UKnighted Newsletter
December 2007

UCF CELEBRATES NEW TRADITIONS WITH HOMECOMING

UCF Homecoming, coordinated by the Student Government Homecoming agency in the Office of Student Involvement (OSI), came home to the UCF campus October 26 through November 4. It was the first year Homecoming was held entirely on campus, the first Off-Campus Service Day, the first Homecoming Comedy Knight, Skit Knight and concert held in the new UCF Arena, and the first Homecoming football game in the new Bright House Networks Stadium.

The kick-off to Homecoming 2007 was the addition of a new event–an Off-Campus Service Day. Over 300 UCF students volunteered their time to the Parramore Kidz Zone (a city program linking children to positive opportunities) in Downtown Orlando. Students participated in various projects from tutoring to landscaping. “The idea behind adding an Off-Campus Service Day was to let the Orlando community know that even though UCF has a new on-campus Arena and football stadium, we have not forgotten the generosity Orlando showed us when UCF held its Homecoming events in Downtown Orlando,” sai d Kelly Sparks, coordinator for OSI special events.

Another change this year was that the Carnival was a two-day event and was held over the weekend. This gave the community an opportunity to come on campus and enjoy over 13 rides. On Sunday afternoon, children from the Creative School for Children and the Boys and Girls Club came to help with the “Chalk on the Walk” event, where student organizations decorated sidewalk squares outside of the Visual Arts Building to reflect the Homecoming “Tales of Terror” theme.

Comedy Knight had a great turn out as UCF students, faculty and staff came to see comedians Bruce Bruce and Benji Brown. A new twist to this event was the addition of an amateur comedian, UCF alumni Toby Striker, who auditioned and won the opportunity to open for these nationally known artists.

The Homecoming concert, “Young Wild Things Tour,” was a huge success; it was a sold out show in the UCF Arena featuring the bands: Cute is What We Aim For, Plain White T’s, Gym Class Heroes and Fall Out Boy.

The UCF Homecoming tradition Spirit Splash took place on Friday afternoon with sunny weather and an energetic pep rally. The UCF Marching Knights, Cheerleaders and Dance Team spread UCF spirit. Speakers included President John C. Hitt, Athletic Director Keith Tribble, Coach George O’Leary and several UCF Knights football players. Thousands of UCF students participated in the once-a-year chance to jump into the Reflecting Pond as thousands of free T-shirts were handed out.

Another new tradition to Homecoming began this year as the Homecoming Parade was brought back to the UCF campus for the first time since 1992. On Saturday morning, members of the UCF community lined Gemini Boulevard to watch the parade make its way from Central Florida Boulevard to the new UCF Arena. Floats and spirit cars, decorated by student organizations to reflect this year’s Tales of Terror Homecoming theme, snaked their way through campus to the arena where each float was judged.

To round off a great week of event, the UCF Knights defeated Marshall in the Homecoming football game with a final score of 47-13. The 2007 Homecoming King and Queen, Scott Kirkman and Julie Zimmerman, were the first to be crowned in the new stadium during halftime.

Homecoming this year was truly a year of firsts for UCF. “It’s about mixing old traditions with new opportunities and creating new and lasting traditions,” said Marc Berkovits, Homecoming student director. “Hopefully, this year saw the beginning of some great new traditions: bringing Homecoming home to UCF.”

UCF South Lake Campus Initiates Events Coinciding with Main Campus

October was a month of “firsts” for the UCF South Lake Campus in Clermont. The first Multicultural Reception was held on October 16 during UCF Diversity Week. Students were invited to meet with Cecelia Rivers–assistant vice president of the Western Region, faculty and staff, in order to share their interests, needs, and concerns as they strive to reach the goals they have set. The conversation and time of sharing was only the beginning of an ongoing dialogue with this group of students.

During UCF Homecoming week, the South Lake Campus held it’s first “Black & Gold Knight at Ruby Tuesday.” Students, alumni, faculty and staff celebrated and enjoyed food and fun “in the neighborhood.” There were games and door prizes. “All who attended had a great time and want to make it an annual tradition,” said Pam Brady, director for Western Student Services.

