Latest News

Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC)

• To better focus on the intersectionality of identities that students bring to our campus culture, CMHC has formed a team of clinicians. Known as the diversity coordinators, they work more closely with campus community leaders and strengthen partnerships with campus departments. In the next few months, this team will be working to identify ways to extend services across campus to a diverse group of students.
• Longtime UT Austin professor and former CMHC Director Dr. Ira Iscoe passed away on June 12. He served as the director from 1966–1978 prior to Dr. David Drum. The CMHC Crisis Line was born during his tenure following the Charles Whitman shootings. Iscoe began teaching at UT Austin in 1951. He was later named director of the Plan II honors program and head of the Institute of Human Development and Family Studies. “Dr. Iscoe was my thesis advisor when I was an undergraduate student at UT Austin,” reminisced Chris Brownson. “I will remember him as being incredibly generous with his time, expertise and wisdom. He will be missed.”

Housing and Food Service (DHFS)

Housing

• DHFS continues to partner with New Student Services and Texas Parents on UT Orientation and Family Orientation. During Family Orientation, staff present about living on campus, the different residence halls, meal plans, how payments work, what to bring, advice on Mooov-In and more. Staff speak during UT Orientation about Residence Life. DHFS also participates in the Family Orientation Resource Fair and the Student Organization Resource Fair.

• Floyd Hoelting led five staff members on the 16th rim to rim to rim hike of Grand Canyon National Park. Check out the story and past photos.

• The 22nd annual Mooov-In takes place Aug. 21–22 and DHFS is currently seeking volunteer students, faculty and staff to help residents move into their rooms. Volunteers work in 2.5-hour shifts and are welcome to sign up for as many shifts as they like. Those interesting in volunteering are encouraged to register here.

Food Service

• Cypress Bend rolled out The Super Burrito Bar with choices like fajita chicken, ground beef, spicy perch or beans as the protein. Unlike some other burrito establishments, guacamole is always free at Cypress’ Super Burrito Bar.

• Food Service will host the fourth annual UTexas Chefs Symposium July 26–30. This year’s theme is “Smoke and Spice” and presenters will include Chef Paul Qui from East Side King and Qui, Austin American-Statesman food writer Addie Broyles, blogger Jane Ko from A Taste of Koko, Chef Andrew Lyman and Chef Chad Sarno. Attendees, including the DHFS culinary team, will develop skills related to barbeque technique while focusing on spices from around the world.

New Student Services (NSS)

• Orientation is in full swing with four Freshman Orientation sessions and one Transfer Orientation session completed. Click to see photos from the first, second and third freshman sessions.

• NSS has partnered with University Unions and the Office of the Dean of Students to provide a more spirited atmosphere for new students at UT Orientation. The “fanfare” initiative includes welcome tents, music and increased signage during check-in.

• NSS also partnered with Athletics, The Office of the Dean of Students and Campus Computer Store to present the Longhorn Lounge, a space in the Jester East Lobby where students can hang out, test out products, sign up for HornsLink, learn more about the Big Ticket and meet Hook ‘Em.
• Assessment is already underway for UT Orientation with online surveys sent to freshmen and transfer students after each session.
• NSS had great engagement throughout the sessions on Twitter, Instagram and especially Snapchat, a new platform this year. Check out the Storify from the first freshman session to see some of the top posts.
• The Longhorn Welcome signature events have been finalized and NSS sent an email on June 12 asking departments to submit their programs and events via a HornsLink form (due July 31). Longhorn Welcome graphic assets are available here.

Office of the Dean of Students (DoS)

• Sorority and Fraternity Life hosted an inaugural sorority and fraternity LeaderShape Institute during the week of May 22–27 at Highland Lakes Camp and Conference Center. Division and university staff and leadership were instrumental to its success. They brought to life the institute’s vision of “A just, caring, and thriving world where all lead with integrity and have a healthy disregard for the impossible.”

• DoS partnered with New Student Services, University Health Services and Recreational Sports to provide water stations in front of Gregory Gym for students at UT Orientation.

