresher Register online. 9-10 a.m., fourth floor conference room, Wade Building. Also, 11 a.m.-noon Monday, Feb. 29, in Wade Building. Also, 1-1:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 22; 10-10:45 a.m. Monday, March 28; 2-2:45 p.m. Thursday, March 31; 9-9:45 a.m. Tuesday, April 5; 3:30-4:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, all in Room E200E, Workforce Development Building. Institutional Effectiveness and Reporting.

Film Screening: 'The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia' Join in a discussion after the film. Free. 2-3 p.m., Room 100, Nedderman Hall. Education.

Tuesday, Feb. 16

Requisitions Register online. 8:30-11 a.m., Room E200C, Continuing Education Building. Business Affairs.

Conducting Effective Meetings Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

K-12 Focused Technology Series Explore online learning in K-12 and higher education. Kayla Parker of Coppell ISD, noon-1 p.m., Room 111, Trimble Hall. Also, mobile learning and microlearning, Feb. 24; Harrison McCoy, connecting globally with technology, March 1; Makerspaces and UTA FabLab, March 8; and Jim Holland, Google Classroom, Canvas, and anything related to LMS/CMS, March 22 and 29. Education.

Wednesday, Feb. 17

Writing Effective Performance Reviews Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Building Science Expo “The Growth of North Texas: A Defining Opportunity” includes a building material trade show, followed by lectures, dinner, and a panel discussion. Register online. Noon-9 p.m., Architecture Building. College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs.

Payment Vouchers Register online. 1:30-3:30 p.m., Room E200C, Continuing Education Building. Business Affairs.

Focus on Faculty Krystal Beamon, associate professor of sociology and anthropology. Noon-1:30 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. UTA Libraries.

Black History Month Lectures Theron Bowman, Arlington deputy city manager, “Lawz N the Hood,” noon-1 p.m., and attorney Jermaine Watson, “The Anatomy of a Lawsuit,” 1-2 p.m., Room 200, Trimble Hall. Also, Cheryl Wattley, UNT Dallas College of Law, “Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher and Her Fight to End Segregation,” noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, Room 200, Trimble Hall. History, African American Faculty and Staff Association.

Thursday, Feb. 18

Financial Statements & the Reconciliation Process Register online. 2-4 p.m., Room E200C, Continuing Education Building. Business Affairs.

Friday, Feb. 19

IRB Mini-Conference Learn about the Institutional Review Board (IRB) submission process anf=d how to conduct ethical research studies with human subjects. See conference schedule and RSVP. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., sixth floor, Central Library. Regulatory Services, Research Administration.

Managing Across Generations Register online. 10 a.m.-noon, Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Psychology Colloquium Craig Neumann of the University of North Texas, “Understanding Psychopathy via Variable- and Person-Centered Approaches.” Noon, Room 110, University Hall. Psychology.

Dallas Festival of Ideas Architecture Professor-in-Residence Mark Lamster moderates a panel discussion on “The Physical City.” See the schedule. Free, but registration required. Fair Park, Dallas. Also, Saturday, Feb. 20. Dallas Festival of Ideas, College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs.

Saturday, Feb. 20

CPR/AED/First Aid Class A single, five-hour class covering the American Red Cross first aid basics, medical and environmental emergencies, adult CPR, and AED use. Registration at MAC Services and Information desk. $50. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Room 223, Maverick Activities Center. Also, Saturdays, March 5, April 9, May 21. Campus Recreation.

Tuesday, Feb. 23

Performance Management Forms and Procedures Register online. Noon-1 p.m., Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Travel and Expenses Register online. 8:30-11 a.m., Room E200C, Continuing Education Building. Business Affairs.

Wednesday, Feb. 24

Partnering with Your Boss Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Thursday, Feb. 25

Introduction to TracDat Register online. 3-4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, fourth floor conference room, Wade Building. Also, 4-5 p.m. Friday, March 11; 1:45-2:30.p.m. Tuesday, March 22; 10:45-11:30 a.m. Monday, March 28; 2:45-3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31; 9:45-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 5; 4:15-5 p.m. Wednesday, May 4; all in Room E200E, Workforce Development Building. Institutional Effectiveness and Reporting.

Your Professional Image Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Monday, Feb. 29

Unit Effectiveness Process Refresher Register online. 11 a.m.-noon, fourth floor conference room, in Wade Building; and 1-1:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 22; 10-10:45 a.m. Monday, March 28; 2-2:45 p.m. Thursday, March 31; 9-9:45 a.m. Tuesday, April 5; 3:30-4:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, all in Room E200E, Workforce Development Building. Institutional Effectiveness and Reporting.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UTA calendar.)

