Issue 6 of 6

August 9, 2019

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This is the final issue of the Next Steps newsletter that you will receive. If you signed up for a Texas Parents membership, you will begin receiving the monthly Association eNewsletter on the 15th of every month, beginning August 15. If you want to continue receiving communications but haven't signed up for membership, you will need to do so by choosing the membership level that best suits your family: either Complimentary or Supporting. Learn more   here .  If you are already a member, welcome and thank you for signing up.

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Dear Longhorn Parents and Families, I hope the six issues of Next Steps have given you a sense of welcome, connectivity and support. We have been strategic in the timing of information so that in the upcoming weeks when your sons and daughters arrive in Austin from all corners of the world, they are ready to embark upon their own, uniquely UT, adventure. And when you try to put your head around that incredible reality, I hope it brings you joy above all other emotions.  As director, I’ve set goals for our team to help thousands of families get ready for their Longhorns’ arrival to campus. But what I discovered two summers ago, not as the director of Texas Parents, but as the mother of a college-bound son, was that I had it all wrong. There is nothing we can do to get you ready for this transition. We can only help you prepare. That summer I came to understand there is a big difference between the two. What the parent in me taught the director is that as parents, even with all the information, advice and tips in the world, we’re never going to be fully ready for this life event and the changes it will mean.  In my job, I make many decisions in a day and I’m known to be confident, sensible and efficient in that role. Yet that summer as I was shopping for my son’s dorm room, I went back and forth in deciding whether to buy a table-top ironing board or a regular-size one to the point that I changed the item in and out of my basket three times. I won’t go into the throws of uncertainty that gripped me on which set of towels to buy, but I will tell you as it all played out, I was questioning my sanity while tears were welling up in my eyes. And as a footnote, at the end of his freshman year when we were packing him up to come home for the summer, he casually mentioned he never used the ironing board! So, better stated, our goal is not to get you ready, but to prepare you for the possibilities of all that is UT. By familiarizing you with our leaders, President Greg Fenves, Provost Maurie McInnis as well as Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Soncia Reagins-Lilly, we laid a foundation on which to build your knowledge of campus, departments, offices, policies and resources. All of which are in place to help your Longhorn succeed, learn and grow in pursuit of changing the world. In the coming years, Texas Parents will continue to provide communication, information and support that will prepare you in your changing role and will help you help your student realize his or her dream of becoming a UT graduate. Thank you for this privilege, and please know, we are ready.   Hook ‘Em,  Susie Smith Texas Parents Director The University of Texas at Austin

In this issue: What Professors Expect What I wish my Professor Knew Longhorn Welcome 2019 Events How to Pay Tuition Final Mooov-in Reminders Campus Safety Resources Gone to Texas Details Family Orientation Presentations A Look at Student Orientation (Freshman and Transfer videos) What you'll see in the Texas Parents Association August eNews And, MUCH, MUCH MORE! Additional Resources: An electronic version of the New Parent Guide that was mailed out in May. First five issues of Next Steps: March 29 , April 19 , May 3, July 12 and July 26

Mark your Calendar For...

Mooov-in Parent Mixer Saturday, August 24 6:00-8:00pm Things to know: On campus at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center Complimentary hors d'oeuvres Cash bar; as alcohol will be served, the event is intended for parents and guardians only, please. We ask that students and siblings not attend. RSVP here by Sunday, August 11

Things to know: Website with details launches Sunday, September 8 There's no football home game during Family Weekend All activities are optional some have fees, others are complimentary some are on campus, others are around Austin Registration opens for all activities Monday, October 7

Self-Nominate to serve on the Texas Parents Ambassadors Council Texas Parents Four-Year and Transfer supporting member can self-nominating for a 2019-2021 seat on the Texas Parents Ambassadors Council now through Tuesday, September 3. Get the nomination form  here  that includes an overview of council member responsibilities. Contact Texas Parents Director,  Susie Smith , with any questions.

Texas Exes Send-Offs Texas Exes is the official alumni association for The University of Texas at Austin with chapters spread across the globe. Various chapters host events as a way of welcoming the newest Longhorns to the family and then "sending them off" to the Forty Acres with excitement for all that awaits. Go  here  to see the schedule of remaining Send-Offs.

 What Professors Expect Words of Wisdom from UT Austin Associate Professor Oscar H. Casares at the 2015 Brownsville Texas Exes Send-off...although dated, STILL A GREAT read! Good evening, and congratulations to the incoming students and their parents who helped them get to this point. I've been asked to tell you what professors expect from students. And while I can't speak for the more than 2,000 professors at UT, I will speak for the one standing before you now... read more here . For more information on Professor Casares, click here .

