Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC)
- CMHC partnered with Student Government and University Unions to open a MindBody Lab in the Student Activity Center (SAC). The MindBody Lab is a self-paced environment designed to help UT Austin students explore various resources for improving their emotional and physical health.
- Marian Trattner will graduate her second cohort of peer educators on Dec. 3. These 17 students are trained in resilience, stress management and coping skills so they can educate fellow students. This three-semester course is offered through the College of Natural Sciences and the School of Social Work.
- Staff are continuing to share Thrive at UT with students, faculty and staff. Since its launch in February, the iPhone app has been a useful tool to enhance students’ well-being and many faculty are using it in their classes. Staff are encouraged to recommend the app during finals and the holiday season. Read more.
Housing and Food Service (DHFS)
Housing
- Staff presented to 1,000 prospective students and guests at Texas Preview on Nov. 5, hosted by Texas Admissions. The occupancy management team highlighted the benefits of living on campus and gave information about the application process.
- DHFS will celebrate the holiday season at the Staff Holiday Luncheon on Dec. 15. There will be staff and team awards, and a dessert contest.
- Staff will launch a new Bevo Bucks logo in the spring semester, marking the first redesign in 15 years.
- Staff and resident assistants (RAs) held the first Fall Festival on Nov. 11–13 in Jester Residence Hall. Students enjoyed face painting, tarot card readings and candy. Jester and Kinsolving teams collaborated on the program.
Food Service
- Staff hosted the Friendsgiving Dinner at J2 Dining and Kinsolving on Nov. 17 to bring the university community together before the holidays. The annual Thanksgiving celebration included roasted turkey, candied sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. See the photos.
- FAST (Fresh And Simple Tastes) opened on Nov. 7 to give students with food allergies more dining options. The new buffet line in J2 Dining features dishes that are free from the top eight allergens and gluten.
New Student Services (NSS)
- NSS staff reviewed 120 applications for the orientation advisor (OA) position. Then, on Nov. 6, they hosted their annual Selection Day to interview all the candidates. Selections were made by Nov. 20.
- Thanks to Counseling and Mental Health Center staff who presented at the final Transfer Tuesday of the semester on Nov. 15. This event gives transfer students an opportunity to learn more about the university.
- NSS designed and coordinated the installation of new signage at the Transfer Experience Center at 2609 University Avenue.
- NSS is busy preparing for Spring Orientation on Jan. 9, followed by Transition Week.
- NSS is partnering with the Senate of College Councils for the second year in a row to host RISE 2017 on Jan. 20. RISE is a one-day summit for first-year students to reinforce the information and resources presented at orientation. Registration is now open.
- NSS staff gathered for their fall retreat on Oct. 27 to discuss strategic priorities and goals for the upcoming year.
- Horns Helping Horns hosted its fourth and final lunch seminar of the semester on Nov. 20. Seminars included presentations from Student Emergency Services and the Office of Financial Aid.
Office of the Dean of Students (DoS)
- Student Emergency Services is raising awareness for the HornRaiser campaign which ends Dec. 15. Staff are raising money for the Student Emergency Fund.
- Director of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity Andel Fils-Aime held three workshops this semester to train new hearing officers. On Nov. 10 he trained seven representatives from the Colleges of Natural Sciences and Pharmacy, Dell Medical School, and the Schools of Nursing and Social Work.
- Student Conduct and Academic Integrity staff met with colleagues from two other Texas schools to review their conduct process. They visited University of Houston and Texas A&M University last month.
- The Leadership and Ethics Institute hosted the CHANGE Institute on Nov. 11-12. The free conference develops student leaders’ understanding and confidence around diversity and social justice.
- Student Veteran Services hosted a series of events during Veterans Week to celebrate student veterans. Events included a luncheon, wreath-laying ceremony and tailgate before the Nov. 12 football game. Read more.
Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA)
- Join us for the Staff Holiday Celebration on Dec. 8, 9–11 a.m., Texas Union Quadrangle Room. Read more about the event in Reflections from Soncia.
- Mark your calendar for the Division-wide Staff Meeting on Jan. 25, 8:30–10:30 a.m, Texas Union Ballroom. Staff will celebrate the 19th Annual Texas Parents Staff Merit Award winners. Breakfast and refreshments will be served.
- Staff participated in Thanks Day at Gregory Gym Plaza on Nov. 17 to thank donors for supporting Division programs. The development team will mail thank-you notes to donors that were written by students.
- The Division participated in a benchmarking study conducted by Texas A&M University. The study examined diversity initiatives, policies and data collection efforts across the Division.
- Director of Assessment Rita Thornton attended the Reinvention Center 2016 National Conference from Nov. 10–12. The conference focused on research-based initiatives that promote discovery, learning, diversity and culture.
- Vice President for Student Affairs Soncia Reagins-Lilly attended the Association of Public & Land-grant Universities (APLU) Annual Meeting last month.