High marks: Senior Roland Sales, top and middle left, and freshman Alexus Henry, middle right, set new UTA high jump records at the Charlie Thomas Invitational on Saturday in College Station. Drew Charles, bottom, and fellow Mavs hit the courts at Texas State Tuesday, which was televised on ESPN2.

Two new UTA track records set

Senior Roland Sales smashed the school record and posted a top-5 national mark while winning the men's high jump title at the Charlie Thomas Invitational on Saturday at College Station.

Sales cleared 7 feet, 2 1/2 inches to topple the previous mark. His mark is tied for the fourth-best in the nation this year. On Friday, as part of the pentathlon, freshman Alexus Henry broke the women's mark by clearing 5 feet, 10 inches.

UTA heads to Wichita, Kan., for the Herm Wilson Invitational on Friday-Saturday, Feb. 12-13. The Sun Belt Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships is Monday-Tuesday, Feb. 22-23 in Birmingham, Ala.

Mavs hold Texas State in road win

The men's basketball team finished a long road stretch in style, rolling past Texas State 65-53 Tuesday night in San Marcos before a national television audience on ESPN2.

The Mavericks improved to 16-7 overall and into a tie for fourth in the Sun Belt at 7-5.

Jalen Jones scored 17 and grabbed six rebounds to lead a balanced effort by the Mavs. Jorge Bilbao had a team-high seven rebounds.

Three home games start with Appalachian State on Saturday, Feb. 13, with touchscreen gloves for the first 250 fans. Next are games against Louisiana-Lafayette on Thursday, Feb. 18, and Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday, Feb. 20. All games are at 7:15 p.m. in College Park Center.

Gerlich sees 200th career win

The Lady Mavericks cruised to an 80-48 win over Texas State on Tuesday to earn coach Krista Gerlich the 200th win of her career. The women's basketball team is 11-11 overall and 6-6 in Sun Belt Conference play.

Rebekah VanDijk led the way with a career-high 26 points on 8-11 shooting. VanDijk earned her ninth double-double of the season with 10 rebounds and also chipped in with three blocks.

UTA hosts Appalachian State at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at College Park Center with touchscreen gloves for the first 250 fans. Other home games include Louisiana-Lafayette at 11:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, and Louisiana-Monroe at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20.

Tennis teams on winning streaks

The Maverick men's tennis team improved to 5-3 by sweeping Cameron and Seminole State, both in Oklahoma, in a doubleheader Saturday and A&M-Corpus Christi on Monday.

The team plays Missouri-Kansas City on Friday, Feb. 19, at the UTA Tennis Center followed by a three-game road trip.

The women’s tennis team won 7-0 over Montana State in its spring season opener Friday at the UTA Tennis Center. The Mavs play at home against Nevada-Reno at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 13; Missouri State at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19; and Sam Houston at 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 21.

Intramural deadline for racquetball, indoor soccer

Upcoming intramural sports deadlines are racquetball, Friday, Feb. 12; indoor soccer, Wednesday, Feb. 17; tennis, Friday, Feb. 19; softball, Wednesday, Feb. 24; foosball, Tuesday, March 1; dodgeball, Wednesday, March 2.

See the intramural sports schedule. Pick up entry forms at the Services and Information Desk of the Maverick Activities Center. For questions, call 2-3277 or email imsports@uta.edu.

(For more sports news, go to utamavs.com, uta.edu/movinmavs, or uta.edu/campusrec.)

'Romancing the Stars' $12 per person for faculty, staff, students Bring your sweetheart to the Planetarium this Valentine's Day for a special event, Romancing the Stars. The program takes a lighthearted look at the night sky and tells stories of love and devotion that can be found there. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12; 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13; and 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14. Tickets are $12 per person for the UTA community and Planetarium members and $15 per person for the general public. Call 2-1183 or email planetarium@uta.edu for more information.

Thursday, Feb. 11

Softball: UTA Invitational Mavericks vs. Texas Southern. Tickets $5-7 general public, $3 students. 6 p.m., Allan Saxe Field. Also, vs. Northern Colorado, 4:30 p.m., and vs. Detroit, 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12; vs. Texas Southern, 2 p.m., and vs. Missouri State, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13; vs. Detroit, 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 14. Athletics.

Friday, Feb. 12

Friends of the Library Houston Faust Mount II, Oilfield Revolutionary: The Career of Everette Lee DeGolyer. 7:30 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Friends of the Library, UTA Libraries.

