The UTD Mercury

Issue date: 6/20/05 Section: Orientation

Click here to download the PDF of the Orientation 2005 issue. [Click to enlarge]

A

Activity Center

The newly-renovated Activity Center is located just south of the Engineering & Computer Science building and houses a workout gym, four racquetball courts, two squash courts, four basketball gyms and a 25-yard swimming pool. The Activity Center maintains convenient hours and is open seven days a week. In addition, activities such as intramural sports take place at the Activity Center. UTD students may bring a friend for a $2 charge.

Academic Advising

Freshmen are required to visit their advisers to sign up for classes. Advisers are available for all schools of study and are essential in charting your course toward your degree at UTD. Advisers plan out coursework and answer questions such as, "What electives should I take?" and "What courses do I need to take to graduate?" Make sure you know who your adviser is and visit him or her often. To find out who your adviser is, visit www.utdallas.edu/dept/ugraddean/advstaff.shtml.

B

Bursar's Office

Located on the bottom floor of the McDermott Library, the Bursar's Office is available to pay tuition and other fees assessed by the university. The Bursar's Office only accepts payment by cash or check. Payment by credit card can be made online for an additional charge of 1.75 percent. Students may also cash personal checks - up to $25 - at the Bursar's Office for a 25-cent charge.

Bookstore

The Bookstore is located on campus just south of the McDermott Library. All required textbooks, in addition to software, school supplies and UTD gear are available at the Bookstore. The Bookstore also buys back used books. They also sell class rings, have a copy center and a computer lab. The Technology Store, which is run by HiEd, was added last fall and sells hardware and software at discounted prices. The Bookstore can be reached at 972-883-2665 and the Technology Store at 972-883-6500.

C

Career Center

For career advice, planning and counseling, there is no better place to go than the UTD Career Center. The Career Center provides many important student services such as resume and cover letter reviews, career workshops and an online job search database. The Career Center can also assist students in finding internships for summer or during the school year. Remember, it's never too early to start planning your career. The Career Center is located in the bottom floor of the McDermott Library and can be reached at 972-883-2943.

Computer Labs

UTD provides several computer labs on campus for student use and students must have a NetID to log on. A variety of software is available such as Microsoft Office, Matlab and Microsoft Visual Studio.NET. Using E-Bucks on your Comet Card, students can print for 10 cents a page. Students must use their Comet Card to print - cash is not accepted! For lab locations visit www.utdallas.edu/ir/tcs/labs/locations.htm.

Counseling Center

The Counseling Center is located in the Student Union, 1.608, and is free to all registered students for individual counseling, group counseling, alcohol/drug counseling and more. All counseling is done by licensed psychologists and counselors and is completely confidential. Make an appointment at 972-883-2575.

Collegium V

Collegium V is the UTD honors program, designed to enhance the quality of education among the students. Honors classes, available to honors students only, are smaller (capped at 20 students per class) and encourage more discussion and interaction among the students and faculty. Freshmen with a 3.6 or higher high school GPA and a 1300+ SAT score should consider applying at http://cv.utdallas.edu.

Comet Card

The Comet Card is UTD's student ID. All students are required to have one and can pick one up at the Info Depot (see Info Depot) with proof of ID and UTD registration. All students are issued a Comet Card free, but replacements are $25 each. The newly redesigned card can now be connected to a Wells Fargo account to serve as a debit card, on and off campus. Students can continue to put money on their Comet Card to pay for food or on the chip - called E-bucks - for printing. A minimum of $20 can be put on the card.

D

Dean of Students

The Dean of Students' office, located in Student Union 1.602, provides leadership in the development, overall management and supervision of student services and programs. The office also serves as an information/referral source for students needing assistance with any situation. The interim dean of students is Donna Rogers and she may be reached at 972-883-6391.

E

Employment

For those seeking work, UTD 's Career Center can help with student employment needs. The Career Center professionals can help you build resumes, give mock interviews and find a suitable job. You must register with the Career Center to receive these benefits. If students have received work study then they must also register to get a position. However, many of the facilities or organizations on campus offer employment opportunities. The Student Union has many employment possibilities, such as the Comet Café or the Pub.

F

Financial Aid

The financial aid office - located in the basement of McDermott Library - coordinates all of the assistance programs designed to help defray the costs of college. If you are in need of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study opportunities, the financial aid counselors help you through the process. Contact the Financial Aid office at 972-883-2941.