How to send your Child Off to College Dr. Chris Brownson, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of the Counseling and Mental Health Center I remember when my daughter first started walking. It was both exciting and terrifying at the same time. I had a real sense of pride watching her first steps, and seeing the excitement on her face was priceless. But at the same time, I lived in constant fear of her falling, sticking her fingers in electrical outlets or sprinting down the hallway with sharp objects in both hands. These "mixed emotions" are common at important milestones...click  here  to read more.

Final Mooov-In Reminders

Friday-Saturday, August 23-24 7am-7pm Both Days Starting at Disch-Fauk Field NOT at the Residence Halls! *Early Check-in begins Monday, August 19 with different logistics* Students were sent an email July 1 encouraging them to schedule their Mooov-in by Monday, August 12. Check with your student this has been completed. Getting Ready for Mooov-in: Be sure to reference your July 26 issue of Next Steps for some helpful, Mooov-in tips, regardless of which timeframe your student selected, but especially relevant for the Friday-Saturday timeframe. What to Bring Visit University Housing and Dining’s (UHD) Before You Arrive . As a reminder, each room already comes with a MicroFridge (a mini-refrigerator with a built-in freezer and microwave). The What To Bring page lists those items and what you should leave at home. Residence Hall Route Maps Download a printable version of the Mooov-In Residence Hall Routes Map to find your way around campus. Residence Hall Front Desks Students arriving some time outside of Centralized Check In (Aug. 23 – 24 between 8 p.m. – 5 a.m. or Aug. 24 after 8 p.m.), will check in at their Residence Hall front desk. More information  here . Parking During Mooov-In Follow these tips to make your parking experience a positive one! Limited Parking Please bring only needed vehicles to campus during Mooov-in. Regardless of the number of vehicles a student has to Mooov-in, only one, 60-minute unloading curb pass per student. Vehicles with trailers may be difficult to find parking for in loading-zone spaces and will not be allowed in the parking garages, and therefore are not recommended. Parking at UFCU Disch-Falk Field East Campus Garage (ECG) is free and available for parking from Friday, August 23 at 6 a.m. to Saturday, August 24 at 9 p.m. while students pick up their check-in information at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. Unloading  During check in students will receive a 60-minute unloading curb pass. After vehicles are unloaded, they need to be moved to an appropriate parking area (students will be given this information when they get their curb pass). Parking tickets are given to vehicles who stay in an unloading zone for longer than 60 minutes. Garages (R Permit)  Any resident who was offered and paid for a parking garage resident permit must park in the garage they received in the lottery. Students will use the access card attached to the permit that was mailed to them. If your student has not yet received their permit and access card, they should pull a garage entry ticket and park their vehicle. For staffed garages during business hours (weekdays 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.), students will take the pulled ticket and a photo ID to the garage office to obtain a temporary parking garage access card and temporary dashboard permit. For unstaffed garages, students will bring their ticket and photo ID to the nearest staffed garage for assistance. And remember to: Smile, talk to other families, take pictures, laugh and know you are experiencing a moment in time that is the start of an incredible journey  Regardless of your student's Mooov-in date and time, go  here   to see the Mooov-in Checking In page. It's FULL of HELPFUL information! Write Your Student a Mooov-In Postcard If your student is moving in on Friday or Saturday, please stop by the Texas Parents table at Disch-Falk Field. Postcards will be provided for families to fill out while students check-in to receive their keys. Staff will deliver postcards to the students' campus mailboxes during the first weeks of classes.

Off-Campus Housing Move-In Dates If your student will be living in Callaway House, Castilian, Dobie Twenty21, Hardin House, SRD, University Towers, or apartments in the the area west of campus go  here  for move-in information from each. This list was coordinated by the West Campus Coalition and the Austin Private Dormitory Association. If your student's property is not listed, check the lease as it likely contains the information you need.

Commuter Meal Plan Students living off campus can eat at University Housing and Dining (UHD) locations with the Commuter Meal Plan for less than the cost of paying out of pocket. T hree options, including the new Longhorn Unlimited plan, provide meals at J2 and Kins Dining buffet locations: Longhorn 25 ($225) 25 all you care to eat meals plus $25 flex dollars Longhorn 50 ($400) 50 all-you-care-to-eat meals plus $25 flex dollars Longhorn Unlimited ($1,425) unlimited meals plus $25 flex dollars More information here .

