2014-2015 Homecoming Court Contest Handbook
The UTSA Alumni Association sponsors the Mr. & Ms. UTSA contest as part of the
UTSA Homecoming Festivities. The Homecoming Court is made up of students
competing for the title of Mr. and Ms UTSA. Mr. & Ms. UTSA recognize students
who embody the UTSA spirit, excel academically, are involved in campus life
and community service, and support giving to UTSA.
Dates and Information subject to change
ACTIVITY DUE DATES AND DEADLINES
 Friday, August 1, 2014 4 pm – Homecoming Court Candidate applications
and required copies are due online at www.utsa.edu/MrMsUTSA.
 Tuesday, August 12, 2014 – Homecoming Court Candidate interviews will
conducted by the Selections Committee. Candidates will submit their
fundraising plan and goal at the interview. Interview location TBA.
 Thursday, August 14, 2014 12 (noon) – Posting of the Homecoming Court will
be posted at noon outside of the Alumni Programs Office, and notifications
will be sent via email. Fundraising begins online.
 TBA – Candidate Meeting. This meeting will help you learn more about the
Homecoming Court, Mr. & Ms. UTSA, attire, behavior, and how to go about
fundraising. This meeting will take approximately an hour. Meeting will be
conducted at the Office of Alumni Programs, Baurle 0.304
 Thursday, August 14, 2014 – Wednesday, of Homecoming Date TBD 11:59 pm
– Fundraising for scholarship by Homecoming Court candidates online at:
Alumni.utsa.edu/MrMsUTSA.
 Friday, August 29, 2014, 12 (noon) – Picture for online listing due.
 TBA – Howdy Rowdy Bash, Convocation Lawn.
 TBA – Rowdy Rally 1, Paseo
 Thursday, September 26, 2013 12 (noon) – Candidate Essay due
 TBA – Rowdy Rally 2, Paseo
 TBA – Rowdy Rally 3, Paseo
 Friday, October 3, 2014 – Optional video Submission deadline. Candidates
are invited to submit a video for the Homecoming Court showcase. Your
video should be no more than 3 minutes. It is your opportunity to have fun,
explain why you would like to be named Mr. or Ms. UTSA etc. There are
several examples on YouTube. Our staff will upload the videos and send an
email out to the student body to view the videos.
 TBA Homecoming Week – Practice walk-through at the UTSA track fields.
Exact Time/Date TBA.
2013-2014 Mr. & Ms. UTSA Contest Agreement
Page 1







Monday – Wednesday of Homecoming Week – online voting by currently
enrolled students will take place through ASAP. All fundraising will end at
11:59 pm on the Wednesday of homecoming week. Exact Time/Date TBA.
TBA, 9:00 PM – Golf Cart decorating. UC Lawn
TBA – Rowdy Rally 2 (Houston), Paseo
TBA – Best Fest & Gold cart parade. Convocation Center 7:00 PM
TBA Homecoming Game – Spirit Walk. The Homecoming Court Presentation
and announcement of Mr. & Ms. UTSA will take place at the halftime show of
the UTSA Football game. All candidates named to the Homecoming Court
will reign for the year. Exact Time/Date TBA.
TBA – Rowdy Rally 5, Paseo
TBA – Rowdy Rally 6, Paseo
HOMECOMING COURT EXPECTATIONS
 Homecoming Court Candidates are expected to participate in all
Homecoming events as outlined on the Homecoming schedule.
 Homecoming Court Candidates are to display the highest degree of
sportsmanship and congeniality before, during, and following the awarding
of the title.
 Selected Mr. & Ms. UTSA must be present throughout the Homecoming
festivities and reign until and appear at UTSA Football Homecoming 2014.
 If unable to fulfill these duties, the first runner-up will assume the title and all
materials will be returned to the office including any medals, rings, tiaras, etc.
 Any candidate under the influence of drugs or alcohol during any activity will
be immediately disqualified and referred to Student Judicial Affairs.
