The Division of Student Affairs creates and implements programs, services, and activities that are consistent with the mission, locale, educational objectives, and student demographics of UTB/TSC. These programs, services, and activities enhance student learning and personal evolution and are designed to attract and retain students by offering a high quality of campus life; support for academic achievement; opportunities for leadership development; occasions for social, cultural, and ethical enhancement; support for wellness; and assistance in career planning.
The adequacy and efficacy of each program, service, and activity is evaluated annually by the Vice President of Student Affairs and, where applicable, by the external agency that funds the program. Outcome reports include data from a number of sources , including monthly and quarterly reports from program directors; participant and staff surveys and evaluation forms; feedback received at workshops, focus groups, and special events; counselor contact reports; participant GPAs; and attendance records.
Externally Funded Programs
Educational Talent Search: Educational Talent Search promotes high education opportunities to low-income, first-generation, college-bound students in the Brownsville Independent School District. UTS encourages, supports, and guides 600 students toward enrolling in a postsecondary program of study. The primary goal of ETS is to help participants develop an awareness of their individual strengths as well as the academic, financial, and career opportunities available to them through higher education.
Classic Upward Bound: Classic Upward Bound is a federally funded program that assists high school students who have been identified as high risk for dropping out of school. These students typically demonstrate characteristics such as low socioeconomic status, educational disadvantage, and membership in traditionally underrepresented groups in the educational system. Via an integrated and comprehensive set or programs, CUB identifies individuals and encourages them to learn skills and acquire attitudes that will allow them to successfully complete their high school education. The primary objectives of CUB are to guide students toward receipt of their high school diplomas; to assist students in the identification of and admission into the post-secondary educational institution of their choice; to help students acquire financial assistance to pay for their post-secondary education; and to facilitate students’ exploration of their career options.
Upward Bound Math and Science: Upward Bound Math and Science is a four-year, college preparatory program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. UBMS enhances knowledge of math and science through project-based learning experiences and creates opportunities for students to explore math and science careers through workshops and field experiences. UBMS also encourages students to become successful college students and positive role models in their respective communities. Moreover, UBMS endorses concurrent and dual enrollment, providing opportunities for participants to acquire college credit before graduating from high school.
Veterans Upward Bound: Veterans Upward Bound is a federally funded program that provides educational services for military veterans of the United States, including assistance with the college admission process and instruction/tutoring in mathematics, reading, writing, computer science, and foreign languages. Additionally, VUB helps veterans to secure support services from other resources such as the Veterans Administration, State Veterans Service, and Veterans Association. VUB also supports veteran students with equipment such as laptop computers and graphing calculators as well as school supplies, including paper, pens, and scantrons. In its office, VUB maintains a fax machine, copier, printer, telephone, and computer lab for the use of its participants.
Youth Empowerment Program: The Youth Empowerment Program addresses unhealthy behaviors; such as improper nutrition and exercise, drug and alcohol abuse, and involvement in gangs; in at-risk minority youth, providing them with exposure to more positive lifestyles and enhancing their capacity to make informed and healthier life choices. YEP accomplishes its objectives, in part, via partnerships with primary and secondary schools, community organizations, and the community at large. Efficacy of YEP is evaluated through surveys and focus groups that determine the magnitude to which unhealthy behaviors are reduced in program participants.
Internally Funded Programs, Services, and Activities
Scorpiontation: Scorpiontation is an orientation program mandated by UTB/TSC for all incoming freshmen, which facilitates the transition of first-time college students to university life while concurrently improving institutional retention efforts. Scorpiontation enhances student development by making students feel welcome and connected with their new environment, clarifying expectations of university students, and creating awareness of student support services. Through Scorpiontation, all incoming undergraduate students are given the information and skills necessary for successful acculturation into the college environment. Moreover, Scorpiontation promotes student involvement in co-curricular programs that will further cultivate them as leaders and instill a sense of university pride.
http://blue.utb.edu/sa/orientation/
International / Multicultural Student Services: By serving as a liaison for the student, International / Multicultural Student Services helps foreign students adjust to their new environment in the United States. IMSS assists foreign students with academic advising, immigration and visa issues, on-campus employment, and referrals to student support services. Through cultural education and diversity training, IMSS provides academic experiences that foster a multicultural global view, thereby promoting respect for different customs and cultures.
