Issue 6 of 6 | Transition
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Want to receive an eNewsletter like this every month?
This is the final issue of the Next Steps eNewsletter 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 Monday, August 15.
Sign up for Texas Parents, the official association for all UT Austin undergraduate parents and families. You'll receive monthly communications similar to Next Steps with timely information to help you help your student. There are two levels of membership: Complimentary and 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,
As I was preparing for this issue, I went back to the 2021 issue and re-read what I had written. It was hard to believe this was only a year ago. In some ways it feels like forever ago and in others, like yesterday. I thought it was still relatable and I hope you will enjoy reading it:
We themed this issue "Transition" and today that word had powerful meaning for my family and brought your families to mind as well.
My recently graduated Longhorn (B.S. Mathematics, Class of 2021) and 84 other incredible UT students returned to the Forty Acres this evening having completing a 4,000 mile cycling journey that began at the start of June. In fairness to all of our awesome student organizations, I won't go into details of Texas 4000 but please, look it up if you so choose.
Upon their return, many riders took to the microphone and told stories of challenge, failure, teamwork, success, accomplishment, hope and family that left the audience in awe. They accomplished many things individually and as a group. Their lives will be forever changed because of this experience that was possible because they attended UT. I assure you, without exception, each rider would tell you how their time at UT prepared them for this adventure and for the transitions it brought to each of their lives. Hearing and seeing these students, watching their families proudly supporting them made me think of you and ALL that awaits your Longhorn!
This summer, your family has been preparing for your own transition and now it's time to begin. Your Longhorn is about to embark on a remarkable ride, too. One that will also be filled with stunning moments of brilliance as well as reflective times of failure. Each of these and everything in between will serve as mile markers along your student's journey. You have raised your Longhorn well and now with the foundation you have provided and the preparation they have received this summer, they are ready. And you are ready, too. This is a moment in your child's life you've dreamed, planned and hoped for while knowing it will bring great change to your life.
Our purpose with the Next Steps series was to prepare you for your student's transition to the start of the fall semester. While we have introduced you to many facets of the university, there is still much to share. We hope you will find value in this final issue and that you'll continue allowing us to help you help your student in the coming years through the many transitions of their Longhorn journey.
Hook ‘Em,
Susie Smith
Texas Parents Director
The University of Texas at Austin
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In this issue:
- Final Mooov-in Reminders
- University Housing and Dining (UHD)
- Need-to-Knows & Updates
- The Safety Zone
- Tuition Information
- University Health Services (UHS)
- Sanger Learning Center (SLC)
- UT Libraries
- RecSports
- Longhorn Welcome Events
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Final Mooov-In Reminders
On Campus Residence Halls and Dobie Twenty21
Please check the Mooov-in page for information about this year’s process. Be sure to reference the Next Steps July issue sent on July 8 for helpful Mooov-In tips.
Check with your student on the date and time they scheduled for their check-in time. It is important to arrive at the scheduled appointment time to help limit the amount of traffic on campus and provide everyone with a smooth experience.
Centralized Check-In
Friday and Saturday, August 19 and 20, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday, August 21, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Check in at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, NOT at the residence halls
Note: No check-in is available during the following times as room keys are being relocated:
- August 19 – 20: between 5 – 7 a.m. and 8 – 10 p.m.
- August 21: between 5 – 7 a.m. and 3 -5 p.m.
Residence Hall Front Desks
Students who arrive during early, overnight or extended check-in will go to the designated front desk of their residence hall to check in. Learn more here.
What to Bring and Leave at Home
Visit the What To Bring page for full details on what’s included in your student’s room, what to pack and what should be left at home.
Check-In Essentials
Students will need to present a valid photo ID at check-in to receive their room key. Valid IDs include a UT ID card or a current government-issued photo ID. If your student doesn’t have their UT ID card at check-in, University Housing and Dining (UHD) will issue them a temporary card for 72 hours. Students without UT ID cards can request one online or in person at the ID Center located in the Flawn Academic Center (FAC).
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2400 Nueces Move-In
If your student will be living at 2400 Nueces, go here for check-in dates and information.
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Parking During Mooov-In
Parking around campus during Mooov-In can be tricky. Follow these tips to make your parking experience a more positive one.