 Appearances by Mr. & Ms. UTSA at various Homecoming functions and
events throughout the year require Alumni Programs approval.
UTSA
departments, offices or entities may request for appearances or volunteer
activities by Mr. or Ms. UTSA. Homecoming Court and Mr. & Ms. UTSA cannot
grant appearance requests without online registration.
 Candidates will receive 2 game tickets for entrance to the Homecoming
Game, courtesy of the UTSA Alumni Association.
CANDIDATE ELIGIBLITY REQUIREMENTS
 Be a full-time UTSA student;
o Undergraduates must be currently enrolled in at least 12 hours at UTSA
for Fall 2014
o Graduate students must be currently enrolled in at least 9 hours at UTSA
for Fall 2014
 Have completed required hours;
2013-2014 Mr. & Ms. UTSA Contest Agreement
Page 2















o Undergraduates must have completed at least 24 semester hours
o Graduate students must have completed at least 7 semester hours
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75;
Clear a criminal background check;
Be in good disciplinary standing;
Be in good academic standing;
Must not graduate before December 2015; or be prepared to return to
campus for duties.
Complete the Homecoming Court Application online.
Complete and sign one (1) copy of the Release and FERPA page;
Complete and sign the Criminal Background Form found online:
http://www.utsa.edu/hr/CriminalBackground/criminalbackground.cfm;
Sign up and participate in an interview when application and CBC are
submitted; and
Submit 1-2 photographs (headshots) to be used for voting purposes. Photos
are submitted via email to steven.woodall@utsa.edu
Photos are to be free of any alcohol or party-type pictures.
Photos are due September 10, 2014
Secure one endorsement from either:
o A UTSA registered student organization, OR
o A UTSA faculty or professional staff member.
Previous Mr. & Ms. UTSA title holders are not eligible for the contest.
Only members of the female gender will be considered for the Ms. UTSA
position. Only members of the male gender will be considered for the Mr.
UTSA position.
WEBSITE
Neither UTSA nor the UTSA Alumni Association is responsible for the privacy
practices or the content of web sites outside the UTSA.edu domain.
GRIEVANCES
Any complaints regarding campaigning must be directed to the Alumni
Programs Events Manager who handles the Homecoming Court and Mr. & Ms.
UTSA contest in Alumni Programs.
TENTATIVE LIST OF APPEARANCES
Mr. & Ms. UTSA can expect to attend a variety of events throughout the year.
Including these listed below. (Subject to change with Football)
2013-2014 Mr. & Ms. UTSA Contest Agreement
Page 3
Fall
Alumni Gala
Semester Scholars Salute
Football games
Homecoming week
festivities
University-wide student
programming events
Diversity Kickoff
UTSA Ring Ceremony
UTSA President’s Holiday
Reception
Student Leaders Holiday
2013-2014 Mr. & Ms. UTSA Contest Agreement
Spring
and
Summer
University-wide programming
events
Spring into the UC
Great Conversation
Legislative Appreciation Day
UTSA Legislative Day
Fiesta events
UTSA Ring Ceremony
Texas Folklife Festival
Road Runner Camp
Fall Into the UC
UTSA Fall Convocation
Page 4
METHOD OF SELECTION OF HOMECOMING COURT
The following four-part criteria will be considered to determine the Homecoming
Court for a balanced maximum of five men and five women. The Homecoming
Court candidates will compete on 10% application, 25% interview, 10% Written
Essay, 15% fundraising for the UTSA Alumni Association Scholarship fund, and 40%
student vote. Students with the highest overall percent in all categories earn the
Mr. and Ms. UTSA titles.
