Category: News

OLLU community invited to screening of ‘Prejudice and Pride’

valadezFilm producer John Valadez will lead a screening of his film, “Prejudice and Pride,” Friday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. in Thiry Auditorium.

The film, which is an installment of the six-part PBS series “Latino Americans,” focuses on key events and people that led to the formation of the Chicano identity during the 60s and 70s as the labor leaders organized farm workers in California. The film also chronicles how activists pushed for better education opportunities for Latinos, the inclusion of Latino studies, and empowerment in the political process.

A discussion panel will follow featuring Valadez, OLLU professor Steven Wise, and host-producer for Catholic Television of San Antonio, and OLLU alumna, Martha Tijerina.

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact the Center for Mexican American Studies and Research at 210-431-4148 or cmasr@ollusa.edu.

OLLU community invited to celebrate National Day on Writing

The Writing Center invites the OLLU community to take part in the weeklong celebration of National Day on Writing, Oct. 21-Nov. 1. The theme this year is, “Writing Transforms All.” The celebration will include workshops and various events for the community.

Faculty, staff, students and alumni are encouraged to submit their best memory of OLLU for a special display that will be constructed.

Anyone who needs assistance putting his or her words on paper can stop by the Writing Center and work with a consultant.

Submit memories in person or via email at writing@lake.ollusa.edu.

Look for more information on events and workshops in the coming weeks.

New Legislation: Notification of Penalty for False Alarms (House Bill No. 1284)

The following message is mandated by Texas Law, House Bill 1284 

Making a false threat at any Texas higher education institution is now considered a state jail felony, not a Class A misdemeanor, according to a new law passed this summer by the Texas Legislature.

House Bill 1284 was enacted in response to several threats this past year at several universities across the U.S. that disrupted classes and prompted evacuation of campus property, even though the reports turned out to be a hoax.

The Texas bill relates to the offense of making or causing a false alarm or report involving a public or private institution of higher education. A person commits an offense under Section 42.06, Texas Penal Code, if he or she knowingly initiates, communicates or circulates a report of a present, past, or future bombing, fire, offense, or other emergency that he or she knows is false or baseless and that would ordinarily:

1.    Cause action by an official or volunteer agency organized to deal with emergencies;

2.    Place a person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury; or

3.    Prevent or interrupt the occupation of a building, room, place of assembly, place to which the public has access, or aircraft, automobile, or other mode of conveyance.

An individual adjudged guilty of a state jail felony shall be punished by confinement in a state jail for any term of not more than two years or less than 180 days and, in addition to confinement, may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.

Two students receive academic scholarships

OLLU students Naila Ramiro and Kevin Meraz have been selected to receive the Adelante/Ford Motor Company Future Leaders Scholarship for the 2013-2014 academic year.

Miller Brewing and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) established Adelante U.S. Education Leadership Fund, a nonprofit organization focused on breaking the trend of Hispanic non-graduates and furthering their educational future.

This scholarship is for college students of Hispanic descent who have completed at least 30 credit hours of college course work. To qualify, applicants must be majoring in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics).

Both recipients will receive $2000 this academic year.

Affordable Care Act OLLU employee notice

Under The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (also known as the ACA, Healthcare Reform, or even Obamacare), Our Lady of the Lake University is required by the U.S. Department of Labor to provide employees with the attached notice.

To answer general questions about healthcare reform or the operation of the Healthcare Insurance Marketplace, visit the following resources:

For more information, read the following resources:

OLLU employees encouraged to sign up for service day

OLLU faculty and staff are invited to participate in a service project as part of “OLLU Service Day,” Friday, Oct. 18 from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Seton Home. Those who wish to participate should sign up by Oct. 9.

Seton Home is a nonprofit that gives assistance to teenage mothers and their children. Participants will assist in or more of the following tasks: turning mulch in gardens and playgrounds, power washing sidewalks, painting part of a mural, assisting with the Angel Tree project, clean up, and light custodial work among other tasks.

OLLU Service Day is a University-approved initiative so employees do not need to submit vacation time in order to participate.

Employees who wish to participate should email Jennifer Bendele, director of the Center for Service-Learning and Volunteerism at jbendele@ollusa.edu. Staff must obtain approval from their supervisor to participate.

For more information, email jbendele@ollusa.edu or call 210-434-6711, ext. 2393.

Annual Blackboard Users Conference to take place this month

The Texas Blackboard Users Group annual conference will be held Oct. 24-25 at the Holiday Inn San Antonio International Airport.

The conference will offer various presentations including support, program director roundtables, and breakout sessions directly for faculty and instructional designers.

Keynote speakers will include

  • Maurice Heilblum, Senior Vice President, Higher Education, Corporate and Government Markets
  • Dr. Tim Chester, Vice President for Information Technology at University of Georgia
  • Dr. Belle Wheelan, President of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

For more information, visit www.t-bug.org.

OLLU community invited to support freshmen during ‘OLLU Connect’

Faculty, staff and student leaders are invited to attend “OLLU Connect,” a special event to support new freshmen at OLLU, Thursday from 12:20-1:15 p.m. in Chapel Auditorium.

During the event, faculty, staff and student leaders will send a symbolic message to freshmen that the University community is here for them, especially during their most challenging time.

Lunch will be provided during the event.

The event is sponsored by the Office of Student Success, the Office of Student Life and the Office of Academic Affairs.

To RSVP, email academicaffairs@ollusa.edu.