Showing posts with label Fall 2013. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fall 2013. Show all posts

Friday, December 13, 2013

Forget Me Not!

The semester is at it's end. We all can joyously sleep after this week.The excitement of not having classes for a month is still fresh in our minds.  Let's not get to caught up in the excitement! and forget about some important things to consider about winter break!

1. On Campus Students - CLEAN your rooms, make sure you check out and coordinate with your roommate(s).
2. Use your my.uttyler to check both grades and financial aid! 
3. Make sure to get turn in your books and or/ 
important documents that are needed for next semester!
4. Clean out all your papers from this semester (unless you will need them, which sometimes you do) 
5. Graduating Seniors, this is for you, take a deep breath, relax for a bit! because you GRADUATED!

                   

Keeping up everything is extremely important!
 While some things are alright, being done late due to a loose deadline, this should not be applied to all things! When it comes to classes, enrolling and all things that are under that umbrella, this should take priority and do all that you should do! Keeping a planner or using Google Calender are ways to prevent you from meeting your deadline. I say this because I am a serial forgetful person.  The best way to combat this is to make things so annoying that you won't forget them! Setting multiple alarms or reminders are the key! 




Monday, November 18, 2013

Fifty Shades of Fabulous

By now, most people have a favorite color and it is usually their “signature” color. Have you ever gone shopping and thought, “Oh jeez, what is up with that color? It’s too bright/murky/(fill in the blank with your choice of complaint)!” This is how I used to feel about gray.
My face when looking at "black" vs. "charcoal" vs. "gray"

Friday, November 8, 2013

East Texas Symphony Orchestra

Hello internet! So last Saturday night, I went and saw the East Texas Symphony Orchestra concert at the Cowan Center here on our campus! I've been to a few of their concerts before, and I’m always impressed by their performance!

Any time the symphony comes around I’m always excited to go see what they have prepared! On Saturday, the theme of the concert was “Classics in Film”. The orchestra was also accompanied by guest Soprano, Suzie Leblanc! Here is a list of all the pieces that they played! 


Also sprach Zarathustra - R. Strauss   2001: A Space Odyssey

On the beautiful blue Danube - J. Strauss  2001: A Space Odyssey

Nulla in mundo pax sincera - Vivaldi  Shine
Ombra mai fu - Handel Dangerous Liasons
Una voce poco fa - Rossini  Citizen Cane
Music for strings, percussion, and celeste, mvt. 3 - Bartok The Shining
Throne Room and End Credits - J. Williams Star Wars: A New Hope
Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana - Mascagni  Raging Bull
Symphony no. 25 in g minor, mvt 1 - Mozart  Amadeus
Gabriel’s Oboe - Morricone arr. R. Longfield  The Mission
Summertime - Gershwin  Porky & Bess
Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Arlen The Wizard of Oz
Adagio for Strings – Barber Platoon
Overture to The Barber of Seville – Rossini The Rabbit of Seville


The ETSO absolutely nailed every single one of these songs, and I was very impressed with their performance! They have three more concerts coming up for the 2013-2014 concert season! All of the concerts will take place at the Cowan Center here on our very own campus! Want to see the symphony orchestra live? Come to one of the upcoming concerts, each featuring a number of guest artists! Tickets are fairly cheap and it's defiantly worth it! 

January 18, 2014 - The Five Browns  
March 22, 2014 -   On Nature

April 26, 2014 -     Power Play

Did any of you guys go see the ETSO also? Tell me what you thought by leaving a comment below!


Tuesday, October 15, 2013

New things are happening at UT Tyler!

 Hey guys! This semester, the university is making a few changes to the way things are done. One of these things includes the expansion of the Enrollment Services Center here on campus!


IT'S RIGHT HERE
Starting this Monday, October 14, 2013, students may pay their charges and bills at the One Stop Shop on the second floor of the Administration building! Up until now, in order to pay for tuition and fees, or other outstanding charges, students had to go to the downstairs cashiers' office. Now you can get all of your things done at the same place!

Faculty and Staff will keep using the downstairs Cashiers office for campus business services.


Another change that was made was that now you no longer have to wait in long lines at the Enrollment Services Center! The university has set up a queuing system that notifies students when they can be seen. Notifications arrive via text to your phone, and your name also pops up on our nifty new kiosk! Now you can avoid waiting in horribly long lines and treat yourself to some food in our University Center!


Hours for the Enrollment Services Center are from 8am to 5pm on Monday through Friday! If you have any questions, feel free to check out our website HERE, or contact the ESC at 903.566.7180! 









Saturday, October 12, 2013

Homecoming is looming!

                Orange floods the fields, food smells engulf the air, and people crowd the campus. Homecoming is almost here! It will be packed with different opportunities for students to feel the Patriot pride! This may not be high school anymore, and there may not be mums or garters, but students still come together to show pride in our school and enjoy these activities with friends.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

It's fall at UT Tyler! How are you spending your season?