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA)

• Gage Paine welcomed both new students and their parents at UT Orientation, Transfer Orientation and Family Orientation sessions throughout June. Check out some of the photos here and here.

• To help welcome new students to campus and give them a leg up on success at UT Austin, the office launched the #UTWisdom video campaign, full of wisdom from current students and alumni collected at this year’s Vice President for Student Affairs Reunion.
• There’s still space for those interested in experiencing the True Colors® Communication workshop this summer. The next session is set for Thursday, July 23, from 2–4 p.m. Learn more and register here.

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  The office provided two professional development workshops for staff and students employed within the Division tasked with communications duties. The first focused on smartphone photography and videography and the second focused on DSLR photography. A third workshop on video production is scheduled for July 23. Register here.

• A new opportunity for staff to sit down for conversations with Vice President Gage Paine will kick off in August. Keep an eye out for your invitation to “Celebrate Your Anniversary Month,” which invites staff to stop by for a chat based on the month they joined the Longhorn Family to start working on the Forty Acres.

Recreational Sports (RecSports)

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  RecSports welcomed new incoming freshmen, transfer students and family members during various orientation programs, including the Texas Parents Longhorn Neighborhood, the Summer Orientation Resource Fair and Freshman Orientation tours.

• In collaboration with Nike and New Student Services, RecSports is offering new students a complimentary morning workout during summer orientation. Students enjoy a short run through campus followed by a 15-minute Nike Training Club™ workout.

• Gregory Gym Aquatic Complex staff are preparing for the temporary closure of the outdoor lap pool and spa. These facilities will be closed July 13–Aug. 21 for replastering. Staff are preparing to offer expanded hours at other pools for the convenience of lap swim patrons.
• All current and retired faculty and staff are invited to RecSports’ annual Health and Lifestyle Expo set for July 23, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. in the Gregory Gym Annex. The event will feature annual enrollment information, giveaways, samples of healthy food and more.
• RecSports will host Honors Colloquium’s Forty Acres of Fun in Gregory Gym on July 24. The attendees – academically talented high school students – will enjoy court sports, fitness classes, swimming and board games.

Texas Parents

• Texas Parents has welcomed over 4,500 freshman family members at the first four sessions of Family Orientation. The final two sessions will take place on July 6 and 13. Texas Parents staff extends their thanks to all departments in the Division that participate in the program.

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  Texas Parents also facilitated the inaugural Transfer Family Welcome Sessions on Thursday, June 25, to welcome the families of incoming transfer students and inform them about resources available to support their student’s transition to UT Austin. Two more sessions will be held on July 9 and 16.

• Staff are developing the Next Steps eNewsletter to provide incoming freshman families with helpful information beyond orientation leading up to their students’ arrival to campus in August. Distribution dates will be July 17, July 31 and Aug. 14.
• Texas Parents memberships for 2015–16 are available. Staff are welcoming many new Longhorn families to the association and educating them about their membership benefits.
• The Family Weekend 2015 website is now live. If your area is interested in hosting a Family Weekend event or participating in the Great Texas Showcase (a department fair), please contact Morgane Le Marchand.

The Center for Students in Recovery (CSR)

• Save the date – CSR hosts the Sober Tailgate at the UT Austin vs. Rice football game on Sept. 12 across the street from the Littlefield Fountain in front of the University Christian Church.
• CSR hosted another Recovery Glow Bowl party at the Union Underground on June 26.

University Health Services (UHS)

• UHS Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) advisors Katherine Green and Susan Kirtz guided members through developing a poster presentation for the recent American College Health Association (ACHA) Annual Meeting. Titled “Student‐Led Projects: Impact on Member Satisfaction, Involvement, and ‘Bottom‐Up’ Leadership among SHAC Members,” the poster analyzed strategies for boosting member engagement and won the Best Student Poster award.
• The UHS Diversity Committee launched an initiative to anonymously explore the different identities salient to individuals in our organization. UHS employees placed cards in a comment box. On one side they described their identity, and on the other, they wrote words that others have used to label them. The committee will launch an educational campaign using information collected from staff. Below is a small sample of what our staff had to say.