http://blue.utb.edu/sa/international/
Student Health Services: Student Health Services provides basic healthcare, psychological counseling, risk behavior prevention, safety promotion, health education, and outreach services to UTB/TSC students in a safe and supportive environment. In this setting, students majoring in healthcare-related disciplines have the opportunity to observe proper patient care and gain clinical practice.
http://blue.utb.edu/sa/student_health/
Disability Services: Disability Services advocates equal access to university programs, services, and activities for specially- abled students. Disability Services coordinates academic accommodations and special support services, provides information and referrals to appropriate resources, and encourages student independence and self-advocacy. Moreover, Disability Services promotes public awareness of disabilities through online training opportunities and the annual Accessibility Awareness Week.
http://blue.utb.edu/sa/disability/
Office of Student Judicial Affairs: The Office of Student Judicial Affairs proffers advice to students regarding impending legal matters and issues of concern. Typically, the Office of Student Judicial Affairs handles legal actions involving violations of the Texas Transportation Code, misdemeanors, small claims, tenant/landlord disputes, identity theft, and consumer protection. In addition, the Office of Student Judicial Affairs can assist with filing protective orders and reporting bad checks. Felonies and cases involving UTB/TSC exist outside the scope of the Office of Student Judicial Affairs.
Career Services: Career Services affords career exploration and planning, work experience programs, and job market information to both students and alumni. Career Services advisors help students to investigate careers, analyze job trends, develop career plans, and select majors. Additionally, Career Services personnel coordinate on-campus interviews with recruiters, career/job fairs, class presentations, and various career-related workshops, including résumé writing and job interview strategies. Career Services staff also maintains an online job bank for students and alumni seeking employment. Through the Student Employment Initiative, Career Services contributes to student retention and timely graduation rates by providing on-campus job opportunities to current students.
Office of Student Life: The Office of Student Life endorses a campus community of engaged learners by hosting numerous social, intellectual, and cultural programs. The Office of Student Life comprises two units, namely Student Activities and the Student Union. The former unit provides campus programming and supports student organization leadership development, and the latter unit offers the campus community a place to gather, serving as a venue for programming events, meetings, and conferences.
http://blue.utb.edu/sa/stuact/
Campus Recreation: Campus Recreation hosts a full-service fitness center and recreational sports program. By educating the campus community regarding the advantages of health, wellness, and physical activity, Campus Recreation encourages campus involvement, ethical sportsmanship, and individual accountability, which support student success. Campus Recreation is segmented into two components, namely the Scorpion Body Shop and Recreational Sports. Both provide students the opportunity to learn fitness techniques, healthy habits, and personal skills that will benefit them for a lifetime.
http://blue.utb.edu/campusrecreation/
Student Housing: Student Housing offers on-campus residence in an atmosphere that is conducive to learning as well as the development of critical thinking and community responsibility. Through resident advisor programs, Student Housing inculcates time management skills, final exam study techniques, and drug and alcohol awareness. In addition, residents are encouraged to become involved in the Residence Hall Association. Student Housing provides a safe and healthy campus experience, promotes personal growth and wellness, fosters a respect for self and others, and assists residents in accessing student services. In addition, Student Housing encourages an active commitment to the environment and affords students opportunities to assume leadership roles as resident assistants and head residents.
Leadership and Mentorship Program: The Leadership and Mentorship Program helps students connect to the campus and local communities by creating strong relationships between students and faculty through leadership seminars. LAMP fosters the personal and academic development of students throughout their college careers by promoting awareness of campus and community resources and encouraging them to be independent, motivated, and successful as well as contributing members of their respective communities. In addition, LAMP provides support for new students, increasing retention by affording incoming freshmen and transfer students opportunities to learn from mentors who serve as coaches, role models, and advisors.
University Scorpion Scholars: University Scorpion Scholars is a scholarship program assisting eligible students with funds for tuition, books, and student housing, which contributes to their timely graduation. In order to qualify for assistance from USS, a student must be an entering freshman who has graduated in the top ten percent of his/her high school class in the TSC taxing district; Harlingen, Texas; or Rio Hondo, Texas. Selected students must register for a minimum of 15 credit hours per semester and provide degree plans demonstrating continuous progress toward a baccalaureate degree. Students receive USS scholarships for a maximum of four years. USS teaches students to utilize campus resources, promotes involvement in service learning initiatives, tracks student academic performance, and encourages students to participate in learning communities. Moreover, USS furnishes opportunities for personal growth and leadership development through various workshops, programs, events, and excursions.
