The Signal New Student Orientation Special Edition 2016 by UHCL The Signal

Cover design by The Signal managing editor Dave Silverio.

2016

UHCLTHESIGNALNSO.COM

THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON–CLEAR LAKE

NEW STUDENT

ORIENTATION

TABLE OF Letter from the President CONTENTS

What it means to be a Hawk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 UHCL: Why the ‘Choice is Clear’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 A brief history of UHCL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Fun Facts About UHCL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 How to survive your first year at UHCL . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 10 Tips for students from students. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Building a first-year learning community. . . . . . . . . . . 6 Where Hawks reside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Soaring about the rest: Marianna’s Story . . . . . . . . . . . 6 How to choose your major . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Quiz: What is your major field of study?. . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Going to college in the digital age. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Ok, I failed my first test – now what? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 It’s time to ‘book it’ to the library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Help comes to those who visit the Writing Center. . 9 Recreation and Wellness Center breaks ground in 2017. . . 11 Fitness for ‘free’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 UHCL Hawk Field Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Campus Map: SSCB and Bayou Buildings. . . . . . . . . . 14 Campus Map: Delta and Arbor Buildings. . . . . . . . . . 15 UHCL Campus Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Attack of the Group Project. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Quiz: What role do you play in a group project?. . . . 17 Which Student Organizations Best Suit You? . . . . . . 18 Start volunteering now; you won’t regret it. . . . . . . . 19 Learn to lead: Carla’s Story. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 SGA President Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 A home away from home: Shruti’s Story. . . . . . . . . . 20 Service Buddies: Thomas and Aurora’s Story . . . . . . 20 Air Force Hawk flies high: Rebecca’s Story. . . . . . . . . 21 Learning abroad: Phuong’s Story. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 A whole new ball game: Stefan’s Story. . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Events & Traditions: Fall and Spring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Events & Traditions: All Year and Traditions. . . . . . . . 27 Slacker corner: Fun and Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

At the end of articles you will see icons that refer to offices/departments relevant to the subject. Refer to the index on page 16 to find out more information about that particular office/department. The icons can also be found on the campus building maps on pages 14 and 15.

Visit us online to see more articles, videos and

other content to start your first year right at

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Dear UH-Clear Lake Student, We are delighted you chose University of HoustonClear Lake to help you reach your educational goals. Since welcoming freshman and sophomore students almost two years ago in what was the second most significant change in the university’s history, the university continues to grow and now welcomes more than 8,900 students each semester. UHCL graduates more than 2,400 students each year who go on to become part of our prestigious UHCL alumni, which number more than 60,000. As a student-centered university, we want you to succeed. Whether enrolled in our College of Business, College of Education, College of Human Sciences and Humanities or College of Science and Computer Engineering, you will be treated as a person, not a number. You have your own unique personal interests, goals, dreams and career aspirations. We firmly believe that education is the key to a more promising and rewarding future for you and your fellow students. Just like UHCL’s official mascot, the Hawk, we want you to soar as the result of your education at UHCL.

We support our students by offering nationally accredited academic programs delivered by a high-quality faculty, as well as by having a variety of academic support services including our Student Success Center, Writing Center and Math Center, among others, which are all focused on the success of our students. A student’s education is enhanced by impactful experiences both inside and outside the classroom. UHCL offers more than 80 student organizations and a very active Student Government Association. Other opportunities for students include leadership development and community service experiences through our Student Leadership, Involvement and

Community Engagement program as well as research and creative expression through our annual Student Conference for Research and Creative Arts. For the past four years, UHCL has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll by the Corporation for National and Community Service. We are very proud that in our surveys of graduating students, more than 90 percent of respondents consistently indicate they would recommend UHCL to family and friends. One of our proudest moments as a university, and for me personally, will be when you walk across the stage at graduation, and I have the opportunity to shake your hand and congratulate you on being the newest member of the UHCL Alumni Association. It’s a pleasure to welcome you as a new student at UHCL. Best wishes for a productive, enjoyable and successful educational experience. Best regards, William A. Staples UHCL President

Letter from the Editor Dear Hawks, Welcome to your new home. The Signal staff has tried to make this issue as helpful as possible for you; think of it as your “survival guide” for your first year at UHCL. Though this issue cannot encompass all that UHCL has to offer, we tried to fit most of it into 28 pages. UHCL is a unique university, and you might think that your experience here will be different than at other colleges. It will be. You are entering this school during its prime, and you can be the start of something new. Be informed of your surroundings and get involved on and off campus. Soon we will have a Recreation

and Wellness Center that will bring more sports to campus. Hopefully, we will have intercollegiate sports teams in the future. The school is also breaking ground on a new STEM building that will open doors in the world of science and present students with major career opportunities. Get involved in your student government association and

student organizations. These organizations are a way to meet new friends and gain experience that will last you a lifetime. Don’t see a student organization you find interesting? Start your own! College is the place to find your voice and use it. I enrolled at UHCL in 2012 and loved it so much that I decided to stay a while longer to pursue my master’s degree. I hope you will enjoy your time here as much as I have. Hope to see you around campus, Liz Davis Editor-in-Chief, 2016 Edition New Student Orientation Issue

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What it means to be a Hawk By Shawn Domingues Soaring high above the beautiful landscape below, red-tailed hawks are frequently spotted throughout the UHCL campus. With their keen powers of observation and their intense focus on the task at hand, the hawk symbolizes a student body that is focused, has a clear vision of its direction ahead and is ready to soar. Animal totems are often used to signify an emblem for a group of people. The hawk totem is said to represent vision and inspire a creative life purpose. The choice of this magnificent animal as the emblem for UHCL was a clear one. In Fall 2010, UHCL’s Mascot Leadership Team began a five-phase mascot search process that involved getting input from faculty, staff, students and alumni through a series of surveys conducted throughout the

year. Survey participants gave anonymous input as to why they chose the hawk as the mascot, a few of which are listed below: “Hawks are keen, swift and a bird of opportunity;” “The hawk is a visionary, much like the best of UHCL;” and “Hawks are watchful, with sharp senses. They are hunters and flyers with a decisive self-possession that any person would do well to emulate.” So what does it mean to be a Hawk at UHCL? “A hawk, as an animal, is adventuresome, dynamic and spirited, and that’s really what we want the UHCL students to be,” said President William Staples. “As a UHCL Hawk, we want them to soar as a result of their education here.” “I think to be a UHCL Hawk means that you can soar to new heights and achieve your dreams and goals beyond what you can

imagine,” said Darlene Biggers, associate vice president of student services. “We, the faculty and staff, will be the wind beneath your wings.” “Being a Hawk means you are a college student,” said David Rachita, interim dean of students. “One that is dedicated to scholastic achievement, being academically challenged, learning to be a critical thinker and being a serious student. It means working hard. And it means doing it ‘The Hawk Way: Honor, Character and Excellence.’” Like the red-tailed hawks that can be seen soaring high above the campus, the students of UHCL are able to ascend to new heights with a clear vision and purpose, ready to take the lead when the time is right – soaring on to the future ahead.

Photo by The Signal reporter Jenny Howard.

UHCL: Why the ‘Choice is Clear’ By Colden Snow Located in the heart of the Clear Lake community in the greater Houston area, the University of Houston-Clear Lake sits on more than 500 acres of sweeping forest landscapes. The university draws students for many reasons. Whether you are new to college, a returning student or transferring from another institution, there are dozens of reasons you made the choice to attend UHCL. 90 percent of graduates from UHCL said they would recommend the university to friends or family. Here are the top five reasons others have chosen UHCL for their higher education. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE UHCL students are taught by faculty with vast backgrounds and experience in their various fields. What students learn at UHCL won’t just end when they graduate, especially when it comes to critical thinking. “At UH-Clear Lake, because we have excellent faculty and because we have a rigorous academic program and expectation, you’re going to come out with more than a degree, you’re going to come out a critical thinker, which is going to prepare you either for that job or continued education,” said David Rachita, interim dean of students. CAMPUS SAFETY UHCL prides itself on being a safe campus. It is ranked 49th overall on StateUniversity.com’s Safe School Index, which ranks the 450 safest colleges and universities in the nation. Since 2012, the UHCL Police Department has been granted national accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Only 1.3 percent of all campus police departments have earned accreditation. “The department reached a milestone in 2012 by earning accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies,” said Allen Hill, interim chief of police. “This is an honor achieved by less than 4 percent of all agencies in the United States.”

The police department is equipped with both police officers in patrol cars and student employees who serve in a special unit called the Hawk Patrol. Any of the members of the Hawk Patrol, as well as other officers, will accompany students to their car if they have a night class or are on campus late. For any emergency or in the event you need assistance, you can reach the campus police at 281-283-2222 from any phone or dial extension 2222 from any campus phone. AFFORDABILITY On a list of Texas’ 38 public universities, number one being the highest tuition rates paid by students, UHCL ranked 30th for amount paid in tuition by students. Meaning that students at UHCL are paying lower amounts in tuition than they would at almost all other Texas public universities. PROXIMITY Located in the greater Houston metro area, UHCL is conveniently situated between downtown Houston and Galveston. Students have access to all the city has to offer as well as local nature preserves and the beaches of Galveston. Many apartment complexes are within walking distance to campus. “It was very important for me to find an institution close by with gas being so expensive these days,” said Jamil Aslam, healthcare administration major. “I wanted to make the smartest financial decision.” NATURE UHCL is adjacent to the Armand Bayou nature preserve. With a lush forest landscape, man-made wetland, ponds full of fish, turtles and even the occasional alligator, UHCL students can experience the wonders of nature daily. Deer are a major staple on campus and sightings of hawks soaring above the Bayou Building are common. “Something that always made me smile was seeing a lone hawk on the power lines close to the nature trail,” said Carla Bradley, digital media studies alumna. “I pretended that it was greeting us on our way to class.”

• From the summer of 1999 until the arrival of Hunter the Hawk in 2013, “Blockie” was the unofficial school mascot. Blockie was a cube with arms and legs who sported a large pair of sunglasses along with the UHCL logo.

