Center for Students in Recovery
- Students can apply for one of our scholarships by May 14. These scholarships open up twice a year near the end of the fall and spring semesters.
- Stay tuned later this month for our new Longhorns for Recovery Circle meeting. This activity-based informal meeting will be open to staff, students and faculty in or in the hope of recovery, as well as recovery allies. Meetings will be posted to our social media accounts and calendar.
- On April 16, we hosted a virtual escape room event. Students worked together and acted as intelligence agents to uncover the identity of an art thief. We are planning two escape room events this summer since students enjoyed so much.
- We hosted the final Recovery Ally Training for the spring semester on April 9. Through this program, we have trained 800 staff, students and faculty to be able to support students in recovery on campus.
Counseling and Mental Health Center
- Let your students know we are helping them Fuel Up for Finals on May 10. The Longhorn Wellness Center team will have a day of events and giveaways that highlight mindfulness, nourishment and self-care. (link, graphic?)
- Council Member Kathie Tovo recognized the Healthy Student Organization Program on April 27. The Austin City Council recognizes this group of students annually for their work to promote health and well-being on campus. (photo to come)
- Our Longhorn Wellness Center team promoted positive emotional well-being during a series of events for Mental Health Promotion Week, April 12-16. Programs explored mindfulness, community, diversity and inclusion, self-care, gratitude and resilience. SHIFT staff participated in a Mental Health Roundtable that included student leaders. (photo?)
- SHIFT Shorts is a new series of interviews with campus and community partners to highlight their work in changing the culture of substance use on the Forty Acres and beyond. Fiona Conway (Steve Hicks School of Social Work) was the April speaker on addiction and mental health.
- We will host seven Freshman Orientation and three Transfer Orientation sessions this summer through June and July, with a hybrid and virtual option. Students can choose if they want to experience being on campus for a portion of their orientation session with small group interactions, peer activities and an overnight stay. We will continue to follow the university’s health and safety guidance throughout this in-person programming. While programming for the hybrid orientation model is still being finalized, all college and school meetings, advising sessions and class registration will remain virtual in all freshman and transfer orientation formats and orientation dates will not change. Students will still have the option to complete orientation 100% virtually. Registration for the hybrid option opens May 10. (link to FAQs)
- Planning is underway for Longhorn Welcome, Aug. 20-29. This series of free virtual and in-person events welcome incoming freshman and transfer students to Living the Longhorn Life®. Freshmen, new transfer students and current sophomores are encouraged to participate. All events will follow health guidance and social distancing guidelines. (graphic?)
- Staff will recognize graduating seniors from the Horns Helpings Horns, First-Generation Living Learning Community and Longhorn TIES (Transition, Inclusion, Empower, Success) programs during a celebration on May 10.
- Follow the Off-Campus Initiative (@utoffcampus) on Instagram to connect students to campus resources, ways to explore Austin and upcoming events.
- Longhorn TIES celebrated Neurodiversity Acceptance Week, April 19-23, with panels and events, including student discussion groups and a movie screening. The Vice President for Student Affairs Programming Team collaborated on the week’s signature event, Celebrate Neurodiversity, on April 20. (can you insert this photo? https://www.flickr.com/photos/67358772@N06/51139853032/in/album-72157719086688500/)
Office of the Dean of Students
- Our annual celebration and awards ceremony for student organizations, Evening of Stars, will be held as a hybrid event on May 4.
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- Our UT Outpost team in Student Emergency Services held a “sidewalk sale,” April 13-16. This large-scale giveaway of professional clothes allowed students to shop the donations acquired throughout the pandemic.
- Our Leadership and Ethics Institute team hosted Step into Leadership on April 16. Students gained valuable leadership skills and built community during this three-hour workshop.
- More than 160 students attended Sorority and Fraternity Life’s Horns Against Hazing: A Series, March 25–April 8. The event series featured student presenters on the definition of hazing, a student panel on healthy community building, and a guest speaker on becoming agents of change.
- Join us for the Get Started with RecSports program, a 30-day fitness plan featuring daily pre-recorded workouts taught by some of our best fitness instructors. This holistic program is open to all and does not require a RecSports membership.
- Faculty and staff are invited to join us at the Faculty and Staff Wellness Retreat on May 15. Participants will enjoy a relaxing morning of mindfulness, meditation and hiking at the newly-renovated Pease Park, and will take home a new yoga mat and towel.