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year! As I told you in a previous blog, the leaves begin to change color and the air becomes more brisk.  Now, the question is how will you plan to spend your time in this most wonderful time of year? Will you be staying inside watching television? Or will you go out and enjoy the best time of the year?!

Monday, September 30, 2013

Snows cones that will cause you to Shiver with goodness

             If you haven’t noticed, Texas weather is for lack of better words…cray cray. Some days it’s hot like the sun just decided to hover above us and say “oh hey! I’m just hanging here for a bit,” but other days, it becomes really cold even if we’re in the South. Summer is over, but there is a delicious icy treat that we don't let fall take from us.

                I’m talking about snow cones!!! If you’re like me, they remind me of my childhood days where I used to run to the truck where the snow cone man sold these cooling treats; though you don’t have to run anymore as there is a snow cone stand that is a drive-thru service. YOU MUST GO TO SHIVER’S SNOW CONES!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Life as a Music Major

Studying music is pretty much what I've always wanted to do in college. Pretty much. And now that I'm finally doing it, I can actually tell you guys what life as a music major is all about!


Monday, September 23, 2013

Fall in Love with Fashion

Even though the first official day of fall is September 22, Texas doesn't seem to know that. With humidity high and the temperatures even higher, a fashionista can start to wonder, “when will it all end?”

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Officially a new member

                If you've been tracking my Greek life recruitment process, you've known that I got an invitation to become a new member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE). After last Thursday September 12th, I am now officially on track to be initiated into SΑΕ. I, along with 17 other guys attended our New Member Ceremony.

What does this entail you may ask? This was a commemoration to officially name us, 18 men, as new members. We can officially embark on our journey to know and fully understand the values and creed of the True Gentleman that represents Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

“The True Gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety and whose self-control is equal to all emergencies; who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity; who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another; who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own possessions or achievements; who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy; whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the rights and feelings of others rather than his own; and who appears well in any company; a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe.”
- John Walter Wayland. Virginia, 1899
It was a publicly held ceremony at the library room 401 where friends and family were welcomed to see this ritual.

This was a ceremonious validation that we were true and loyal to SAE and that we made the right intention in wanting to become fully initiated members in the future.

New Member Class Nu
Throughout the event, I could feel a sense of belonging as I was ecstatic to be a part of something meaningful. This chapter was founded in 1856 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. An organization this old, upheld by the same traditions and values over a century, creates a sense of pride in being affiliated. 


Greek life was never my intent, but after meeting a few members, I could feel that there was a sense of friendship that is elevated as you belong to a brotherhood; all coming together under one organization where you share similar experiences. I haven’t started learning the core values of this brotherhood yet but I am very excited to start this new chapter in my life!

If Greek life sounds like something you would like to join, there is spring recruitment next semester so be sure to keep a look out for that!

If you guys would like to know more about Greek life click here!

Click here to contact Greek life!




Monday, August 26, 2013

The Return of Fall


   Ahh, the new Fall semester is upon us! Time for buying college-ruled paper, spending financial aid money on things totally not related to school, and for starting new courses and meeting new students. In some cases you even get to meet old friends as they might be starting new paths in life, ie: starting a new college paths, etc...

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Taking Time to Say Thanks


   Look, college is a busy time for everyone. Our course instructors take the time to teach the class, plan coursework, grade papers, etc... The office workers ( like those in Financial Aid, Housing, the departmental Offices ) have to keep track of emails, projects, the different Chair/Department Head's needs, and all this is nothing to what the higher ups in Administration work with.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

25% Off For UT Tyler Students

I'm sure many of you are cluttering over the upcoming fall semester with your various last minute preparations. Some of you are busy moving into a new apartment or dorm, while others are trying to adjust to the idea of living away from home for the first time. Well, if one of these clustering moments involves shopping for school clothes have I got news for you. During the month of August The St. Vincent de Paul store in Tyler is offering a 25% discount to all UT Tyler students who show a valid student ID.


St. Vincent de Paul is a chain of international thrift stores owned and operated by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. (Who would'a Thunk?) Anyway, it is basically equivalent to the Goodwill thrift chain except SVdP stores treat their employees better. I actually bought the couch that's currently in my apartment from there about 2 years ago. I may not have a picture to share but let me tell you, this is a good couch. I mean I do sit on it and everything.

So if you're interested in saving 25% on your back to school shopping go check out the local St. Vincent de Paul store on 410 S. College St. Tyler TX 75702. Their hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 to 5:30 and are also open the first Saturday of each month..

Life Cheat #867503: Napoleon was 5'7". Not a life cheat really... Just thought you should know he wasn't short.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

First week of classes at UT Tyler

Here, at the call center, we've been counting down for the fall semester on Twitter.
We're counting down to the start of Fall 2013!

I know a lot of our incoming freshmen are nervous about the upcoming fall semester. You went to orientation, you've downloaded the campus map, you've got your parking permit paid for, you have your student ID and you've gone over what you need for the first day of class.