- Scott Noble, a long-time friend and donor to the Division, hosted staff at the football game against West Virginia on Nov. 12.
Recreational Sports (RecSports)
- Program Coordinator Cecilia Lopez Cardenas directed a social media campaign called 100 Thank You’s for 100 Years. The campaign paid tribute to RecSports’ 100th anniversary and featured videos of students expressing gratitude for donors who support UT Austin. Check out the video.
- Assistant Director Chad Zimmerman managed the annual UT Sport Clubs Canned Food Drive. UT Austin students challenged Texas A&M to see who could collect the most canned food in November. Proceeds donated on this campus will benefit the Central Texas Food Bank.
- RecSports staff toured the new Charles Alan Wright Fields at the Berry M. Whitaker Sports Complex, which is still under construction. The complex is expected to open this spring.
- Assistant Directors Joe Wise and Chad Zimmerman attended the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Regional Flag Football Championship in Dallas.
- RecSports Programs and Facility Operations staff turned out in large numbers for the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Region IV Conference and Student Lead On in St. Louis, Mo.
- Senior Assistant Director Chris Burnett attended the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education Conference held at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minn.
- Staff are encouraged to nominate a colleague for the 2016-17 Staff Merit Award. Nominations are open through Dec. 8. This award recognizes Division of Student Affairs employees who support student success, strengthen services provided by the Division and inspire fellow staff to seek excellence. Winners will be recognized at the Division-wide Staff Meeting. They receive a plaque and $1,500.
- Thanks to Division Director of Assessment Rita Thornton for helping staff complete an assessment report for Family Orientation The feedback helps Texas Parents improve orientation programming and logistics.
- Encourage new Longhorn parents and families to attend Spring Family Orientation. Registration closes Jan. 3. The free program introduces them to the university as well as resources and tools that will help them help their student successfully transition to UT Austin.
The Center for Students in Recovery (CSR)
- Staff celebrated Dia de los Muertos with food and music. John Harris led participants in a traditional-style Mexican sugar-skull decorating workshop. This event was well attended by students, staff and members of the UT Austin community. Check out the photos.
- The College of Pharmacy’s Lucas Hill was the Seminar on Addiction and Recovery (SOAR) speaker on Nov. 10. He presented on Naloxone, a drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.
- Staff partnered with the Counseling and Mental Health Center at the Happiness Intervention Fair on Nov. 9. This event is a venue for CMHC peer educators to present and receive feedback on student-led public health initiatives on the UT Austin campus.
- CSR welcomed Voices Against Violence (VAV) interactive theatre specialist Amissa Miller and her students to present Get Sexy. Get Consent. Workshop on Nov. 15.
- Sierra Castedo represented CSR at the Austin Community College Rio Grande Campus on Nov. 24. The event discussed the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program (DAAPP).
- CSR celebrated the end of the semester with the annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Party on Nov. 29. Students, staff and friends wore their sweaters as they enjoyed food, music and games.
University Health Services (UHS)
- As chair of the American College Health Association (ACHA) Program Planning Committee, Assistant Director Susan Hochman led a planning meeting on Nov. 7. The organization’s annual meeting will be in Austin this spring. Hochman, Director Jamie Shutter and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Chris Brownson gave ACHA board members a tour of UHS after the meeting.
- UHS is offering clinics on Saturdays so that students can satisfy their medical clearance requirements for study abroad programs.
- Staff are preparing for a re-accreditation survey this spring. They are comparing UHS programs, facilities and services with standards published by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).
- Health Promotion Resource Center staff Susan Kirtz and Zach Ford helped the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) host Bagels & Lox with Docs, an annual event for students to meet UHS healthcare providers and nurses over breakfast outside the clinic.
- Campus Events + Entertainment hosted the 36th annual Madrigal Dinner Nov. 17-19 in the Texas Union Ballroom. Students, staff and alumni came together to celebrate this campus tradition. Take a look at the photos. Read more.
- Staff have decked the halls in the Student Activity Center and Texas Union. They partnered with students from Campus Events + Entertainment to decorate the holiday trees for the university community to enjoy.
- The University Unions sent eight staff members and 13 students to the regional Association of College Unions – International (ACUI) conference Nov. 4-6. Staff met with national colleagues to discuss trends in student unions.
- Campus Events + Entertainment hosted Chillfest on Nov. 30 to help students prepare for finals. The annual event features massages, therapy animals and other activities.
- Finals Fest has been rebranded and expanded. Staff are hosting a variety of events to support students through finals week. Events include the traditional midnight breakfast, yoga and free coffee. Check out the Events section to see the list.
- Staff provided free popcorn and candy at the first Campus E+E movie screening in the new Texas Union Theater on Nov. 3. The space now houses a state-of-the-art 4K Projector, new movie screen and a Dolby surround sound audio system.