Texas Social Work Takes Major New Step Toward New Permanent Facility
Spaces matter a great deal. A school’s building is a space that, ideally, reflects the school’s culture, values, and missional priorities, as well as its aspirations.
With a new temporary home in the recently renovated Walter Webb Hall, Texas Social Work has a state-of-the-art space that reflects the importance we place on collaboration, community, and partnerships in service to our mission to help transform lives and promote human flourishing.
A Living Room Close to the Heart of Student Life
Step inside Walter Webb Hall on any given afternoon, and you’ll find the common area buzzing with activity. Warm sunlight streams through floor-to-ceiling windows that frame views of the University’s iconic clock tower.
At the heart of it all is an expansive, modern fireplace, flanked by comfortable armchairs, that provides ample seating for relaxed gatherings as well as formal presentations. It feels like Texas Social Work now has a living room close to the heart of student life on campus and steps from faculty and staff.
Students gather in the inviting spaces — marked by spacious, tall tables and cozy booths — to collaborate, study or simply connect. Staff members weave through the open space, stopping for coffee or to collect documents from the printer. Quick, healthy snacks are readily available for students on the go or settling in for a longer study session. Faculty and students gather in this space to reflect on classroom conversations, practicum experiences, and research collaboration.
A World-Class Space for a World-Class School of Social Work
With its modern amenities and dynamic location, life in Walter Webb Hall serves as a prelude for an even brighter, more ambitious and more exciting future: a permanent home on Speedway in the current McCombs School of Business building.
“A leading school of social work needs a top-notch facility for its students, faculty, staff, partners and programs,” said Allan Cole, dean of Texas Social Work. “Our move to Walter Webb Hall is both a significant upgrade in quality and, most importantly, a strategic step for securing an enviable long-term home. We’re just getting started on what a top-of-the-line facility for social work can look like at The University of Texas at Austin.”
A New Opportunity Paves the Way
The move, both into Walter Webb Hall and into the upcoming McCombs building, was made possible through a break-through agreement arranged by Dean Allan Cole and University leadership. In a four-way partnership between Texas Social Work, University of Texas leadership, the McCombs School of Business, and UT Athletics, a multi-win opportunity was created for the Forty Acres.
Under the agreement, the McCombs School will vacate its current space within five years as they move into Mulva Hall. This move makes room for Texas Social Work to move into its permanent home on Speedway in prime real estate. Additionally, by moving into Walter Webb Hall on a temporary basis, Texas Social Work opened up the opportunity for UT Athletics to expand needed facilities to accommodate a growing program.
Under a significant financial agreement with UT Athletics, Texas Social Work negotiated a way for the athletics program to utilize the former social work site. The agreement allowed Texas Social Work to move into Walter Webb Hall on a faster timetable, and secured a multi-million, multi-year deal to fund various initiatives, including faculty, staff, student support, and programs.
More importantly, the agreement allowed for Texas Social Work to open new opportunities with funding and facilities. With new funding and a future building on Speedway that will be large enough to accommodate every member and aspect of the Texas Social Work community faculty, staff, students, research teams, institutes and centers, program offices, classrooms and new initiatives the future for Texas Social Work is bright.
The win-win-win scenario improves facilities, elevates student experiences, and provides a building which reflects Texas Social Work’s culture: one that values of community, collaboration and efforts to transform lives for the better.
“A leading school of social work needs a top-notch facility for its students, faculty, staff, partners and programs.”
–Dean Allan Cole