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 Sunday, 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,
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
- The Safety Zone
- University Health Services (UHS)
- Sanger Learning Center (SLC)
- RecSports
- Longhorn Welcome Events
- Need-to-Knows & Updates
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Self-Nominate to serve on the Texas Parents Ambassadors Council
Texas Parents Four-Year and Transfer supporting members can self-nominating now through Sunday, September 12 for a two-year (2021-23) seat on the Texas Parents Ambassadors Council.
Get the nomination form here that includes an overview of council member responsibilities. Contact Texas Parents Director, Susie Smith, with any questions.
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Protect Texas Together
Protect Texas Together is the website you'll want to bookmark and check frequently for updates related to COVID-19. The website outlines guidances for the fall and offers various resources. Information is organized into the following categories:
- Announcements
- Campus Information
- Guidelines
- Vaccinations and Testing
- COVID Dashboard
- FAQs
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COVID-19 Testing and Reporting Expectations Before Coming to Campus
For your Longhorn’s and the UT community’s safety, the university has determined that all students (regardless of COVID vaccine status or prior infection) coming to campus for the fall semester must receive a viral test (antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test such as PCR) in their local community within 72 hours (3 days) prior to their Mooov-In date or arrival to Austin. If your student already resides in Austin, they should test within 72 hours (3 days) prior to moving into the residence where they will reside for the academic semester.
If your student will be living on-campus this fall, they received an email on Saturday, August 7 with the testing information. If your student will be living off campus, your student was emailed this information on Monday, August 9. Please encourage your student to review their email to confirm they have completed the testing requirement before coming to campus.
Any further updates or announcements will be posted on the Protect Texas Together website, we encourage you to check this website frequently for timely information.
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Fall Plans
Visit the University Housing and Dining (UHD) COVID-19 FAQ page for frequently asked questions about housing, dining, resident opportunities and safety.
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Final Mooov-In Reminders
Please check the Mooov-In website for information about this year’s process. Be sure to reference the Next Steps July issue sent on July 9 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-Sunday, August 20-22 NOT at the residence halls
Note: Between 5 – 7 a.m. and 8 – 9 p.m. on all days, there is no check-in available as room keys are relocated.
Residence Hall Front Desks
Students who arrive during early, overnight weekend 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 What to Leave at Home
Visit the What To Bring page for lists of what to bring and what should be left at home.
Residence Hall Route Map
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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 UT ID card.
- Unloading
- Students will receive a one-hour unloading pass during check-in. 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.
- 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. They should use the access card attached to the permit mailed to them. If they have 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 should 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 need to bring their ticket and photo ID to the nearest staffed garage for assistance.
- 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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UT ID Pick Up
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If students submitted their photo through the ID Center online photo submission process by August 6 and it was approved, their UT ID card will be available for pick up when they arrive during centralized check-in Friday-Sunday, August 20-22, 7 a.m.-8 p.m. at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
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If your student chooses an early, overnight weekend or extended check-in time, or does not submit a photo online, they must visit the ID Center at the Flawn Academic Center to pick up their UT ID card.
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Students will receive a temporary card if their ID isn’t ready when they pick up their key. Students will need to present a current government-issued photo ID to pick up their UT ID card.
- If your student is a minor (under 18), they will need to bring a parent or guardian, who will also need to present a current government-issued photo ID.
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If you have questions about UT ID cards, please contact the ITS help desk at 512-475-9400 or help@utexas.edu.
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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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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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Off-Campus Housing Move-In Information |
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Off-Campus Housing Move-In Dates
If your student will be living in the private dorms or apartments in the the area west of campus go here for move-in information from each.
If your student's property is not listed, check the lease as it likely contains the information you need.
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 flex 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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Write Your Student a Mooov-In Postcard
If your student is moving in Friday-Sunday, August 20-22, 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.
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The Fairmont
Texas Parents Association members can enjoy 10% off the best available room rate plus complimentary self-parking at Fairmont Austin when booking the “Hook ‘Em, Horns” Offer. Upgrade campus visits, home football weekends, or any getaway at Fairmont Austin, a Proud Sponsor of Texas Athletics.
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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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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, we 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 2021 classes on or before Friday, July 23 received a tuition notice electronically on Tuesday, July 27. Those students must confirm attendance by Tuesday, August 17 by 5:00 p.m. (CT).
Options for confirming attendance are:
- 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
Students who will register on or after Friday, August 20 (such as students attending August Orientation), must confirm attendance by Friday, September 10 by 5:00 p.m. (CT) using one of the same options listed above.
To learn more about tuition deadlines and payment options read the "Tuition Information" section in the July 9 Next Steps here or reference the Tuition Information email here originally sent on Wednesday, July 28.
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University Health Services (UHS) |
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Required Alcohol, Drug & Sexual Violence Prevention Education Program
All incoming students, including transfer students, are required to complete two online educational programs - 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 being to enhance 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. Learn more about the programs' impacts here.