University Unions

• The University Unions was proud to host new President Gregory Fenves for his first press conference in the Texas Union Governors’ Room, followed by his lunch with student leaders at the Student Activity Center.
• University Unions announces the closing of Taco Bell in the Texas Union. Staff are working closely with partner Aramark to provide new and exciting food options for the coming year. Stay tuned.
• In an effort to increase alumni and student engagement, the University Unions hosted two Public Service Saturdays in Austin and San Antonio. Unions alumni, students and staff volunteered at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens on June 6 and the UT Child Development Center on June 13. Photos of the events can be seen on Facebook.
• Construction has begun on the Texas Union 3rd floor. The former “T-House Suite” will be transformed into a reception space for groups around 75+ and also a designated dance space for student groups.

Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC)

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  CMHC staff participated in a staff activity that highlighted the Division’s excellence model. Staff members were invited to think about their work model by participating in one of four activities: an art-based collage, an improv skit, a writing activity or a photography project. Check out the results in this video.

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  CMHC Prevention and Outreach staff honored student volunteers and staff members by hosting a student appreciation event. This year‘s event included a tiny animal petting zoo for students. The opportunity allowed students to relax, socialize and spend some down time in the middle of their day before finals. Take a look at the photos.

Housing and Food Service (DHFS)

Housing

• Hemlata Jhaveri will become the executive director of Housing and Food Service on June 3. Floyd Hoelting will officially retire this August after 20 years. Jhaveri previously served as the director of administrative services and the director of residence life at DHFS.
• DHFS is welcoming over 100 different conferences to campus this summer. The conferences, co-sponsored by university departments, will be staying in various residence halls, including Duren, Kinsolving, Whitis Court, Jester East and Jester West. UT Orientation will be housed in both Jester East and Kinsolving.
• Students have already moved into the residence halls for summer housing. This year, students living on campus during the summer are being housed in Brackenridge, Roberts, Prather and San Jacinto.
• The WiFi network utexas is now active on-campus and has officially replaced restricted.utexas.edu. DHFS is continuing to upgrade the wireless infrastructure in our residence halls to better meet the needs of students.

Food Service

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  Food Service hosted the DHFS End-of-Year Celebration on the Kinsolving patio to honor the University Residence Hall Association (URHA) Food Committee and Vegetarian Focus Group. Chef Robert Mayberry grilled fresh local vegetables for a fully vegan taco bar prepared by Kinsolving staff. Hunter Mangrum served his vegan coconut ice cream with grilled apples.

• Food Service celebrated the end of the 2014–15 school year with its annual team day hosted by Jester City Limits (JCL). An inspirational drummer led employees in teambuilding and chants. Employees also participated in trainings and games and received awards.

New Student Services (NSS)

• Due to increased enrollment numbers for the Class of 2019, additional spaces have been added to Freshman Orientation sessions four and five. Students will be housed in Jester and Kinsolving residence halls during sessions two, three, four and five.
• So far, 7,203 students have registered for orientation, including freshman, transfer and PACE students.
• Pre-orientation modules went live on May 5 and students received an email notifying them.
• New Student Services staff presented to the Academic Counselors Association on May 6 about orientation.

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  Students and staff gathered in the President’s Office on May 12 for the annual Horns Helping Horns end-of-year dinner. Take a look at the photos.

• On May 26, NSS set up its summer satellite office in Jester.
• Orientation Advisors (OA) and staff are convening through June 5 for “Workshop,” during which OAs rehearsed shows for orientation, heard presentations from various campus partners and completed final preparations for orientation.
• A panel of OAs hosted “OAs on Air” on May 29, where they answered questions from incoming students in a live YouTube broadcast.
• NSS distributed the #UTOrientation Communication Guide with information on social media accounts, hashtags and graphics. Communicators are encouraged to cobrand collateral with the Longhorn State of Mind initiative.