- Free Parking at UFCU Disch-Falk Field
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During centralized check-in at Disch-Falk Field, you can park at the East Campus Garage (ECG) for free while students pick up their room key and unloading zone pass.
- Unloading
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Students will receive a one-hour unloading pass during check-in that allows parking free of charge for one hour, only in designated spaces. When heading to unload belongings, look for signs marked ‘Unloading Zone,’ which are limited but available around every residence hall and Dobie Twenty21.
- After unloading your vehicle, please move to an appropriate parking area. Parking tickets are given to vehicles who stay in an unloading zone for longer than 60 minutes.
- Regardless of the number of cars a family brings to Mooov-in, the student is only issued one, one-hour unloading pass.
- Limited Parking
- Please bring only needed vehicles to campus during this time. Cars with trailers may be difficult to find parking for in unloading zone spaces and will not fit in the garage decks, and therefore, are not recommended.
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Sending Mail and Packages Before Mooov-In
You may ship packages to your student’s campus address for arrival Monday, August 15 or later. Please do not schedule packages for arrival earlier than this. Use the mailing address format on the individual residence hall location pages and Dobie Twenty21 page. On the day your student moves in, they will be able to pick up packages at their mail center location, found on the mail service page.
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Write Your Student a Mooov-In Postcard
If your student is moving in Friday-Sunday, August 19-21, please stop by the postcard 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.
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University Housing and Dining (UHD) |
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Resident Dining On Campus
On-campus residents’ UT ID cards come loaded with their resident unlimited meal plan, which they can use as many times a day as they choose at the three buffet-style dining halls – J2 Dining, Jester City Limits and Kins Dining. Learn more about the resident unlimited meal plan here. For details on hours, menus, nutrition and more visit the dining page here.
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Commuter Meal Plan Options
Students living off campus can sign up for a Commuter Meal Plan and enjoy meals at the three dining halls plus additional Dine In Dollars to spend at on-campus restaurants, coffee shops and convenience stores. View the three Commuter Meal Plan options and sign up here.
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Meal Plan Start Date
Students can start using their meal plans on Monday, August 15 at dining locations currently open on campus: Cypress Bend Cafe, Littlefield Patio Cafe and J2 Dining. Students can check the UHD homepage tracker on Monday, August 22 for additional locations opening and hours of operation.
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Student To-Do: Walking the Campus
The Forty Acres is much larger than forty acres and it can take some time for students to get their bearings. Encourage your student to prepare for their first day of class by walking to all of their classes to get a better understanding of the time it takes to get from class to class. Also encourage them to explore the classrooms they will be sitting in so that there are no surprises on their first day of class! Preparation can help make their first day start on a good foot.
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UT Lingo
Becoming a part of the Longhorn Family includes learning the lingo, such as Q drop, Six-Pack, FIGs, Flags and more. Knowing these terms can make it easier for you to communicate with your student. Go here and don't worry, there won't be a quiz!
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Parent-to-Parent Advice for YOU
We have found hearing from other parents who have already walked in your shoes helpful. Enjoy honest, heartfelt advice from current UT Austin parents here.
We look forward to you sharing your insights next year as a seasoned Longhorn parent!
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What Professors Expect
Words of Wisdom from UT Austin 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.
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The Fairmont
Texas Parents Association supporting members can enjoy 10% off the best available room rate plus complimentary self-parking at Fairmont Austin when booking the “Hook ‘Em, Horns” offer. You'll find a link in the Texas Parents August eNewsletter to take advantage of this benefit to upgrade campus visits, home football weekends, or any getaway at Fairmont Austin, a Proud Sponsor of Texas Athletics.
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Welcome to the Safety Zone! The UT Austin Police Department (UTPD) and Office of Campus Safety are committed to a safe and secure campus environment for your student. Each month, in the Texas Parents Association eNewsletter, the Safety Zone features important information about university efforts and resources to help keep your student safe during their time at UT Austin.
Safety has a lot of dimensions on a college campus, Texas Parents in collaboration with our campus safety and security colleagues have created this safety zone to give you timely information and to encourage conversations between you and your student about safety. If you want to read the Safety Zone each month, sign up for the Texas Parents Association here.