Campus Safety Resources

Your student's safety and health are of the utmost importance while away from home. These resources are important for all students to know. Please remind your student about: Campus Emergency Text Alerts. In the event of an emergency, students, faculty and staff automatically receive emergency text alerts from the University containing directions on actions to take. On the first Wednesday of each month, at approximately 11:50 a.m., the system is tested to ensure functioning expectations.   SURE Walk. Late nights on campus do not have to mean compromising safety. Remind your student about the SURE Walk program that provides escorts from one destination to another, both on campus and in the greater campus neighborhoods, free of charge. SURE Walks can be requested every Monday-Sunday night from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. by calling 512-232-9255, emailing orderasurewalk@gmail.com or going to their office on the 1st floor of Jester West, across from the coffee shop. Learn more here.   UT NIGHT RIDES. UT Nights Ride assists students who live off campus along UT Shuttle routes to return home safely seven nights a week from 11 p.m to 4 a.m. UT Night Rides originate from campus and are provided by Lyft in partnership with University Parking and Transportation Services (PTS). UT Night Rides are free and are set up only through a student's official University directory email. Learn more here.   Rape Aggression Defense System (RAD). Female students learn basic techniques and tactics of self-defense in a free 12 hour interactive program with the University Police Department (UTPD). The three day class concludes with a realistic "simulated assault" that allows students to test their newly-learned skills. Classes for the fall semester have not been scheduled yet but check here for calendar updates and more information.   24 Hour Nurse Advice Line. Offered by University Health Services (UHS) to UT Austin students 24-hours a day every day of the year. Students can call for advice on how to care for an illness or injury or guidance about whether and when to see a healthcare provider. Have your student program 512-475-6877 (NURS) into his or her phone. Learn more here.   24 Hour Crisis Line from the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) This confidential service offers UT students an opportunity to talk with trained counselors about urgent concerns. A counselor is available every day of the year, including holidays. This is another good number to have your student program into his or her phone, 512-471-2255 (CALL). Learn more here.    Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL). Students can report behavior concerns about fellow students, faculty, and staff members in the UT community with this 24-hour resource. BCAL offers callers support, resources, referrals, consultation, and advice regarding the person of concern, and provides the caller with an opportunity to say something in a safe environment. Their number is 512-232-5050. Learn more here.

Completion of the AlcoholEdu and the Sexual Assault Prevention Program Online Module Deadline is Approaching  AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates (SAPU) are online educational programs that all incoming UT Austin students are  required  to complete.  Thursday, August 1, your student will receive an email about completing this two-part program and will be reminded the  completion deadline for Part I is Tuesday, August 27.   Even if students completed AlcoholEdu, SAPU, or a similar program while enrolled in another institution, they must complete AlcoholEdu and SAPU at UT Austin. Students will receive an invitation to complete Part II approximately 45 days after they complete Part I.   Through interactive and personalized course content, AlcoholEdu teaches college students risk reduction in the areas of alcohol and drugs, while SAPU addresses sexual assault prevention and healthy relationship promotion. Learn more  here .   Please remind your student the importance of meeting this deadline.   Students who fail to complete either  part  of the AlcoholEdu or SAPU Program by the deadline will not be able to see their grades online for that semester.

Longhorn Welcome is THE official welcome for all students to the Forty Acres with events taking place Friday, August 23 - Sunday, September 8. Twelve signature events and dozens of others hosted by various campus partners. The website offers a comprehensive look at everything. Below are highlights and Signature Events. Encourage your student to hit the ground running!

Beat The Heat Saturday, August 24 2-6 p.m., Texas Union Students keep it cool with karaoke, arcade games, free movies in the Theatre, air hockey, billiards, bowling in the Underground. Great prizes, trivia, snacks and super cool Air-conditioning! Find Your Way Sunday, August 25 7-10 p.m., Gregory Gym Learn about all that UT has to offer. Live performances by student talent, games and activities put on by different student organizations. Great food and prizes! Check out these two receptions offered prior to Find Your Way, next door at the Student Activity Center (SAC): Out-of-State Students Welcome 6-7 p.m., South Ballroom and Transfer Student Welcome 6-7 p.m., Legislative Assembly Room RecSports Warm Up Monday, August 26 11a.m.-5 p.m., Gregory Gym  Free fitness classes! Intramural sports, indoor climbing, sport club exhibitions. A great way to get moving!