Office of the Dean of Students (DoS)

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  Student Veteran Services in the Office of the Dean of Students was proud to host the 2015 Veterans Commencement Reception honoring the achievements and sacrifices of student veterans both past and present, and paying special tribute to those who were unable to participate in Commencement because they were called into service in Vietnam. The reception also celebrated the Veteran Academic Leadership Award recipients.

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA)

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  The Division will offer two upcoming True Colors® Communication workshops for summer. The first is Thursday, June 18 from 2:30–4:30 p.m. The second is Thursday, July 23, from 2–4 p.m. Learn more information and register here.

• Three small group, hands-on photography and multimedia production workshops are being made available this summer to professional and student staff in the Division tasked with communication duties. Workshops topics include Smartphone Photography and Multimedia on June 18, DSLR Photography Basics on June 25 and Video Production Basics on July 23. Space is limited to 10 participants for each session.
• Work has begun on the 2014–15 Division Impact Report in cooperation with assessment and communication representatives across the Division. Check out last year’s report to learn about the important work happening to support students.

Recreational Sports (RecSports)

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  Torrential rain failed to dampen the spirits of faculty and staff who participated in the RecSports Poker Walk. Although the walk itself was canceled, participants still gathered at the Gregory Gym Arena for poker, lunch, a free T-shirt and to display their creative costumes. The top poker hand winner was Alicia DeLacerda from Housing and Food Service. Check out the photos.

• The Splash Bash Study Break poolside event was also brought inside Gregory Gym. Special thanks to our colleagues who tabled at the event: Counseling and Mental Health Center, Housing and Food Service, Texas Parents and University Health Services. See the photos.
• Full-time professional staff hosted a student staff appreciation event featuring finger food, casino games and a tribute to 2015 graduates. Here are the photos.
• Facility Operations staff worked tirelessly to facilitate seven convocations in Gregory Gym. Ceremonies were held for the Departments of Government, Psychology and Economics; the College of Education; Master of Professional Accounting and Master of Business Administration; and the School of Human Ecology.

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  The James Vick Championship Trophy was awarded to the Housing and Food Service’s Green Lightning after defeating the Dean of Students’ Amigos 12–4 in the Student Affairs and Friends softball championship game.

Texas Parents

• Texas Parents mailed the New Parent Guide to 8,500 freshman families, including Path to Admission through Co-Enrollment (PACE) students. This magazine is designed to be a resource to introduce parents to university resources and policies.
• Planning for Family Orientation continues as Texas Parents prepares for the six, one-day sessions conducted for family members of incoming freshman. Sessions are held on the first day of each freshman orientation and have a separate agenda from the students’ program. Family Orientation will take place on June 8, 15, 22 and 29 as well as on July 6 and 13.
• Texas Parents will also facilitate Transfer Family Welcome Sessions on June 25, July 9 and 16 to welcome the families of incoming transfer students and inform them about resources available to support their student’s transition to UT Austin.
• Texas Parents has hired 34 Family Orientation student staff to play a crucial role in facilitating Family Orientation and Texas Parents membership sales this summer.
• Texas Parents is developing the Next Steps eNewsletter to provide incoming freshman families with helpful information leading up to their students’ arrival to campus in August. Distribution dates will be July 17 and 31 as well as August 14.

The Center for Students in Recovery (CSR)

• Weekly recovery meetings continue through the summer at CSR. Check out the meeting schedule for details.

University Health Services (UHS)

• UHS responded to the recent mumps outbreak with patient care and expedited lab testing, reporting data to the local health department, working with mumps patients and their close contacts, and keeping the campus informed.

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  For National Nurses Week, UHS nursing staff enjoyed an ice cream social. Nurses build great sundaes.

