The month of April on the UT campus is a very significant one: Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual assault isn’t an easy subject, and many cases may go unreported because of a reluctance to talk about it. The time to talk, though, is NOW! Talking early and talking often about sexual assault is the best way to spread awareness and prevention. That’s why here at UT the month of April is dedicated to just that.

The UT Counseling Center and the Sexual Assault Education and Prevention Program (SAEPP) are sponsoring a calendar full of events both on campus and in our surrounding community. Both men and women are encouraged to participate – everyone can be an ally for our community! These events obviously deal with very serious themes and are aimed to educate but we will also be discussing some of the strides that have been made in the past years regarding sexual assault and prevention in our own community.

The full schedule of events can be found here, YOU can make a difference!

KPW

I am excited to announce our second annual UT Student Appreciation Day!  This celebration recognizes and thanks all of you students for being who you are and making the University of Toledo wonderful for all of us!  We all want your student experience to be the strongest, most memorable one possible, and Student Appreciation Day is a wonderful way to top off the academic year. The event will be held on April 22 from 11 am- 2pm on the Centennial Mall.

The event is being sponsored by the Office of the Senior VP for the Student Experience, and will provide FREE fabulous lunchtime foods, served by UT administrators — be sure to say Hello to them when you’re in line!

Our raffle prizes this year will include free parking for an entire semester, and one-on-one lunches with UT administrators and coaches. Plus there will be games and activities perfect for a springtime chill-out before finals.

Go Rockets and Go UT Students!

-KPW

The UT Women’s Basketball team beat Youngstown State in the second round of the WNIT in front of thousands of fans on Saturday, and what a game it was!  Toledo jumped out to a comfortable 30-15 lead at halftime and never looked back, finishing off the contest at 61-43.  With that victory the Rockets improved their already impressive home winning streak to nine games, posting an overall 15-1 record at Savage Arena this season!

The Rockets (29-3) will now compete for a spot in the Elite 8 against Illinois (18-13) this Thursday, March 28, at 7:00pm at Savage Arena.  This will be the third consecutive season that the UT will have reached the Sweet Sixteen in the Invitational, but they’re not done yet!

I hope to see the stands overflowing, as our Rockets will once again have home court advantage as they look to continue their excellent season in front of a sea of Blue and Gold supporters.

All students will get FREE admittance with their student ID, courtesy of the UT President’s Office, and if you needed further incentive, Coach Cullop is providing PRIZES!  All students will have the opportunity to win $25 and $50 cash prizes as well as a iPad mini!

Let’s keep the Rockets’ 9-game home winning streak alive as they take us into the Elite 8!  See YOU at the game!

Go Rockets!!

-KPW

Last night our Toledo Rockets Women’s Basketball team ousted Butler to book their place in the second round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT).

The Rockets’ defense caused a lot of havoc for Butler, generating 24 turnovers and holding their opponent to less than 50 points – the 18th time this season. Toledo will now play Youngstown State on Saturday, March 23, at 2:00, at Savage Arena.  After witnessing the fantastic atmosphere of the first round game, I encourage everyone in the UT community to come cheer on our UT Rockets; it will be an event you will not want to miss!

Inspired by the Rockets’ win and student support, President Jacobs has ensured that all UT students will get in free (with a rocket ID) and Coach Cullop will again be offering a FREE slice of pizza for all students upon entry!

Once again, the game is tomorrow, at 2:00 pm at Savage Arena, see YOU at the game!!

GO ROCKETS!

-KPW

Tomorrow night, March 21, your Toledo Rockets will open up the 2013 WNIT basketball tournament. The 2011 Champions host the Butler Bulldogs in their opening round – help propel them to victory! The game is at 7:00 pm at Savage Arena and, thanks to the UT President’s Office, tickets will be FREE for all UT Students (make sure to bring your Rocket ID card). Every UT student will also be provided with a FREE slice of pizza upon entry to the game, courtesy of Coach Cullop!

The Rockets look to finish an already impressive 27-3 season by entering the WNIT winners’ circle for the second time in three years and will face a 17-13 Butler squad.  As mentioned, tickets for all UT Students are  FREE — and UT faculty can purchase two tickets at half price. Tickets are available now, please call 419.530.2510 or 419.530.4183 or visit www.utrockets.com.  Looking forward to seeing you all at there tomorrow night!

Go Rockets!!