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Payment Reminder
As a reminder, students who registered for fall 2022 classes on or before Friday, July 22 received a tuition notice electronically on Tuesday, July 26. Those students had to have confirmed attendance by Friday, August 12 by 5:00 p.m. (CT).
Students who will register on or after Wednesday, August 17 (such as students attending August Orientation), must confirm attendance by Wednesday, September 7 by 5:00 p.m. (CT) using one of the options listed below:
- Pay the minimum amount due on their tuition bill:
- $1,500 for in-state residents
- $5,000 for out-of-state residents
- Pay the bill in full, or make a partial payment that is over the minimum due
- Pay with available financial aid
To learn more about tuition deadlines and payment options read the "Tuition Information" section in the July 8 Next Steps which is linked in the "Additional Resources" section above.
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University Health Services (UHS) |
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Required Alcohol, Drug & Sexual Violence Prevention Education Modules
All incoming first year and transfer students are required to complete two educational modules - AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates (SAPU). These programs focus on the important safety topics of drugs, alcohol and sexual violence prevention, with the goal of enhancing the health and wellness for all students. AlcoholEdu and SAPU programs have a strong track record of facilitating positive behavior change among college students at UT and across the nation.
Students were emailed an invitation and instructions to complete the program on Monday, August 1 and must complete two parts for each program. Part 1 (approximately 2 hours) must be completed by Monday, August 22. An email invitation for Part 2 (approximately 30 minutes) will be sent 45 days after your student completes Part 1. Part 2 is due Friday, October 21.
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If students do not complete BOTH parts by the deadlines, they will not be able to view their grades online for the fall semester. Students will receive a series of email reminders and encouragement to complete the programs.
During the transition to college, parents and families can play a crucial role in continuing to make a positive impact on their student’s health and well-being. UT encourages you to have open discussions with your student about alcohol safety before and during their college journey.
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The Sanger Learning Center is UT's on-campus academic support center offering many services to students including one-on-one tutoring, drop-in tutoring, free workshops, public speaking consultations and much more!
Encourage your student to check out PEARL, a one-stop resource from the Sanger Learning Center. Students can log in with their EID and see their current class schedule and a list of all the academic support services across campus available to them.
Check out the Sanger Learning Center here.
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The UT Libraries are excited to help welcome Longhorn Families to the UT community (and to alumni, welcome back!). UT Libraries reaches out to families about their materials and services because research shows that your student will often talk to family before using services on campus. Here are the things the university hopes your student will know about the UT Libraries.
Help: UT Libraries helps students with research. Librarians provide help on their online chat service, via email, in classes, and in one-on-one consults. They can help with research questions, including topic selection and finding and ethically using information. https://www.lib.utexas.edu/research-help-support/ask-us.
Materials: UT Libraries provides access to many materials across PCL (the Perry-Castañeda Library, their main location), other branches, and their online resources. Students can be overwhelmed by this amount of information as they do research at UT, especially early in their college careers. Students can begin their research at lib.utexas.edu, and the UT Libraries can help them navigate the system to access what they need.
Spaces: The Libraries are some of the best study spaces on campus! PCL is open 24/7 during the regular semester with a guard on staff. Each library has spaces with different noise levels and vibes, and PCL even has bookable group study rooms. Students can usually find a spot that works for their study style. Go here for more on locations and hours.
We’re here for new students and can’t wait to meet them in the fall, whether that happens in one of their classes or in a UT library!
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Recreational Sports (RecSports) |
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Getting Ready for RecSports
Now that your student is registered for fall classes, make sure they sign up for some activities away from the classroom. RecSports has something for everyone, from intramural sports designed for all skill levels, to group fitness classes, adventure trips, indoor rock climbing, sport clubs and instructional classes. Steer your Longhorn to utrecsports.org for details. Student access to RecSports facilities begins Monday, August 15. Students can visit the Hours page for the latest schedule and are asked to bring their UT ID for facility access.
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Longhorn Welcome
presented by New Student Services (NSS)
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Friday, August 19 - Saturday, August 27
A Texas-size welcome for all incoming students. This campus-wide initiative, which begins with Mooov-In and runs through the first week of classes, features 11 Signature Events and dozens of other events hosted by various campus partners. All events are created for students to make new friends, learn ways to get involved and celebrate UT Austin’s culture and core values.