• In a UHS tradition, the medical staff served breakfast to staff on May 22 in appreciation of their support all year.
• UHS staff gathered May 21 for updates and service awards and to bid nine-month colleagues farewell. Staff especially appreciated the presentation by Lauren Kinast, associate director for Services for Students with Disabilities on working with students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

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  UHS staff sampled cuisines and grooved to tunes from across the globe in the third annual Taste the World potluck May 11 to celebrate the many cultures represented among the staff.

• At the annual volunteer appreciation party on May 8, UHS presented the Outstanding Student Health Leadership Award to Nicolet Finger for her substantial contributions to the well-being of UT Austin students.
• In a limited 10-day pilot, UHS diverted 22 pounds of waste per day to compost instead of trash. Watch for more composting at UHS.

University Unions

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  For finals, the Student Activity Center hosted Finals, Finals, Finals, Fest! Midnight Pancake Breakfast. The SAC staff served just over 600 students at midnight, an almost 10 percent jump from spring 2014. Check out the photos.

• During finals week, the Texas Union staffed the “Texas Union Pit Crew,” hand delivering a variety of study snacks to students studying throughout the building.
• Hogg Memorial Auditorium is now back online with new technological upgrades. Hogg welcomed students and visitors for finals week and commencement events.
• On May 30, the University Unions began hosting “Public Service Saturdays.” The event kicked off in Houston and will also be held in Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio for students, staff and alumni. The initiative encourages students to become more involved in their hometowns. This creates networking opportunities for alumni and students in those cities, and enhances the sense of community among University Unions alumni.

 

Latest News from the Division

Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC)

• Voices Against Violence (VAV) Prevention Specialist Erin Burrows, with assistance from the VAV student organization, organized a very successful Take Back the Night event on April 8. This gender-inclusive event, part of April’s Sexual Violence Prevention Month activities, provided a safe space for survivors of sexual assault to share their stories. Check out the photos and media coverage from the month’s events.
• CMHC coordinated and hosted the Texas Psychology Interns Conference in late March. This conference was designed to educate and support doctoral-level psychology students who are currently completing their internships at university counseling centers across the state. The presentations focused on multicultural issues, professional/career development, resiliency and preparation for becoming licensed psychologists. Staff members Mike Andorka, Mona Ghosheh, Joey Hannah and Toby LeBlanc provided valuable training experiences to interns from eight Texas universities.

Housing and Food Service (DHFS)

Housing

• Melanie Grice, director of human resources, has been appointed to the Wellness Network Executive Board, representing DHFS. Melanie’s role will be to think broadly and strategically about the campus cultural and physical environment and how it impacts the students, staff and faculty. The Wellness Network brings together advocates for health and wellness from across UT Austin in order to share information, strategies and resources.
• Occupancy Management participated in events across the state with the Office of Admissions this past month. Staff spoke about living on campus with over 800 admitted students and their families.
• DHFS held its third annual Student Leadership Awards Banquet on April 20. The event recognized the outstanding accomplishments of student leaders over the year and 40 awards were given out in various categories. See Standouts for several staff honors.

Food Service

• The UT Green Corps hosted an open house as part of their continuing efforts to help connect the campus community to their great work. The Corps greeted attendees with fresh lemonade made with campus grown herbs and gave tours of Jester Garden. Several students assisted UT Green Corps staff with planting spring crops. Check out the photos.
• DHFS combined two of its favorite cultural dinners to create The Homegrown Local Dinner with fantastic results. Kinsolving and J2 boasted live Bluegrass bands and were decorated with live plants alongside rustic upcycled décor. Customers enjoyed a wide selection of Texas-themed local, sustainable and organic food. Hunter Mangrum and the UT Green Corps student staff helped connect customers with their campus farmers.

• To engage DHFS employees in the spirit of National Nutrition Month®, food service staff from Jester and Kinsolving participated in a Fruit and Veggie Owl Carving Contest. The 13 creative sculptures were on display at the Festival of Fruit lunch, where students voted on their favorites. Take a look at the photos.
• New Student Services has accepted a proposal from the Healthy Dining Work Group for an optional program session during UT Orientation concentrating on nutrition and health. DHFS Dietician Lindsay Wilson and University Health Services staffer William Mupo co-chair the work group.