• Established in 1991, the Environmental Institute of Houston (EIH) conducts and funds research on environmental issues with an emphasis on developing and implementing real-world solutions. Visit http://eih.uhcl.edu to watch the Purple Martin live nest cam and to find out more about volunteer opportunities and research. • The UHCL Police Department is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. This honor has been given to less than 4 percent of over 17,000 police departments in the U.S. • UHCL’s Hawk Patrol provides patrolling of parking lots, safety transportation escorts and motorist assist services. Hawk Patrol is typically on duty Mondays through Thursdays, 6 - 11 p.m

UHCL THE SIGNAL NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION 2016

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A brief history of UHCL:

Paving the way for a brighter future

By Manuel Nañez The University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL), as we know it, officially began in the fall of 1974. However, the school’s origins date back a bit earlier. The university’s original name was the University of Houston at Clear Lake City (UH/CLC). In the mid 1970s the city of Clear Lake City ceased to exist and UH/CLC shortened its name to University of Houston-Clear Lake. The area that used to be Clear Lake City was annexed by the cities of Houston and Pasadena. UH/CLC sprang from the needs of industries in the area and the Manned Spacecraft Center, now NASA-Johnson Space Center. Robert Gilruth, director of NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center, recognized a need for higher education classes in the Clear Lake area to support the requirements of the center. Members of the community also expressed a desire for a facility of higher education closer to home than the commute to the University of Houston main campus. In response to the requests, Philip Hoffman, University of Houston president, opened the Graduate Center at NASA in 1964. That fall, with more than 500 students enrolled, it was clear that they had tapped into something with great potential. In subsequent years, Hoffman led local business and community leaders in fundraising activities and launched legislative efforts to have UH/CLC officially recognized as an independent university, which happened in 1971. Next, Hoffman began searching for quality individuals to bring on board as professors and administrators. In 1972 Hoffman appointed Alfred Neumann as UH/ CLC’s first chancellor. Neumann sought to differ UH/ CLC’s educational structure from the main campus, with an emphasis on providing a more personal touch to the school. Jonathan Zophy, professor of history, notes in his book “Building a University: A History of the University of Houston-Clear Lake 1974 to Present,” that school leaders wanted to “arrange space so that administration, faculty, staff and students have maximum contact with each other.” “The personal feel of UHCL came first and foremost from our many small classes,” said David Malin, professor of psychology and neuroscience and charter faculty member. “For many of the returning students, this was the first time they were able to really know their professors. For the

early faculty, the family feeling came in part from the many social events organized by the UHCL Women’s Association. Faculty from all four schools got to know one another at these parties and receptions.” The charter faculty all assumed the risk that accompanied joining an organization at the ground floor, not knowing what the ultimate outcome would be. “We loved the challenge of offering a rigorous liberal arts education to all comers, not just to the ‘elite,’” said John Gorman, retired professor of literature and charter faculty member. “I’d had no idea what sort of suburbia was growing up around NASA. There were people of all ages, all backgrounds, many with wide ranges of experience and an admirable intellectual sophistication.” Most of the university’s newly hired charter faculty was young. “I recall that during the first semester someone calculated that the average age of the students was slightly higher than the average age UHCL charter members. Back Row: Nanette Bruckner, Jib Fowles, Grover Starling, Tom McFaul. Middle Row: Jaye Miller, Rosemary Pledger, Jim Coomer, Chris of the faculty,” Malin said. DeDe, Kim Hill, Calvin Cannon, Jim Bowman, Lester Sartorious, Bob Toplin and Throughout the years as the Norm Weed. Photo from The Signal archives. university flourished, so too has its family of alumni. “As we move into our third academic year as a four“One of the amazing and affirming revelations that year university, we welcome all our new students, income from the stories of our alumni is that getting an cluding our third freshman class, transfer and graduate education at UHCL offers a world of opportunities,” said students,” said UHCL President William Staples. “We are Dion McInnis, retired associate vice president of univervery pleased that you have decided to continue your educasity advancement. “From the 56,000-plus alumni, we hear tion at UH-Clear Lake. Our top priority is the success of many stories from poets and doctors, artists and lawyers, our students. We provide high quality academic programs entrepreneurs and inventors, and so much more. Because and student services to meet the needs of our students. We of the university’s focus on connections to the community, believe strongly in learning both inside and outside the the UHCL experience is practical and practicable, enabling classroom through a variety of activities including student students to utilize their educational experiences immedigovernment, leadership, research and community service.” ately.” “Our hope for you is success at UHCL which will lead UHCL continues to grow and thrive. In the fall of 2014, to future success in your chosen career and in life. Best UHCL became a four-year institution, offering freshman wishes for a great year! Go Hawks!” and sophomore-level courses for the first time.

Legendary alumni continue to soar

4 UHCL THE SIGNAL NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION 2016

in 2013 after a series of extensive surveys and input from faculty, staff, alumni and students, with the “Hawks” beating out the “Egrets” as the final choice. • Earlier potential mascot names included the Red-shouldered Hawks in the 1980s and the Hurricanes or Voyagers in 1990s. • UHCL is a four-time recipient of the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to voluntary service and civic engagement. • The original name of the student newspaper at UHCL was the UHCLIDIAN. The name, chosen from entries submitted by UHCL students, is a word play combining the acronym UHCL and Euclid, the noted Greek mathematician. The newspaper’s name was changed to The Signal in 2007.

By Max Newlin If you want to be impressed and inspired each time you walk through the door at UHCL, you need only take a walk around the first floor of the Bayou Building. There you will see the names and faces of

distinguished individuals who graduated from UHCL. The wall of Distinguished Alumni consists of an array of legendary alumni from different backgrounds and professions – from the medical field all the way to the farthest reaches of the Earth’s atmosphere...

READ THE FULL ARTICLE ONLINE UHCLTHESIGNALNSO.COM

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signed to resemble the Houston Galleria Shopping Center. It has been said that this design was intentional so the building could be easily converted into a shopping mall if the university failed. • Although UHCL is part of the University of Houston System, it is not a branch campus; it is a separate and distinct institution with its own administration, degree plans, academic programs and accreditation. Because of this distinction, UHCL has strived to define its own identity. • The official school colors are blue and green – a representation of the natural elements that surround the campus. • The current logo was created in 1994 to symbolize the dual nature of UHCL (professional yet personal) with a wavy line going through it to represent the bayou that winds through campus.

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By Shawn Domingues • UHCL began as a Graduate Center at NASA in 1964. • Circling the earth 145 times, the UHCL flag was flown aboard the space shuttle “Columbia” in 1983. The flag is now housed in the UHCL Archives, located on the third floor of the Alfred R. Neumann Library. • Archives from NASA-Johnson Space Center are also housed in the Neumann Library. • The library was named after UHCL’s first chancellor, Alfred R. Neumann. • The UHCL campus is located on a wildlife and nature preserve with a wetlands area on campus adjacent to Horsepen Bayou. • The first building built on campus was the Arbor Building, which now houses the art department, the Center for Educational Programs, faculty offices, and education and social science classes.

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10 Tips for students from students

Hunter the Hawk. Photo Courtesy of Student Life.

How to survive your first year at UHCL By Rebeccah Zuazua Adapting to a new school is bound to present new challenges, and lack of knowledge about some of our college’s policies can have costly consequences. Here are some tips to help guide you through your first year at UHCL: PURCHASE A PERMIT TO UTILIZE THE PARKING LOT. Buying an annual or semester permit is better on your wallet than paying for a temporary permit or a parking citation. In addition, be aware of Student Government Association, faculty and staff parking spaces. “Read signs on campus to ensure you do not park in areas not designated to you,” recommends Harry Glass, parking operations supervisor. Student permits are only available online to purchase at uhclparking.t2hosted.com. At the time of purchase, students are given a temporary printable pass to display in their car window until their hanging pass is mailed to their home. Parking rules are the same for all UHCL students, faculty and staff, so don’t count on using the excuse that you are a new student. You can read more in-depth rules and regulations at www.uhcl.edu/ parking. DON’T SKIP CLASS. The beauty of college is making your own schedule, however, it’s important that you show up on time. You are responsible for your classroom attendance, not your parents. Be aware of attendance policies for all of your classes. An instructor can drop a student from a course should his or her attendance be in violation of syllabus requirements. Communication with an instructor is important if you miss a class for personal reasons or emergencies. PAY ATTENTION TO DEADLINES. Getting assignments done and submitted on time is important in succeeding anywhere; meeting deadlines is imperative in all professions. Depending on your instructor, make-up or late assignments may not be accepted. If you must miss class on a day when an assignment is due,

email your instructor before the deadline passes. Students are given a syllabus by the instructor on the first day of class, so always check the instructor’s policy on deadlines, late work, missed work and attendance/participation. ORGANIZE YOUR SCHEDULE. Unfortunately, most college students cannot afford to hire secretaries to keep track of all their stuff for them. This is where planners come in handy. Marking down due dates and setting aside time to study are examples of what to jot down in a planner – either by hand or electronically on an app. Time management is essential when organizing your schedule, otherwise you will cause yourself a world of stress. DON’T PLAGIARIZE. Fight the urge to use someone’s ideas, words or any other original work. This includes cutting and pasting off the Internet. Submitting anyone else’s work that is not your own could result in serious consequences. “Sanctions can range from simply having to re-do the assignment to failing the entire course,” said David Rachita, interim dean of students. “My advice [would be] don’t count on a friendly warning.” The long-lasting consequence for plagiarism, no matter how severe, is the student will have an academic honesty violation on file. BE CIVIL IN THE CLASSROOM. Respect your fellow students and instructors in and outside of the classroom. You are an adult and expected to treat everyone with respect and remain civil. This is college; it is acceptable to ask questions or discuss your difference of opinions in an academic manner. However, reacting in a hostile or belligerent manner to a student or instructor, in or outside of class, is disrespectful. If you have an issue, calmly discuss the matter after class or during office hours. Or contact the dean of students to discuss and solve the problem.

By Loren Ferguson Whether you’re fresh out of high school or a returning student, starting college can keep you up like the night before Christmas. Relax. The Signal staff has come up with their top 10 survival tips for your first year at UHCL. 1. “Man, I love college.” This is the ‘big time.’ This is the start of building your career. Pay attention, absorb the education, learn your craft by practicing your skills and don’t be afraid to ask questions. 2. Plan accordingly. Take advantage of the resources UHCL provides. Offices such as the Writing Center, Math Center, Student Success Center, Career Services and Counseling Services will guide you toward graduating successfully. 3. Stretch your dollar. Wait until the first day of class to buy your books unless otherwise stated by the professor. The first day of class your professor will be able to tell you which books are recommend, required or if you can save some money by purchasing an older edition. You can save yourself money by purchasing used books from websites like chegg.com or by renting an eBook. 4. Read the fine print. The syllabus is different for every course as well as each professor. Make sure to thoroughly read what the semester has in store for you. Usually, a syllabus will supply you with important information such as: a schedule with due dates, absence policy, grading policy, required texts and office hours. Every professor has autonomy over his/her classroom, so pay attention to the syllabus. 5. Time management. Create a calendar that contains all of your deadlines. This calendar will help you finish assignments in a timely manner. It is much easier to keep track of assignments and due dates when they are consolidated and organized. Take advantage of UHCL resources like SLICE, Career Services and Counseling Services workshops offered throughout the semester to learn how to manage your time wisely.

• If you receive an email or text with the subject line “CODE GREEN,” you need to stop what you’re doing and read that message. CODE GREEN is the official coding placed on all life safety emergency messages sent by the university.

6. You’ve got mail. The main form of communication between you, the university and your professor will be through your UHCL email. You can link your UHCL email to your personal account. Sign in to your UHCL email, click the question mark and select “Help” to set your email up to forward messages. For help, call the Support Center at 281-2832828 or email supportcenter@uhcl.edu. Be sure to check your email regularly so you don’t miss important announcements. 7. Be proactive. Be sure to email your professors when a problem or concern arises. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to figure out what you missed. The professor will not seek you out to walk you handin-hand through last week’s assignment. There is no getting around assignment due dates. Your assignment should be on time whether or not you are present in class, so make sure you have your professor’s email address. 8. Keep calm and ask advisers. Go talk to an adviser about your semester plans. Keep in mind some courses are not available yearround. Always ensure you have fulfilled any prerequisites, if applicable, before signing up for a course. Students who have not met prerequisites will not be allowed to attend the class. Prerequisites are in place to ensure you have the necessary skills to help you get the most out of particular courses. 9. Guess who? You should make an informed decision when choosing your classes. Get advice from other students and use websites like www.ratemyprofessor. com to see helpful reviews on all of the professors. Be sure your learning style will coordinate with the professor’s teaching style. 10. Early bird gets the worm! Take advantage of early registration. Registering early enables a greater chance of choosing the right teachers, times and courses for you. The smaller class sizes at UHCL are great for engaging students, but that also means that classes can fill up quickly. Don’t miss out on registering for a class you need, or you might delay your graduation.

• The Writing Center has a virtual consultant named Susie Queue. If you have a quick question about writing or grammar, simply type in your question at: http://prtl.uhcl.edu/ writing-center/susie-queue for help.

Photo Courtesy of UHCL Student Life

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Building a first-year learning community

First-year students engaged in discussion during PSYC 1100 - Learning Frameworks with Anne Gessler, first-year seminar lecturer. Photo by The Signal Managing Editor Sam Savell.

