THAT’S BILLION WITH A B. UTA’s annual economic impact is $1.03 billion in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and $527 million in Arlington, according to a recent report from the Office of Institutional Research and Planning. Using a model developed by the American Council on Education, the study calculated the University’s direct purchases of goods and services from area businesses and the expenditures of faculty, staff, students and visitors. The report notes that perhaps UTA’s greatest long-term economic impact comes from the increased earning potential of its graduates, which is felt throughout their careers.

NEW NAME, SAME QUALITY. The School of Education is now the College of Education. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the name change in August. The college includes the departments of Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, and Kinesiology.

LIVING AND LEARNING. The University broke ground in June on Kalpana Chawla Hall, a residence hall on Oak Street on the southeast side of the campus. The 134,000-square-foot structure will be a living/learning residence housing 430 students in 16 communities clustered according to learning themes or major disciplines. It is expected to be completed in August. Dr. Chawla, who earned a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from UTA in 1984, died in the Feb. 1 space shuttle Columbia disaster.

THE PROOF’S IN THE NUMBERS. The Fort Worth Business Press has recognized UTA as having the largest M.B.A. program in the Metroplex. According to the publication, 594 students were enrolled in the University’s M.B.A. programs in fall 2003. The University of North Texas (511), Texas Woman’s University (350), the University of Phoenix-Dallas Campus (311) and Texas Christian University (310) rounded out the top five.

WITH HIGHEST HONORS. Associate Vice President for Outreach Services Michele Bobadilla recently received the highest national award given by the League of United Latin American Citizens. The Raymond Telles Award for Education recognizes exceptional achievement and community service. Bobadilla is chair of the LULAC National Educational Service Center in Dallas, a commissioner for the National LULAC Education Commission and a member of the LULAC Women’s Hall of Fame.

TEX-MEX ON THE MENU. UTA and the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon (UANL) launched a joint program in international comparative policy and administration this fall. Offered through the School of Urban and Public Affairs and UANL’s School of Architecture, the venture awards graduates a Ph.D. from both universities. Goals include preparing bilingual students for administrative positions in Mexican-American relations and educating UANL faculty members at the doctoral level.

GET REAL. UTA has been named one of the Great Colleges of the Real World in a book of the same name. Authors tout the University’s career seminars, its leading role in Internet-based education and its location, which “makes it a rich laboratory for research, student projects, internships and career opportunities with some of the nation’s largest and most prestigious firms.” For more information, visit www.octameron.com.

SELECT COMPANY. The Shorthorn , UTA’s student newspaper, was one of eight college newspapers in the nation and one of two in Texas to win the Silver Crown Award for general excellence given last spring by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. The Shorthorn has received the honor four of the last five years.

FLOODED WITH DONATIONS. The Environmental Science and Engineering Program has received a complete set of Federal Emergency Management Agency ood maps valued at more than $335,000. Donated by FNIS Flood Services, the more than 100,000 paper maps and numerous digital maps will provide valuable resources for researchers in environmental sciences, urban planning and related elds. The donation will be part of UTA's Virginia Garrett Cartographic History Collection.