2011 Professional Viewbook

Dear Candidate,

First and foremost, thank you for your interest in Texas State University! When you talk to our students they will tell you that Texas State University is a large public school with a small school feel. We are located in San Marcos, right in the heart of state of Texas. The beautiful, spring fed San Marcos River runs right through our campus. Our hilly campus is rich in pride and tradition. We are the only university in the state of Texas to have graduated a U.S. President.

Texas State offers its students highly acclaimed academic programs, award-winning and helpful faculty and staff, and multiple opportunities for student involvement. Academically we offer over 200 degree programs ranging from bachelor’s to doctoral degrees. Of course, the Department of Housing and Residential Life plays a vital role on campus. Research has shown that students who live on campus excel academically and socially. We have 21 residences halls housing 6,000 students; however, we are also in the midst of renovating halls, building new halls, as well as decommissioning to make room for more residential and academic facilities. Texas State is ever growing and changing, and that’s part of what makes it so exciting to work here.

Because education does not end in the classroom, the Department of Housing and Residential Life offers a variety of programs for our students. Each year over 500 students participate in our Learning Community programs. Our Learning Communities include Business, Computer Science, Journalism and Mass Communication, University Honors, Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental, Psychology, Residential College, and History. With programs like these, as well as programs facilitated by our student staff, students have an opportunity to be involved and engaged on campus and continue the learning process.

We hope that you take a serious look at Texas State University and consider applying with our department. We value student focused, team players who will work hard, but will also remember to fun along the way. Housing is our business; students are our focus.

Welcome to Texas State!

Susan DudolskiAssociate Director

Residential Life & Education

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND RESIDENTIAL LIFE601 University Drive|SAN MARCOS, TEXAS 78666-4616|phone 512.245.2382| fax 512.245.7619 |WWW.TXSTATE.EDU

Texas State University-San Marcos, founded in 1899, is a member of the Texas State University System.

Susan Dudolski

Located in a vibrant and growing community of 50,000 people, Texas State University-San Marcos is the sixth-largest university in the state, with more than 32,500 students.

Texas State has the unique advantage of being large on choices but small in feel. Overlooking the scenic Hill Country town of San Marcos, the university is known for warm, friendly students and engaged faculty who will go out of their way to help those students succeed.

The beauty of the crystal-clear San Marcos River and the stately cypress and pecan trees on campus add to the charm of the university’s picturesque setting.

HistoryAuthorized by the Texas Legislature in 1899, Southwest Texas State Normal School opened its doors in 1903. Over the years, the Legislature broadened the institution’s scope and changed its name five times. It became Texas State University-San Marcos in 2003.

Each name reflected the university’s growth from a small teacher preparation institution to a major, multipurpose university. Texas State’s original mission was to prepare Texas public school teachers, especially those of south central Texas. It became renowned for carrying out this mission.

Texas State continues to be recognized for its education programs. But it also has a national reputation for geography and communication design, as well as a rapidly growing emphasis on research into fields from physics to chemistry to engineering.

Welcome to Texas State University-San Marcos

Texas State TraditionsThe Bobcat

Texas State University-San Marcos adopted the bobcat as its official athletic mascot in 1920. The bobcat’s range includes the Central Texas Hill Country.

Boko

In 1964, our bobcat mascot received the official name of Boko. Beth Greenless, a sophomore from Luling, Texas, beat out approximately 100 other students in a “Name the Bobcat” contest.

Heart of Texas State

To honor our place in the heart of Texas, Bobcats hold up the left hand in the shape of the State of Texas with the two outside fingers pointing down toward the middle of the palm, indicating the location of the university.

Maroon and Gold

Texas State’s school colors, maroon and gold, are inspired by a native wildflower, the gaillardia. These colors have had various versions over the years, but the main colors have been a staple of the university and the athletic department for years.

Homecoming

Homecoming at Texas State is one of the university’s longest-running traditions. Each fall, the university

plans a week’s worth of events for students, staff and alumni. The event is capped off with a Saturday football game at Bobcat Stadium. Some annual homecoming events include a soap box derby, step show, distinguished alumni awards presentation and community-wide window painting

Bobcat Build

Bobcat Build is an annual community service day. Student volunteers tackle outdoor projects such as landscaping, house painting, playground clean-up, green space maintenance and window washing at service agencies, schools, churches and in low-income neighborhoods.