Where Hawks reside By Sherea Cary Hawk’s Landing is UHCL’s first-year student living facility housed within University Forest Apartments, the university’s on-campus housing. Sixteen two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments, or one entire building, is dedicated to freshmen. Apartment units are fully furnished. Rental rates start at $589 per bedspace, per month (subject to change); rates are based on a 12-month lease and include a $30 per month allowance for utilities. First-year students can pay for the lease in a lump sum or make monthly payments to establish rental history. A lease at Hawk’s Landing functions like any other apartment lease; violations of the lease contract, including breaking the lease, has consequences. Amenities at Hawk’s Landing include Internet, a clubhouse with free wi-fi, limited-access gates and on-site laundry facilities. A swimming pool, spa, sand volleyball court and BBQ pavilion serve as recreational amenities to the property. A drug store, fine dining and fast food establishments are all within walking distance to Hawk’s Landing; some

establishments even offer a student discount. Residence assistants reside on property to help first-year students plan activities, answer their questions and to serve as a resource to residents navigating the unfamiliar territory of living independently. Activities designed for first-year students to encourage networking and academic success are planned for residents of Hawk’s Landing. Residents also have opportunities to participate in activities planned for other housing residents, such as games and potluck diners. Easy access to campus activities such as art exhibits, movies and campus events like the Chili Cook-Off is a benefit of living on campus. “Hawk’s Landing is a place to live, learn and grow,” said Lawrence Samaranayake, general manager of University Forest Apartments. First-year students receive the best of both worlds at Hawk’s Landing: independent living coupled with a supportive learning environment on campus designed to help them grow and make the adjustment to college life. Space is limited; apartments are leased on a first come, first served basis.

Hawk’s Landing residents at iFly Indoor Skydiving after a campus activty. Photo courtesy of Lawrance Samaranayake, general manager of University Forest Apartments.

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By Jeannette Jimenez All first-year students are required to take PSYC 1100-Learning Frameworks, also known as the First Year Seminar Program. This class has been designed to assist students in developing college-level skills while adapting to a university environment. Learning Frameworks is structured so that students are able to connect with peers at an early stage in college and establish contacts and friendships. Director of the First Year Seminar Wanalee Romero believes this course allows students to learn in a less overwhelming setting. “The Learning Frameworks sections are intentionally capped for low enrollment – 25 students – for the students to learn in a more intimate environment,” Romero said. “Lessons and assignments are often interactive or completed in groups of 2-5 students to acclimate the freshman to engaged conversation in a less intimidating space.” The program works by simultaneously placing students in the same history or political science course during their first semester. For example, students enrolled in the same Learning Frameworks class are automatically registered for either history or political

science with the same group of students. “Each section of Learning Frameworks is yoked to a co-requisite course in history or political science,” Romero said. “That means that scholars in the same section will also see each other in another class in which they will discuss many of the same topics and practice the skills, critical reading, thinking and discussing that they are honing in Learning Frameworks.” Freshman Jorge Vicuna believes that the close-knit class helped him feel comfortable learning and expressing himself in the classroom. “One thing that I liked about this class is that it’s small,” Vicuna said. “Dr. Romero has the ability to communicate with us in a way that we have that confidence, and we are not afraid to speak our mind. It is a learning environment where we can express our opinions without being criticized, and there is no right or wrong answer.” Professors teaching the history and political science courses work closely with the First Year Seminar Program so that several assignments in Learning Frameworks link directly with their courses. This structure allows students to directly apply

the skills they learn in Learning Frameworks to their studies. In the Learning Frameworks course, professors frequently discuss the requirements for collegelevel study. Students practice skills such as reading for significance, critical thinking and other practical skills that professors will demand in other courses. “The expectations and the way the teacher teaches helped us think as college students, not only as amateurs, and it helped us a lot to understand,” Vicuna said. “The activities we did in class and the tools the professor provided us helped us.” A U.S. News study published in 2013 states that as many as 1 in 3 first-year college students won’t make it back for sophomore year, and one of the reasons can be traced to academic stress. The Learning Frameworks course was developed to help first-year college students stay in school. “Many students arrive on campus unprepared for the level of thought, responsibility, and ownership demanded from a successful university student,” Romero said. “Learning Frameworks is a space where students can think about expectations and master the skills necessary for them to finish their degrees.”

Soaring Soaring above above the the rest: rest: Marianna’s Marianna’s story story By Andrea Elizondo Everybody has a story to tell. While some decide to let their past define their future, that is not the case for first-year UHCL student Marianna Hammel. After her parents divorced, Marianna lived in Dayton, Texas with her mother, who suffered from migraines and self-medicated with prescription drugs. When she was 7 years old, her parents got into a custody battle that resulted in her and her siblings moving to Baytown, Texas with their father. Sadly, about three years later, her mother lost her life. However, Marianna did not let the struggles at home influence her studies. She enjoyed learning and saw school as a safe haven. During the eighth grade, representatives from IMPACT Early College High School spoke with students at her middle school about the institution. IMPACT is a program that allows students to graduate from high school and receive their associate degrees simultaneously. Only 200 students were selected for an interview. After all the interviews were conducted, 10 students from Marianna’s school were selected to participate in the program. Marianna was one of them. “I chose Marianna because she knew how hard the work would be at the school and asked tough questions in her interview,” said Karen Smithson, former principal at IMPACT Early College High School. Marianna began the program the following year with 99 other students. However, the program proved to be challenging and many students dropped out. “Personally, I stress over just about anything,” explained Marianna. “With the extra stress of taking high school and college at the same time, I just had to step back and focus on my main goal.” During her sophomore year in high school, Marianna wrote and submitted a memoir to a scholastic writing contest as part of an assignment. To her surprise, her memoir placed well and she received a golden key for it. Two years later two of her poems were published in two books. “I believe that my accomplishments, thus far, have a great deal to do with me wanting to make my

Marianna Hammel, education major. Photo by The Signal reporter Andrea Elizondo.

departed mother proud and wanting to change lives,” Marianna said. When senior year came to an end, Marianna graduated 12th in her class and with honors. Not only did she receive her high school diploma and an Associates Degree in General Education 4th-8th grade, Marianna was also inducted as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Lee College. Even though Marianna is 18 years old and a recent high school graduate, she is not considered a traditional first-year student because she has already earned her associate degree. Marianna continues with her hard work and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Education Generalist 4th-8th grade with supplemental ESL. Marianna feels lucky to have participated in the IMPACT program and believes other students can overcome any obstacle by looking toward the future and working hard to reach their goals. “Don’t look back,” Marianna advises. “Look toward the future and don’t let any struggle hold you down from what you want.”

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How to choose your major: A minor step to a major decision By Ericka Freeman CHOOSING A MAJOR Determining your major is an important process that is necessary for a successful future. Selecting a major can be stressful, and it can potentially be a mental and emotional imprisonment if chosen incorrectly. Your major is the foundation of your future, and it should be chosen after serious research and careful consideration. UHCL has resources available to help minimize stress and make choosing a major less complicated. The University Academic Advising Center (UAAC) offers advisers to guide you through the process of exploring various majors. “Since choosing a major is a decision-making process, it does require some thought and research,” said Mary Ramos, executive director of UAAC. “Students may want to know about the pay, the duties and tasks, the work environment, how much education is needed, and if additional licenses and certifications are required.” In addition, the Office of Career Services is a campus resource available to help you discover your interests, values, personality preferences and strengths. Discovering these characteristics correlate with choosing a major. Focus II is a system consisting of a series of assessments that identify your work interests. It correlates those interests with job clusters, which direct you to actual majors offered at UHCL. “It is never too early to come in, to assess and develop a career plan,” said Chuck Crocker, director of career services. “It depends on the individual and whether he/she is motivated that determines when he/she should choose a major. I think it’s good to begin the process at some point

in your freshman year. You may need to do some research and talk to some people, and that takes time.” The Focus II system is free to students; however, there are other tests and also career discovery workshops that are beneficial but have small fees associated with them. These fees are small investments for a greater return. The choice is yours to make. Utilize the resources offered here at UHCL to help you make an informed decision. Time is money, and time saves money. Remember the seeds you plant today will determine the fruit you produce tomorrow. CHOOSING A MINOR In addition to choosing a major, you also have the option to choose a minor. A minor is a secondary field of study declared as part of your undergraduate degree plan. You can receive credit for the minor by completing a Minor Declaration Form and 15 hours in the minor field. The catch is you must decide and declare your minor before completing 90 hours toward your major. If you are interested in declaring a minor, you should see your academic adviser or your faculty adviser for the Minor Declaration Form and detailed information. General information is also available on the UHCL website’s homepage, under the Academics tab. Students choose minors for various reasons. Some choose minors as a hobby or to explore personal interests. They think of it as something fun to do that offers an escape from the serious coursework associated with their major degree plan. Other students see a minor as an opportunity to improve a skill or add to their resume. Whatever

the reason, if chosen carefully, a minor can be beneficial. “After you know the direction you want to go with your major, it is wise to choose a minor,” Crocker said. “A minor should be strategically chosen to compliment the chosen career path you are going to pursue. A good minor can add value to you and make you more marketable.” Ramos agrees that a minor can be beneficial if you can fit it into your degree plan. “Minors provide students with opportunities to prep for additional certifications, to expand job prospects and study areas related to the career,” Ramos said. It is not mandatory or critical that you choose a minor; however, the option is available to you. Not every student decides to include a minor, but if you do, the minor chosen should benefit you. PURSUING YOUR UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE Obtaining a college degree is a major step. You should utilize all the resources available to ensure your college experience is a successful one. In addition to earning your degree, to be successful, Crocker suggests you learn how to be a professional and what that means. The Office of Career Services can assist you with this; furthermore, Ramos adds that you should be an advocate for yourself, and take responsibility for your learning experience. Remember that choosing the right major is the foundation for your future, and adding a minor can strengthen the foundation and make it more durable. A minor step today helps to make a major decision tomorrow.

QUIZ: What is your major field of study? By Lana Donath

1.Which of the following TV shows sounds the most interesting? A) “The Apprentice” B) “Jeopardy!” C) “Mankind” D) “Mythbusters”

2. It’s easiest for you to do which of the following? A) Understand taxes and monetary concepts B) Help others to understand ideas C) Write a newspaper column D) Complete a strenuous lab project

3. The best knowledge comes from: A) Other people B) Books C) The past D) Trial and error

6. Would you rather…? A) Learn about how to manage a business B) Give advice to a group of people C) Organize and advertise an event D) Conduct experiments to achieve a certain result

7. What is your life goal? A) Be rich B) Spread knowledge C) Be creative D) Invent something

8. Which animal do you like best? A) Beaver B) Owl C) Dolphin D) Chimpanzee

10. Which of the following jobs sounds most appealing? A) Accountant B) Guidance counselor C) Journalist D) Computer programmer

4. People praise your: A) Work ethic B) Patience C) Creativity D) Innovation 9. Who would you want as a professor? A) Henry Ford B) Aristotle C) Leonardo daVinci D) Albert Einstein

If you answered mostly... A: Driven and organized, you’re

clearly destined for the field of BUSINESS. Degrees offered at UHCL include: Management Finance Healthcare Administration Accounting & more!

B: Your love of teaching proves

that EDUCATION is a career path you should consider. Degrees offered at UHCL include: Teacher (K-12) Early Childhood Education Interdisciplinary Studies Special Education & more!

C: Great at communicating, a degree

from the school of HUMAN SCIENCES & HUMANITIES sounds right up your alley. Degrees offered at UHCL include: Art & Design Communication History Behavioral Sciences & more!

Graphic created by The Signal reporter Lana Donath.

5. What kind of homework assignments do you like best? A) A big project that requires you to work with others B) Open-ended assignments that allow you a lot of independent study C) A few short problems that test your ability to think of new ideas D) An assignment with many pieces to analyze and draw from

D: An analytical thinker, SCIENCE &

COMPUTER ENGINEERING is the choice for you. Degrees offered at UHCL include: Mathematical Science Engineering Biology Chemistry Physics & more!

UHCL THE SIGNAL NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION 2016

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Going to college in the digital age

Blackboard Download the app to read announcements, check email and grades, and review assignments from your mobile devices.

Dropbox This free storage app allows you to store and share various file formats across all devices.

Circle of 6 U This personal safety app is customized for the UHCL community. Whenever in an uncomfortable situation, you can contact your personally selected contacts to help via text message or phone call.

EasyBib Download this free app to create citations for your bibliography on the go. Plug in the information, select the citation style and it will do the work for you.

Duolingo This app helps you learn new languages through interactive games and exercises.

WhatsApp This messaging app is used to communicate across all devices internationally. You can text, call and video chat individually or in a group.

Evernote Download this app to help with organization across your devices. With this app, you can take notes, create to-do lists and turn photos into PDF documents.

By Shanea Johnson College success no longer relies solely on lectures and textbooks; it is composed of the traditional aspects of university life, mixed with Blackboard, E-Services and an enormous amount of online information. EASE ONLINE Registering for the right classes is the most important way to start a semester of college. You register for classes at UHCL using EASE (Easy Access System for Enrollment). You access EASE by using your UHCL user ID and password. Inside this system you can search for classes by term and course subject in addition to other ways to narrow your class search. Students having trouble navigating the system can visit the Student Assistance Center in SSCB 1.102 or call 281283-2722. LIBRARY DATABASES The Internet is a wonderful resource for your college career. It can be very useful when conducting research for class projects. You can find reputable articles and interviews simply by searching with Google or other popular search engines. You can also access the Neumann Library’s databases in the comfort of your own home by using your UHCL user ID. There is a “Databases A-Z” tab on the library’s homepage at www.uhcl.edu/library. There you can find newspaper, magazine and journal articles free of charge; the subscription service is included in your tuition and fees. Remember, the Internet is a wealth of knowledge, but UHCL prides itself on academic honesty. If you think it might be plagiarism, it probably is. Always cite your sources. Failing to do so can result in a failing grade, getting kicked out of the class or, in extreme cases, expulsion from the university. BLACKBOARD Blackboard is a Web-based program used by most of the professors and students at UHCL in order access grades, classroom material, tests, discussion boards and much more, depending on how a professor chooses to use it. You will most likely have to use Blackboard at least once in your college career. A mobile version of Blackboard is available on smartphones and tablets. Although the app provides easy access, it does have limitations. “Although they are becoming increasingly popular (bordering on ubiquitous), tablet devices and smartphones are not a good way to access Blackboard, especially when it comes to completing assignments and activities (e.g., quizzes, assignments, discussions) that are graded,” said Samantha Houston, learning technology administrator. “Whenever possible, we strongly recommend that students use full-function computers, either desktop or laptop, to take tests/quizzes and submit graded work in Blackboard.” Blackboard is utilized for all of the online courses at UHCL. “Effective communication between instructors and students is a cornerstone of successful learning in the online environment and, for many students, this means adjusting

Hunter the Hawk uses the computer in the Neumann Library. Photo Courtesy of Student Life.

their need and expectation for immediate gratification and response times,” said Jenni Willis-Opalenik, instructional designer in University Computing and Telecommunications. ONLINE TUTORING In addition to Blackboard, there are a number of other university resources you can access online. Tim Richardson, executive director of academic support services, takes advantage of the digital age by offering online tutoring and supplemental instruction sessions through the Student Success Center. The Writing Center also offers online tutoring. “We use an online scheduling system with tutoring and academic coaching,” Richardson said. “You can search for your courses by your username and when they come up, you click what class you need help with and it shows tutors for that subject and their availability, including in-person and one-on-one, and you can book an online appointment with a tutor.” Richardson stated that a lot of students live far away from campus and cannot always come up to school to receive the help they need. The Student Success Center is constantly looking for ways to improve its online tutoring function to ensure that students are receiving the best help available to them. “We are continuously looking for different ways to do online tutoring,” Richardson said. “We look for online resources that will help a variety of students.” PROFESSOR RATING SITES Online rating systems are another popular advent of the digital age. Before students decide what professor to take for classes, most will look at RateMyProfessor. com, a website where students can read reviews from past students for most of the professors at UHCL. Look for reviews that offer examples and talk about what to expect out of a class. ‘This class sucks’ is not a valid review and will not help you understand what to expect from the professor or the coursework. Remember, reviews are based on opinion, so take them with a grain of salt. Sometimes good professors/courses receive bad reviews because a student was upset with the work load/expectations of a college course.

OK, I failed my first test– now what? By Sherea Cary Classes have started; it appears everything is under control — working, socializing and keeping up with class assignments — or so you think. When the first exam rolls around, students are eager and sometimes overly confident about study skills and taking exams. The first exam results are returned; there is a red letter at the top of the page. It is not one of the first three in the alphabet, but rather it is the fourth or the sixth. What happened?! Before having a panic attack, take a deep breath and visit the Student Success Center. The Student Success Center is a support system with resources available to all UHCL students to help make academic success possible. The services offered by the Student Success Center are designed around skill development, content knowledge and guided practice. All services are free of charge, as they are already included in tuition and fees. Students can seek help by scheduling an appointment or dropping by the Student Success Center (SSCB 3101.2). A faculty member or adviser can refer a student, but the most important step is to ask for help. Staff members talk

with students to identify the challenges hindering their academic success. Individualized help is available for students having difficulty through traditional tutoring, supplemental instruction, peer mentoring and academic coaching. Tutoring is offered in person and online. Students are matched with tutors experienced in the subject matter in which the student is having difficulty. A lack of time management skills, poor note taking skills or not understanding the reading material could be the stumbling block to academic success. Simple steps such as having a designated time to meet with a tutor or academic coach to help with questions or review assignments are effective measures to clear away the stumbling blocks. Tutors use critical thinking skills to determine a student’s strengths and weaknesses. Once trouble areas are identified, tutors work to improve or develop study skills, leading to academic success and improved grades. “It can be fixed; we have had remarkable recoveries here,” said Tim Richardson, executive director of academic support services. “It is OK to ask for help.”

8 UHCL THE SIGNAL NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION 2016

The Student Success Center works closely with Career Services and Counseling Services to implement a plan to minimize weaknesses and capitalize on student strengths. Career Services can advise students struggling in a particular subject how important the subject matter is to a career field. For example, a student struggling with advanced math courses may need to reconsider an engineering degree. “Maybe there would be more than one major that could get them to the occupation of their choice,” said Chuck Crocker, director of career services. In addition to helping students who are having trouble, the Student Success Center helps students maintain good grades and keep the momentum going. “It is always good to be proactive; we are here for all students, not just those in trouble and struggling,” Richardson said. Struggling academically is demoralizing and can overshadow an otherwise delightful college experience. It is important to seek help at the first sign of academic trouble; getting help early reduces stress and anxiety, giving a student a fighting chance to succeed in the classroom.

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Help comes to those who visit the Writing Center Hunter the Hawk studies in the Neumann Library. Photo courtesy Student Life.

It’s time to ‘book it’ to the library By Samantha Rolin Transitioning from high school to college is an adjustment. A lot of things are different and your first year is a learning process, both academic and otherwise. As a UHCL student, you will learn, hopefully early on, about all the resources the university has to offer. One of these resources is the Alfred R. Neumann Library. “It’s a great place to study with a group or by yourself,” said physics major Will Garske. “They have a lot of resources readily available and a knowledgeable staff, it’s the best place to access old NASA research.” Neumann Library has a large book collection, available to all students, varying from college level to juvenile books. They also have some course textbooks on reserve for in-library use with free scanning services available. In addition to print books, the library has many e-books accessible online, as well as an inter-library loan service. The library also has over 200 databases that provide access to thousands of journals, newspapers, magazines and other academic material you cannot access online for free, the type of material your professors are going to want to see in your bibliographies (hint, hint). “The internet is sort of a jungle; it’s hard to judge whether or not you are finding reliable materials, but with the library you can know you’re going straight to authoritative

materials, the stuff your instructors want to see,” said David Palmer, circulation librarian. If you need help with finding a book, using the databases or have questions about research in general, just ask. Librarians are also available via email, live chat during library hours, and sit down appointments. Students can also find research guides for particular subjects and even particular classes on the library’s website, www. uhcl.edu/library. “The library has an online research guide specifically for new students (New Student’s Guide to the Library) as well as other Library and Research Help guides and an Ask a Librarian service with multiple ways to contact us and get assistance,” said Susan Steele, coordinator of library instructional services. Starting in the fall semester of 2015, construction began to expand the number of library study rooms. Some study rooms are already available and soon there will be 25 single and group study rooms open for students, as well as a room reservation system. College can be overwhelming and assignments can be daunting, but the library offers many tools to help you succeed. “Students can call on us when they have questions about which library resources would be helpful for a specific assignment, how to use those resources, what to do if they’re ‘stuck’ and not finding anything, etc.,” Steele said. “We’re here to help.”

By Brittany Jeter It’s 5 p.m. on a Tuesday night. You’ve spent the last few hours working on an essay when you get stuck. How exactly are you supposed to cite sources using footnotes? Who should you ask? Ask Susie Queue, the UHCL Writing Center’s virtual tutor and mascot, and, within a few minutes, your footnotes will be looking picture perfect. Susie Queue operates through a chat system similar to Facebook Messenger and can answer any quick questions you may have while writing essays or research papers. The UHCL Writing Center offers services for all students and can help with any writing project. However, the Writing Center isn’t a copy-editing service. “The term ‘teacher’ tends to conjure up the person with the red pen marking up papers, and that’s not what we do,” said Katie Hart, Writing Center program coordinator. “We don’t grade; we don’t assess; we just help. So we’re kind of coaches.” While some might assume there is a stigma attached to going to the Writing Center for assistance, that is not the case assures Michelle Harrold, adjunct instructor and Writing Center consultant. “The Writing Center is a welcoming place, filled with people eager to discuss writing and to help others hone their crafts,” Harrold said. “In fact, we, as consultants, utilize the

Writing Center as well, knowing that others’ perspectives hold value and that even professional authors revise constantly.” Given that the Writing Center has consultants who specialize in different fields, including English, psychology, sociology, science and engineering, history and education, students are able to gain a better understanding of their writing. “Consultants aid students in comprehending assignments, brainstorming ideas, organizing essays, adding depth, understanding grammar, practicing revising, citing sources and much more,” Harrold said. Whether or not the Writing Center “works” depends on you. For the students who do the work and accept the help and suggestions the consultants give, the Writing Center can make all the difference. “Going to the Writing Center was extremely helpful to me in becoming a better writer; the instructors are so patient, knowledgeable and they are willing to help,” said Kate Gaddis, communication major. “If you visit the Writing Center, you won’t experience a quiet space that resembles a ‘lab’ or a library-like setting,” said Travis Webster, Writing Center director. “You’ll actually witness engaged conversations, friendly faces and an inviting environment where you can relax, grab some coffee and candy, and seek feedback about your writing tasks.”

#UHCLorientation TAG YOUR POSTS & FOLLOW OTHERS’ POSTS TO SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING AT ORIENTATION! “There is no great writing, only great rewriting.”