New Student Services (NSS)

• Registration for Summer School Orientation opened April 1. The one-day program takes place on June 2.
• So far, 5,455 freshman students have registered for orientation. Registration for Path to Admission through Co-Enrollment (PACE) program students opened on April 20.
• Staff sent incoming freshmen an email on May 1 with instructions for completing seven pre-orientation modules before they can check in at orientation. Staff also produced some new modules for this year: Bevonomics (financial tips) and Orientation Conduct Expectations (a video and a list of conduct expectations students must agree to follow).
• Celena Mondie-Milner, the new director of New Student Services (NSS), visited campus April 6-17. She met with many different staff members and attended the Vice President for Student Affairs Reunion. She officially starts on June 1.
• NSS participated in 40 Hours for the Forty Acres and raised over $1,900 for the Cristi Biggs Orientation Leadership Fund.

• NSS staff enjoyed connecting with former Orientation Advisors at the Vice President for Student Affairs Reunion on April 11 featuring the UT Orientation program. NSS created a display of orientation materials going back to the 1970s as well as a slideshow.

Office of the Dean of Students (DoS)

• DoS hosted its ninth annual Evening of the Stars celebration to award deserving individual students and student organizations on April 21. Awards included Swing Out Awards, Pillars of the Forty Acres and Sorority and Fraternity Life Awards.
• DoS is proud to announce the 2015 Deans’ Dozen. DoS management selected these outstanding Longhorns for their service to programs or departments within DoS and for positive contributions they have made to our campus.
• Student Activities and Student Judicial Services will partner with University Health Services Health Promotions to educate students about study drugs at their student events leading into finals, Good Luck Coffee on May 11 and Integrity Donuts on May 12 .

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA)

• This year’s VPSA Reunion was a huge success with nearly 300 attendees. Alumni (including about 70 former Orientation Advisors), current students and staff reconnected and celebrated their time at the university. The event honored the work of New Student Services and Orientation Advisors (check out the group photo) who came out in force to show their support. Gage Paine also introduced incoming New Student Services Director Celena Mondie-Milner to the Longhorn family. Enjoy the photo booth and candid photo galleries.
• Paine sat down for lunch with student organizations who rallied to share their group selfies using #PickUsGP this semester. Groups included Phi Kappa Theta, the Texas Blazers, Hispanic Health Professions Association and Voices Against Violence.
• VPSA partnered with Human Resources and the Office of the President to support this year’s Student Employee of the Year recognition program. This year’s winner won the UT Austin, regional and national awards. Read their story and check out the photos.

• The Division held True Colors® Personal Success workshops for new staff members in April as well as an advanced True Colors® Communications workshop. Stay tuned for future opportunities.
• Gage Paine facilitated a True Colors® Personal Success workshop for the Office of Student Financial Services.
• The Division raised a total of $7,765 during the 40 for 40 campaign to support a wide variety of programs, facilities and services.

Recreational Sports (RecSports)

• The annual Pancakes for Parkinson’s fundraiser, co-sponsored with Texas Round Table, raised over $10,000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Check out the photos.
• Longhorn Run 2015, co-sponsored with Student Government, was a great success with a record breaking 3,596 registrants, a 78 percent increase over last year. Take a look at the
• Registration is underway for the RecSports Poker Walk to be held May 13. Join RecSports to celebrate National Employee Health and Fitness Day.
• RecSports will hold onto the Lone Star Showdown Trophy after UT Austin’s top three intramural basketball teams bested the Aggies in all three games. The men’s team won 53–33, the coed team won 63–31 and the women’s team won 57–20.
• RecSports staff supported two sport clubs on their way to win national championships in April: Women’s Volleyball defeated Texas A&M in the finals and Texas Quidditch scored a threepeat.
• Recreational Sports’ participation in the 40 for 40 fundraiser raised $4,193.
• RecSports full-time professional staff will treat student staff to a casino-style event this month in appreciation of their hard work.
• Student Affairs and Friends softball is underway. Vying for the James Vick Championship Trophy are CMHC/University Health Services, DHFS, DoS, the International Office, Office of the Registrar and Office of Student Financial Services.