Students will receive and email with more information this week. They can check out the comprehensive schedule here on our website, or by downloading the Longhorn Welcome app.
Below are the Signature Events.
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Mooov-In
Friday-Saturday,
August 19-20, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday,
August 21, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
UFCU Disch-Falk Field
New and returning Longhorns are welcomed to the Forty Acres during this three-day event. Students pick up their room key and unloading zone pass at centralized check-in and settle into 15 on-campus residence halls and Dobie Twenty21.
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Beat The Heat
Saturday, August 20
2-6 p.m.
University Union
Students can take a break from the blazing Texas sun and make new friends at Beat the Heat. The Texas Union is throwing open its doors to welcome new students to campus with a variety of fun activities and events hosted throughout the building for all to enjoy. Offerings include trivia, movies, billiards, karaoke, bowling, food and a pop-up arcade. Guests will also have a chance to check out the all-new Alienware Longhorn Esports Lounge.
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Bevo’s Quest
Sunday, August 21
10 a.m.- 12 p.m.
East Mall
Students compete with friends in this team-based scavenger hunt that can help them learn more about campus resources and key spots on the Forty Acres. Prizes will be handed out to winning teams.
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Find Your Way
Sunday, August 21
7-10 p.m.
Gregory Gym Plaza
Students can explore all that UT Austin involvement has to offer! Encourage your student to come for live student performances, engage in activities with student organizations, grab some snacks and enjoy an evening of fun and spirit!
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Orange & White Welcome
Monday, August 22
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Etter-Harbin Alumni Center
Students can celebrate their first class day with the Texas Exes, enjoying free food, prizes and carnival games! They'll want to sign the #UT26 official class banner and more! Student Members can also pick up their member packets. Free t-shirt for the first 100 students!
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Class Photo
Monday, August 22
6 p.m.
Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium
Students are invited to be part of the Tradition, taking part in the official photo for the Class of ’26 with their fellow classmates. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to commemorate the start of their Longhorn journey takes place on the Campbell-Williams Field at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
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RecSports Warm Up
Tuesday, August 23
Noon-7 p.m.
Gregory Gym
Explore all that RecSports has to offer during this open house-style event featuring group exercise classes, indoor rock climbing, games and more!
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Gone to Texas
Wednesday, August 24
8:30 p.m.
Main Mall
A UT tradition, this event welcomes all new students into the Longhorn community. All new students are invited to join President Hartzell in front of the Tower to celebrate the start of their UT Experience. Gone to Texas is the only occasion, other than Commencement, when the Tower will be lit orange with “26” in the windows to honor freshmen who now represent the class of Texas 26!
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Multicultural Mixer
Thursday, August 25
10 a.m.-12 p.m.
East Mall
Students can mix and mingle with Longhorns and staff of all backgrounds while learning about campus resources available to help them feel more connected. There will be live music, an interactive photo booth and great food.
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UT Soccer vs. North Carolina
Thursday, August 25
7 p.m.
Mike A. Myers Soccer Field
The first 500 UT students will get FREE Raising Cane’s before the Longhorns take on perennial power North Carolina. Food will be distributed starting at 6 p.m. so students should arrive early and bring the Texas Fight!
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Silent Disco
Friday, August 26
8-10 p.m.
Gregory Gym Plaza
Students can join Living the Longhorn Life for a musical experience they won’t want to miss: Silent Disco! Students will pick up a headset and jam out to several different DJs based on their musical preferences.
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Longhorn Fair
Saturday, August 27
7-10 p.m.
Main Mall
Come one, come all to the Neon Circus at Longhorn Fair with glow-in-the-dark games and circus treats!
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Texas Parents Association eNewsletter |
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Some of What You'll See in Your First Texas Parents Association eNewsletter on Monday, August 15:
- Student Jobs Around Campus
- Career Fairs
- Where to Send Mail
- The 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 Monday, August 15 to ensure you receive the first of twelve monthly eNewsletters.
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Unsubscribing from the Next Steps eNewsletter:
You're receiving this email because you either participated in Online 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.
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Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Central)
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