Issue 5 of 6 | Anticipation |
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Dear Longhorn Families,
As we were developing the time-related themes for the Next Steps eNewsletter series, “Anticipation” made perfect sense for July’s issue. Remember when our kids were young and time was flying by for us but for them it moved at a snail’s pace? You might recall conversations with your then 8-year-old whose birthday was a week away and you still had a long list of things to do before the party while your future Longhorn bemoaned that the birthday would NEVER arrive!
Funny, but life’s journey has brought you back to that same scenario with you having multiple lists of things to do before the start of the semester and your Longhorn wanting to be at campus yesterday. Our incoming Longhorns have been learning about all that awaits them on the Forty Acres both academically and non-academically. They are meeting other students; talking about classes, researching opportunities, roommates and student organizations. They are planning for upcoming activities like Mooov-in, Longhorn Welcome and the start of football season…we get it…the anticipation is great!
And we know the anticipation is great for you, too. From buying things for their home-away-from home, to coordinating schedules for time away from work and your other responsibilities to imaging all the experiences and opportunities that await your Longhorn, your anticipation is equally real. And we get that, too. We also know there is still a lot of good information to impart in this and the August Next Steps issue for your Longhorn’s successful transition to college life.
In this issue, you’ll hear about University Housing and Dining, Tuition, Parking and Transportation Services and so much more.
I’m likely dating myself with this video, but it’s a good one to remind us that anticipation and waiting go hand-in-hand and that when we finally get where we wanted to be, it was worth the wait.
Sincerely,
Susie Smith
Texas Parents Director
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In This Issue:
- Reading Round-up 2022
- Advice for UT Freshmen
- Fall Mooov-In 2022
- Off-Campus Living
- University Housing & Dining (UHD)
- Tuition Information
- Parking and Transportation Services (PTS)
- New Student Services (NSS)
- International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
- Understanding the University
- Need-to-Knows & Updates
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Reading Round-Up
Sunday,
August 21
1:30-3 p.m.
The day before fall classes begin, professors and first-year student meet all over campus to talk about books they read over the summer. This is an opportunity to read a great book, meet an outstanding faculty member and get acquainted with a small group of fellow first-year students. Encourage your student to browse through the book list and sign up.
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Advice for UT Freshmen
Jim Nicar, of the UT History Corner, shares spot-on insights for incoming students. He has spent many years on campus both as a student and as a professional interacting with students. See below and pass along to your Longhorn!
Imagine your [student's] upcoming college experience as something packed into a great, mysterious box - wrapped in burnt orange paper, of course! - ready to be opened and explored... read more here.
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Fall 2022 Mooov-In
by University Housing and Dining (UHD)
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On-Campus Residence Halls and Dobie Twenty21 |
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Early Check-In
When:
Monday-Friday
August 15 at 3 p.m. through August 19 at 5 a.m.
Where to go first:
Early Check-in Fee:
$50/day - Billed to their "What I Owe" page to be paid with their housing bill
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Centralized Check-In
When:
Friday-Saturday
August 19-20 from 7 a.m.-8 p.m
Sunday
August 21 from 7 a.m. to 3p.m.
Where to go first:
At student's allotted time, go FIRST to UFCU Disch-Falk Field (east of campus and IH-35) and park in the East Campus Garage to check-in and pick up their room key. THEN students proceed to their residence hall.
Running Late:
Don't worry if you're a few minutes late; for extensive delays (hours or days), email Housing@utexas.edu with student name and UT EID for next steps.
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Overnight Weekend Check-In
When:
Friday-Sunday
August 19-21
10 p.m. to 5 a.m., each day
Where to go first:
After-Hour Courtesy:
Students should only move what is necessary to their rooms after 10 p.m. to reduce noise
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Extended Check-In
When:
Sunday
August 21 after 5 p.m.
Where to go first:
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Note: On Friday, August 19 and Saturday, August 20 between 5-7 a.m. and 8-10 p.m. and on Sunday, August 21 between 5-7 a.m. and 3-5 p.m., there is no check-in available as room keys are relocated to and from UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
Check-In Scheduler
Students were sent an email July 1 to schedule their check-in time. It is important to arrive at the scheduled appointment time (reserved through the housing portal) to help limit the amount of traffic on campus and provide everyone with a smooth experience.
