Jan. 27, 2020
Get ready for a very exciting semester! Our innovative teams across the Division of Student Affairs will launch several new initiatives in the days and months ahead to support our students as they live the Longhorn life. I applaud our departments for thinking outside the box, finding new opportunities to collaborate and discovering creative solutions to challenges.
In the Office of the Dean of Students, CoachUT starts its second pilot semester this spring. Student employees and volunteers in the Division can receive free coaching from a professional leadership development coach to help them identify and meet their goals. The Internship Program is expanding to offer at least 10 more opportunities than last year. Undergraduate students can apply for new positions in esports, wellness and body positivity, curriculum development, sustainability outreach, employee development, public health communications, graphic design, photography, residence life and more.
The University Housing and Dining team at 2400 Nueces are busy assigning housing contracts for 2020-2021 and assuming full responsibility for building maintenance and management in March. They will implement 24/7 front desk operations, including having night operations security staff.
New Student Services is offering experiential orientation programs for students after each Freshman Orientation session next summer. The Longhorn TIES (Transition, Inclusion, Empower, Success) initiative will enhance the student experience for students who identify as being on the autism spectrum or who have other neuro-related conditions.
The Counseling and Mental Health Center will begin offering telecounseling appointments this spring for students who can’t make it to the counseling center during regular business hours.
University Health Services is celebrating its 100th anniversary throughout the 2020 spring semester including an event on April 17 to showcase the history, people and stories of UHS.
Recreational Sports is bringing Camp Gladiator, an outdoor group fitness program, to campus. Each workout or "Camp" is a 60-minute, full-body workout incorporating both cardio and strength, with no two workouts the same.
The Center for Students in Recovery is adding two new groups: Midday Meditation and HOWL (Honest, Open-minded and Willing Ladies), a women’s recovery meeting. Their Ambassador Program will also launch in spring 2020.
The University Unions is exploring an esports space to support all levels of participants in the student esport gaming population, from casual video game players to those in a more competitive stage.
I look forward to seeing all these fantastic initiatives roll out throughout the semester! And a big thank you to our talented teams for advancing the important work of the Division, I appreciate you!
Speaking of appreciation, tomorrow is our spring Division-wide meeting for Team Appreciation and Staff Merit Awards, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Shirley Bird Perry Ballroom, Texas Union. Come join us as we celebrate our team, award winners and the spring semester!
All the best,
Soncia Reagins-Lilly
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students