However, the first week of class (you're trying to get used to your schedule for the day) is pretty odd compared to the rest of the semester. There's a few things you should know before you begin to freak out about college.

Friday, August 2, 2013

Tips for new students!

As we all know that August 26th is the first day of classes here at The University of Texas at Tyler. Yayy J And most of you especially our new freshman might be nervous to start the college life.

Well don’t be! 


Here are some few things you can start doing to prep yourself in to a new start.
  1.     Make sure your classes are registered, and you have your schedule done by now! That way if you can start with locating your classes right now to make it easy and less hectic on the first day.
  2.     Purchase your parking ticket early to avoid the line at the cashier's office and at the police department on the first week of classes.         
  3.     Make sure you already have your student ID made, again to avoid lines during first week.
  4.         If possible, try to stop by at our book store at the University Center (UC) to see if you can rent or buy used books. From personal experience, I have always waited till last minute to purchase my books and they had to pay more for new books because I was too late to purchase the used ones L
  5.           Last, but not the least, have an agenda ready to start your semester. Classes can sometimes be overwhelming and it always helps to plan out your week ahead of time to keep you on track.


I am not trying to scare the new students, but just giving you guys a heads up on what to expect here at UT Tyler from  personal experience.


Good Luck!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

First Day Of Class At UT Tyler

With the first day of the fall semester at the University of Texas at Tyler approaching fast it’s time for all you first time Freshman to start getting ready. For most of you this is your first time away from home and won’t have someone to wake you up and shoo you off to class in the morning. This is a major transitional period in your life when you are given most of the freedoms of adulthood while having the innocence of adolescence ripped out from underneath you. Now is the time to begin prioritizing your time and learn what it really means to be an adult.


This almost never happens in college.... Almost...

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Full Time Grad Student at UT Tyler

This coming fall semester I will embark on a rigorous journey. I will be taking a full load of 9 hours of graduate courses here at the University of Texas at Tyler. I will be taking Renaissance Europe with Dr. Tabri, 20th Century Europe with Dr. Gajda, and a Seminar Course with Dr. Koster. I have had Dr. Gajda for classes as both an undergrad and as a provisional grad student last Spring. I've also had classes with Dr. Tabri as an undergrad but I've never had Dr. Koster so I’m looking forward to seeing what a class with her is like.

I’ll be taking each of these courses once a week for 3 hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. This may not seem like much, but take into account on average the workload is about 1 book and review a week, in addition to a short research paper in each class (short being about 15-20 pages). Along with this, I plan on lecturing a 1945 to present history course on the shift of American politics to the right since World War II. However, the great challenge is presenting the material in a completely unbiased manner.
I may have a lot coming up this semester but I plan on enjoying every minute of it as I did last semester.

A graduate degree has the potential to take you places a Bachelors cannot. However, going for a graduate degree is not for everyone. If you are interested in pursuing such a degree here at UT Tyler it important to first figure out your goals for grad school and what you plan on doing with your degree. Second, discuss these goals with an academic advisor to see what the University can offer you. You'd be surprised at the wide array of graduate programs UT Tyler offers.  Go ahead and take a look for yourself. There might just be something there for you!

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

New Parking Lots at UT Tyler II

In a previous blog I posted about a new parking lot being built adjacent to the Cowan Center. Over the past two semesters, the Cowan Point parking area has been used as a temporary parking lot but a new parking lot is now being built to help alleviate parking issues brought on by a recent influx of students. This new lot will have a total of 120 parking spots. However, this is just a small step towards helping ease the parking strain at UT Tyler. The administration has been working diligently towards finding solutions for the expected student population growth. As well as a new parking lot the university is re-striping the angled parking back to their original positions gaining about 250 spots. There are also some other parking changes everyone should be aware of for the upcoming Fall Semester.
Cowan Point June 6th
Cowan Point July 10th
A temporary lot with 60 spots is being set up near the tennis courts, and when lots are full the campus police will post signs indicating such. The price for a parking permit will remain at $48 for the upcoming academic year. However, you will only be allowed one parking permit per student. If you have to drive an alternate vehicle for a short period of time you can now request temporary parking tags online from the Campus Police Department

Due to the high demand and limited use of them, there will no longer be reserved spaces. Although very convenient for some, the individual reserved spots were not an efficient use of space. When not used, a reserved spot sat vacant and faculty/staff who could have parked in those spots had to seek out a vacant spot in a student parking area. When all campus spots are full the city of Tyler is covering up the "no-parking signs" along Varsity Drive during the first two weeks of classes to help with overflow. 

In the future, the campus hopes to work with the local government into converting Varsity Drive into a one-way street flowing South away from Old Omen. After this, the city will put angled parking along the UT Tyler side of Varsity. I don't know about you guys, but I'm really excited about all the changes being done to help alleviate the parking strain at UT Tyler.