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2400 Nueces residents sign up for their check-in time in the housing portal. Visit the 2400 Mooov-in page here for detailed information. Any questions can be directed to housing@austin.utexas.edu.
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Primary Check-In
When:
Saturday-Sunday, August 13-14
10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day
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Extended Check-In
When:
Monday-Sunday, August 15-21
10 a.m.-10 p.m. each day
Where to go First: 2400 Nueces Lobby
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Overnight Weekend Check-In
When:
Saturday-Sunday, August 13-21
10 p.m. - 8 a.m each day
Where to go First: 2400 Nueces Lobby
After-Hour Courtesy:
From 10 p.m. - 7 a.m. students should move only what is necessary to their rooms in order to reduce noise.
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Helpful Mooov-In Tips:
Here are some tips we’ve found helpful, regardless of which check-in your student selected, but especially relevant for the Friday - Sunday timeframe:
- Elevators are only accessible in Jester, San Jacinto, Kinsolving and Duren, so pack accordingly to carry items upstairs in the other halls.
- If possible, bring your own dollies or rolling carts; the residence halls with elevators have a limited number available.
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking (this is not the time for high heels). Burnt orange is always a good color to wear.
- Have water and healthy snacks on hand to keep your energy up.
- Regardless of the number of vehicles you are bringing, your student will receive only ONE unloading zone pass for 60 minutes.
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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 this. Use the mailing address format on the individual residence hall location pages, Dobie Twenty21 and 2400 Nueces. 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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Off Campus Living Resources
If your Longhorn will be living off campus, the Off-Campus Living Resources website provides them with information about safety resources, tips for picking a roommate, information on using the bus system and much more. Additionally, the site offers an Off-Campus Housing Marketplace where UT students can find roommates, apartment/house rentals and list subleases. Learn more about off-campus living here.
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Commuter Meal Plan Option
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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University Housing and Dining (UHD) |
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UHD is in the Division of Student Affairs and oversees 15 on-campus residence halls, 2400 Nueces, Dobie Twenty21, University Apartments, and many dining and retail venues. By creating transformative living and learning communities, the staff fosters student engagement, growth and success. UHD operates its own residence life, dining, business, custodial, maintenance and information systems departments, is self-supporting (without state or university funds) and employs approximately 1,000 full- and part-time staff. |
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Resident Assistants (RAs), Complex Coordinators (CCs) and Assistant Complex Coordinators (ACCs) are here to help!
The RAs, CCs, ACCs and the Residence Life team follow three learning goals that help your Longhorn develop self-management strategies, build positive relationships within their community and use cultural competency skills to engage with others.
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- By the time your student arrives to live on campus, the 179 RAs have received more than 70 hours of training on how to build a resident community and welcome students to their new home, including personalized door decorations for every resident.
- In addition to the RAs, there are 22 professional staff members, called complex coordinators and assistant complex coordinators, who live in the residence halls and can respond to any emergencies 24/7. CCs either have or are pursuing a master’s degree and ACCs are graduate students. They supervise the RAs and help your Longhorn transition to life at UT Austin. If your student ever has questions, encourage them to reach out to their CC or ACC.
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Each residence hall has a designated desk staffed 24/7 where residents can also ask questions. See which desks correspond to which halls as well as the phone number for each desk on this map.
- Your student can stay connected to opportunities in their community and on the Forty Acres by checking the bulletin boards in their residence hall and reading Housing Headlines and monthly News You Can Use newsletters emailed by UHD.
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Meal Plan Start Date
All meal plans start when the residence halls officially open on Friday, August 19 at 7 a.m. Please note that dining hours of operation will be updated closer to the start of the fall term on the homepage tracker and the dining locations pages; currently these are reflecting summer hours.
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Dietary Concerns
UHD believes that menu transparency is an important part of the dining experience, especially for those who follow a specific diet plan. This online menu provides nutrition facts, ingredients and allergen information, and is especially helpful for students with special dietary concerns. Menu information can also be found in each dining location at the nutrition information centers or via the mobile friendly menu. Whether your student’s dietary needs are medically necessary or a cultural or lifestyle choice, UHD is here to help. It is recommended that all students with a dietary concern speak with a UHD registered dietitian at dietitian@austin.utexas.edu for guidance and support managing their diet while on campus.
