American Press Institute Summer Fellow for 2017

Check out this website for more details.

National Security Hackathon (February 24-26)

MD5, a national security technology accelerator, is partnering with UT Austin to host a hackathon on February 24 – 26 at the Vault Space in north Austin.  Undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, staff and others from the UT Austin community are invited to participate in this exciting event. Over three days, participants will work with 100-150 innovators from the DoD, UT Austin and the Austin community to tackle some of the toughest Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) challenges by developing hardware and software concepts focused on logistics & planning, communications, and restoration of water & power resources. 

In addition to access to cool new technologies, as hackathon participants get the opportunity to be mentored by a diverse group of experts: experts in disaster relief, technology mentors and pitch mentors. 

Winning team(s) will receive up to $15K to further develop their ideas.  Please visit http://www.md5.net/hackathonw17 to learn more and to secure your place at this event.

From Paper to Policy: Can Researchers Influence Lawmakers?

Tuesday, January 31st, 6:15-7pm in CBA 1.104

Professors, researchers, and policy wonks are constantly churning out new recommendations and innovative ideas. But just how often does good research make its way into new laws or regulations? Do lawmakers seek expert advice when making decisions, or are political factors more important? And what should happen when experts’ conclusions conflict with popular opinion?

Join the Texas Undergraduate Research Journal for a panel discussion on what happens when policymaking and academia meet! As always, food will be provided.

Our Panelists:

Dr. Bryan Jones is the J. J. “Jake” Pickle Regents Chair in Congressional Studies at UT and co-director of the Policy Agendas Project, and has served on the Executive Council of the American Political Science Association. His research covers public policy processes and change, organizational decision making, and agenda-setting.
Dr. William Spelman studies urban policy with an emphasis on local government administration. He served two terms on the Austin City Council and has received national recognition for developing policy programs that address criminal justice issues.
Dr. Benjamin Gregg’s research focuses on social and political theory, values, and morality in modern societies and has taught at universities across Europe, China, and Japan. He has published books on bioethics, as well as the conflict between human rights and national sovereignty.

Leaders wanted!

The College of Liberal Arts is excited to announce the re-opening of applications to join Texas Phanos. Phanos is the Greek word for torches, and we are looking for students who will shine a light on the importance of a Liberal Arts education.

Phanos membership consists of high-achieving individuals who are leaders of different organizations on the Forty Acres. Members are selected to represent the College in various capacities, including recruiting and fundraising events, assisting with official College events (like Explore UT), and serving as student representatives to esteemed alumni, faculty, College administrators, and other stakeholders. 

The deadline to submit an application is noon on February 13, 2017. Students who meet the desired qualifications will be invited to an interview and final decisions about membership will be made before the end of February. 

The application to join and more information about qualifications, responsibilities, and benefits of membership can be found on the Texas Phanos website.

Additionally, current Texas Phanos members will be hosting information sessions for students who are interested in joining.

Info Session 1: February 2, 5pm in CLA 1.304

Info Session 2: February 8, 5pm in CLA 1.304 

Info Session 3: February 9, 6pm in CLA 1.304

If you have any questions, please contact Phil Butler, Student Program Coordinator, Office of Student Success.

WELCOME TO A NEW SEMESTER OF GREAT PLAYS AND GREAT PEOPLE

Monday, January 30th at 7pm-ART 1.120

Tuesday, January 31st at 7pm-ART 1.120

If you are interested in acting, tech, or have any interest in our company at all, come see us at auditions! 

Auditions consist of cold readings from the plays, so you don’t have to prepare anything. Bring yourself, some friends, a pen/pencil, and be ready to play. You only need to come to one night to be considered, but coming to both doesn’t hurt! 

We are doing three shows this semester:

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST by Oscar Wilde

Directed by Estevan Balderrama and Victoria Fazzino

Tentative performance dates: April 14th, 15th, 16th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd

THE DUCK VARIATIONS by David Mamet

Directed by Josh Armstrong

Tentative performance dates: April 8th and 15th 

CHECK PLEASE by Jonathan Rand

Head Directed by Sandy Schwalen, co-directed by Sidney Schubarth and Kinsey Shackelford

Tentative performance dates: April 7th, 8th, 9th, 14th, 15th, 16th

Any questions, comments or concerns? Contact executive producer Victoria Fazzino <victoria.fazzino@yahoo.com>!

It is still possible to apply to the summer program in Salvador.  It is being run this year as a special affiliated program. Course offerings include both lower division, including Portuguese for Spanish speakers, and upper division. Dan Siefken from Study Abroad will have an info session next Wednesday at 5:00 in Benedict 1.118. I’ve attached a brochure. The deadline is February 15.

Here’s the basic info for students:

Language and Culture in Salvador, Brazil – Summer 1    

o   Track 1: POR 329S and POR 362 or

o   Track 2: POR 601D / POR 610S / POR 611D       

Info Session:

o   Wednesday, Feb. 1 @5-6pm BEN 1.118

See an Austin Opera production for free! A limited number of free tickets are available for:

Donizetti’s The Daughter of the Regiment |  Feb. 2 at 7:30.
Love and whimsy triumph over barriers of rank and class in this romantic comedy. Be dazzled by the vocal fireworks in Donizetti’s charming masterpiece about tomboyish, love-stricken Marie — the adoptive daughter of 1,500 French soldiers.

If interested email Chelsea Toler-Hoffman (Humanities/LAH alum) at: ctoler@austinopera.orginclude your name and email address.

She also has a limited number of discounted tickets ($15.00) once the  free tickets get snapped up.

Internship Information Session

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2017   |   12:00-1:00 PM   |  Texas Governors Room

On January 25th, the Clements Center will host an Internship Information Session at the Texas Governor’s Room (UNB 3.116) from 12-1pm. Clements Center staff will be on hand to provide tips and strategies for applying to summer internships in the fields of national security, foreign policy, and intelligence. Fellow UT students will also talk about their experiences with the application process, internship programs, and financial resources. A light lunch will be provided.

Please be sure to check out our Internship and Fellowship Database, as well as our Student Professional Development Fund program.

Subject: You’re Invited to Hear National Student Loan Expert Heather Jarvis on January 27, 2017

The Texas Law Career Services Office would like to invite you and your public service-minded students to a presentation on federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness and the income-drive repayment programs. National student loan expert Heather Jarvis will present “Public Service Loan Forgiveness in Five Easy Steps” in the Law School’s Francis Auditorium (see map) on Friday, January 27 , from 11:45 AM -1:00 PM.

Although the program is being hosted by the School of Law, the information shared will be beneficial to students and professionals of all disciplines employed in the public sector. We hope that you and your students will attend. RSVP on Eventbrite by Wednesday, January 25, 2017. There is no cost to attend.

The presentation is sponsored by the William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law, the Texas Law Career Services Office, and the Texas Law Financial Aid Office. All UT-Austin students, faculty and staff are invited to attend.