1. 10% Candidate Application and Contest Agreement
A completed application denoting candidates’ strengths, involvement,
and overall responses will be considered including:
a. Academic achievement and honors
b. Involvement in UTSA campus activities and organizations
c. Involvement in community service
2. 25% Candidate Interviews
A Selections Committee comprised of UTSA alumni, faculty, staff, and
students ascertain each of the candidates on the following:
a. Attitude toward UTSA
b. Potential ability to represent the University
c. Attitude toward giving to UTSA and fundraising for the UTSA Alumni
Association Scholarship Fund
d. Your fundraising plan
3. 10% UTSA Essay
A Selections committee comprised of UTSA Alumni, faculty, staff, and
students will review and grade your essay.
a. Tell us the story of UTSA and you. Provide us with your biographical
information, what led you to UTSA, your experiences with UTSA, how
UTSA has helped shape and mold you, and how UTSA has changed
while you were here. Lastly, explain what UTSA means to you, and how
you plan to forever represent your University.
b. Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1 inch margins, not to exceed 5
pages in length
4. 40% Student Vote
The UTSA student body will be invited to vote for the Homecoming Court
online through ASAP.
a. 8:00 am Monday, October 21st to 11:59 pm Wednesday October 23rd
b. The candidates with the largest number of votes will hold the highest
percentage in the Student Vote Category
2013-2014 Mr. & Ms. UTSA Contest Agreement
Page 5
c. It is the candidates’ responsibility to educate the voters on voting
procedures, dates and times.
5. 15% Candidate Fundraising / Membership Drive
Candidates will promote giving to UTSA until student voting ends in
October. All monies must be turned in by voting deadline date.
Candidates may request the total amount of money raised during the
fundraising period on a weekly basis. All fundraising benefits the UTSA
Alumni Scholarship Fund.
Fundraising methods are determined by the candidate, but must be
approved by the Alumni programs office.
a. UTSA faculty and staff cannot be asked to assist in fundraising
b. Fundraising will end Wednesday of Homecoming at 4:00 PM
Tiebreakers
In the event of a first tie, the student vote will be used to break the tie. In the
event of a double tie, the membership drive total will be the ultimate tiebreaker.
(Membership drive info is below)
CAMPAIGNING and FUNDRAISING
A campaign is defined as one or more persons including affiliates, agents,
friends, volunteers or workers who help with a campaign or fundraising activity
including creating publicity (flyers, social media, blogs, bills, giving speeches,
announcing candidacy, fund raising, webpage and scheduling meetings about
your campaign).
Candidates and candidates’ affiliates, agents, friends, volunteers, or workers
who choose to campaign must follow these overall guidelines:
 Abide by the Student Code of Conduct as found at:
http://www.utsa.edu/infoguide/appendices/b.html
 Follow publicity and solicitation guidelines in the Student Organization
Handbook found at: http://utsa.edu/sa/policy.html
 Adhere to all UTSA policy, procedures, state and federal laws as it relates to
fundraising, advertising, etc. Candidates assume the responsibility to know
the policies and procedures and laws as well as obtain permission and pay
for any costs associated with a campaign or fundraising activity. Alumni
Programs staff may advise on ideas presented to them with advanced
knowledge.
2013-2014 Mr. & Ms. UTSA Contest Agreement
Page 6





No campaign may use any University mails including Ad Hoc emails, WebCT,
or any pre-printed letterhead with any identifying marks of the university such
as letterhead and envelopes.
No campaigning or distribution of materials is allowed in classrooms while
class is in session unless permission is granted by the instructor or professor.
All campaign materials must be removed within twenty-four (24) hours after
election results are posted. Failure to remove items may forfeit title and or
result in a fine.
Candidates may begin campaigning for specific candidates from the
moment candidates are announced until the Homecoming Game when
winners are announced.
No fliers or co-branded materials highlighting bars are allowed to be
distributed on campus.
CANDIDATE PAIRINGS
You are not required to pair with one another. Candidates can choose to pair
with one another for both campaigning and escorting responsibilities. However,
if candidates do not choose their pair they will be arranged alphabetically for
on field escort responsibilities. Candidates who campaign together will bear all
responsibilities for each other and if either candidate in the pair is in violation of
any campaigning policies, both candidates will be disciplined which may
include one or both to be disqualified from the contest. Please keep in mind
that even when paired this is an individual competition. Each candidate is
judged based on their own scores.