G

Greek Life

A fraternity or sorority can help you throughout your years at UTD and beyond. These organizations seek to provide you with friendship and guidance that will follow you far beyond your college years. There are currently nine chartered Greek groups - five men's fraternities and four women's sororities.

H

Health Center

The Student Health Center is provided to treat and care for minor illnesses. The Health Center - located in Student Union 1.606 - also provides health education and preventative medicine. Office visits are free, but some nominal fees are charged for additional services. The licensed staff is ready to help with any health-related problems you may face.

I

Info Depot

The Info Depot is located on the upper level of the Student Union next to the Comet Café. At the Info Depot, students can pick up their Comet Card, receive discounted passes to events, free notary services, purchase stamps and put money on their Comet Card for UTDollars or E-bucks.

International Education

The Office of International Education helps students who want to study abroad. OIE offers information about the numerous programs, scholarships and places students can study. Students can earn credit hours while learning in a unique environment and diverse culture. For more information, visit the OIE office in the McDermott Library 1.206.

International Student Services

ISS helps all of UTD's international students. They provide international student programs, international student health insurance services and advising. ISS also gives support services, resources and educational programs for the international population.

One of the main services is providing immigration information through seminars and individual consultations. ISS - located in McDermott Library 1.310 - offers international students a chance to take part in a variety of U.S. cultural experiences.

L

Love Jack

In front of the Jonnson Center is a sculpture titled "Jack." This giant red jack was created by artist Jim Love in 1971. In 1976, the artwork was presented to UTD as a gift from Mrs. Margaret McDermott, the wife of UTD co-founder Eugene McDermott.

Library

The McDermott Library houses many different offices. In the basement, you will find the Bursar's office, Career Center, Financial Aid, Office of International Education, International Student Service and Women's Center. There is also a copy center, media labs and math labs located here. You may check out a computer or go to the computer lab. Your Comet Card serves as your library card. The library has videos, DVDs and other CD materials for viewing. The library website - www.utdallas.edu/library - contains numerous databases and catalogs which you may look through.

M

Multicultural Center

The Multicultural Center at UTD celebrates diversity through its mission to provide quality cultural programs, educational resources and support services to the multicultural community. Some of the events throughout the year include Juneteenth, Asian-American Heritage Series, Hispanic Heritage Month and Passport to the World, allowing students to "travel the world" from booth to booth experiencing foods and customs. To become involved with the Multicultural Center or for more information, visit the Conference Center 1.126 or call 972-883-6390.

Mercury, The

The award-winning student newspaper of UTD, The UTD Mercury publishes bi-weekly on Mondays throughout the school year. Covering issues from the Waterview advisory commission to the latest UTD sports, The UTD Mercury keeps students informed. For more information on writing, advertising sales, photography, editing, web design and page design, visit the newsroom in the Student Union 2.416 or call 972-883-2286.

N

NetID

Every student needs a NetID to access university e-mail, Pipeline, WebCT RNA, UNIX and CAMPUS servers. Each student can obtain a NetID by accessing the UTD website and selecting 'Current Students' from the front page. From there, select 'Retrieve NetID' under 'Electronic Resources' subhead.

Nanotech Institute

The Nanotech Institute at UTD - located in Berkner - was created in 2001 by Jim Von Ehr, president and CEO of Zyvex Corporation, and Da Hsuan Feng, UTD vice president of research and graduate education. Since its official initiation in late 2001, the UTD Nanotech Institute has attracted scientists - including a Nobel laureate - from around the world, and has become a center of interdisciplinary research within UTD.

O

Orientation Team Mentors

The Orientation Team Mentors (OTMs) are UTD students selected to work at freshman orientations, Comet Camp and various conferences and help incoming students become acclimated to university life. They are also available to answer questions concerning personal or academic issues. To contact the OTMs, visit SU 1.810 or call 972-883-6171.

P

Pub, The

The Pub is a UTD-run restaurant on campus located on the upper level of the Student Union. Resembling a sports bar, you can have a burger, play some pool, watch TV and even get Starbucks. The Pub also hosts a variety of events, such as SUAAB's Underground Poetry Circus and late-night movies. The Pub also has an outdoor patio.

PEA

A Personalized Email Account (PEA) is given to every student at UTD. To access the email account, students must first apply for a NetID (see NetID). After receiving a NetID, students can access their email through Pipeline or forward their campus email to another address. As of fall 2004, your UTD email account must be used for all university correspondence.