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Dine In Dollars & Bevo Pay
What's the Difference
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On-campus residents receive the Unlimited Meal Plan as part of their room and board fees, which includes $300 Dine In Dollars per term and $200 Bevo Pay funds for the year. Students and those with eProxy access can monitor account activity and balances as well as add additional funds online.
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Dine In Dollars
- Dine In Dollars can be used at UHD operated restaurants, coffee shops and convenience stores.
- Unused Dine In Dollars roll over from the fall to the spring semester and expire at the end of the academic year.
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Bevo Pay
- All students, regardless of whether or not they live on campus, can use Bevo Pay.
- 78 merchants participate in Bevo Pay, including on and off campus dining locations, on-campus vending machines, markets, coffee shops, printing services, pharmacies and more.
- Unspent Bevo Pay funds remain accessible as long as students are currently enrolled at UT and are refundable at graduation.
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Tuition Notices
Students who have registered for fall 2022 classes on or before Friday, July 22 will receive a tuition notice electronically on Tuesday, July 26. These will be delivered via email to the email address listed on your student's record; no paper bills will be mailed.
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.'
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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, the amount due will be reduced by the financial aid and the student will need to pay the remaining balance by the deadlines.
If you have questions about when funds will be disbursed, or other questions about paying tuition with financial aid, please visit Texas One Stop’s Understanding Your Financial Aid here.
REGARDING UNIVERSITY HOUSING and DINING (UHD) BILLING
Please note UHD has a separate billing process. In early September, your student will receive a reminder email that their housing payment is due in full on September 10 or that an installment plan can be set up. The August Next Steps eNewsletter will also include more information about UHD billing details.
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Tuition Deadlines
Confirming Attendance (1st Tuition Payment Deadline)
Students who register on or before Friday, July 22, must confirm attendance by Friday, August 12 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 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 same options listed above.
2nd Tuition Payment Deadline
Students who registered on or before July 22 and did not pay their bill in full, must chose one of these options by Wednesday, September 7 by 5:00 p.m. (CT):
- Pay the remaining tuition bill in full
- If a student chooses to not pay the remaining tuition bill in full at this time, then the student will automatically be put on installment plan and incur a $15 fee. Final payment is due October 14.
Student who registered on or after Wednesday, August 17 are automatically put on installment plan if they do not pay in full.
3rd and Final Tuition Payment Deadline
Final tuition payment for all students on an installment plan is due Friday, October 14 by 11:59 p.m. (CT). If final payment is not received by this date, a student will receive a bar on their registration and will not be able to register for future classes until payment is received in full.
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Tuition Payment Methods
The university offers multiple ways tuition bills can be paid, including:
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Online, with select credit cards, eCheck, Electronic Funds Transfer and others
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In Person, by personal check, cashier's check, money order or cash only
- By Mail
- Zero Bill
- Tuition Loan
- Financial Aid
- Outside Scholarships
- 529 College Fund Payments
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Texas Prepaid Tuition Plans, such as Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan (TGTP) and Texas Tuition Promise Fund (TTPF)
For more detailed information go here.
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Other Financial Aid or Tuition Questions?
The Texas One Stop office is happy to assist with general questions and can be contacted at 512-232-6988 or via email at onestop@utexas.edu.
How to Pay Your Tuition Video
Check out the video below produced by Texas One Stop; it's also a good one to share with your student!
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Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) |
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Should My Student Bring a Car to Campus?
If this is a question in your household, we encourage a discussion between you and your student to decide together whether bringing a car to campus is necessary. Questions to consider: Why would a car be needed? Are there reasons that will take your student off campus consistently like medical appointments or a job? How much is a parking permit, insurance, maintenance in relation to the amount of use the car will receive?
Student Parking at UT
There are several parking permit options. Some may be purchased immediately, others are only offered on a lottery system.
Will your student live in a UT Austin Residence hall? Learn more about "R" permits (garage parking) here.
Will your student live off-campus? Are they bringing their car to campus regularly? Learn more about "S" permits (garage parking) here. Are they bringing their car to campus occasionally? Learn more about Student Parking Perks (discounted non-permit garage parking) here.