FUNDRAISING
Spend some quality time preparing your fundraising campaign. Below are some
ideas to help you get started. By all means, this is not an exhaustive list.
Creativity and simplicity is vital to a good fundraising program. Make a plan
with a timeline and then work the plan. Stay organized and use good paper
with matching envelopes. First, make a list of potential donors: Friends, family
members, places where you go for your business. You may also add neighbors,
local business owners. Set a realistic goal. Plan to contact your potential
donors. You may send letters, make phone calls, send emails. Personal visits are
always best. You should not solicit campus personal, professors, advisors,
coaches, or staff for fundraising purposes.
Sample letters and thank you notes are provided. When writing a letter, sign
each letter, personally. Make the Ask. Follow up. Say thank you. Write your
thank you letters.
2013-2014 Mr. & Ms. UTSA Contest Agreement
Page 7
Donations
Supporters may donate online, checks, money orders. Candidates and
supporters may donate in the form of:
 Online gifts (donor uses candidate in reference line credit) on the Alumni
Association website. You will be notified when the page is up.
 Checks or money orders
 Cash collected
 All major credit cards selected
Membership Drive
The goal of the Association is to build a strong long lasting membership.
Memberships dollars raised will toward your fundraising goal. Regular annual
and annual joint memberships are all that will be counted.
Lifetime
memberships will not be eligible for scoring purposes.
 Regular member annual rates are $40, joint annual $60
 The total number of secured memberships will be counted, and used in
case of a tiebreaker.
Facebook and Linked In
 If necessary, clean up your page
 You may use it to campaign and fundraise
 Don’t do anything to put another person in an unfavorable light
 Like us on Facebook and announce your campaign
Ideas for crafting your letter
 Learn more about UTSA at http://www.utsa.edu/about/
 Gain reader’s attention in paragraph 1.
 Clearly state the cause: Raise money for Alumni Association Scholarships
 Why are you writing: For the reader to give to Alumni Association
Scholarships and give you credit
 List the benefits of supporting Alumni Scholarships
 Ask for a specific donation amount.
 100% of their donations are tax deductible
 Be courteous and friendly.
 Wish the reader well and leave a positive feeling in his/her mind regarding
your needy cause.
 Donations will be accepted until 5:00 PM, Wednesday, October 23rd
 Donations can be in the form of cash, check payable to the UTSA Alumni
Association, or credit cards online at www.utsa.edu/alumni/MrMsUTSA
2013-2014 Mr. & Ms. UTSA Contest Agreement
Page 8




Type and print your letters. Proofreading is essential. I am happy to review
and suggest changes. Let others help you too (parents, friends, advisors).
You may want to include a self-addressed envelope with your letter. We can
provide those to you.
Develop a theme, and perhaps add a picture to your letters or flyers.
Tell your story, speak from the head and the heart about what UTSA means to
you, how you have grown academically, emotionally, and as a student
leader.
Scholarship Info from the Association
The UTSA Alumni Association supports UTSA in many ways, but none more
important than the Alumni Scholarship Program. As UTSA continues to attract a
record number of students who will become the next leaders of our community,
the need for scholarships has never been greater.
Since 1982, the Association has awarded more than $1 million in scholarship
funds to more than 385 UTSA students. The association has come a long way
since awarding the first $250 scholarship for textbooks. The UTSA Alumni
Association Endowment Fund has surpassed $1 million. We will award more than
$150,000 in scholarships this year.
Scholarships are only possible with funds generated from Alumni Association
membership dues and donations. Through the generosity and support of alumni,
the doors of higher education are opened to deserving UTSA students so they
may all achieve their life's dreams.
2013-2014 Mr. & Ms. UTSA Contest Agreement
Page 9