Orange & White Welcome sponsored by the University Co-op Monday, August 26, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Etter-Harbin Alumni Center Free T-shirts for the first 100 students! Sign the #UT23 official class banner. Enjoy free food, prizes and carnival games! Texas Exes Student Members can pick up packets here. Multicultural Mixer Tuesday, August 27 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Texas Union Mix and Mingle with Longhorns and UT Staff from all backgrounds. Learn about resources to feel more connected. Also check out the Multicultural Engagement Center (MEC) Welcome Events on the "Signature Events" page of the Longhorn Welcome website. Women’s Volleyball: Texas vs. Northern Iowa Friday, August 30 7 p.m., Gregory Gym Get there early because the first 700 students get a FREE Horns' House T-Shirt

Gone to Texas Tuesday, August 27, 8:30 pm, Main Mall at the Tower A fun and inspiring kickoff to your student's life as a Longhorn the night before the first day of classes. Be sure your student knows about the "Gone to..." activities for his or her college/school that take place before the big show.

Horns Up Night  Wednesday, August 28 6 p.m., DKR- Texas Memorial Stadium Enter via Gate 25 on the northwest corner of DKR Calling all Texas '23 Freshman to wear orange and join their classmates at the Texas Kickoff Rally. They will hear from President Greg Fenves and Head Football Coach Tom Herman, before taking the official Texas ’23 Class Photo on the field.

Football: Texas vs. Louisiana Tech Saturday, August 31 7 p.m. Kick-off DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium Nothing compares to being in a sea of Burnt Orange, cheering the Horns on to victory! The Big Ticket is required for students to enter this event. Go here for Big Ticket information.

Party on the Plaza, presented by Uber Wednesday, September 4 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Gregory Gym Plaza Students can get to know some of campus's 1,200 student organizations, enjoy great food, games, performances and have a chance to win a $2,000 scholarship. Women’s Soccer: Texas vs. Texas A&M Corpus Christi Sunday, September 8 5 p.m., Mike A. Myers Stadium Free admission for UT students as Texas Soccer hosts the TAMU-CC Islanders at Myers Stadium. The first 250 students get free food! !

The Letter C: Reminding parents that C, you can do this! This summer you've been given many pieces of advice to help you prepare for the start of your student's collegiate journey. Below is a recap that we hope will help, brought to you by the letter C.

Cards – drop one in the mail regularly (don't send cash though). Cookies & Cupcakes – college kids love them! (Sent from home, Tiff’s Treats, Polkadots, etc.)  Cry – if you need to, it’s ok. Don’t discount your emotions.  Celebrate – both your & your student’s hard work to get here. Communicate – be sure you ha ve a plan of staying in touch

Co-op – remember the 5% student discount on purchases including textbooks! Come to Austin – and get to know the city with your student. Camera – don’t forget it when you visit! Community – find your “Longhorn parent” group of friends. Call us if you need help, we’ll be here for you 512-471-2353.

Presentations Thanks to our campus colleagues who presented at Family Orientation in June and July. A lot of great information was shared in the presentations below. If your student is attending August Orientation, please join us for August Family Orientation. Go here to register. Vick Center for Strategic Advising and Career Counseling: Career Exploration 101 University Housing and Dining: Dining on Campus Multicultural Engagement Center: Diversity and Community Engagement Student Success Initiatives: First-Generation Student Resources Recreational Sports: Fitness, Friendship and Fun with RecSports The Office of Student Activities: Getting Involved on Campus Office of Scholarship Financial Aid & Student Account Receivable:  How to Navigate Tuition  & Financial Aid University Housing and Dining: Living on Campus New Student Services: Off-Campus Living Resources UT Police Department & Campus Safety: Partnering for a Safe and Secure Campus Texas Parents: Q&A with UT Austin Students and Parents The Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life: Sorority and Fraternity Life on Campus University Health Services& Counseling and Mental Health: Student Health and Well-Being & Transitioning your Longhorn's Mental Health Care Texas Parents: Tips for Out-of-State Parents UT Austin Academic Counselors Association: Understanding Academic Advising University Co-op: Understanding Textbooks and Course Materials

A Look at Student Orientation

New Student Services had a great summer getting to know your students during the seven Freshman Orientation and three Transfer Orientation sessions held throughout June and July. Check out the recap videos below to see everyone getting in a #LonghornStateofMind! PLEASE NOTE: All incoming students (freshman and transfer) are required to attend an orientation session. Students who didn’t attend in June or July, must attend August Orientation. Freshman students attend Aug. 21-22, transfer students attend Aug. 20-21, and students register for classes on Aug. 23. Read more here .