Riverfest

Riverfest takes place each spring at Sewell Park. Sponsored by the Student Association for Campus Activities, Riverfest provides an opportunity for students to relax, have fun and enjoy great music featuring popular recording artists, from Texas country to urban hip hop.

Bobcat Ball

Lambda of Texas State hosts the Bobcat Ball, a professional, theme-oriented drag show presented every semester since spring 2000 to raise awareness of LGBTQ students. Lambda is a student organization made up of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning students as well as their friends and family.

We value community as the heart of what we do and who we are. We are a student-centered organization made up of motivated staff who work together to create communities that assist residents in achieving academic success.

Organizational Chart•

ResidencesTexas State offers 24 facilities ranging from traditional and modified-traditional residence halls to adjoining suites and super suites, as well as apartment complexes. Each location offers a distinct community feel and unique atmosphere. All residences provide engaging and entertaining academic programs and social opportunities.

Learning CommunitiesWe recognize the vital role that on-campus living plays in a student’s academic success. Our learning communities further enhance the residential experience and the natural partnership between on-campus living and the academic curriculum. Students live, study and play together, all while forming relationships that will last a lifetime.

Program participants enjoy:access to academic study groups• opportunities to interact with faculty• a family-like atmosphere in the residence hall• additional opportunities to attend educational •

programs and service-centered events

This academic year, we offer learning communities for the following fields of study:

business• history• journalism and mass communication• pre-medical/pre-dental• psychology• University Honors •

Residential College•

Student LeadershipResidence Hall Association

RHA is the governing body that oversees and brings the halls together. It addresses the concerns of the residents and individual hall councils and is dedicated to improving the quality of life on campus, whether through campus programming or the open forum of RHA General Assembly meetings.

National Residence Hall Honorary

NRHH is designed to give local, regional and national recognition to students making outstanding contributions to their campus and residence halls. Membership is available only to the top one percent of on-campus residents nationwide.

Hall Council

Hall councils serve as the voice of students living in the residence halls. They serve as liaisons between residents, the Residence Hall Association, the Department of Housing and Residential Life and other campus organizations.

The Department of Housing and Residential Life

“I absolutely love the Residential College program and moved across the country just to be part of it.” –Sarah Uphoff, Assistant Director

Residence Directors Residence directors perform a variety of duties to meet the needs of students living on campus. As a residence director, you will have the opportunity to:

Directly supervise student staff members in daily • operations of your hall

Advise first-year students at risk of academic • probation

Serve as the building manager for your hall•

Serve as a liaison for maintenance/custodial staff•

Schedule/manage front desk operations of your hall•

Develop each semester’s program plan for your hall•

Work on-call shifts for halls and apartments•

Manage your own supply and programming budgets •

Advise your building’s hall council•

Graduate Research Assistants and Directors•

Graduate StaffIn support of the Student Affairs Masters Program, •

DHRL provides graduates within the program opportunities to work with and to learn from Residential Life and Education.

Graduate Residence Director leads a small hall and • staff

Graduate Research Assistant for Bobcat Village•

Graduate Research Assistant for Conduct•

Graduate Research Assistant for Learning • Communities

Graduate Research Assistant for Programming•

Professional Opportunities

“What I like most is, it’s an environment that fosters a smooth transition for young professionals.” –Jose Manzano, Residence Director

“I appreciate the pet policy because I am able to have my cat live with me.” –Charity Bowen, Graduate Residence Director

Development OpportunitiesEach full-time residence director is expected to fulfill at least one collateral each academic year. This is as an opportunity for residence directors to work with new supervisors and colleagues, explore other interests and expand their skills for professional growth. Collaterals include, but are not limited to:

CollateralsCounseling 4378 Class Instructor — Review syl-•

labus and teach “Student Issues in Higher Educa-tion,” a mandatory three-hour course for RAs.

Leadership — Collaborate with the coordinator • for leadership development in planning, advising and other programming initiatives and leadership workshops.

Residential Education Development — Collabo-• rate with and report to the assistant director for residential education. This position allows hands-on experience with the learning communities and offers opportunities to programming.

Summer Conferences Team — Work with the co-• ordinator for marketing and summer conferences to hire summer staff and facilitate the conference program.

Marketing and Recruitment — Work with the co-• ordinator for conferences and marketing and the coordinator of staff development and training to promote the DRHL, to maintain potential candi-date interest and assist with interview logistics.

