Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC)
- Lynn Hoare and Erin Burrows of CMHC’s Voices Against Violence program will travel to Stanford University in September with seven student peer educators to provide training for 500 student residential staff. Trainings include BeVocal (bystander intervention) and two Theatre for Dialogue performances (Get Sexy. Get Consent. and “What Would YOU Do?”) examining behaviors that contribute to rape culture on campus and rehearsing interventions.
- CMHC and University Health Services take this opportunity to express their thanks to Keith Arrington for his 16 years of loyal and dedicated service to UT Austin students and the campus community. He has been a wonderful colleague and a great champion for diversity. Keith will be deeply missed and the CMHC staff wish him all the best in his retirement.
Housing and Food Service (DHFS)
Housing
- With the help off 400 faculty, staff and student volunteers, housing staff welcomed and helped 7,400+ new and returning Longhorns Mooov-In to 14 on-campus residence halls. President Greg Fenves was even on hand to help welcome students and their families. Check out the photos.
- UT Athletics asked to work with DHFS to design, build and maintain its Longhorn Dining point of sale system. UT Athletics is very pleased with the overall POS operating system and reporting capabilities created for its operations.
- During the summer, many DHFS facilities completed construction projects. Jester West floors 6–8 renovations were completed in line with the overall Jester renovation project. An unexpected air handler issue in Jester East was also addressed. Moore-Hill bathrooms were remodeled, gender-neutral bathrooms were added and study lounge space was expanded. Kin’s Coffee broke ground, with completion expected in time for chilly temperatures later this fall.
Food Service
- Food Service staff prepared for another exciting academic year with individual orientation sessions within their units. Staff received educational training sessions on food safety, customer service, team building and human resources policies and procedures. They also received specialized presentations on sustainability from Sustainability Coordinator Hunter Mangrum and food allergies from Registered Dietitian Lindsay Wilson.
- DHFS and Recreational Sports co-hosted the bi-annual GoTX Health and Fitness Fair on Aug. 25. It’s an effort to educate students about what wellness resources are accessible throughout the year. Campus partners, such as University Health Services, Longhorn Run and more, were available at the event. Students visiting at least five resource tables received a free GoTX Health and Fitness Fair tank top. Take a look at the photos.
New Student Services (NSS)
- NSS successfully executed August Orientation from Aug. 18–21 for around 780 freshman and transfer students. Check out the photos.
- NSS coordinated Longhorn Welcome, a university-wide series of free events to welcome incoming students to campus. It kicked off on Aug. 21 with Mooov-In and will wrap up on Sept. 5 with a watch party for the first football game of the season. A redesigned Longhorn Welcome website was also launched in partnership with the Provost’s office.
- As part of Longhorn Welcome, NSS organized “From Austin with Love,” one of the signature events. The event on Aug.23 featured live music, performances by various campus groups, prizes and food. Take a look at the photos.
- NSS helped coordinate and staff Horns Up Night, another Longhorn Welcome signature event, on Aug. 26, which included the Class of 2019 photo. Staff also assisted with Gone to Texas. See the photos.
- NSS hosted receptions for out-of-state and transfer students on Aug. 24.
- NSS published and distributed an updated version of “Bevo is Not a Cow,” including some new #UTWisdom for students. Copies awaited students as they moved into their residence halls.
- For those who missed it, here’s a recap and infographic capturing UT Orientation 2015. Thanks to everyone who made this summer a success.
Office of the Dean of Students (DoS)
- DoS is proud to announce the creation of a new office area, Title IX Training and Investigations in the Office of the Dean of Students. Previously, investigations related to Title IX were conducted through Student Judicial Services. This new area allows for a complete separation of the investigation and discipline process for Title IX incidents involving students.
- Student Veteran Services will hold a first ever veteran-centered training for academic advisors this month, providing specialized training on veterans’ education benefits and the specific needs, experiences and resources for student veterans. Email Jeff Moe to RSVP.
- The Leadership and Ethics Institute is seeking staff presenters for Leadership Education and Progress (LEAP) to lead sessions on goal setting and visioning. This is a great opportunity to share knowledge and expertise with first-year students developing leadership skills. Email Katie O’Malley for more information.
Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA)
- The fall Division-wide Staff Meeting takes place on Sept. 9. Two sessions will be available and staff should coordinate with their supervisor to attend one of them. The first is from 8:30–10 a.m. in the Student Activity Center Ballroom. The second is from 2:30–4 p.m. in the Gregory Gym Games Room. Light refreshments will be served 30 minutes prior to each start time. Staff should coordinate with their supervisors to attend.