Students were emailed an invitation and instructions to complete the program on Monday, August 2 and must complete two parts for each program. Part 1 (approximately 2 hours) must be completed by Wednesday, August 25. 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 22.
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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. Find strategies for engaging your student in thoughtful and constructive conversations about how to stay healthy and well in college and beyond on this resource page.
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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!
PEARL
PEARL is a new one-stop resource from the Sanger Learning Center. Students just 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. Learn more here.
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Recreational Sports (RecSports) |
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RecSports for Fun and Fitness
All students registered for fall classes may begin utilizing RecSports facilities on Monday, August 16, for their fitness and recreation activities. There is no additional charge to use facilities, all they need is their UT student ID card for access. Encourage your student to review Facility Hours when planning their visit. Please note that all facilities will be closed Saturday-Sunday, August 21-22 for student staff training. Learn more here.
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Longhorn Welcome
Presented by New Student Services (NSS)
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Friday, August 20 - Saturday, August 28
The official welcome for all incoming students. This campus-wide initiative starts just prior to the fall semester and features 11 Signature Events as well as dozens of other events hosted by various campus partners. All events are created for students to make friends, learn ways to get involved and celebrate UT Austin’s culture and core values.
Students will receive an email with more information early next week. In the meantime they can check out the comprehensive schedule here. Below are the Signature Events.
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Mooov-In
Friday-Sunday,
August 20-22
Longhorns are welcomed to the Forty Acres over these three-days. Students pick up their room keys, UT ID cards and unloading pass at centralized check-in and then settle into 14 on-campus residence halls.
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Beat The Heat
Saturday, August 21
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.
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Find Your Way
Sunday, August 22
Students can explore all that UT Austin involvement has to offer at Find Your Way! They will see 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 23
Students can kick off the fall semester at Orange & White Welcome hosted by the Texas Exes! Free T-shirt for the first 100 students! They will enjoy free food, prizes and carnival games, sign the #UT25 official class banner and more! Texas Exes Student Members can also pick up their student member packets at the event.
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Bevo's Quest
Monday, August 23
Students can compete with friends in this epic team-based scavenger hunt that can help students learn more about campus traditions and key spots at UT Austin. Teams will race against the clock to earn activity points and unlock clues to a variety of locations on campus in their efforts to become Bevo’s Quest champions. Prizes for the top three teams include gift cards, Living the Longhorn Life swag items, and more!
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RecSports Warm Up
Tuesday, August 24
Students can explore all that RecSports has to offer during RecSports Warm Up with activities guaranteed to get them moving. They will participate in free group fitness classes, intramural sports sessions, indoor rock climbing, learn about sport club program, plus check out activities exclusive to UT 25. All skill levels welcome.
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Gone to Texas
Tuesday, August 24
A UT tradition, this event welcomes all new students into the Longhorn community the night before classes begin. 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 “25” in the windows to honor freshmen who now represent the class of Texas 25!
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Supply Your Semester
Wednesday, August 25
Students can start the new semester off right and pick up a supply kit filled filled with back to school essentials! First Come, first serve.
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Multicultural Mixer
Thursday, August 26
Students can mix and mingle with Longhorns and staff of all backgrounds! They will learn about campus resources available to help them feel more connected.
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Silent Disco
Thursday, August 26
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 28
Students can Mooov on down to the Longhorn Fair! The Texas State Fair is being brought to the Forty Acres to welcome all new Longhorns. There will be a variety of fabulous fried food, creative twists on Texas classics, live music, and fun fair games students won’t want to miss.
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Congratulations to the Student Scholarship & More Good Stuff Winners!
Wow, what an exciting night July 30 was! Fourteen $500 student scholarships, seven $25 Tiff's Treats gift cards, $75 textbook scholarships and $100 University Co-op gift cards were awarded to 35 households in the Texas Parents Student Scholarship and More Good Stuff Drawing!
Thanks to the more than 2,500 incoming student households who tuned in to our video recording of the drawing and a BIG THANK YOU to our incredible partners, University Federal Credit Union (UFCU), the University Co-op and Tiff's Treats who said yes when we asked for their help in creating this virtual event!
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Meet Some of Our Winners! |
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Access Reminder to Online Family Orientation
Many thanks to everyone who has reached out with kind words about Online Family Orientation's impact on their family's transition from high school to college. We, our campus colleagues and partners are happy you are finding value in the content.
As a reminder, access to Online Family Orientation content will be available through 5 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, August 24.
If you have not yet registered for Online Family Orientation, there is still time! Click here to register.
If you are already registered for Online Family Orientation, we hope you can use the remaining time to refresh, catch up or continue viewing the wide variety of presentations available.
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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 Sundsey, 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 Sunday, 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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