News

Student Government Association members passed a motion at their Feb. 25 meeting to purchase two new microwave ovens for the Business Administration Building.

SGA treasurer Andrew Barnson, who made the motion, explained why the organization was replacing one broken microwave with two. Barnson said because so many students eat lunch and dinner there, he saw a need for two microwaves.

Students in sheets celebrated the completion of the University Center Friday with a toga party, one of two celebrations that
heralded continued expansions on campus.

Chilly temperatures dominating much of the week failed to chill the excitement over the new center, which features a coffee bar, Subway sandwich shop and Grill Works, a new hamburger eatery.

The new UC also includes a new multi-level Barnes & Noble Patriot Bookstore with school supplies, school-related merchandise and general-interest books and textbooks.

The unveiling of the new center comes a day after authorities celebrated the expansion of the Fine Arts Complex.

Thursday’s celebration included a tour, remarks from University leaders and a special performance by the Jazz Patriots Combo.

“The Department of Art and History is already known for our exceptional faculty and programs, and now we have the facilities to move forward and realize our growth potential,” Gary Hatcher, professor and department chair, said.

The 29,000-square-foot arts complex features a 120-seat lecture hall, 20-seat seminar room, seven studio classrooms and ample office space.

Editor’s Note: Previous statements made by Whitehouse to the Patriot Talon contradict her pledge to represent the views of students. In the April 20 edition of the Talon she is quoted as saying:

How do you see yourself as a liaison between the student body and the student government?

Volunteers showed up en masse at 8 a.m. to the Green Acres Baptist Church Worship Center for the East Texas “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” pep rally.

While the Robert E. Lee High School band played inside the sanctuary, the school’s drill team and cheerleaders thanked attendees as they entered the worship center.

The pep rally provided volunteers information to build community support and awareness.

The build is set to start on Feb. 25 when host Ty Pennington and design team knock on the family’s door.

University officials propose increasing tuition nearly 4 percent and committees to “scrub” the University’s budget to meet state-mandated cutbacks.

President Rodney Mabry, vice president of business affairs Greg Lassen and a Student Government Association representative plan to appear before the Board of Regents in Austin on March 3 to submit the University’s planned $2.8 million cuts and to support a tuition increase.

A University Graduate Studies Information Expo is planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 3.

This expo is designed for students interested in getting an inside look at what the University’s graduate school has to offer.

Students may find answers to questions they may have concerning application and/or admission.

The expo also plans to offer information about financial aid and potential scholarship opportunities.

Contact Dr. Alecia Wolf at 903-566-7457 for further questions.

Students living on limited budgets find it difficult to purchase name brand software at affordable prices. Student, faculty and staff at the University are eligible to get name brand software at discounted prices.

Last semester software could be purchased at the University bookstore or the cashier’s office. Now HiEd.com hosts the University software store at https://webstore.hied.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/UTTYRetail.

University students are volunteering with Refuge International in a Guatemalan clinic to deworm malnourished children.

Six University students, along with other volunteers, plan to work at a clinic in San Raymundo, Guatemala from Feb. 20 - 28. "Intestinal worms are a big problem," Brittany Wilde said. Wilde is a University nursing student who volunteered for the trip.

Malnourished children are prime targets for intestinal worms. The worms prevent children from receiving nutrients needed to survive. "Hopefully we will help as many people as we can," Wilde said.

The UT Tyler Longview University Center is open to all students, even those taking classes only in Tyler. Essentially the same services available at the Tyler campus are available in Longview, which can cut commuting time considerably.

LUC services include study rooms, recently installed wireless internet access and a library. John Williams, LUC director, an administrative staff and on-site faculty and support operate the LUC.