HOUSING
University Dormitories and Apartments
On-campus housing offers its
residents low rent, and facilities are conveniently located within walking
distance of all Medical Branch buildings and that can translate into savings of
time and money over long commutes and expensive parking.
The Bulletin of Policies and
Information for Dormitories and Apartments, which you should have received at
the time, you requested a dormitory room, contains many important facts
concerning the rules and regulations of living in UTMB housing. It is your
responsibility to take the time to review this document. Some important facts
to remember follow:
Information for housing may be obtained
at the following address:
Manager, Dormitories and Apartments
Room 110, Vinsant Hall – UTMB
Galveston, TX 77555
The Manager's Office is open Monday
through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except for the noon hour (12:00 p.m.
to 1:00 p.m.).
Maintenance complaints should be
directed to the Manager's Office, extension 1898, during the hours the office
is open. However, for emergencies during the evenings and on weekends, you may
call 772-1586. The emergency number for the campus police is 772-1111.
The outside doors to the
dormitories and apartments are locked every evening at 6:00 p.m. and opened at
7:45 a.m. If you are locked out, call the campus police at 772-2691.
Damage to rooms, furniture and
equipment is subject to a minimum charge of $15.00 and is collectible at the
time the damage is discovered so repairs can be made promptly.
Items such as pictures, posters,
and plants are to be hung from existing picture hooks only. Existing hooks may
not be moved or taken down.
OTHER FEATURES
*
All utilities included
* Free parking
* Laundry rooms with coin-operated washers and dryers
* Monthly pest control
* Prompt maintenance
* Twice-a-day mail delivery - Mon. through Fri.
* Master antenna system
UTMB Field House
On-campus residents can also benefit
from the UTMB Field House. Facilities for recreation, relaxation and exercise
are located near the on-campus housing and are avail able to students free of
charge. Enjoy plunging into the Olympic-size swimming pool, playing an
invigorating game on the tennis or basketball courts, joining a few friends for
football or softball on UTMB's fields, or running laps at the jogging track.
The recent renovation has increased the
size of the facility to over 29,000 square feet and transformed it into a state
of the art fitness and wellness center.
* Regulation
basketball/volleyball courts with cushioned and banked track
* 25 meter heated pool with
outside hot tub
* 2 racquetball courts
* Expansive strength training
area features Cybex and Hammer Strength machines with specific free weights for
the serious lifter or bodybuilder
* 2,000 sq. ft.
aerobic/multipurpose room with hardwood floor and complete audio system
* Cardiovascular equipment
including treadmills, upright and recumbent stationary bikes, and stair climbers
* Men’s and Ladies
locker/dressing room with individual steam rooms
* Health Promotion/Wellness
center with Sports Medicine area:
- fitness consultation
- body composition analysis
- exercise testing
- equipment orientation
Outdoor
facilities include:
*
Two softball fields
* Seven tennis courts, (3
lighted)
* 4/10 of a mile walking/jogging
track
* Volleyball court
The Field House is open Monday - Friday
6am till 10pm; Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 8am till 9pm. Membership information
is available by calling the Alumni Field House at 772-1304 or the Student
Bookstore at 772-1939.
OFF CAMPUS HOUSING
An Off-Campus Housing list is available
from the Office of Student Affairs. A list of students seeking housing
(Roommate List) and accommodations is maintained within the Office of Student
Affairs. An attempt is made to locate roommates for those students contacting
the office, in addition to acquainting the students with resources that have
assisted others in finding accommodations.
CHECK CASHING
Need a check Cashed? Checks can
be cashed at your bank (it is suggested you get a local bank or the UTMB credit
union) or at Arlan’s with a courtesy card. The Office of Student Affairs can
provide a limited number of interest free mini-loans ($10 maximum) for
emergencies.
POST OFFICE
A branch Post Office is located
on the first floor of the Annex Building on campus. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:50
p.m., Monday-Friday. The branch office does not accept checks all transactions
are cash only. The main Post Office is located at 601 Rosenberg (25th Street).
TRANSPORTATION
Airports: Houston Hobby is the nearest
major airport, approximately 45 miles from UTMB. Houston Intercontinental is
larger, located north of Houston, and is approximately 75 miles from Galveston.
Check the Yellow Pages of the phone directory for individual airline listings.
Limousine: The Galveston
Limousine Service (740-5466) runs to and from both Hobby and Intercontinental
airports to Galveston. From Galveston to Hobby is $21; to Intercontinental is
$26. They will pick you up at your door for an additional charge.
Bus Lines: Texas Bus
Transportation Enterprises, 714-25th Street near Post Office (765-7731), runs
between Galveston and Houston. Bus passes are $24, tokens are $5 and $12 for
reduce handicap and senior citizens. For information on the local bus service,
call Island Transit, 3115 Market St. (762-2903).
Ferry: If you desire to
travel by sea, there is a ferry that runs between Port Bolivar and the east end
of Galveston. The ferry is free of charge and runs every 20 minutes. The ferry
can also be an enjoyable outing. You can park in the lot near the ferry landing
and ride to and from Bolivar for fun; take along a loaf of bread for the
seagulls and watch for dolphins.
Cars: Cars are by far the
easiest method of traveling to Galveston. Just head south on Interstate 45
until the road ends and you've found Galveston. If you own a car, bring it; but
be sure to have it undercoated to prevent rusting.
Automobile Registration:
New residents moving into Texas are required to pay a $15.00 new resident fee,
a title fee, and a registration fee, which varies depending on year and type of
vehicle. Before applying for a Texas title for an out-of-state car, the owner
must have the car inspected by any of the Galveston County service stations
that display a "State Inspection Station" sign. Inspections are
$12.50. For more information, contact the Galveston County Courthouse, 722
Moody [21st Street]; 409/766-2486.
