Published: Dec. 7, 2023
How We Influence
Our Division team marked major milestones in the past six weeks including the grand reopening of the 90-year-old Hogg Memorial Auditorium and hosting the United States surgeon general for a conversation about loneliness and belonging. Staff remembered a legendary former vice president for student affairs and ended the term with a concert for students on the Main Mall. From fun programs to resources that help our 53,000 students succeed, the transformative experiences highlighted below showcase our Division’s key functions – partnerships, student support and well-being.
Partnerships
Many Division student support and well-being staff shared information on programs, spaces and resources during the McCombs School of Business annual wellness fair. Staff from the Center for Students in Recovery, Counseling and Mental Health Center, Dean of Students office and University Health Services participated.
The Texas Leadership Education and Development team in the Dean of Students office hosted three supervisor orientation sessions for 183 internship supervisors to prepare for 200 positions. For the 2024 Summer Internship Program, 30 of the 70 units participating are new to the program.
Strengthening partnerships with campus and city safety personnel, the Off-campus Resources team in the Dean of Students office hosted the Glow Safety Walk on Nov. 2. Students wore glow gear on a safety walk off campus, learned to report concerns on the Austin 311 app, and received safety tips from the UT Police Department and West Campus Ambassadors.
Partnering with Texas Athletics to provide a memorable experience for students, Recreational Sports hosted several intramural flag football championship games at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium on Nov. 6.
SHIFT continues to partner with 86 faculty members to engage 11,680 first-year students in Signature Courses and supports other faculty members who are interested in infusing well-being best practices into their courses. This initiative kicked off in 2019-20 with 38 instructors who taught over 1,700 students.
Building on the University’s corporate partnership with Dell Technologies, University Unions hosted 43 Round Rock ISD middle schoolers who participate in Dell’s community program. The event on STEM Day (Nov. 8) allowed the students to tour and game in the Alienware Longhorn Esports Arena and visit with students involved in Longhorn Gaming and Women in Gaming. Alienware’s Team Liquid also participated.
Vice President for Student Affairs partnered with University Events and Experience to put on the Ball on the Mall concert on Dec. 4. The concert brought live music to the heart of campus with Diplo and Peach Tree Rascals performing on the last day of class.
The Vice President for Student Affairs office brought together development partners who are integral in supporting student life and well-being at the annual VPSA Fall Reunion Tailgate on Nov. 4. Donors, alumni, staff and friends reconnected before the Kansas State football game and during the watch party. The development team also hosted the Longhorn Family Leadership Council fall meeting on Nov. 3.
Student Support
In her annual holiday card to all students, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Soncia Reagins-Lilly shared well wishes, reminding all 53,000 Longhorns that the Division is here for them.
Alumni, former Division staff, University leaders and others are sharing their memories of Jim Vick. The legendary former vice president for student affairs and mathematics professor passed away on Nov. 8, 2023. Learn more about his legacy in this Alcalde magazine story.
To give students, faculty and staff a better understanding of the new TimelyCare platform, the Counseling and Mental Health Center hosted two informational sessions on Nov. 16. TimelyCare is a new virtual mental health and well-being platform providing 24/7 support for students.
In a campus-wide effort to support first-generation college students, New Student Services played a key role in planning the First-Generation College Student Celebration on Nov. 8. The team collaborated with the Division of Diversity and Community and Engagement and the Undergraduate College.
The Dean of Students' demonstration response team supported 29 different demonstrations and free speech activities held on campus this fall term. The team collaborated with the UT Police Department and other partners to promote freedom of speech and expression in a safe and secure environment. Staff dedicated 134 hours of response time to these events.
In a new effort to partner with students on hazing prevention, the Dean of Students office launched the Horns Against Hazing Student Advisory Council. They selected six student leaders for their influence, leadership and impact.
RecSports team members supported students as tournament staff at the national NIRSA Soccer Championships held locally in Round Rock. RecSports’ soccer clubs, Texas Men’s Soccer and UT Women’s Club Soccer engaged in high-level competitions against other elite teams from across the country.
The annual Texas Parents Staff Merit Award recognizes staff who go above and beyond to elevate the student experience and support our 53,000 students – undergraduate, graduate and professional. Nominations are open through Jan. 4.
The University Unions team supported student event organizers as they hosted fun events to mark the grand reopening of Hogg Memorial Auditorium. The Campus Events and Entertainment students hosted three movie showings and a comedian in the recently-renovated auditorium.
Well-being
As part of the Campus Events and Entertainment Distinguished Speaker Series, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and Matthew McConaughey spoke to nearly 370 students on Nov. 8 about loneliness and mental health. Reagins-Lilly and Associate Vice President for Health and Well-being Chris Brownson met with Murthy and President Jay Hartzell before the event that was part of the surgeon general’s We Are Made to Connect tour.
New Student Services, Dean of Students office, Recreational Sports, Longhorn Wellness Center, SHIFT and University Unions hosted more than a dozen events to help students prepare for final exams and projects. Staff partnered with University Marketing and Communications (UMAC) to feature events on The Great Longhorn Study Break web page. University Unions also collaborated with UMAC on the Food Truck Study Break on Dec. 5 and 6.
While supporting students’ mental health and well-being, the Counseling and Mental Health Center and University Health Services teams made time for their staff’s well-being at the annual Crunch Time on Nov. 14.
To celebrate the end of the term, Division of Student Affairs staff enjoyed food, festivities and conversation at the annual holiday gathering on Dec. 6.
University Health Services is offering smaller flu vaccine and 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine clinics through Dec. 15 for students, faculty and staff. These clinics have limited availability and are by appointment only.
Live music helped display the new features in Hogg Memorial Auditorium following a two-year renovation. Austin-native Gary Clark, Jr. performed on Oct. 27 and a dynamic lineup of student, faculty and staff performers rounded out the calendar of celebratory events at the Hogg Showcase on Nov. 29.
The Vice President for Student Affairs team hosted the inaugural Dinner with 16 Longhorns Reunion on Nov. 9 for 30 students. These students attended summer and fall dinners and were brought together at a Longhorn Family Leadership Council member’s house to build community.