-Justice Brandeis

UHCL WRITING CENTER

SSCB 2.101 • 281-283-2910 • writingcenter@uhcl.edu • www.uhcl.edu/writingcenter UHCL THE SIGNAL NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION 2016

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When you need some help, at your new school,

HAWKS HELPING HAWKS! 10 UHCL THE SIGNAL NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION 2016

Of f ic e of t h e Dean of S tudents 1 st Fl oor, SSC B 1.102 2 81 -2 8 3 -2 SAC (2722) UH C L SAC @uhcl.e du

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Recreation and Wellness Center

breaks ground in 2017 By Jacob van Sant The University of Houston-Clear Lake will begin construction in January 2017 on the new 78,000 square foot Recreation and Wellness Center (RWC), which will bring more sports opportunities for UHCL students. The RWC will be located at the north side of the Student Services and Classroom Building. The center will include indoor basketball courts, an indoor track, a multi-purpose activity court, areas for weight lifting, multi-purpose rooms for exercise classes, locker rooms, a lobby/lounge area and offices for employees. “The new facility will allow Campus Recreation organized events and provide the UHCL community with a means to relieve stress, stay active and, ultimately, enhance the quality of life,” said Jacob Crawford, coordinator of campus recreation. Currently, UHCL provides intramural sports such as table tennis, 3v3 basketball, flag football and mini soccer. The RWC will also provide students the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities such as indoor soccer and pick-up basketball games. “The RWC will bring a larger scale of sports activities and training to UHCL,” Crawford said. “UHCL will have the opportunity to program bigger sports such as 5v5 indoor basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, badminton and much more. It will also provide a larger space for students and faculty to come and enjoy their workout or fitness class.” The RWC will have designated spaces available for group fitness classes. The types of exercise classes provided will vary according to the UHCL community’s preferences. The general hours of operation will also be extended for the new facility. “We want the Recreation and Wellness Center to be a place where students can come and compete with their friends and release some energy when they need to,” Crawford said.

Allen Hill, interim chief of police; A.J. Johnson, MBA major; Matt McDonald, art major and Zakariah Adie, history major, play flag football. Photos by The Signal reporter Sarah Wylie.

UHCL THE SIGNAL NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION 2016 11

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Fitness for ‘free’ By Alexis Davlin The Fitness Room at UHCL offers just about everything that a regular gym has and the membership is included in your student service fees. So why go out of your way to pay extra money for another gym when you can workout on campus? Students taking one or more hours automatically become members. As long as you have a valid UHCL ID and submit a Membership & Indemnification form, you are good to go. The Fitness Room is not some junkedout gym with outdated machines and just one treadmill. It has a variety of top-ofthe-line equipment ready to use including: treadmills, free weights, ellipticals, cable machines and other equipment useful for achieving your fitness goals. Also, the Fitness Room is always clean. Staff clean the machines frequently throughout the day and restock equipment where it belongs so patrons don’t have to wander around looking for equipment. The Fitness Room offers lockers, showers and restrooms, making it convenient to workout before or after class. Another service that the Fitness Room offers is personal training. The rates range from $20 to $210 depending on the amount of sessions you want. Marco Gonzalez, human and fitness performance major, has three years of personal training experience. He started as front desk

staff and slowly developed into being a personal trainer at the Fitness Room. “I am really glad we have the Fitness Room here at UHCL,” Gonzalez said. “It makes it more convenient for students, and it’s never as packed as the other gyms.” Marissa Sluss, accounting major, did not realize she was already a member at the gym when she decided to start working out on campus this spring. She was pleasantly surprised to learn that UHCL students are automatically members. “I had no idea I was already paying for a membership at the gym here,” Sluss said. “I have been a few times, and it has been wonderful. It makes my schedule much easier and saved me from buying a membership at another gym.” Morgan Stewart, communication major, expressed that being a student is financially difficult and that the Fitness Room provides one less expense she has to worry about. “Being a student is already expensive,” Stewart said. “I think it’s something that students should really utilize and I think it could help students with their stress as well.” If you are struggling to make it to the gym or pay for a membership that you may not even use, you should consider giving the Fitness Room a shot. It’s clean, convenient and offers a variety of equipment and resources to accomplish your health and fitness goals.

WELCOME

n ’ o D t Hi

NEW HAWKS!

The Signal reporter Alexis Davlin runs on a treadmill in the Fitness Room. Photo by The Signal Managing Editor Sam Savell.

Student Life Presents

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE

AVP FOR

STUDENT SERVICES

WE ARE HERE to

HELP YOU! DR. DARLENE BIGGERS

Associate Vice President for Student Services Bayou Room 2523 Biggers@uhcl.edu

h w.u

ed cl.

ACTIVITIES FOOD FUN SPIRIT!

stu

n de

tli

Your Pride

8TH ANNUAL

Wed., Oct. 12 Bayou, Atrium II 12 – 6 pm

Ph: 281-283-3025 www.uhcl.edu/studentservices #UHClearlake #IHEARTUHCL

www.fb.com/UHCLstudentlife www.fb.com/UHClearlake

Any individual needing a special accommodation to attend should contact the Student Life Office at 281-283-2560 one week prior to the event.

12 UHCL THE SIGNAL NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION 2016

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SURVIVAL TIPS You can anonymously contact UHCL’s Crisis Awareness Response Emergency (CARE) team if someone’s health or safety is at risk. You can contact them at anytime via 281283-2273 or by filling out the form at http://prtl.uhcl.edu/ portal/page/portal/DOS/Forms/CARE. Title IX Coordinators ensure the University of Houston System Sexual Misconduct Policy is implemented. The coordinators investigate reports of sexual misconduct while also providing support to help educate the community on Title IX. If you have a question or concern regarding discrimination or sexual misconduct under Title IX contact Nichole Eslinger, executive director of human resources at eslinger@ uhcl.edu or 281-283-2168. All new students are required to complete an online sexual misconduct prevention and awareness training called UHCL Salutations. This training must be completed during their first semester and receive a passing score of 80 percent or higher. To access the online training, go to http:// www.uhcl.edu/eservices and you will see the UHCL Salutations information on the right side of the screen. Circle of 6 U is an app that will put you in immediate contact with the University of Houston Title IX director and six others you select, if you feel your personal safety is at risk. The UHCL Safe Zone program is designed to ensure all members of the LGBT community are treated with dignity and respect. All throughout campus faculty and staff who are a part of the program have the Safe Zone logo posted outside of their office. The Veteran Friendly Zone program is designed to ensure all student veterans are treated fairly and provided with a variety of resources. All throughout campus faculty and staff who are a part of the program have the “UHCL Veteran Friendly Zone” decal posted outside of their office. Counseling Services offer student support groups that meet weekly. These support groups currently include: LGBTQ, Circle of Sisters and Parenting.

CAMPUS SERVICES

HOW DO I?

UHCL’s Courtesy Shuttle provides transportation service for students, faculty and staff. The shuttle operates on an established route and operates only when classes are in session. To view the shuttle’s schedule head to http://www.uhcl.edu/portal/page/portal/SLO/ Shuttle_Service.

To receive your student ID you will need to show the Student Life Office your paid fee statement. Then you need to go to the Student Life Office with your paid fee statement, for each semester you return in order to validate your ID.

The Student Government Association meetings are open to all students, faculty and staff to attend. The SGA meetings are held every Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. in the SSCB Lecture Hall 1.100. SGA offers an Advantage Card to UHCL students. This gives students a discount with participating local businesses. You can find the Advantage Card offers and other local student discount locations at: http://uhclthesignal.com/wordpress/2016/04/18/interactive-mapstudent-discounts-in-the-clear-lake-area. The Patio Café opens for business at 7:30 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m. Monday through Thursdays closing at 2 p.m. on Fridays. Also, be on the look out for weekly emails featuring the Patio Café’s special menu. A rotation of food trucks park on the curb in between the Bayou and Student Services buildings in parking lot D. The trucks typically serve between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

You can purchase parking permits, pay fines and appeal tickets all online. To do so head over to: https://uhclparking. t2hosted.com/cmn/index.aspx. You can have your school emails forwarded to your personal email account. To learn how to easily forward your emails via step-by-step instructions, head to http://prtl.uhcl. edu/portal/page/portal/UCT/ New_UCT/documentation/ForwardEmail/students. UHCL is a 524-acre wildlife and nature preserve. If you encounter injured wildlife on campus call Facilities Management & Construction at 281283-2250.

CAMPUS CARRY INFORMATION The Campus Carry law goes into effect August, 2016 at UHCL. On June 13, 2015 Governor Greg Abbott signed into law Senate Bill No. 11 (S.B. 11) S.B. 11 amends Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code to allow carrying of handguns by Concealed Handgun License holders on college campuses. To learn more about UHCL’s Campus Carry policy go to http://prtl.uhcl.edu/portal/page/portal/HOMEPAGE/campus-carry.

Counseling Services offer currently enrolled students with strictly confidential and mostly free of charge services. UHCL Counseling Services is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services. For more information on the services, counselors and times available head to http://prtl.uhcl.edu/portal/page/portal/COS. The Health Center offers a variety of services for current students, faculty and staff? These services include general/ preventive medical care, gynecological services, lab tests, pharmacy, immunization and TB injections, and a Chiropractic Clinic. To learn more about fees and office hours, head to http://prtl.uhcl.edu/health-center. The Health Center has a Chiropractic Clinic that is open from 9 a.m. to noon. The fee for students is $2.50 and appointments can be made with the UHCL Health Services front desk, SSCB 1.301, or by calling 281-283-2626. Disability Services offer students with various accommodations including extended time for tests, note-taking assistance, testing in a reduced-distraction environment, and sign language interpreters. To learn more about how to receive accommodations go to http://prtl.uhcl.edu/disability-services.

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STUDENT SERVICES & CLASSROOM BUILDING (SSCB) Level 3:

Level 1:

Dean of Students

1100 Section

Career Services

Disability Services

1200 Section

Counseling Services

Health Center

1300 Section

Student Success Center

Intercultural Student Services Lecture Hall

Campus Recreation and Fitness Room

ONSP Office

Writing Center

Student Assistance Center

Open Computer Lab

Student Business Services Student Financial Aid Student Government Association Student Life Office Student Lounge

Level 1:

BAYOU BUILDING

Academic Advising

1300 Section

UCT Office

Art Gallery

1400 Section

2100 Section

Forest Room

1500 Section

2200 Section

Garden Room

1600 Section

2300 Section

Meditation Room

Patio (Outside)

2500 Section

Patio Cafe

Level 2:

2600 Section

Testing Center

Bayou Theater

The Signal

Copy Center

Open Computer Lab

UHCL Bookstore

Math Center

3100 Section

UHCL Police Dept.

Neumann Library

3200 Section

University Advancement

OIAP Office

3300 Section

1100 Section

Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office

3500 Section

1200 Section

Study Abroad Prog

3600 Section

Level 3:

14 UHCL THE SIGNAL NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION 2016

Level 2:

2100 Section 2200 Section 2300 Section

Veteran Services 3100 Section 3200 Section 3300 Section

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DELTA BUILDING

DR. OOK

BR DLE MID

Level 1: Open Computer Lab G KIN PAR

100 Section 110 Section

G KIN PAR

BAYOU RD.

Student Services & Classroom Building (SSCB)

120 Section 130 Section 140 Section Rooms 150 - 169 170 Section

UNIVERS IT

Y DR.

BAY AREA BLVD.

Bayou Building

Level 2: Rooms 201 - 219 220 Section 230 Section 240 Section

PARKING

Delta Building Arbor Building Hawkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Landing/UFA

ARBOR ARBOR BUILDING BUILDING North:

1200 Section 1200 Section (Outdoor)

Main: 1150 Section 1300 Section 1305 Section

Common Areas are indicated with a green marker and the following icons: Restrooms:

1310 Section 1315 Section 1320 Section

Smoking Areas:

South: 1400 Section 1410 Section 1500 Section

Map created by The Signal Managing Editor Sam Savell.

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BAYOU BUILDING

STUDENT SERVICES & CLASSROOM BUILDING

Campus Recreation & Fitness Room SSCB, Room 2.103 281-283-2411 campusrecreation@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/campusrecreation

Capt. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services SSCB, Room 3.201 281-283-3071 vso@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/vso Career Services SSCB, Room 3.109 281-283-2590 uhclcareerservices@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/careerservices Counseling Services SSCB, Room 3.103 281-283-2580 www.uhcl.edu/counselingservices Dean of Students SSCB, Room 1.201 281-283-2567 deanofstudents@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/deanofstudents Disability Services SSCB, Room 1.301 281-283-2648 disability@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/disability-services Health Center SSCB, Room 1.301 281-283-2626 pickett@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/health Intercultural Student Services SSCB, Room 1.203 281-283-2575 iiss@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/iiss Lecture Hall SSCB, Room 1.100

Student Assistance Center SSCB, Room 1.102 281-283-2SAC (2722) uhclsac@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/deanofstudents

Academic Advising Bayou Building, Room 1408 281-283-3087 advisingcenter@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/advising

President’s Office Bayou Building, Suite 2521 281-283-2004 president@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/president

Student Business Services SSCB, Room 1.103 281.283.2170 SBS@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/sbs

Alfred R. Neumann Library Bayou Building, Room 2402 281-283-3900 library@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/library

Student Financial Aid SSCB, Room 1.105 281-283-2480 financialaid@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/finaid

Art Gallery Bayou Building, Room 1412 281-283-3376 bowen@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/artgallery

Study Abroad Program Bayou Building, Room 2123 281-283-2740 OIAP@uhcl.edu http://prtl.uhcl.edu/international/ study-abroad

Student Government Association SSCB, Room 1.205 281-283-2556 sga@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/sga

Bayou Theater Bayou Building, Room 2604 281-283-2562 nagler@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/bayoutheater

UHCL Bookstore Bayou Building, Room 1206 281-283-2180 www.uhclearlake.bncollege.com UHCL Police Department Bayou Building, Room 1636 24 Hour Dispatch: 281-283-2222 policechief@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/police Report an Incident: www.mysafecampus.com/ IncidentTypeSelection.aspx

Forest Room Bayou Building, Room 1418

Student Life Office SSCB, Room 1.204 281-283-2560 studentlife@uhcl.edu  www.uhcl.edu/studentlife

Garden Room Bayou Building, Room 1510

Student Lounge SSCB, Room 1.202 Student Success Center SSCB, Room 3.101 281-283-2450 studentsuccesscenter@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/studentsuccesscenter Writing Center SSCB, Room 2.101 281-283-2910 writingcenter@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/writingcenter

Math Center Bayou Building, Room 2127 281-283-2460 mathhelp@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/mathcenter

University Advancement Bayou Building, Room 1604 281-283-2021 universityadvancement@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/advancement

Meditation Room Bayou Building, Room 1220 Office of International Admissions & Programs Bayou Building, Room 2123 281-283-2740 OIAP@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/oii Skype: OIAP_UHCL

University Computing and Telecommunications Bayou Building, Room 2300 281-283-2828 supportcenter@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/uct

Patio Café Bayou Building, 1st Floor 281-283-2650 foodservice@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/procurement-payables/ food-services

UHCL PEARLAND UHCL-Pearland Student Services 1200 Pearland Parkway, P152 281-212-1679 sspearland@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/pearland

STUDENT HOUSING

SSCB 2201: Mondays – Thursdays: 8 a.m. – midnight Fridays – Saturdays: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sundays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. 281-283-2939 Pearland Lab: Mondays – Thursdays: 8 a.m. – 10:30 p.m Fridays: 8 a.m. – noon 281-212-1638

16 UHCL THE SIGNAL NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION 2016

On-Campus Housing – University Forest Student Village 2600 Bay Area Blvd. 281-2915-1803 info@universityforestuhcl.com www.universityforestuhcl.com

Hawk’s Landing 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Box 13 281-283-2500 admissions@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/hawkslanding

OPEN COMPUTER LABS

Delta 205: Mondays – Thursdays: 8 a.m. – midnight Fridays – Saturdays: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sundays: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. 281-283-2949

The Signal Bayou Building, Room 1239 281-283-2570 thesignal@uhcl.edu www.uhclthesignal.com

Copy Center Bayou Building, Room 2403 281-283-2220 colorprint@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/business-services/ copy-center.php

Meeting Information: Every Tuesday 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. SSCB Lecture Hall, Room 1.100 Excludes university holidays and winter/spring breaks.

Orientation and New Student Programs SSCB, Room 1202.01 281-283-2420 orientation@uhcl.edu  www.uhcl.edu/newstudentorientation

Bayou 3608: Mondays – Thursdays: 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. Fridays – Saturdays: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sundays: Closed

Testing Center Bayou Building, Room 1408 281-283-3080 uhcltesting@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/testingcenter

UHCL COLLEGES College of Business 281-283-3110 busadvoff@uhcl.edu www.bus.uhcl.edu College of Education 281-283-3600 education@uhcl.edu www.soe.uhcl.edu

College of Human Sciences and Humanities 281-283-3333 HSH@uhcl.edu www.hsh.uhcl.edu College of Science and Computer Engineering 281-283-3711 sceadvising@uhcl.edu www.sce.uhcl.edu

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By Max Newlin Along with a degree, there are several different characteristics employers look for in a potential employee. One that is often overlooked and under-practiced is teamwork skills. After graduation, you will have to work with people you have nothing in common with or may not get along with. The workplace is not like college. You and your best friend can not go to a job interview together, ask for the same work schedule and sit in cubicles next to each other. This is where the group projects come into play. On the first day of class, after being handed the syllabus, a student usually follows the same pattern: skip over all of the academic honesty and course description jargon, take a peek at what books may be required, look to see if attendance is required and then go straight to the assignment list. An assignment list featuring a series of multiplechoice tests will bring a tear of relief to any student fearing a heavy workload. A few tests and a couple of papers are manageable, and at least you are only depending on yourself so your procrastination can run free. The most dreaded item on the assignment list is the group project. Group projects are unpopular. You may feel awkward talking to people, the aforementioned procrastination now has its eyes set on outside prey or you know that you will be the victim of someone else’s. Immediately you start looking around the room, sizing up potential group members. The pretty girl or boy is a must just to give you an incentive to show up to meetings as well as motivate you to do good work to impress him or her. Next is the guy who is 11 chapters in to the textbook even after the teacher said the class would only be covering the first eight. The girl who has asked a question about every section of the syllabus will be perfect for administrative duties. Great, you have your ideal group all plotted out and you can relax. However, when the time comes to group up, the pretty girl/boy joins a group with his or her boyfriend/girlfriend, the guy who read the entire textbook is out sick and your administrative boss

had her group formed and fully networked before the class sat down the first day. Quickly, you scan the room meeting the eyes of others like you who either thought they also had it figured out or are the underachievers of the class just now hearing of the group project. After a few seconds of a nonverbal courtship from across the room, you decide to team up with the leftovers on the Island of Misfit Students. You spend the first meeting staring around at each other like a bad poker game and slowly start to put together a plan and assess with whom you are working. The girl in your group is cute, but she is constantly checking her Instagram and is on her third reapplication of makeup in the last hour. One guy has been reading all class, but it is the second book of the Game of Thrones series. The group’s potential administrator is more of a dictator as she demanded the easiest part of the project for herself and gave specific windows of time that she can be contacted. She also looks like she might throw hot coffee in your face if you have an objection. The group is set. You spend the next few weeks, depending on which type of group member you are, procrastinating, completely forgetting the assignment, doing the wrong part of the assignment or frantically emailing the other members wondering where their part is. In the end it all comes together. The guy who read the whole textbook showed up the next week and got assigned to your group. The cute girl has been missing from class since the day the group joined although, from the pictures on her Instagram, it appears she has been at a perpetual party in Cancun. The others eventually formed a coup and overthrew the dictatorial leader, and textbook guy was able to recite you the book when having trouble with your assignment. The most important thing is that the assignment is complete, you survived and got a practical experience in group dynamics. Keep in mind, you won’t get to pick your group in the workplace. Which member of the group will you be?

a in y la p ou y o d e ol r What

group project?

1. When you hear about a group project in class what is your first impression? a. I can’t wait! b. I think I will be catching a cold soon. c. Can I just work by myself? d. Great…

3. What strategy comes to mind when you first hear of the group project? a. I guess I’ll start printing everything out for everyone! b. Where is the smartest kid in the classroom? c. How can I get out of this? d. Hopefully this isn’t painful.

2. What quality do you look for when picking group mates? a. Hard-working students b. Students who like to take over c. The cute guy/girl in the back. d. Someone who just does his or her job.

4. If the assignment requires a speaker, what is your strategy? a. I love speaking! b. I have a sore throat. c. I am not speaking. d. I would rather not, but it doesn’t matter.

5. What part of the project do you typically choose? a. I am good at almost anything, so whatever anyone doesn’t like. b. Nothing if they let me. c. Preferably something that doesn’t take too much time. d. What is left over is fine by me.

If you answered mostly...

Over Achiever You like to mingle and love school in general. The chance at a group project is just to get to know more students and show off your skills.

Slacker You try and get out of anything if possible. Group projects aren’t always something you hate, because you may be able to get away with doing nothing at all.

Drama Queen You are annoyed because you probably didn’t get who you wanted in the group and can’t wait for it to be over.

Average Joe It doesn’t matter to you, you just want to pass and get it the assignment done.

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To learn more about these organizations, please visit:

uhcl.edu/studentorgs 18 UHCL THE SIGNAL NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION 2016

CHART KEY YES NO *Asterisk indicates Honor Societies

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Start volunteering now; Learn to lead: Carla’s story

you won’t regret it By Jaclynn Abatecola The first year of college can be one of the most critical and overwhelming times for students. Though getting involved in the community may be the last thing on your list of freshman duties, it is something we should all think about. There is an abundance of learning experiences available outside of the classroom that can aid in your success post graduation and volunteering is one. It is essential to remember that a college degree may not be enough. When entering a highly competitive work force, chances are that the other applicants applying for the same job as you will also have a college degree. One of the best ways to stand out is to include community service and related work experience on your resume in addition to your degree. Volunteer experience can suggest to an employer that you are a leader in the community as well as a team player. It demonstrates organization, time management and networking skills. When Beth Coblentz, entrepreneur and former executive vice president and general merchandising manager for Academy Sports and Outdoors, interviews candidates, she always looks for the whole package. “Applicants that volunteer understand what it takes to help other people and they know how to be a team member,” Coblentz said. Although volunteering is not something that is done for profit, it can hold monetary value. There are grants and

scholarships available to students that include community service as a prerequisite. Many companies offer big incentives in exchange for community service. For example, ExxonMobil provides a $500 grant to the nonprofit organization for every 20 hours their employees spent volunteering. Volunteering can be one of the best ways to get involved in multiple network communities. It places participants in a position to meet new people. Jennifer Clark, manager of leadership development for human resources at San Jacinto College, said volunteering is a fantastic way for students to take what they’re learning about leadership and teamwork and put it into action. “Some of the most meaningful learning experiences can occur while performing service and, if you’re lucky, your service can give you real-world insight into what you are studying in your classroom,” Clark said. There’s a personal satisfaction that comes from helping people that cannot be measured in monetary value and resume perks. Studies show that volunteering is beneficial to both health and prosperity. College is a time when you are exploring who you are and what you want to do in life. When you’re considering a major, it is a great idea to get first-hand experience before investing too much time and money into a degree plan that it becomes too expensive to change your mind. Get involved; try new things. Learn who you are and who you want to be.

Carla Bradley, digital media studies alumna. The Signal staff photo.

By Sherea Cary Carla Bradley, digital media studies alumna and former Student Government Association (SGA) president, is an example of what can happen when a student gets involved. Carla describes herself as someone who was cautious about getting connected in campus life. She started by first signing up to receive emails from the Communication and Digital Media Association (CDMA), one of the student organizations on campus, at the urging of a faculty member. After attending CDMA meetings and participating in some organization events, Carla decided she would make time to serve as an officer in the association. Her role as an officer gave Carla the confidence to ask for and receive more responsibilities, including serving as editor of two UHCL student publications, Bayousphere and The Signal Relay.

As a graduate student, Carla realized that she had managed responsibilities as a leader well and became the SGA representative for CDMA. Attending SGA meetings and becoming recognized as a dependable, competent volunteer for campus events lead others to recruit Carla to serve in other positions – eventually resulting in Carla running for president of SGA Executive Council. Carla offers the following tips to students considering getting connected: Don’t over extend yourself – select a couple of activities and do a good job. Learn and practice leadership skills through student activities. If mistakes are made while learning to lead, this is the place to make them. “It might sound cliché but being involved on campus has opened many doors for me here at UHCL,” Carla said. “I originally saw these opportunities as great ways to network with students outside of my concentrations (Communication and Digital Media Studies). My volunteer work allowed me to meet faculty, staff and administrators like Dr. Biggers, Dr. Stockton and, especially, Dr. Staples. I have become more open minded, more accepting of other cultures different than my own, as well as I have the confidence to ask questions and represent a large group of people.” Connecting academically and socially through student activities is like plugging a cell phone into an electrical outlet. As the battery gets more power, the user gets better reception.

O T P N EX E D N U O T I 1 S T .3 G A L IZ U ,A L Y A SD m E FA GAN DN 3p WE m R 1a 1 , O AY D S

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Joining a student organization can provide you with education opportunities outside of the classroom, play a key role in your success, and enhance your overall college experience.

There are more than 80 active student organizations on campus that contribute to the educational, professional, civic, and social development of all students involved. Students are encouraged to join organizations that fit well with their interests.

UHCL SGA Executive Council: President AJ Johnson; Vice President - Outreach and Communication Diveanne Martinez; Vice President - Committee Coordinator MinhSang Lu; and Vice President - Administration Amber Gross-Velez. Photo courtesy of UHCL SGA.

Fellow students, As your student body President, my main responsibility is to be an advocate for each and every one of you; however, it is difficult to advocate for a student body that is disconnected from their university. Simply put, I strongly encourage each of you to take the initiative to get involved on campus. Take time to invest in student organizations and build networking channels with faculty and staff. It will do wonders for you. As our campus continues to grow, you can rely on your SGA Executive Council to pursue the interests that mean the most to you. It is an honor to be serving all of you. Sincerely,

AJ Johnson President Student Government Association

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A home away from home:

Shruti Goel, healthcare administration major. Photo by The Signal reporter Jacob van Sant.

By Jacob van Sant Persistence combined with dedication defines the leaders of tomorrow. A person with strong character will sacrifice everything for an opportunity. For one international student, that opportunity started right here at UHCL. Shruti Goel is an international graduate student studying healthcare administration. Her educational journey began 15,000 miles away in India, where she shared a home with her parents, brother, sister-inlaw and young niece. She attended high school, graduated college with a bachelor’s degree in dental surgery and began teaching at a local college to help students learn the social and medical aspects of the healthcare industry. Although she loved teaching, Shruti felt a calling to continue her education and learn more about the healthcare system in the United States. “When I discovered the opportunity to attend UHCL to further my education and study the administrative side of healthcare, I was extremely excited,” Shruti said. UHCL is a culturally diverse community with over 10 percent of its student

y or t s s ’ i t Shru

body originating from abroad. Shruti decided it would be the perfect college setting in which to pursue her master’s degree. Although the interview process to obtain a student visa was rigorous, requiring intense preparation and endless paperwork, Shruti credits her persistence and determination as the backbone to why she is here at UHCL. When Shruti arrived on campus for the first time, she felt an immediate culture shock. Up until that point, everything she knew about America was depicted by Hollywood movies she watched in India. She did not know what to expect; however, attending the new student orientation helped ease her mind. Shruti strongly advises new international students to step out of their comfort zones and reach out to others. “There is such a connectedness here on campus,” Shruti said. “You have to open yourself up to new experiences, ask a lot of questions and realize that everyone is here to help you and support you in any way that you are looking for.” As a graduate student in the healthcare

profession, Shruti attends classes at the Texas Medical Center located near downtown Houston. Shruti’s biggest obstacle was finding a means of transportation to the medical center, a 37-mile commute each way. Before her first day of class, she had to find the fastest route, which involved taking a Metro bus for the first time in her life. Despite the various challenges she faces, Shruti has not let anything stop her from accomplishing her dream. “Shruti is grateful for her opportunity here at UHCL,” said Sameer Pande, executive director for the Office of International Admissions and Programs. “I really see her giving back and [she] is really focused on helping new international students transition into the new educational system.” Shruti’s hard work was recognized by Pande and she now works as a student diplomat in the Office of International Admissions and Programs. “UHCL feels like home,” Shruti said. “I opened myself up to new experiences on campus that really has made my journey enjoyable.”

Service buddies: Thomas and Aurora’s story By Angela Taylor-Wilson Thomas Mahoney and his companion, Aurora, are what you may consider the perfect match. They can be seen together all over campus. But wait a minute… Aurora isn’t of the twolegged variety; she’s a service dog that has been with Thomas since the end of 2013. Thomas, who suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after his stint in the Army and deployment to Iraq, was given the service animal to help him with anxiety issues related to the disability. He is currently majoring in computer science and is a junior at UHCL. “Most people see me and wonder why I have a service dog,” Thomas said. “I have what you would call an ‘invisible’ injury being PTSD.” Aurora, who can be seen walking the halls or lying under the desk next to Thomas, is always working and can sense when he is about to have an episode. “She gets my attention away from the episode and focuses it onto her,” Mahoney said. “She always has my back; just like a battle buddy does in the Army.” If you’re a student with a disability, you don’t have to look hard for help on our campus. The Office of Disability Services is here to ensure students with disabilities have full access to all available programs and services. The office also tries to educate the UHCL community about disability-related issues, create a more inclusive environment in which to work, remove barriers and promote access for students with disabilities.

“[Thomas] has a clear understanding of the functional impact of his condition, the accommodations he needs to have complete access to the university and he is able to communicate those needs effectively to others involved,” said Gavin Steiger, disability services director. “Thomas is always courteous, respectful and communicates well. It has been a pleasure to work with him.” There’s also assistance available for veterans at UHCL. The Capt. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services is available to help veterans and their dependents flourish in their higher education pursuits. The department serves as a liaison between the veteran, the school and the Department of Veteran Affairs in order to ensure that goals are reached with success. “Thomas came to our office before becoming a student at UHCL and expressed interest in veteran student groups and how he could assist,” said Juan Manuel Hernandez, an assistant in the Office of Veteran’s Services. “He’s very motivated and has plans to get the Student Veterans of America group back up and running. He also brings me information on organizations that help veterans, such as Train a Dog Save a Warrior, which helps veterans with therapy and/or service dogs.” Although Thomas feels challenged in certain situations on campus, he credits his relationship with Aurora as a great help in getting him through not only life in college but everyday life as well. “Since having Aurora, she has been a huge help with helping me adapt to life by being there when I need her — even when I’m not having an episode,” Thomas said. “She is honestly my best friend.”

Thomas Mahoney, computer science major, and Aurora, his service animal. Photo courtesy of Thomas Mahoney.

Aurora wearing her service dog vest. Photo courtesy of Thomas Mahoney.

A tip about service animals you should know: If you see a person with a service animal, understand that the animal is working. Do not disturb the animal by talking to it, making noises or calling to get its attention, or trying to pet it. If you want to say hello to the service animal then ask the handler, and it will be up to him/her; but respect the decision if the handler decides not to allow it.

20 UHCL THE SIGNAL NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION 2016

GO ONLINE TO READ MORE ADA FACTS ABOUT SERVICE ANIMALS UHCLTHESIGNALNSO.COM

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Air Force Hawk flies high: By Samantha Rolin Like many of UHCL’s students, criminology major Rebecca Santoro has to find a way to balance work and family while attending school full time. However, as a master sergeant with the Air Force and National Guard with the Virginia Air National Guard, her transition from soldier to student poses challenges not faced by civilian students. Rebecca enlisted in the Air Force in February 1996. During her service she completed seven assignments, achieving seven decorations and six promotions in the process, and furthered her education. While in the Air Force, Rebecca received a Community College of the Air Force AA degree. She started at UHCL in Fall 2014 and discovered pursuing higher education in the military is a lot different than doing so in civilian life. One of the biggest adjustments Rebecca had to make while attending a civilian college was getting used to the lack of military structure on campus. “It was really hard in the beginning,” Rebecca said. “You would see people being disrespectful to teachers, showing up late, falling asleep in class; you wouldn’t do that on a military base in class.” Veteran Services Office Coordinator Trisha Ruiz said she is impressed by Rebecca’s commitment and drive. “Rebecca has worked with us for

about a year and a half,” Ruiz said. “She balances being a wife, a mom, a full-time student and an airman. She travels all the way back to Virginia to do her weekend training.” Rebecca credits Veteran Services with playing a big role in assisting with her successful transition in, and navigating her way through, the college system. “You still have some of the military comradery in here, and they understand where you’re coming from, and they understand that this is all new and it’s such a transition,” Rebecca said. “It’s just nice to come here because you know that there are people willing to help that understand and they’ll help you to get to the different VA sources that you need.” Ruiz wants all veteran students to know Veteran Services is here to help. “We have such a strong support of community resources that can help [students] with various needs in their lives,” Ruiz said. With services such as career counseling, resume assistance and practice interviews, Veteran Services also offers students help with finding jobs after graduation — another obstacle Rebecca talks about facing. “In the military you have a goal to get to; your goal is retirement,” Rebecca said. “Now I have to go out and find a job. What am I gonna do with this

Rebecca’s story

Master Sergeant Rebecca Santoro in civilian clothes (left) and in her Air Force uniform (right). Left photo by The Signal reporter Samantha Rolin. Right photo courtesy of Rebecca Santoro.

degree? I don’t have a uniform to wear every day. That’s the hard part; you don’t have the structure.” Rebecca advises incoming veteran students to actually live the college experience. “It’s going to be a big change,” Rebecca said. “Look and recognize all that the school has to offer.”

The Office of Veteran Services offers a variety of support for vets. These services include processing of benefits and free business attire.

Learning abroad:

Phuong’s story

By Malori Bizzell When Phuong Thanh Ngo began her journey at UHCL, she started the same way most other college students began. As Phuong worked to find her place in a new city and community, she struggled to figure out all the necessities of living as an adult and on her own for the first time. From finding the right apartment to buying a toothbrush, Phuong had to start from scratch when arriving here from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. As Phuong discussed her experiences, she smiled and greeted everyone who passed. Her warm personality pours into everything she says, as well as the love she has for her Vietnamese culture and the new culture she is experiencing in America. “Life in Vietnam was busy because I had a full-time job and went to school,” Phuong said. “It was hard to be a fulltime student and have a job, but somehow I did it.” The process to become an international student is long and tedious. Phuong could have been turned down at many different times in the process. She explained how she had to go through an interview process to receive her visa and transfer from her school in Vietnam to UHCL. Once she was accepted into the program and had her visa, she then came to the United States. This process is mandatory for all international students. “My family didn’t think coming to the U.S. for higher education would be beneficial for me and encouraged me to settle down in Vietnam,” Phuong said. “But now my family is proud because I made the decision to have my dream of a higher education come true.” Even though she is far from home, Phuong said she still has connections here with the Vietnamese community. After being at UHCL for one year, Phuong

Phuong Thanh Ngo, student ambassador in the Office of Intercultural Student Services during Global Expo. Photo from The Signal archives.

spends her spare time at organized activities with the Vietnamese Student Association. “[UHCL students] never judge me,” Phuong said. “I go to school and the teachers, instructors, friends and classmates encourage us to ask questions.” While a student at UHCL, Ngo ensures that learning is her first priority. “Asking for help means you want to learn more; you want to achieve more so that’s why you ask,” Phuong said. “It makes me comfortable to ask something when I know that they are not judging me or think that I am not capable of doing something.” Life experience, school atmosphere and the living environment are just a few reasons Phuong decided to come to the U.S. to earn her master’s degree. “[The U.S. is a] very advanced country that definitely has a lot of opportunity to learn and go far,” Phuong said. Sameer Pande, executive director of the Office of International Admissions and Programs points out that international students simultaneously struggle with a new culture, a new language and a new academic system. “Students struggle most with adapting to all three at the same time, because when they come here they are hit with all three at the same time,” Pande said.