Driver's License:
Out-of-state residents moving to Galveston have 30 days to get their driver's
licenses changed after they establish residency. Both a written and a driving
test will be administered if you have no license. The license fee of $24 is
applied for 4 years. The Galveston office of the Department of Public Safety is
located at 6812 Broadway (409/740-0031).
Parking: Students living
on campus must obtain a parking permit for a yearly fee of $35 at the Parking
Facilities Office located in Room 5.118 of the Administration Annex Building.
This permit allows you to park in designated dormitory and apartment parking
lots on a first come, first serve basis. For off-campus students, there are a
limited number of permits available for parking in the lots on West Campus and
there are also a limited number of parking permits for one of the parking
garages. Parking around the University is close to impossible due to the
ordinance allowing only residents to park on the streets for more than two
hours. However, there are also
approximately 400 spaces available around the campus designated for students
only. These permits can be obtained from
the Parking Office in the basement of the Gail Borden Building for $35.00 per
year.
Public Parking & Patient
Drop-Off
Patients and visitors can park in one
of two, 24-hour high-rise garages located at Market and Sixth streets (Public
Garage#1), and 10th Street and Harborside Drive (Public Garage #2). The daily
parking rate is $1 an hour or a maximum of $8 per day during business hours.
Cashier's booths are manned from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. on weekdays. After hours,
weekends and holidays, a $3 deposit is required. Metered parking is also
available at various locations throughout campus.
Bicycles and Motorcycles: Two-wheeled vehicles are a popular mode of
travel around Galveston and especially on cam pus. These do not require parking
permits on campus. The Campus Police ask that all bicycles be secured with a
heavy chain and lock or a "U-Bolt" type lock; otherwise they will be
removed by the Campus Police and secured at one of their gates. For your
protection, bicycles may be registered with Campus Security at the Information
Center. There is no charge for this service. Motorcycles must be registered
with the Department of Public Safety (see Driver's License).
Bicycles, Surreys, and Roller Skates
are available to rent at locations on the Seawall. Galveston's Seawall boasts
the longest continuous sidewalk in the world. It can be hazardous during the
busy tourist season, so be careful.
CHURCHES
Many of Galveston's churches are part
of the Island's history. Galveston's role as a port of disembarkation for
thousands of immigrants in the mid- and late 1800s contributed to the Island's
ethnic diversity. This diversity is reflected in its many religious
institutions: Baptist, Bible Independent, Catholic, Disciples of Christ,
Christian Science, Church of Christ, Community, Eastern Orthodox, Episcopal, Jehovah
Witnesses, Judaism, Lutheran, Methodist, Mormon, Unitarian, Pentecostal,
African Methodist Episcopal, and Presbyterian. Listings for places of worship
may be found in the telephone directory's yellow pages.
SECURITY
Personal safety is not something that
just happens. All of us need protection against crime, but crime is increasing
at such a rapid rate that the police, who have always been looked upon as our
chief protectors against crime, are now saying that the public must become more
informed about what citizens can do to cooperate in protecting themselves
against crime. To protect themselves, citizens need to have an objective idea
of how vulnerable they really are, what to guard themselves against, and how to
go about it.
UTMB is concerned about the safety and
security of all its employees and students. The following is a list of some of
the services available to insure your safety while on campus.
A. UTMB Police
The police emergency number is
772-1111, a 24-hour direct line to the police dispatcher. Use this number to
report crimes in progress, suspicious individuals or noises, or any other incident
that requires the immediate attention of the police.
B. Escort Service
The UTMB police also provide an escort
service for employees and students. Upon request, a uniformed officer will
escort you to your car or another building and wait until you are safely
inside. Occasionally you might have to wait 10 minutes until an officer can
help you, but the wait is well worth the security such an escort provides. You
can obtain this service by calling extension 2.111 between dusk and dawn.
Safety should be followed at all
times. Play it safe and follow these rules:
WHEN WALKING: Avoid dark, unlighted areas. Walk with a
friend when you can. Try not to walk near bushes since people can hide there.
Don't talk to strangers! Never accept
rides! If followed, turn and run in a different direction. Yell, scream and
call the Police.
WHEN DRIVING: Park in well-lighted areas. Have your keys in
hand as you approach your car. Walk assertively to your car, do not hesitate
and walk directly to your car. Check the back seat of your car before you enter
it.
Keep your doors locked and windows
rolled up when you're driving. Don't pick up hitchhikers!
Don't hide your keys. Don't leave
credit cards in the glove compartment. Lock valuables in the trunk. Leave items
that you never want to see again in the back seat of your car.
If you observe a disabled motorist,
contact the police and give them the location. Don't stop to help. If you have
car trouble, raise the hood. Return to your car; roll up the windows and lock
the doors. It is helpful to have either a CB radio or a cellular phone in your
car.
WHEN AT HOME: NEVER undress in front of an open window. Keep your
blinds shut and curtains drawn.
Use your initials on your mailbox and
in the telephone directory. Never give out information over the phone. If you
receive an obscene phone call, hang us quickly. Call the Police Department.
Keep doors locked when you leave your
room, even for a moment. Never open your door to a stranger. A chain latch will
allow you to talk without unlocking your door.
All personal property of value should
be marked with indelible ink, diamond tip engraving pencil or electric engraver
to aid in its identification in the event of its loss. A diamond tip pencil is
available for your use at the University Police office.
Register your valuables with the Police
Department. Keep a list of all serial and credit card numbers in a safe deposit
box in your bank.
If you ever need assurance, contact the
campus police department. It is here to be of service to you, the student.