UTA College Invitational Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Free. All day, Maverick Activities Center, Physical Education Building. Also, Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 13-14. Movin' Mavs.

Saturday, Feb. 13

Basketball Doubleheader Mavericks vs. Appalachian State. Tickets $7-20 general public, $3 students. Maverick women's game 5 p.m., men's game 7:15 p.m., College Park Center. Also, vs. Louisiana-Lafayette, women 11:30 a.m., men 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18; and vs. Louisiana-Monroe, women 5 p.m., men 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20. Athletics.

Tennis Lady Mavs vs. Nevada-Reno, 11 a.m.; Mavericks vs. Missouri-Kansas City, 1 p.m. Free. UTA Tennis Center. Athletics.

Tuesday, Feb. 16

Clavier Piano Recital Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Volunteer Fair Faculty, staff, and students can meet with local nonprofit agencies for long-term, short-term, and one-time volunteer events. 11 a.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. UTA Volunteers, Leadership Center.

Thursday, Feb. 18

Third Thursday Game Night Free. 6-9 p.m., basement, Central Library. UTA Libraries.

Maverick Musical Student teams perform Broadway-style productions to compete for cash awards. 7 p.m., Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center. EXCEL Campus Activities.

SAI Alumni Recital Former members of the Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity perform. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Friday, Feb. 19

Baseball: UTA Tournament Mavericks vs. Oklahoma State, 11 a.m.; vs. Stephen F. Austin, 2:30 p.m. Tickets $5 general public, $3 students. Clay Gould Ballpark. Also, vs. Oklahoma State, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, and vs. Stephen F. Austin, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21. Athletics.

Women's Tennis Lady Mavs vs. Missouri State. Free. 2 p.m., UTA Tennis Center. Also, vs. Sam Houston State, 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 21. Athletics.

Softball: Maverick Invitational Mavericks vs. Princeton, 3:30 p.m.; vs. South Dakota State, 6 p.m. Tickets $5-7 general public, $3 students. Allan Saxe Field. Also, vs. Princeton, 11 a.m., and vs. South Dakota State, 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20; and vs. Princeton, 9 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 21. Athletics.

UTA Jazz Festival The UTA Jazz Ensemble performs with guest artist Denis DiBlasio. Tickets $9 general public, $6 students, seniors. 2 p.m., Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. Also, Jazz Orchestra, 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20. Music.

Friday Night Film: 'The Good Dinosaur' Rated PG. Free popcorn. Concessions for sale. $2, $2.50 with credit card. 8 p.m., Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center. EXCEL Campus Activities.

Monday, Feb. 22

Guest Double Bass Recital Jeff Bradetich performs. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Friday, Feb. 26

Men's Tennis Mavericks vs. Incarnate Word. Free. 2 p.m., UTA Tennis Center. Athletics.

Opera Performance of Johann Strauss' 'Die Fledermaus' A joint production of the music and theatre arts departments. Tickets $12 general public, $9 students, seniors, faculty, staff. 8 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Also, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28. Music.

Saturday, Feb. 27

Dr. Seuss Birthday Party Celebrate beloved children's author Dr. Seuss and the joy of reading. Children can enjoy stories read by UTA students, Dr. Seuss-themed arts and crafts, face painting, puppet shows, and picture opportunities. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. Freshmen Leaders On Campus, Leadership Center.

Women’s Basketball on ESPN3 Mavericks vs. Arkansas. 3:05 p.m., ESPN3. Athletics.

NASA's 21st Annual Powwow Celebration of Native American culture at the scholarship fundraiser. E.H. Hereford University Center. Native American Student Association.

Sunday, Feb. 28

Men's Tennis Mavericks vs. Oral Roberts. Free. 2 p.m., UTA Tennis Center. Athletics.

Monday, Feb. 29

Vocal Division Recital Free. Noon, Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Percussion Ensemble Concert Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Ongoing

The Gallery at UTA: 'Whew…That’s a Relief! The Madcap World of John Hernandez' A retrospective exhibition by San Antonio artist John Hernandez that spans four decades. Gallery hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and noon-5 p.m. Saturdays. Through March 30. The Gallery at UTA.

Planetarium Explore the secrets of the universe in the new show Dark. The spring schedule includes Astronaut, Cosmic Colors, From the Earth to the Universe, Pink Floyd, and SpacePark 360: Infinity. Through May 29. UTA Planetarium.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UTA calendar.)