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A whole new ball game: S tefan’s story

Stefan Birac, student ambassador for the Office of Intercultural Student Services. Photo by The Signal reporter Kyle Harrison.

Did you know that Intercultural Student Services offers a free cup of coffee everyday? Their business hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon.

By Kyle Harrison Stefan Birac has worked in the Office of Intercultural Students Services (ISS) for three years, starting as a volunteer and now serving as a student ambassador for the office. During his time working there, he has had the opportunity to represent his cultural heritage as well as provide assistance to students acclimating to the campus environment. Stefan hails from Sisak, Croatia. After graduating from high school, Stefan came to America to pursue an interest in baseball. Sponsored by his host family, he attended Alvin Community College, where he learned a great deal about the all-American pastime and experienced it firsthand. During that time, he found language to be an obstacle; using his second language for much of the day proved to be a challenge, and learning the colloquialisms was part of the process. “The phrases I never heard – ‘did you get your feet wet?’ things like that, ‘that dog won’t hunt,’ ‘thingamajig’ – there was a one percent chance you’d learn something like that before coming here,” Stefan said. Over the span of two years, Stefan was successful in adapting to the culture and the American way of speaking. In Croatia he had mostly been influenced by British English, however he found American English to be similar phonetically to his native language. After graduating from Alvin Community College, Stefan returned to Croatia, but the education system there did not recognize junior college degrees. His options were to either start from a first-year position or return to America. Honoring his parents’ wishes, he returned to finish his studies in America. This time, he found himself at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. At first, Stefan had no intentions of getting involved with ISS, jokingly referring to himself as “Texanized,”

until he had a chance to attend the Cultural Extravaganza. This is an annual event held by the office that gives students an opportunity to showcase their own culture and experience other cultures as well. He appreciated how diverse the performance was and felt enthusiasm for the shared experience of learning about his fellow students’ home countries. “It was amazing,” Stefan said. “I saw over 20 countries represented. I wanted to get involved and share my country as well.” As Stefan became more active in the community, his collegiate family grew – a family he never dreamed he’d have. “I think a lot of the students who come over have no family here, so they are also looking for support; they are looking for a place where they can go to with questions, issues, problems, just loneliness,” said Linda Bullock, assistant dean of student diversity. ISS offers resources to students who are making the transition to college and adjusting to the campus environment – all students, including underrepresented, first-generation and international student groups, are welcome. The support system in place allows students to utilize the things that make them special in a way that enhances the community as a whole. “We just want to give students a chance to teach others about their culture,” Stefan said. Moving forward, Stefan plans to pursue his career in education and coach baseball grades 7-12. He emphasizes the importance of after-school programs and the benefits they encompass. “I want to give a shout out to the U.S. education system,” Stefan said. “It’s good to have these after-school programs that some other countries really don’t have, and some kids don’t have a chance to be a part of something if their social status doesn’t allow them.”

Intercultural Student Services

M e W

A e ak

e c n e r e ﬀ i Fall Events D l

a b o Gl

Spring Events GenOne School House Rock Black History Month Women’s HERstory Month Cultural Extravaganza Celebrate No H8 Asian American and Paciic Islander Heritage Month

GenOne School House Rock Hispanic Heritage Month Love Your Body Week Domestic Violence Awareness Month Dia De Los Muertos Global Expo National Coming Out Day Native American Month

@uhcliiss |

@uhcliiss

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services Job search assistance Career Counseling Mock Interviews & Resume critiques Cooperative education program Online job listings & Resume referrals through Jobs4Hawks Job Fairs & Employer events throughout the year

Helping you on your road to SUCCESS! UHCLCareer

@UHCLCareer

SSCB 3.109 (281) 283-2590 www.uhcl.edu/careerservices

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Stand Out from the Crowd!

Check out these leadership programs for New Students!

Emerging Leaders Academy August 8 – 11, 5pm – 8pm

Open to incoming Freshmen and Sophomores! Applications available online at www.uhcl.edu/slice

Apply to become a part of this exclusive learning community designed to foster your greatest leadership potential. This year-long institute provides incoming freshmen and sophomores with a very personal and high impact learning experience. Participants benefit from having their very own Success Coaches (peer mentors), workshops, retreats, and a small team of peers who will support them along their leadership journey and help them achieve academic and personal success during their first year at UHCL. At the end of your first year, you have the option to continue for up to two more years with HLI! Space is limited. Apply today!

Start making your college memories with these fun and interactive workshops! Aug 8: Aug 9: Aug 10: Aug 11:

Get Involved! Campus Organizations and Student Leadership Opportunities at UHCL/Alumni Panel Don’t Just Break the Ice, Melt It! A Sneak Peek into The National Society of Leadership and Success Discover Your Strengths – The Key to Becoming an Effective Leader and Fulfilling Your Potential

Attend all four workshops and get a free SLICE t-shirt and certificate. Dinner is provided at each workshop. Pre-register for the ELA at www.uhcl.edu/slice. FREE and OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS, ANY MAJOR, ANY YEAR!

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S T N E EV DITIONS

& TRA

FA L L

Neumann Library Open House

S PR I N G Rhet Fest

The annual Neumann Library Open House includes food, crafts, games, prizes and lots of fun!

To honor the National Day of Writing, every February the Writing Center hosts a festival devoted to writing, literature and word play.

Constitution Day

Days of Service

Learn about the American government and your constitutional rights through board games, puzzles and trivia.

Student Leadership Retreat The Student Leadership Retreat helps student leaders to join UHCL faculty and staff members for a weekend of developing trust, team-building, community, understanding of self and others, and personal leadership visions.

Every spring, SLICE hosts different service projects for students to volunteer with fellow students and faculty.

Go Texan Day

Wear your best western gear in celebration of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, you could win a prize for best dressed on campus!

Hunt with Hunter

Celebrate Easter with family-friendly activities such as a hunt for Hunter’s golden egg on the university lawn and photo opportunities with Hunter!

Cultural Extravaganza

See performances from UHCL students representing a variety of countries and cultures that make up our community.

comiCulture

A biennial symposium at UHCL dedicated to discourse about comics, graphic novels and popular culture.

Student Leadership Conference Every fall, this event features a keynote speaker who leads students in different leadership styles and how to apply them.

Pop-up Pumpkin Patch

Every fall, pumpkins make their appearance on the hill of Alumni Plaza for a limited period of time. Celebrate the season with a pumpkin portrait!

Veterans Day

Join the UHCL community as a keynote speaker highlights the significance of Veterans Day.

Global Expo This event lets students show their pride in native cultures, traditions and customs from around the globe. Enjoy native clothing, artifacts, music, food and more!

Lighting of the Letters

Every December, share hot cocoa, coffee and other snacks while watching as the “U-H-C-L” letters come to life in blue, green and white lights.

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Chili Cook-Off

Student Life’s oldest tradition! The Cook-Off is a family friendly event where students, faculty, staff and the community can enjoy chili and games.

Student Conference for Research and Creative Arts Every April students from UHCL and various universities assemble to present their original academic work for professional and peer review.

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happen on These are just a few of the events that -round, year ts even campus. There are a variety of s rest inte that ng so you will easily find somethi you. ring blue Don’t forget to show your pride by wea ! Day it Spir and green ever y Wednesday for

Pictures courtesy of UHCL Student Life.

A L L -Y E A R UHCL Art Gallery

The UHCL Art Gallery features exhibits year-round, from annual student shows to renowned artists who are invited from all over the world.

Cultural Arts

Experience Mercury - the orchestra redefined! Shows occur frequently throughout the year, check online for ticket information at www.uhcl.edu/culturalarts.

Student Government Association Governance. Outreach. Advocacy. Leadership. SGA is composed of selected representatives from each of the recognized student organizations. Meetings are open to all students every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Film and Speaker Series UHCL Student Life hosts films from all genres. Screenings typically follow with a keynote speaker on a selected topic from the movie. Free with your Student ID.

TR A D ITIO N S

‘WELCOME BACK’ WEEK Welcome Back Bash Welcome back bash hosts a welcome week of kick-off events for all new students, alumni and family to UHCL. Welcome Back Bash activities include: DJ and music, photobooth, vendors, free food, refreshments, giveaways, volunteer opportunities and student organization booths.

Student Organization Expo This event showcases UHCL active student organizations and honor societies. Find out how you can get involved on campus and meet organization members.

The Hunter Games Get acquainted with the university through a scavenger hunt! Enjoy other fun activities such as games and door prizes to be won while making new friends.

‘MID-TERM’ WEEK Mingle and Menchie’s Take a study break from midterms for free fro-yo, study tips and a chance to mingle with UHCL faculty & staff!

Study P.A.W.S. Pet away worry and stress! Study P.A.W.S. brings emotional support animals to the Neumann Library during mid-terms and finals keep you calm for those tough exams.

‘SPIRIT’ WEEK I Heart UHCL Day Join in as the campus celebrates Spirit Week, including “I Heart UHCL” Day, each year in October.

Faculty/Staff vs. Student Kickball Game An annual spirit week tradition, faculty/staff and students face-off in a game of kickball! This event is hosted by Campus Recreation and offers up some fierce competition.

GRADUATION Soaring Hawks Celebration Join the Alumni Association for a special event to celebrate graduating hawks the Friday before commencement.

Commencement Each semester our graduates gather with their families and friends to celebrate their success in earning their degree.

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Hunting for Words

Waste your time wisely and check out what our resident “slacker” Eric Yanez has been up to instead of doing his homework every week. Read “The Slacker Chronicles” and other staff blogs online at: www.uhclthesignal.com/wordpress/blogs

How much do you know about UHCL?

Across 1. The library at UHCL is located on what floor of the Bayou building? 3. Who is the UHCL mascot? 4. Room where you can release stress. 5. The Student ___________ Center offers tutoring, supplemental instruction, academic coaching and peer mentoring. 7. Who is the Writing Center’s mascot? 10. What day of the week are Student Government Association (SGA) meetings held? 11. Cost of student membership for the fitness room. 12. If you receive an email or text message with the words “Code _____” you should stop and read it, as it pertains to a life safety emergency. 14. Registering for classes, accessing transcript, financial aid and billing information can all be done though the UHCL website’s ____________. 15. What is the name of the UHCL student newspaper? 17. The name of the UHCL cafeteria. 18. Web-based application used by professors to upload class material, grades, student assignments and more. 19. What office offers students a free cup of coffee? (use the acronym) 20. What are the UHCL school colors? Down 2. What event, hosted annually by the Intercultural Student Services (ISS), features student performances representing a variety of countries and cultures? 6. Allies who serve as advocates and visible resources for the LGBT community at UCHL. 8. At what office do you get your student ID card? 9. What day of the week is Spirit Day? 13. This group of student employees patrol the parking lots, provide safety transportation escorts and help with locked car doors. FIND THE ANSWERS ONLINE 16. Who is the president of UHCL? (last name only)

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Mad Libs