Kendo Accepted as a Sport Club

The Kendo Club is the newest member of the UCF Sport Club Council, increasing the council to 33 organizations. Kendo, or “way of the sword,” was developed from traditional techniques of Japanese swordsmanship known as Kenjutsu. Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sporting-like physical elements.

National Pan-Hellenic Council Hosts Conference

On October 6, the UCF National Pan-Hellenic Council hosted its first annual Statewide Drive-in Conference on campus. The NPHC Council is comprised of nine historically black fraternities and sororities who worked diligently to make this conference a reality. The conference theme, “Taking it back to our roots: preparation for the future,” was chosen in hopes of inspiring today’s leaders to re-connect with the founding members’ purpose, principles and values, to help ensure a bright future. The conference included breakout sessions, helping to motivate and inspire students to grow not only as leaders within their organizations, but also to become campus leaders.

International Pride Day Initiated at UCF

SDES and the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning co-sponsored the first International Pride Day during International Education Week. On November 15, faculty and staff were encouraged to wear international clothing that represented their country of origin or a place they have visited. A potluck of international foods, representing a variety of cultures, ended the day.

UCF Students Connect with Alumni

The Student Success Center recently hosted the Second Annual Alumni Mentoring Knight Program at the Fairwinds Alumni Center on November 7. The event brought together 16 distinguished UCF alumni with current UCF students to interact and enhance awareness about how majors connect graduates to various career fields. The speakers at the program included: Bob Snow (director, Sophomore and Second Year Center), Maribeth Ehasz (vice president, SDES), Kenneth Goodwin (Career Services) and Zephyr Wilkins (Student Government Association). Student attendees were advised to “follow their passion, and not to limit themselves when looking at major choices.”

There was a question and answer session, after which the alumni representatives met with students individually and in separate break-out sessions to share additional information concerning major and career exploration strategies. Students gathered information from the academic advising offices and student support services. Survey feedback from the students was very positive. Attendees received gift bags, which were provided by the event corporate sponsor–Target.

Palm Bay Campus Celebrates Hispanic Heritage

UCF Palm Bay students, faculty and staff turned out to support and attend the Brevard Community College Hispanic Heritage Celebration at the Palm Bay campus on October 10. The celebration included BCC students and faculty, Latin dance demonstrations, a UCF Creed quiz (a contest sponsored by Southern Region Student Services), Latin food and door prizes. Additionally, UCF Palm Bay Student Government Association sponsored a Macarena dance contest judged by Ashley Heinricks, SGA representative, and Marilyn Borges, associate director, Southern Regional Campus. In total, 298 BCC students and 21 UCF students were in attendance.

Mass Prepares Students for Graduate School

Multicultural Academic and Support Services has launched a new Upperclassmen series, which provides students with information about finding the post-graduate experience that best fits their goals. In addition, early and continuous exposure to standardized tests and the testing procedure in a practice setting is offered to reduce test anxiety and increase performance.

The series began with the MASS workshop, “How to Prepare yourself for Graduate School,” which introduced students to the graduate school application process. The MCAT or GRE “Prep and Practice” sessions followed, introducing students to the standardized testing they will undergo as part of that process.

Over 100 students attended the prep and practice workshops and tests. MASS will be expanding it’s practice and prep during the spring to include a week-long series of graduate school events, adding the LSAT and GMAT experiences.

Dare to Declare

First Year Advising and Exploration has a close partnership with Career Services as they work together in supporting first-year students’ major explorations through the Strong Interest Inventory.

Dennis Congos works specifically with Undeclared First Time In College students and is qualified to interpret the Strong Interest Inventory. The Strong test is a comprehensive assessment that students can take to learn more about their interests and how to apply those areas of focus into a suggested career path. After students complete the Strong Interest Inventory, they meet with Congos to go over their strengths and interests, and how suggested careers can then be translated into pursuing a specific major.

According to Congos, “The best part of my job is working with students and talking with them to find out what interest them.” Since the beginning of the fall semester, Congos has interpreted over 70 Strong assessments.

