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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Sara Scott, Joshua Cook & Eric Thomas at the DSLR Photography Basics Workshop 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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Chrystina Wyatt leading a group of UT Orientation students on a tour of a Gregory Gym aerobic studio 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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Parents at Transfer Family Welcome 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.