Pipeline

Pipeline is a web-based service for students to check university email, keep a calendar of events, check the latest national news and correspond with other members within a university group. Students can access Pipeline through the 'Current Students' link on the UTD homepage. A NetID is required.

Parking

Parking passes can be obtained from the Police Department on campus. Students may purchase three levels of parking - Waterview, $30; green, $75; and gold, $125. Students with a Waterview parking pass can only park within the apartment complex. Students with a green or gold pass are not permitted to park in the apartments without a visitor's pass. A green parking pass allows for parking only at green parking markers, and a gold parking pass allows for closer parking, marked yellow, and also green parking. Students who park outside their parking pass level will be fined.

Police

UTD has an 19-member campus police force that patrols the university 24 hours a day. The Chief of Police is Colleen Ridge and the Assistant Chief of Police is Debra Marable. UTD Police offer services such as bicycle engraving, R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) classes and escort students needing transport to their cars. They also offer informational seminars on alcohol and drug safety for student organizations. To request escort service, report any activity or for more information call 972-883-2331.

R

Radio UTD

Looking for music that you never hear on commercial radio? UTD's student-run radio station Radio UTD is webcast nightly over the internet from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Visit http://radio.utdallas.edu to listen in at either low or high bandwidth. The programming schedule and DJ applications are also available on the site. Winamp or RealPlayer is required to listen, and free downloads are available.

S

SGA

The Student Government Association (SGA) is the official representative body and voice of UTD students. Students have the opportunity to participate in SGA through committee appointments, running for office or by voting in elections. SGA provides many free services for students including legal counsel services, an online book exchange and a Student Business Alliance that offers discounts for students at participating area businesses. President Basheer Benhalim and Vice President Iris Kwong were elected to serve for the 2005-06 school year.

SIS

The Student Information System (SIS) is a web-based service that allows students access to their account balance, applications status, unofficial transcripts and more. The Student ID is the student's social security number and the password is the student's birthday (MMDDYY). Put a zero in front of the birth month if it is less than 10 and only use the last two digits of your birth year. You can change your ID and password after your initial login. SIS is also where mid-term grades will be posted for freshmen and end-of-semester grades can be viewed.

Student Union

The Student Union (SU) is the place for students to hang out, grab a bite to eat, relax and houses most of the student service offices. The Union is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It includes a TV lounge, study lounge, six pool tables, two ping pong tables, a video arcade, the Comet Café, The Pub and new home to the Radio UTD station. An array of rooms can be reserved for organization meetings. The Health Center, the Counseling Center and SGA are some of the student services housed in the Union.

SUAAB

The Student Union and Activities Advisory Board (SUAAB) hosts a large portion of student activities on campus. Among their many events of the past year, SUAAB showcased Jamie Kennedy for a comedy show and the Ying Yang Twins and Vanessa Carlton for the rock concert in the Activity Center last spring. SUAAB also hosts the homecoming dance , The Underground Poetry Circus and a variety of seasonal events free to students. The SUAAB office is located in SU 2.506B.

T

Transportation

DART travels through campus and picks up in front of the Activity Center and in front of the Waterview Park apartments information office on Drive A. Students can take bus route 562 east to the Arapaho Center light rail station or west to the Addison Bus Transit Center. For more information on pricing and connecting routes visit dart.org.

V

Violations

The speed limit is 20 m.p.h. on most roads within campus. Speeding tickets are issued by campus police and can be appealed through the police website. All cars must either obtain a visitor's pass from the information booth on University Parkway or obtain a parking pass.

W

Women's Center

The Women's Center has events and programs throughout the year that include Tai chi and relaxation techniques, financial planning, dating etiquette, date rape and abusive relationships. The Center is designed to provide an open and encouraging environment for women, provides counseling and has book and videos available for rent. But don't be fooled, this isn't just for women. Men are also invited to attend events and stop by the Center's office in the McDermott Library, 1.204 for dating tips and counseling.

WebCT

WebCT is a web-based student service that allows students to communicate with instructors and classmates. WebCT can be accessed through the Current Students link on the UTD webpage and a NetID is required. WebCT will list all classes the student is enrolled in, and depending on the professor, WebCT will include the class syllabus, grades, class notes and questions among classmates.

Z

Catching Zs

Sometimes sleep is the first thing to be sacrificed when mid-terms or finals roll around, but if you're enterprising you can find a few comfortable spots to snooze. There are lounges on the first and second floors of the Student Union that are generally quiet and comfortable.

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