Registrar's Office Now Offers Online Intent to Graduate

Students now have an opportunity to submit through myUCF Self-Service their intents to graduate for spring 2008. They can also complete the UCF Exit Survey. After just two weeks of the phase one operation, over 1,700 intents to graduate (about 35 percent of all intents for spring) had been filed with the Registrar’s Office (RO) as of November 14. In phase two, which begins in spring 2008, academic advisors will be able to record certifications electronically, reducing the amount of back-and-forth communication with the RO.

“This process provides another 24/7 self-service to students as well as making certification more accurate and secure,” stated Brian Boyd, associate university registrar. “Advisors will benefit by having real-time knowledge of intents that have been filed as well as the status of those intents.”

Students Find New Office Location

The Sophomore & Second Year Center (SSYC), an advising support services office within the Student Success Center, moved in October to a new location in Howard Phillips Hall room 215. Within that month, 291 students found their way to the new location. Stop by and visit their new office or visit their Web site at: www.sophomore.sdes.ucf.edu. Look for their grand opening tentatively scheduled in January.

Family Weekend Leaves Positive Impression on UCF Parents

Family Weekend is a UCF tradition that invites families to experience the university community that their student is attending. “My how things have changed since orientation” said one parent. The campus was different this year with new buildings including the new UCF Arena and football stadium.

Parents and families began to check-in on Friday, October 19, at the Student Union. The next day’s events began with a LEAD Scholars Brunch. Over 300 parents and students participated in the brunch held in the Pegasus Ballroom. A couple from Miami complimented how great it was to have this event for the parents. They felt that they could not only connect with their student, but also with other parents that weekend.

College Day featured college open houses for parents, alumni and friends of the university. Mini lectures and games were among the many activities that parents participated in.

The UCF Alumni Association hosted a barbecue for its members and parents at the Fairwinds Alumni Center. The Campus Life team raffled off UCF mom and dad sweatshirts. In addition, the team gave Pegasus Parent aprons to parents and families, who were tailgating on Memory Mall before the football game. Parents were engaged and talking toCampus Life team members about the various programming occurring on campus and shared tips on what SDES could do for them while their students attended UCF.

Phase One: Online Grading

The Registrar’s Office is currently in phase one of a pilot program bringing Online Grading to UCF. Approximately 50 instructors from various colleges are currently taking part, submitting grades through an electronic form. According to Brian Boyd, associate university registrar, “This will allow us to collect, process and post collected grades faster; therefore, letting us get that information to students quicker. This process is easier for the instructors as well as improves accuracy and security.” Boyd also noted that the process will provide for an increase in attendance information recorded, which will benefit the Office of Student Financial Assistance. In phase two, scheduled for spring 2008, instructors will be able to upload grades from an Excel spreadsheet, Web CT, myUCF Grades or other data sources.

Welcome to SDES

• Richard Arce, senior property manager, Housing and Residence Life
• Yolanda Carmona, custodial worker, Student Union
• Joanna Carter, certified medical assistant, Health Services (HS)
• Kimberly Foy, coordinator-Student Affairs, Student Disability Services
• Doreen Gomez, licensed practical nurse, HS
• Ever Gonzalez, coordinator, computer applications, Housing and Residence Life
• Ordella Hawkins, advanced registered nurse, HS
• Phedra Lundi, physician’s assistant, HS
• Gregory Newton, office assistant, HS
• Donna Nguyen, coordinator, computer application, Orientation Services
• Maureen Vance, associate university registrar, Registrar’s Office
  
  
  

SDES Changes

• Amr Abdel-Wahab, Registrar’s Office, has been promoted from computer specialist to senior computer specialist. In the new position, he will be more involved with PeopleSoft testing and development. Abdel-Wahab has been with the RO for a year and is pursuing a master’s degree in political science from UCF.

SDES Awards and Recognition

• Tom Hall, Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Programming, was one of five prevention professionals chosen to attend a training session sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education’s Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug and Violence Prevention in Omaha, Nebraska on October 22. Other schools selected for this training included: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Penn State, Kalamazoo College and the University of Idaho. The Higher Education Center selected the participants to train and mentor colleges and universities regarding how to identify and implement evidence-based prevention practices.