-KPW

Unlike the kind that comes with the flu, it’s a fever that will make you feel great, and you can catch it from our Lady Rockets Basketball Team, who just nailed a huge win over Ball State at Savage Arena and earned the #1 seed in this year’s MAC Tournament. They’re in Cleveland this Friday, March 15, to play a noon semifinals game at Quicken Loans Arena. If you can make the trip — no skipping classes! — you’ll share the fever of excitement as our team burns up the court! Ticket information is at www.utrockets.com. The UT Alumni Association is hosting a pre-game party at 10 am before the game. $10 will get you an all-you-can-eat breakfast; cash juice bar available. The UT Band, Cheerleaders and a team coach will be there to pump the crowd — follow the registration link.

Although I am quite sure that not all of you need reminding, I just wanted to say: Remember that next week (March 3-11) is Spring Break and there will be NO CLASSES! It seems like just last week when we were welcoming you all back from the winter holidays! Whether you are traveling someplace tropical, heading home, or staying around the University, I want to wish all of you a safe and relaxing time off.

This week can be an excellent opportunity to catch up on reading and assignments as well as to de-stress and reduce your sleep debt. Remember, the best preventative measure to avoid getting sick is REST. Campus buildings including Carlson Library will be open Monday-Friday of next week during normal work hours (8-5) if you are staying around here and would like to take advantage of a quieter campus.

If you are traveling, please be careful! Safe Spring Break offers some smart travel tips to help you avoid potentially dangerous situations and is worth a quick look.

No matter where you are going or what you are doing, I urge you more than anything to take advantage and enjoy this time off; you’ll be back in school before you know it!

Be Smart, Be Safe, and have a wonderful Spring Break!

-KPW

Tomorrow night our UT men’s basketball team faces off againstWestern Michiganin what will be a showdown for first place in the MAC West division. The Rockets are pumped to continue their recent wins as they look to make it 3 in a row (and 5 in a row at home).  Both teams come into the game with 8-4 division records and with tourney season on the horizon, YOU can help the Rockets keep their winning momentum!

Help us PACK the Savage Arena to fuel your Rockets to victory! As an incentive there will be FREE admission and FREE pizza for all students, as well as 250+ Toledo Rockets Blue and Gold ‘tip-off’ T-shirts, plus 150+ Blue and Gold Rocket beach towels! You’ll also have chances to win a Sony iPhone and iPad dock (provided by Pepsi and UT Auxiliary Services) and many more giveaways!

Once again, the game is tomorrow, February 27, at 7:00pm in our own Savage Arena!  Help propel the Rockets to the top of the MAC West!

See you at the game!

Go Rockets!

-KPW

The UT College Republicans will be holding an Empty Holster Protest beginning today, February 4 through February 7.  The protest is aimed at the current Ohio law that prohibits students from carrying a concealed weapon on college campuses across the state.  This Protest also comes on the heels of this week’s student vote on whether or not you would like to see concealed carry allowed on UT’s campus.

An Empty Holster Protest is a very common, peaceful protest during which students will speak about the subject of concealed carry, distribute literature, as well as carry empty holsters at their belts while on campus, including in their classes.  These peaceful protests take place every year, on college campuses across the country.  Because of the obvious sensitivity of this issue and the potential to cause alarm I want to assure all of you that there is no cause for concern.

There will be a table set up in the Student Union where the UT College Republicans will be passing out literature and you will be able to talk with them about the issue.  It is important to be aware and as educated as possible about the important issues and the University of Toledo is proud to be able to help initiate conversation surrounding this polarizing debate!

Go Rockets!

-KPW

This Saturday marks the third annual ‘Tie One On’ event held by the UT men’s basketball team! Started by our own Larry Burns, UT’s bow tie aficionado, the ‘Tie One On’ event is dedicated to supporting the Dana Cancer Research Center and prostate cancer care.

In a show of unity, UT head coach Tod Kowalczyk and his staff along with Bowling Green’s head coach Louis Orr and his staff will be wearing bow ties to support this cause; I encourage everyone to also participate in this wonderful event.

Individuals can purchase tickets for $100, which in addition to the game means they will also receive a bow tie, a commemorative photo, and a pass to a post-game celebration. The same package is available to UT students for only $20! Former NFL linebacker Dhani Jones and his Bow Tie Cause partnered with UT to help supply the ties! In the past two years ‘Tie One on’ has raised more than $20,000 to support the cancer research programs at UT’s Medical Center!

All proceeds from this event will go to cancer research programs at UT’s Medical Center.   In the past two years alone ‘Tie One On’ has raised more than $20,000!

Click here to sign up, and for students to receive the discount they need to call Lindsey Ackerman, assistant director of UT Marketing, at (419) 530-1273.

‘Tie One On’ will take place during the UT men’s basketball game this Saturday, January 26, at 7 pm in Savage Arena, where they will take on the Falcons of Bowling Green!

Go Rockets!

-KPW