- We will host RecSports Field Day on May 11 at Caven-Clark Field, featuring team and individual play. Students can register for this event to take a study break from finals and compete for prizes.
- Celebrate National Employee Health and Fitness Day at the annual Poker Walk. This year’s event for faculty and staff is going virtual, allowing you to complete the one-mile walk from wherever you are, anytime, May 10–16. Register by May 9.
- During a virtual ceremony on May 6, our team will honor student employees who have been selected to receive a 2021 Endowed Scholarship. Read about the recipients. Link to come.
Randall Ford participating in Longhorn Run.
- On April 17, over 1,500 runners participated in this year's virtual Longhorn Run. Runners crossed their finish line in 37 states and 14 countries, showing once more that when Longhorns run together, there are no limits.
- Ahead of Longhorn Run, President Hartzell surprised a freshman participant with a race kit delivery at Carothers Residence Hall. He also caught up with one of the student leaders on the planning committee via Zoom. (insert photo added to Box, needs to be edited)
- Incoming (and current) parents and families can now sign up for membership in the Texas Parents Association for the 2021-22 academic year. There are two types of membership: complimentary and supporting. A complimentary U-Touch membership keeps them “in touch” with the university. Supporting members make a tax-deductible gift to the university that “supports” our department. Supporting members receive the same communication as U-Touch members, as well as additional benefits, including access to the Texas Parents closed Facebook group, discounts with local and national vendors, and special opportunities with Texas Athletics.
- We continue to prepare for Online Family Orientation, a robust series of pre-recorded content from university leadership, faculty, students, staff and parent volunteers. View the schedule and registration information.
- Later this month, we will mail the New Parent Guide to 9,000 freshman families. This magazine introduces them to university resources and policies. A digital copy will be available on May 10.
- Outstanding Student Award?
- Sign up for a volunteer shift at the university’s COVID-19 vaccination site to help answer questions and manage the lines. (photo)
- Help promote our campus’ COVID-19 vaccination effort by using one of these Zoom backgrounds at your next meeting.
- The vaccine clinic celebrated the 100,000th vaccine administered at the Gregory Gym vaccination site on April 14. Register to get your vaccine at this convenient, well-organized operation with short wait times.
- Our Proactive Community Testing team completed their 100,000th COVID-19 test last month. Continue to encourage students to participate in this free testing at a convenient on- or off-campus location.
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- Our Public Information Team welcomed new team members and planned for the fall semester at a retreat on April 15 and 19.
- Check out the new virtual 3D room tours for residence halls, University Apartments and event spaces. Read more about this effort and a similar virtual experience in the University Unions facilities. (story link to come, photos to come)
- We are accepting summer housing applications and for the 2021- 2022 academic year.
- Our Marketing and Communications Team solicited questions from incoming freshmen and will create a video with staff and students answering them.
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- Our Dining Team hosted pop-up kitchens in April for students to sample potential new menu offerings and provide feedback.
- Our Sustainability Team celebrated Earth Day with four events: UT Farm Stand, April 14; Southern Homestyle Meal, spotlighting locally-sourced ingredients, April 15; Sustainable Soap Making Workshop, April 19; and Longhorn Local Market, April 22.
- Residence Life staff inducted XX students into the National Residence Hall Honorary on April 21.
- On April 9 our Student Staff Selection Committee interviewed 81 candidates interested in our summer student staff positions.
- The Residence Life leadership team discussed strategic planning, communication, meeting structures and explored team strengths at a retreat on April 2. (photo)
- Campus Events+Entertainment will host a grab-and-go Chillfest event May 5, noon-4 p.m., Texas Union East Patio, with treats, drinks, and ways students can “destress” before finals.
- In April, E+E hosted a series of afternoon musical performances on the East Patio in April. This free programming gave students a fun, low-risk way to enjoy live music, while following social distancing protocol and health guidance. (photo?)
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- They also brought “Candyland” to life at the annual Forty Acres Fest on April 9. The Vice President for Student Affairs Programming Team partnered on the event.
- The Texas Union has completed a significant plumbing project, and a new project has started to replace walk-in coolers and freezers for food service on the main level and lower level as well as ceiling upgrades in the kitchen areas. Be on the lookout for exciting new food options that will be opening this fall.
- The University Unions Advisory Council awarded the J.J. “Jake” Pickle Citizenship Award on April 30. The award is presented annually to a UT Austin student whose campus contributions exemplify Congressman Jake Pickle's leadership and service.
Vice President for Student Affairs
- Celebrate your colleagues receiving staff service awards and hear legislative session updates at the Vice President for Student Affairs Office Hours on May 10. Check out the list of staff service recipients below!
- The Programming Team is hosting Longhorn Send-Off, May 3-7, to help students celebrate the end of the semester and wish them well on final exams and projects. (link to Tumblr story with all events)
- On May 12 President Hartzell will announce the President’s Student Employee of the Year Award winner and 10 finalists. Our office co-sponsors this annual recognition with the Office of the President and Human Resources. This year, the award announcement will be merged with the annual faculty and staff awards recognition.
- The Longhorn Family Leadership Council is hosting a Lunch and Learn networking event with graduating seniors on May 5. On April 16 the council met to discuss Division of Student Affairs fundraising priorities with the Development Team. (photo in Box, please insert)
- Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Soncia Reagins-Lilly and Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Daniel Jaffe shared this COVID-19 vaccine information with students on April 20.
- The Student Affairs Leadership Team welcomed special guests Tammara Durham (The University of Kansas), Kevin Jackson (Baylor University) and Daniel Pugh (Texas A&M University) at the April 14 meeting. These VPs overseeing student affairs at their campuses joined us in a conversation about COVID-19's impact. (photo added to Box, please insert)
Staff Standouts
Rachel Cohen-Ford and Robert Valdez, University Housing and Dining, presented “Keeping it Safe: Ways to Successfully Host Large-Scale Outdoor Programming with Campus Partners” at Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International (ACCED-I) Virtual Annual Conference on March 23.
Valdez also presented “Navigating the Journey to a Ph.D. as a Minority” at the 2021 NASPA Virtual Conference on March 23.
Kayleigh Damphousse, New Student Services, came in second in the “Check My Story Challenge” during the university’s annual online fundraising campaign, 40 Hours for Forty Acres, March 30-31. She raised XXX for the First-Generation Living Learning Community.
Lisa Kappil, University Unions, received the 2021 Asian Pacific Islander Knowledge Community Pre-Conference Award at the 2021 NASPA Virtual Conference. (check this information)
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Sotear Kuy, University Housing and Dining, provided tips for stir fry cooking during a virtual cooking class at the HealthPoint Recharge event on April 15.
On April 14, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Soncia Reagins-Lilly shared welcome remarks at the annual Sorority and Fraternity Life Awards. She was also the featured guest at the Leadership and Ethics Institute’s Longhorn Leadership Chats on the Office of the Dean of Students Instagram channel. In May, Dr. Lilly will support graduating seniors, including participation in First-Gen Graduation, add any others that apply. (photo)
Can you take another screenshot? This is a little too excited.
Kate Lower, University Health Services and Counseling and Mental Health Center, presented “A Year of Resilience and Transition” at the April 21 Texas Talks event. The Vice President for Student Affairs and the Multicultural Engagement Center hosted this speaker series.
Division staff who presented during the UT Wellness Network’s Powering Past the Pandemic: Reconnecting to Wellness on April 30.
- Justin Carter, Office of the Dean of Students: Opening Remarks
- James Butler, Counseling and Mental Health Center and University Health Services: #PoweringPastPandemic Session
- Shauna Sobers, University Housing and Dining: #PoweringPastPandemic Session
- Brittany O’Malley, Counseling and Mental Health Center and University Health Services: Closing Remarks
Staff Shoutouts
Please coordinate with your department communicator if you would like to submit a staff member to be featured.
Wesley Barnett and David Martinez, University Unions, worked long hours with the Texas Union maintenance team to replace a water tank and make other plumbing repairs.
Sahtiya Hammell, Counseling and Mental Health Center and University Health Services, and Amy Tao-Foster, Counseling and Mental Health Center, coordinated with campus and Austin-area partners on anti-Asian racism events. They continue to provide support and education through ongoing conversations and workshops.
The President's Staff Awards and Staff Service Awards
President Jay Hartzell will honor the 60th Annual President’s Staff Awards recipients with a congratulatory video on May 12. (list any outstanding award winners that apply here)
The university is also celebrating 61 Division staff members for their combined 1,105 years of service to The University of Texas at Austin. Congratulate your Division colleagues below!
(list names, departments, years of service)