Whether living on campus or off-campus, students also have surface lot options. Learn more about "C" permits (surface lots) here, "C+" permits (surface lots plus garages after 5 p.m.) here.
Learn about permitting for students with motorcycles, motor scooters, mopeds or motor-assisted bicycles here.
Learn about disability/ADA student permitting here.
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Getting Around Austin Without a Car
The UT Shuttle System offers quick travel around campus as well as to and from off-campus housing areas. Students ride free with their valid UT ID. For real-time bus information, students can download the CapMetro App.
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Capital Metro, the City of Austin's transit system, is free when students present their valid UT ID. Cap Metro routes service many areas of the city beyond the university's shuttle system, including the airport, malls and more.
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ZipCar partners with PTS to provide a convenient and affordable way for students 18 years or older to have access to a car on campus. There is an annual membership fee and rental rates start at $8.50/hour and include gas and insurance.
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Bicycles are often used in Austin and on the Forty Acres. Encourage your student to register and double lock their bike to prevent theft. Free bike racks, maintenance stations as well as secure bike locker storage for rent are available.
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New Student Services (NSS) |
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Orientation Advisor (OA) Q&As
Encourage your students to check out the OA Q&A’s on the @UTOrientation Instagram to hear common questions answered by current Longhorns. New Q&A’s are posted each Friday throughout July, but your student can find all each week’s saved to the highlights section the @UTOrientation Instagram page.
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Longhorn Welcome
Friday-Saturday, August, 19-27
Longhorn Welcome is UT’s official welcome for all incoming undergraduate Longhorns. This campus-wide initiative starts with Mooov-In just prior to the fall term and features Signature Events as well as dozens of other events hosted by various campus partners.
All events are created for new students to meet their peers, gain valuable resources and celebrate UT’s culture and traditions! More details will be included in your August Next Steps eNewsletter.
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International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) |
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ISSS encourages you and your student to regularly review the Stay Informed page for updated information regarding travel and immigration issues relevant to international students preparing to come to Austin.
This summer ISSS has several upcoming Pre-Arrival Events for newly arriving students. Please encourage your student to register and attend:
Ask an International Student Advisor
Wednesday, July 13, 8 a.m. (CT)
International student advisors will be available to answer questions about what to expect when you apply for a visa, as well as other common immigration questions.
Ask a UT Student
Thursday, July 28, 8 a.m. (CT)
Current international students at UT Austin will be available to share their experiences and answer questions about life as a Longhorn.
Students can RSVP for Pre-Arrival Series Events here.
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Understanding the University |
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Restricting a Student's' Public Directory Information
When students matriculate at UT, their home address and home phone number automatically become public information through the UT Directory.
Students have the option of restricting their information from the public directory. Encourage your student to go here for more information about a student's official address, what is sent where and how your student can make changes to their information on record.
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eProxy Access
With eProxy, you are given your own UT EID and password which is tied to your student's UT EID. Allowing you to make tuition payments, housing payments, add money in Dine in Dollars or Bevo Pay, as well as to view transactions or balances for housing. It will not give you access to grades or schedules.
If you would like to become an eProxy for your student, discuss this option with your student now as there are steps your student must first initiate. Go here for more information, including a step-by-step video...
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How Does My Student Find a List of Needed Textbooks?
The University Co-Op is a not-for-profit corporation proudly owned by the students and faculty at UT since 1896. One of the many ways the Co-op supports campus is by compiling the official book list each semester. Go here for more information. As professors finalize their syllabi, they will share information with the Co-op.
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What is Textbook Courseware & Longhorn Textbook Access (LTA)?
We asked Dr. David Platt, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs, to help families understand textbook courseware at UT Austin. He provided us with great information:
"The world of technology has come to textbooks! It used to be that students would buy a printed textbook, and maybe a printed study guide, and that was it. But personal computers and smartphones have presented textbook publishers and authors with a lot of new options for delivering course materials and helping students to learn the material better. The word we use for all that support material beyond the textbook itself is “courseware.” Courseware varies from textbook to textbook, and different professors use it differently. So in one class, for example, courseware might be an online study guide and practice exams, in another it might be a homework manager where every student solves the same question but gets different numbers to work with, and in another it might be an online laboratory manual with experiment guidance and videos. Other professors don’t use courseware at all, either because it isn’t available yet for their preferred textbook, or they don’t use a textbook, or they prefer to handle the support materials in a different way.