Students Together, Involving, Networking and Guiding: Students Together, Involving, Networking and Guiding entering freshmen via a retention program that instructs them in navigating the college environment and utilizing campus resources. Through STING, students learn to access support services, which include tutoring at the Learning Assistance Center and mentoring at STING and LAMP. In addition, they develop time management skills and learn the importance of deadlines, both academic and personal. Events sponsored by Student Life provide students opportunities for networking as well.
http://blue.utb.edu/osd/sting/
Chess Program: The Chess Program renders the resources, training, and support to enable students to reach their full potential as players of chess. By competing at the state and national levels, the Chess Program offers participants opportunities to experience diversity and network with peers. Additionally, the rigors of training and practice in the Chess Program sharpen critical thinking skills, which ultimately contribute to student academic success.
Student Government Association: The Student Government Association endorses the rights of each student at UTB/TSC by providing the official voice through which student opinion may be expressed, ensuring student participation in institutional decision-making processes, assisting in the enhancement of curricula, and providing services that enrich students’ collegiate experience.
Intercollegiate Athletics: Intercollegiate Athletics affords student athletes the opportunity to pursue their academic dreams while representing UTB/TSC on the field, court, and course. A member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC), Intercollegiate Athletics sponsors competitive varsity programs in women’s volleyball, golf, and soccer as well as men’s baseball, golf, and soccer. Intercollegiate Athletics exists to enhance individual student development, build a sense of institutional identity, strengthen the bond between the campus and community through student life experiences, and offer opportunities for unique and significant educational experiences. In sum, Intercollegiate Athletics seeks to develop a competitive athletic program while promoting the education and emotional development of the student athlete.
Student Publications: Student Publications serves timely news and information to the campus community while providing a learning environment for students interested in journalism. Student Publication is a medium for student expression and the exchange of ideas via The Collegian newspaper, The Collegian Online, The Collegian News webcast. These publications and broadcast strive to include fair, complete, balanced, and accurate coverage of events impacting the university campus with emphasis on issues that directly affect the student population.
http://blue.utb.edu/collegian/
College Assistance Migrant Program: The College Assistance Migrant Program promotes academic success and increases student retention through comprehensive intervention services for first-time migrant students enrolled full-time. CAMP facilitates the students’ transition to campus life and the expectations of college via outreach events, academic advisement, financial assistance, student stipends, housing scholarships, and cultural events in addition to tutoring, mentoring, counseling, and workshops.
A Support Program in Reaching Excellence/Student Support Services: The objective of A Support Program in Reaching Excellence/Student Support Services (ASPIRE/SSS); is to increase student retention and graduation rates of program participants by providing instruction in basic study skills, academic advising, assistance with registration and financial aid, and use of program computers. ASPIRE/SSS affords eligible students opportunities for academic development by offering tutoring in developmental and general education courses as well as workshops on note taking and time management. ASPIRE/SSS also seeks to motivate students through personal counseling services and social networking programs. In addition, ASPIRE/SSS renders tutoring, mentoring, counseling, and workshops. To supplement government aid, ASPIRE/SSS awards a scholarship to each participant who is receiving a federal Pell Grant.
http://blue.utb.edu/sa/aspire/
Student Success Center: The Student Success Center offers learning support and self-enhancement services that contribute to the achievement, retention, and graduation rates of UTB/TSC students. The Student Success Center comprises four components, namely Childcare and Transportation, Early Alert, Learning Enrichment, and Career Counseling. The first, Childcare and Transportation, provides assistance to students enrolled in certificate or Associate of Applied Science programs. Early Alert offers academic counseling and appropriate referrals to students identified by faculty as performing poorly in academic endeavors as well as those students having a cumulative GPA below 2.0. Learning Enrichment, which was formerly known as the Learning Assistance Center, maintains tutoring services across the curriculum with an emphasis and reading, writing, mathematics, and foreign language. And finally, Career Counseling assist students in identifying a career path and selecting a relevant major. The Student Success Center also presents workshops in areas such as time management, MLA and APA styles, and COMPASS e-Write.
http://blue.utb.edu/studentsuccess/