Sustainability Efforts — Work with the associate di-• rector of housing facilities services and the direc-tor of housing and residential life to develop and implement sustainability efforts.

Building Projects — Work with the associate direc-• tor and the assistant director of housing facilities services to assist with the analysis of space, deter-mination of standards, renovation and improve-ment projects.

Student and Professional Staff InteractionOur residence and graduate residence directors have the opportunity to work with student staff members on a variety of levels. Residence director staff supervise and/or work with student leaders in the following positions:

Senior Resident Assistant•

Resident Assistant•

Learning Community Resident Assistants•

Staff Assistants for Apartments•

Conference Assistants•

Desk Workers•

“Students inspire me and give me hope, I have an oppontunity to be a mentor who they can rely on.” –Jessica Perlotto, Residence Director

San Marcos is located just 30 miles south of Austin and 45 miles north of San Antonio, making it easily accessible for nightlife, music, food, shopping and the arts. Here’s a brief look at some of the things to see and do in San Marcos and the surrounding area.

San Marcos RiverThe San Marcos River, with a constant temperature of 72 degrees, runs through campus and provides year-round recreation. The Texas State Outdoor Center offers paddling equipment rental to Texas State students, staff and faculty. For a beautiful underwater view of Spring Lake, the headwaters of the San Marcos River, take a glass-bottom boat tour at Aquarena Center, part of Texas State.

Texas Hill Country The Texas Hill Country, just to the west of San Marcos, is a weekend destination for people who enjoy nature and a laid-back atmosphere. Between Austin and San Antonio lie numerous small towns, including Bandera, Fredericksburg, Gruene, Kerrville, Marble Falls, Utopia and more. In and around these towns you’ll find the scenic Highland Lakes, historic buildings, wineries and breweries, beautiful sights, long-standing traditions and interesting people.

State Parks and Outdoor AreasWith dozens of state parks, local parks and hiking trails, Central Texas is perfect for outdoor activities year-round. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area in Fredericksburg, with a 640-acre pink granite dome, is a great place for hiking, rock climbing and camping. At Los Maples State Natural Area, northwest of San Antonio, maple trees are awash with color each fall. Central Texas is home to several lakes and rivers that offer opportunities for rafting, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, speed boating and jet skiing.

San Marcos: Deep in the Heart of Texas

“I love the beauty of the campus and that there’s a river running though it.” –Nikki Walters, Residence Director

Nightlife and EntertainmentYou can find entertainment any night of the week in nearby San Antonio and Austin, the Live Music Capital of the World. Texas country, punk, rock, ska, folk, R&B and hip-hop fill the venues in Austin’s downtown and Warehouse District. The Austin City Limits Festival, held each September, has been named the top music festival in the country, and South by Southwest (SXSW) features the best in the music, interactive and film industries each March. The Alamo Drafthouse, which serves meals and drinks along with the film, is the best movie theatre in the U.S., according to Entertainment Weekly. San Antonio’s Riverwalk is home to numerous nightclubs and restaurants.

Fine Arts and History The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin tells the story of Texas. Across the street from the Bullock is the fabulous Blanton Museum of Art. The nearby Ransom Center is the repository of the Gutenberg Bible, the first photograph, Harry Houdini’s personal papers, Woodward and Bernstein’s Watergate notes and more. The Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio serves as a forum for the understanding and appreciation of Texas and Texans. And, of course, remember the Alamo.

ShoppingSan Marcos is home to the Premium Outlets and Tanger Outlet Center, the third-largest tourist attraction in Texas. Nearby Austin and San Antonio also offers large shopping centers and malls. Austin is also home to the Whole Foods Market corporate headquarters and the company’s flagship store. Shop for local arts and crafts at Market Days in Wimberley or Gruene. San Marcos residents enjoy perusing The San Marcos Farmers Market, which offers local crops homemade products.

Professional SportsSan Antonio is home to the three-time National Basketball Association champion Spurs, as well as a WNBA franchise and minor-league baseball and hockey teams. Austin is home to minor-league baseball, basketball and soccer, as well as the TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls, as featured on A&E’s “Rollergirls.”

For More InformationSan Marcos: www.78666.comAustin: www.austintexas.orgSan Antonio: www.visitsanantonio.com

“I love the location of San Marcos. It is a very pretty place and has all of the necessities one could ask for.” –Anthony White, Assistant Director