Important Tuition Reminders for Fall 2019  We included this information in your July 12 and 26 Next Steps eNewsletters, but it's a message worth repeating. Students who have registered for fall 2019 classes by Wednesday, July 24  will receive a tuition notice electronically on Tuesday, July 30. These will be delivered via email to the email address listed on your student's record; no paper bills will be mailed. Tuition is due no later than 5 p.m. (CT) Friday, August 16. Students who register for fall 2019 classes after July 24 , such as those students attending August Orientation, will receive their tuition bill after they register for classes.  Tuition for these students will be due no later than 5 p.m. (CT) on Tuesday, August 27.    If tuition is not paid by the payment deadline, your student's class registration will be dropped, no exceptions!  Regardless of whether or not your student's tuition bill notification is successfully received via email, students are still responsible for timely payment of their tuition bill. Undeliverable messages returned because of either a full inbox or use of a spam filter will still be considered 'delivered.' Financial Aid and Tuition Bills Because financial aid funds are not released immediately, your student's tuition bill will state a balance due until the funds are released. If the aid fully covers the tuition bill and fees: students will click the "Pay with Financial Aid" button on My Tuition Bill. If the financial aid does NOT fully cover the tuition bill and fees: the amount due will be reduced by the financial aid and the student will need to pay the balance by the deadline. Other Questions about paying tuition with financial aid, when funds are disbursed ? Go here to Financial Aid's FAQs page. REGARDING UT HOUSING BILLING Please note UT Housing is a separate billing process. The first housing payment will be due September 15. Your student will receive a reminder email a few days before. Go here for more information, including installment plans. Paying Tuition  Options to pay tuition include: Installment plans, paying online, in person, by mail, with financial aid and short-term tuition loans. Learn about each here . Zero Bill Students who see a ($0.00) tuition bill still need to CONFIRM ATTENDANCE by clicking that button on their My Tuition Bill before 5 p.m. on their due date or their classes will be canceled. Three-Payment Installment Plan   Students must electronically sign a promissory note before the first installment payment will be accepted. The first payment is approximately half of the tuition bill, plus a non-refundable $15 service charge. It is due by deadline stated at the bottom of the student's My Tuition Bill. The second installment is due Friday, September 27 and the third, Friday, October 25.   Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan (TGTP) Students must provide a copy of their membership ID card to Student Accounts Receivable (SAR) the first semester they're enrolled at UT Austin. Students can do so by email to tuition@austin.utexas.edu, be sure they include their UT EID in the email . Texas Tuition Promise Fund (TTPF) Plan purchasers must authorize use of the benefits at least three weeks prior to the payment due date each semester. Go here for the TTPF website. Purchasers should enter the student's EID as the "Student's ID" and "The University of Texas at Austin" as the "Name of the University/College." Need-to-knows when using TGTP and TTPF: If the amount due is zero, students must complete registration by clicking "Confirm Attendance" on the My Tuition Bill website no later than 5 p.m. on the due date or their registration will be canceled. These plans pay tuition only, the student is responsible for all other fees.  Other Tuition Questions? Student Accounts Receivable (SAR) is happy to assist you by email, tuition@austin.utexas.edu  or phone 512-475-7777, M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (CT).

Some of What You'll See in the your first Texas Parents Association eNewsletter on August 15: Student jobs around campus Career Fairs Bus system pointers Where to send mail Tutoring resources Healthy Recipes for dorm life snacks Longhorn Welcome activities Safety Zone And much more! Everyone belongs to the Texas Parents Association but you need to sign up for the membership that best suits your family. Sign up before August 15 to ensure you receive the first of twelve monthly eNewsletters.

Unsubscribing from the Next Steps eNewsletter:  You're receiving this email because you either attended Family Orientation, signed up for membership in Texas Parents, or your student provided your email address on his or her Admissions application. Please note that by clicking the link below to unsubscribe, you will no longer receive any Texas Parents messaging, including the monthly Association eNewsletter. Instead of unsubscribing, we ask that you simply delete this message. If you have any questions, please contact the Texas Parents office.

The University of Texas at Austin | Texas Parents 512-471-2353 | Toll Free 888-690-0012 | TexasParents@austin.utexas.edu Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Central)