Texas Parents

• Texas Parents hosted the 2015 Spring Advisory Board meeting. It included a university update from President Powers, a Division update from Gage Paine and a presentation about Student Emergency Services from LaToya Hill. Texas Parents presented President Powers with a brick paver; it will be laid on the Student Services Building Plaza on behalf of all parents to thank him for his service. See the photos.
• At the meeting luncheon, Texas Parents presented the Outstanding Student Awards to two graduating senior students who demonstrate exceptional leadership, character and service. Meet the award recipients and finalists.
• Texas Parents continues to prepare for Family Orientation, a daylong program to introduce families to the university and its resources. To promote the program, staff mailed an informational postcard to parents of the 15,000 admitted freshmen.
• Senior students are encouraged to stop by the Texas Parents office (Gregory Gym 1.107) to fill out a postcard to thank their family for their love and support. It will be mailed free of charge.
• The university laid 147 brick pavers on the Student Services Building Plaza, including one for Darlene Mitchell. Parents purchased 135 bricks; eight bricks were laid in honor of students lost in 2014-2015.

The Center for Students in Recovery (CSR)

• CSR students and staff were invited to Longhorn Legends: Red McCombs, a dinner and documentary screening honoring the legendary Red McCombs. McCombs has been instrumental in CSR’s success and continues to be one of its most vocal supporters.
• CSR welcomed former U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy and Director Michael Botticelli of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy during a visit to campus on April 24. They took time out of their roles at the American Society of Addiction Medicine conference to learn about the great work happening at CSR. Take a look at the photos.

University Health Services (UHS)

• As part of a Green Fee Grant-funded sustainability program, UHS is launching a pilot composting program in exam rooms. This initiative is the latest of several that are reducing the volume of waste the facility produces.
• Nurses in all UHS clinics are now able to perform certain types of lab tests within the clinics instead of sending them to the UHS lab. Patients and their healthcare providers are happy to get quicker results and nurses are excited about expanding their skills.
• The UHS Laboratory is participating in a UT Green Labs Initiative competition this month.
• UHS’ Stephen Blair and Karen Hickey performed approximately 320 skin cancer screenings at an event hosted by Texas 4,000.
• Mentors and educators at UHS have been busily interviewing more than 60 student applicants for the Clinic Volunteer Program, which prioritizes an enriching volunteer experience and offers academic credit.
• The UHS Sutures won their first softball game of the season against the Registroyers in the Student Affairs and Friends softball league. Student Affairs staff and family members are welcome to come out and play or just enjoy the game on Tuesday evenings.

University Unions (UU)

• On April 8, seven full time staff members attended the national Association of College Unions International (ACUI) conference in San Antonio. Thanks for the strong direction of staff member Jennifer Zamora as the conference host, the UT Austin presence was felt throughout the event. UU participation included the service project for Be The Match and pre-conference presentation by staff member Richard Stimpert on audio visual and multi-media technology in union spaces.

• The Texas Union is partnering with the Office of Sustainability, Campus Environmental Center and Students for Sustainability with the goal to separate uncontaminated recycle and compost waste from our landfill waste stream.
• Unions staff supported Campus Events + Entertainment (E+E) as they held two marquee events, Texas Revue and Forty Acres Fest to round out the month of April. Texas Revue quickly reached maximum capacity and Forty Acres Fest saw extremely successful numbers with 5,350 people combined for the entire day.
• From April 13-17, the UU celebrated National Student Employment Appreciation Week by offering student staff a different activity each day of the week. Activities included chair massages; a luncheon catered by Taco Deli; bowling, games and pizza at the Union Underground; and cupcakes from Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop.