click here to download the Program Guidelines and Applications

Original Post by Gilbert Perez Jr. for Business Affairs on May, 18 2012

In the month of May 2012, the most significant security bulletins are from the following software publishers. All the bulletins have an update that can eliminate the known vulnerability.

• Apple Security Updates: 3 (Read official bulletin)
• Adobe Security bulletins and advisories: 5 (Read official bulletin)
• Microsoft Security bulletins: 7 (Read bulletin)

Another release that is important to mention is the re-release of the Apple Flashback Malware removal tool (Read more).

Read the Information Security blog post about the Security Bulletins for May 2012 for more information.

Personally-owned computers
We recommend that you take action if your computer is not configured to update automatically.

UTPA owned computers
The process for updating computers that are joined to the UTPA domain has changed. If your computer is joined to the UTPA domain it will present a notification window on Thursday, May 17th, 2012. This notification will allow you to initiate the update process and get more information about the updates being installed. If your computers is not updated by 11:00pm it will initiate the update process automatically. If you do not update the machine through the new notification (see below), it is important that you save everything that you are working on before leaving work on Thursday afternoon. If you have any questions concerning this security updates deployment, please contact the Help Desk at (956) 665-2020.

If your computer is not joined to the UTPA domain or running Mac OS X, it must be updated as soon as possible to be in compliance with our Desktop and Portable Computer Security Standard.

UTPA Information Security Office
www.utpa.edu/infosecurity

Original Post by Victor M. Gonzalez for Business Affairs on May, 16 2012

A 15% discount will be applied to UTPA staff registrations that are paid by their departmental accounts.
Click here to register

Original Post for Academic Affairs on May, 16 2012

For eight years Veronica Gonzales has represented the Rio Grande Valley in the Texas State Legislature. Now, she will represent the Valley’s largest university, The University of Texas-Pan American, as its vice president for University Advancement.

UTPA President Robert S. Nelsen said he is thrilled and excited to have someone of Gonzales’ caliber joining the University.

“Veronica Gonzales has been a major ‘mover and shaker’ in the Rio Grande Valley and the State of Texas for years,” Nelsen said. “She is committed to UT Pan American’s mission of reaching out to the Valley and transforming the Valley through higher education. Veronica is a proven fundraiser with a brilliant mind and will make a difference at the University, just as UT Pan American is making a difference in the Valley.”

Gonzales, who will join UTPA July 1, said she is excited to serve her community in this new role and to tell the impressive story of this University, which is among the top five public universities in this state (Forbes, 2011) and one of the most affordable in the country.

As vice president of University Advancement, Gonzales will oversee the Office of Development, which is responsible for fund raising for the University, as well as the Department of Marketing and Communications, which comprises the Offices of Alumni Relations, Public Affairs and Studio Twelve01, the University’s marketing office.

Gonzales said she is looking forward to working with the advancement team to further the University’s current fundraising efforts and its renown.

“The same skills I developed in elected office – networking and fostering relationships to garnish support – will be instrumental in working for the University. The story I want others in our state and nation to know is that we are doing great things here in South Texas, that we are a growing University, one with extremely high rankings and that an investment in this University is a sound one that will reap benefits for generations to come.”

Gonzales graduated cum laude from her hometown university — Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos — in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Spanish. She earned her law degree from The University of Texas School of Law in 1991.

Upon graduating from law school, Gonzales moved to McAllen, where she began practicing law at Jarvis & Kittleman, P.C., now Kittleman, Thomas & Gonzales, LLP. She became a partner in four years and is currently a name partner.

Read More

Original Post by Jennifer Berghom on May, 15 2012

The Oracle e-Business Suite (EBS) will be unavailable while important maintenance patches are being applied.

Downtime: Sunday, May 20th, 2012 from 4 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Services Impacted: Employee Self Service, Employee Time Entry and On-Line applications

Cause: The updates are required to maintain the functionality of EBS.

For more information, please contact IT Help Desk at 956-665-2020 or email to helpdesk@utpa.edu from Monday to Thursday between 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and Friday between 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Follow Updates at: www.utpa.edu/dit, www.facebook.com/utpadit

Division of Information Technology
The University of Texas-Pan American

Original Post by Isabel Reyna for Information Technology on May, 16 2012

The Banner Student System and ASSIST Self service will be unavailable while important maintenance patches are being applied.

Downtime: Sunday, May 20th, 2012 from 2:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Services Impacted: ASSIST Student and Faculty Self Service, Banner INB

Cause: The updates are required to maintain the functionality of Banner.

For more information, please contact IT Help Desk at 956-665-2020 or email to helpdesk@utpa.edu from Monday to Thursday between 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and Friday between 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Follow Updates at: www.utpa.edu/dit, www.facebook.com/utpadit

Division of Information Technology
The University of Texas-Pan American

Original Post by Isabel Reyna for Information Technology on May, 16 2012

UTPA will temporarily close the dirt property lots that were allowed for temporary parking in the late fall and spring semesters. These lots are located on VanWeek street between parking lot T-2 and 2nd street and between 2nd and 4th street. Contractors will close off the area on Saturday, 05/12/2012 early morning to begin construction of the new parking lots that are scheduled to open in Fall 2012. Vehicles will not be permitted in this area during construction. Alternative parking is recommended until the new parking lots are complete. For any questions or concerns, please contact Parking Services at 956-665-2738.

Original Post by Melissa Sandoval for Business Affairs on May, 15 2012

May 12 was a day to celebrate a brighter future for 1,631 graduates of The University of Texas-Pan American as well as for their families, the Rio Grande Valley and the nation.

UTPA President Robert S. Nelsen told the graduates at three commencement ceremonies held at the McAllen Convention Center that education pays – for a bachelor’s degree, $2 million in their lifetime of working, for a master’s degree almost double that. But Nelsen said an education is more than that.

“It (an education) is something you will always have, you can’t lose it, and no one can take it,” he said. “The bottom line is that knowledge, fulfillment, self-awareness and broadening of horizons associated with education transforms lives – the lives of students and the lives of those with whom they live and work. And it will transform the Valley.”

Nelsen said as a result of the recent VISTA Summit on Education hosted by the University, where some of the country’s most powerful foundations were invited to invest in the future of the Valley and its people, UTPA graduates will have an important role to play.

“You will walk out today as role models and mentors for so many people, many who aspire to be college graduates like you. You must remember that responsibility. Help them. Don’t forget to reach back and be there at all times,” he said. “By making the most of what you are taking away from this University, will help to make that difference.”

Nelsen also saluted the nearly 1,700 veterans who have graduated since the Iraq and Afghanistan wars began by having them stand at each ceremony.

At the 9 a.m. ceremony for the graduates in the Colleges of Science and Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science and Social and Behavioral Sciences, State Senator José Rodríguez (BA ’71) told the graduates and their family members that the memories and lessons he learned at Pan Am have been instrumental in every part of his life.

“My professors reinforced my love of learning and my drive to succeed; I am grateful for the opportunities I was offered at this institution,” he said.

Read More

Original Post by Gail Fagan and Jennifer Berghom on May, 14 2012

When Debra Franco’s 9-year-old son Luke was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, it was the most terrifying time of her life.

“The scariest part was how we were going to connect the dots and find the resources to be successful parents for our Type 1 diabetic child and lo and behold we couldn’t find any help,” she said.

Franco gathered up strength and founded the South Texas Juvenile Diabetes Association (STJDA) out of sheer need.

“Type 1 diabetes is a rather desperate disease and without resources you can imagine the crisis that families go through,” said Franco, who is also the president of the organization. “We connected with other families and founded this organization for emotional support, psychological support and we are connecting the dots for diabetes management.”

Franco has now joined forces with The University of Texas-Pan American’s Border Health Office and Rio Grande Regional Hospital to host the first annual Diabetes Symposium: Focusing on Children with Diabetes on Saturday, May 26. The symposium, being held at UTPA’s Student Union from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., is the first of its kind in the Rio Grande Valley. It is open to parents, educators, health care providers and others in the community interested in helping children with diabetes manage life with the chronic disease.

Felipe Salinas, a grant writer with UT Pan American’s Student Affairs Division, is also helping organize the conference for personal reasons. His teenage daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was only 10 years old.

“This symposium is perfect for families like ours. It is for professionals in the community, medical personnel, school personnel and families who actually have children with diabetes to come together and learn more about Type 1 and its management and living with it and we are learning from experts,” he said.

Salinas said the seminar will focus on Type 1 diabetes since it is most commonly diagnosed in children and adolescents, but Type 2 diabetes education will also be offered. Distinct from the far more prevalent Type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity, Type 1 is an autoimmune disease that inhibits the body from producing the hormone insulin needed to convert food into energy. It requires lifelong insulin injections.

For more information about the symposium and registration details, visit www.stjda.org or call 956-631-8903.

Read More

Original Post by Roxanne Lerma Casares on May, 10 2012

When it comes to paying for his education, every penny counts for Gerardo Castillo.

The 21-year-old Lasara native and junior at The University of Texas-Pan American relies on the earnings he makes every summer at S&S Farms in Lasara and financial aid to afford college.

But last fall, Castillo’s dreams of becoming the first person in his family to graduate from college were threatened.

Needing more money to pay for school, Castillo took a job at a local convenience store. Balancing a job with classes became too difficult for him, so he considered reducing his course load, but doing so would reduce his financial aid.

“I didn’t know what I was going to do,” Castillo, who is majoring in manufacturing engineering, said.

Castillo was able to receive enough financial assistance to cover his educational and living costs that semester, thanks in part to a new scholarship made available by contributions from students, alumni and the community.

UT Pan American launched its Count Me In! drive last year to boost alumni participation. The alumni participation rate reflects the percentage of alumni who make financial contributions to the University throughout the year.

“It’s about the number of graduates who give rather than the amount given,” said Yvette Padilla, director of stewardship and annual giving for UTPA. “Our alumni participation rate is low compared to our peer institutions. That is especially significant since corporations and foundations look at how supportive our alumni are as they consider the University’s requests for much-needed scholarship, research and program support. So, whether it’s $5, $50, $500 or $5,000, every gift counts.”

University staff have been reaching out to alumni, signing up graduates at commencement ceremonies. This year, UT Pan American started encouraging its currently enrolled students, even its newest Broncs, to give back to the institution.

Read More

Original Post by Jennifer Berghom on May, 11 2012