So your student will probably purchase courseware in some courses and not in others. They will also have some courses where the professor believes students can learn best from a printed textbook, some where the textbook is digital, and some where there is no textbook at all.
Longhorn Textbook Access (LTA) was established so that when professors require a digital textbook and/or courseware, students can have immediate access to the materials from the first day of class and at a lower cost. Students have a period of the first 12 class days (the first 12 days of the semester excluding weekends) in which they can opt out of buying the LTA materials if they find their required course materials elsewhere at a better price (a used copy, borrowed from a friend, etc.). Billing for LTA materials goes through a student’s What I Owe account after the 12th class day.
If the textbook is not part of LTA, in most cases, it is purchased at the University Co-op store, where the professor will have arranged to have copies available at the start of the semester. Some of these books could have courseware too and may come with a code the student uses to acquire the courseware or with instructions for how to purchase the courseware from the publisher."
In coming Texas Parents Association eNewsletters, we'll expand on information about the cost-savings LTA offers our students.
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Academic Calendar Changes
The University of Texas at Austin has updated its academic calendar to create more opportunities for innovation in our curriculum, better support our students’ wellbeing and success, and help advance our academic mission, while also ensuring federal and state compliance. Changes include:
- New start dates for the fall and spring terms
- An extended fall break
- An earlier end date for the spring semester
- A reduced final exam schedule
View the 2022-2023 Academic Calendar here. Learn more about the calendar changes and view a list of FAQs here.
Student ID Cards
Whether your Longhorn will be living on or off-campus this semester, they will need a UT ID whenever they are on the Forty Acres. Students should first submit a photo for their UT ID Card using the Online Photo Submission process here or they can have their photo taken at the ID Center. To pick up their student ID card, your student must present a non-expired government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport.
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Camp Texas Sessions Still Available:
Session 3: Thursday-Saturday, August 4-6
Session 4: Saturday-Monday, August 6-8
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Camp Texas
Each year the Texas Exes, UT's official alumni association, transforms the lives of students through experiences like Camp Texas that foster connections with other students, professors, administrators and UT traditions.
Outstanding counselors provide peer-to-peer guidance that works. The data shows that Camp Texas attendees are more successful at UT. On average, they have higher GPAs and a higher four-year graduation rate than those who didn’t attend!
Have your student join Texas Exes this summer at this optional, overnight, off-campus experience to get a head start on life at UT and becoming the Longhorn they were meant to be. Learn more here.
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Ignite Texas
The registered student organization, Ignite Texas, offers two date options for a four-day retreat for incoming students who are looking to find Christian community at UT Austin.
Session 1: Thursday-Sunday, August 4-7
Session 2: Sunday-Wednesday, August 7-10
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UT for Me – Powered by Dell Scholars offers personalized, multi-faceted support to incoming Pell-eligible Longhorns. UT for Me benefits are included in eligible students’ Financial Aid Notification (FAN). All UT for Me students receive a laptop that is theirs to keep, as well as an annual textbook credit to use to purchase course materials from the University Co-op. UT for Me students also have the support of dedicated full-time staff and Peer Ambassadors, who are available for one-on-one appointments and who host exclusive events throughout the year. To receive their laptop and program benefits, UT for Me students are required to sign the Terms and Conditions in the “What’s Next” section of their MyStatus (which is accessed by their UT EID and password). For questions about UT for Me, please email utforme@austin.utexas.edu.
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Next Steps Issue #6 | Transition, August 12: The final issue of Next Steps will cover the following topics and more:
- Longhorn Welcome Events
- The Safety Zone
- Final Mooov-In Reminders and more
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Unsubscribing from the Next Steps eNewsletter
You're receiving this email because you either signed up for Online Family Orientation or membership in Texas Parents, or your student provided your email address on their Admissions application. In addition to this issue, you will receive one more on Friday, August 12.
Please note that by clicking the link below to unsubscribe, you will no longer receive any Texas Parents messaging. 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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