- Vice President Gage Paine met with staff for conversation in the first installment of “Celebrate Your Anniversary Month.” This program invites Division staff to sit down for a casual conversation based on the month they started working at the university. Watch your inbox for your invitation.
- Save the date for the Division-wide staff photo, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 8-9 a.m., Gregory Gym.
- Mark your calendars for the next Division of Student Affairs Student Job and Volunteer Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Recreational Sports (RecSports)
- The RecSports Warm Up, a signature event of Longhorn Welcome, was held Aug. 24 in Gregory Gym. Take a look at the photos.
- Party on the Plaza, a signature event of Longhorn Welcome, takes place Sept. 2, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on Gregory Gym Plaza.
- The faculty/staff weight room in Gregory Gym has been upgraded with brand new weight and cardio equipment and the newly renovated/newly relocated weight room at Bellmont Hall has opened in room 406.
- The Whitaker Fields Renovation Project (fortheloveofthefield.com) has been approved by the Board of Regents. RecSports will embark on a year-long project to completely overhaul the complex beginning in October.
- This summer, RecSports offered four complimentary Nike+ Training Club™ NTC workouts on the rooftop of Whole Foods Market downtown.
- Gregory Gym Concourse has a new installation – the Nike+ Leader Bar, an interactive space that enables students, faculty and staff to track their participation in fitness activities with RecSports and Nike+ for opportunities to earn rewards. The space also features a Campus Leaderboard, highlighting the most active Longhorns.
- Registration is open for the annual Friends of RecSports Golf Tournament, set for Oct. 23 at Avery Ranch Golf Club. This event is open to the entire campus community.
Texas Parents
- On July 29, Texas Parents partnered with University Health Services and the Counseling and Mental Health Center to offer a webinar to all UT parents, “How to Talk to Your Longhorn About Alcohol.” The webinar gave parents an understanding of alcohol on campus and effective strategies to have conversations about alcohol with their students. Over 65 people tuned in for the live webinar and over 150 parents have watched the recording (you can view here). A follow-up webinar on this topic is planned for Texas Parents members on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
- The full schedule of Family Weekend events (Oct. 16-18) is now available online. Family Weekend registration for all UT Austin families will open on Monday, Sept. 21, and will remain open until Friday, Oct. 9.
The Center for Students in Recovery (CSR)
- Recovery Month is here. September has been celebrated as National Recovery Month for the past 26 years, though this is the first year the observance has been officially recognized in Texas. CSR will be celebrating Recovery Month with events throughout the month.
University Health Services (UHS)
- David Vander Straten, Jamie Shutter and Kathy Mosteller of UHS, along with CMHC leadership, attended the Cherokee Health Systems Primary Behavioral Health Integrated Care Training Academy in August to explore effective ways to integrate primary medical care with behavioral and psychiatric health services.
- This fall, UHS will begin providing medical clearance evaluations and N-95 respirator fit testing to students who need respiratory protection for campus research and related activities.
- Brandy Whitten introduced 27 UHS staff members to Microsoft Excel with hands-on training during the intersession.
- Susan Hochman and William Mupo hosted and coordinated a two-day training seminar for representatives from all UT System member institutions on the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS).
- UHS Health Promotion staff launched Think About It, the required online program that teaches college students risk reduction in the areas of alcohol and drugs, partying smart, sex in college, sexual violence prevention and healthy relationships. Program invitations were sent to over 10,000 incoming students under age 21.
- On Aug. 18, UHS celebrated its accomplishments and considered goals for the coming year over BBQ at Organizational Day. Special guest Bonnie Wilson, a Human Resource Services benefits specialist, presented on leave management.
University Unions
- Work on the Texas Union T-House Suite has been completed. The space will host department and student groups throughout the day, then become a designated student dance space during the evening hours. Stay tuned for information on an open house.
- University Unions staff members assisted DHFS with Mooov-In.
- Campus Events + Entertainment welcomed freshmen and returning students with two events. Beat the Heat (see the photos), signature event for Longhorn Welcome on Aug. 22, welcomed freshmen to the Texas Union with games, prizes, movies, bowling and more. Then on the first day of class, Campus Events + Entertainment (E+E) held the annual Back 2 School Bash outside of the Student Activity Center (SAC).
- The University Unions supported students by handing out tacos and cookies to students in the SAC on the first two days of classes.
RecSports Warm Up