• Suzi Halpin, Student Union, was awarded the William E. Rion Memorial Staff award for inspiring, dedicated and excellent staff leadership at the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) Regional Conference held at Emory University in Atlanta on October 12-14. Halpin was also nominated for and accepted the regional director position for the ACUI Region 6. It is a two-year leadership position as a coordinator for ACUI regional activities for the southeast region.

• Mina Keramati, Student Union, was awarded the Norman Whitten Memorial award for outstanding leadership as a student employee of a student union at the ACUI Regional Conference.

• Joe Ritchie was recently named a faculty member for the Orientation Professionals Institute. He was one of six faculty members selected to instruct 60 new professionals on the orientation field, and to present on staff recruitment and selection, budgeting and transfer programming.

SDES Presentations

• Jackie Jessup, Transfer and Transition Services, and Scott Larson, UCF South Lake Regional Campus, co-presented, “Advisors as Navigators: from Orientation to Graduation and Beyond,” at the National Academic Advising Association National Conference in Baltimore on October 19. The program highlighted the collaboration UCF has with Lake Sumter Community College to ensure students’ academic preparation, smooth transition to the university, and progress toward graduation.

• Mark Allen Poisel, Academic Development and Retention, and Charlene Stinard, Transfer and Transition Services, presented a preconference workshop, “Creative Programs and Partnerships for Fostering Transfer Student Success,” at the Fourteenth National Conference on Students in Transition, held on November 3 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Poisel also presented a roundtable session, “The Transfer Experience: Issues and Challenges.” Poisel will serve as co-editor of a monograph on transfer students for the National Resource Center for the First Year Experience and Students in Transition.

• Daniel Meuninick, Orientation Services, presented “Taking the Next Step: The Differences in Becoming a Returning Orientation Leader,” at the National Orientation Directors Association Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas on October 26-31. In addition, he facilitated the Grad on Track (GOT) Skills Program, a 4-hour mini-seminar for undergraduate students who are returning in their role as an orientation leader on their campus. Meuninck holds the NODA leadership position of Undergraduate Student Network chair.

• Charlene Stinard, Transfer and Transition Services, presented the keynote address with Sonya Joseph, Student Affairs ( Valencia Community College), at the fall 2007 Minnesota Transfer Specialists Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during October 11-12. The presentation, “ University of Central Florida and Valencia Community College: Transfer Collaboration,” described the history, strength and value of partnering for transfer student success.

SDES Presentations

• DeLaine Priest, Student Success Center, and Dennis Congos, First Year Advising and Exploration, have published an article in the November online issue of E-Source for College Transitions Journal entitled, “In-College Career Planning Curriculum: Helping Students Build Careers.” The article outlines a series of activities and corresponding services designed to assist students, advisors, and career planning staff to focus on the stages for in-college career planning.

Registrar’s Office Represented in Veteran Parade and Ceremony

James Middlekauf, registrar specialist for the Registrar’s Office and president for Branch 117 of the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), recently participated in the Veteran’s Day Parade in Downtown Orlando. The parade included 77 units as well as marching bands and featured equipment used in Iraq and Afghanistan. Middlekauf also participated in a Pearl Harbor Day ceremony on December 7 in Jacksonville. Bouquets of live flowers were laid upon the water from the USS John L. Hall.

UCF Health Services Hosts Visit

On October 24, UCF Health Services hosted a visit from 90 staff members, representing 33 universities whose health services use the PyraMED Practice Management System. The visitors participated in round-robin sessions covering system implementation and information technology issues; attended a presentation and demonstration of UCF current use of the Electronic Health Record module; and toured the center’s facility.

UCF was the host institution for this year’s annual PyraMED User Group meeting, held at the Coronado Springs Resort on Disney property. The UCF Health Center began using the PyraMED system in December 2006.

SDES Holiday Celebration
December 13 2-3:30 p.m.
Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom

INTEGRITY
I will practice and defend academic and personal honesty.

SCHOLARSHIP
I will cherish and honor learning as a fundamental purpose of my membership in the UCF community.

COMMUNITY
I will promote an open and supportive campus environment by respecting the rights and contributions of every individual.

CREATIVITY
I will use my talents to enrich the human experience.

EXCELLENCE
I will strive toward the highest standards of performance in any endeavor I undertake.

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