Published: March 5, 2024
How We Influence
As we approach the spring term’s halfway mark, find out how the team helped the student body elect their new leaders, promoted healthy behaviors around spring break, and hosted social and educational events. The updates below highlight how our staff partnered, supported students and enhanced student well-being.
Partnerships
New Student Services partnered with Student Government and Senate of College Councils to host the annual RISE (Reflect, Inspire, Surpass, Emerge) Summit on Feb. 2. This year’s summit had a 50% increase in attendance from last year and was intentionally designed as a one-day program, instead of taking place over two days. The workshop focused on maximizing their Longhorn experience.
The Office of the Dean of Students is collaborating with more than 100 supervisors across campus to conduct interviews for 200 intern positions. This year, the Summer Internship Program received 3,000 applications from 800 undergraduate students.
RecSports has partnered with Nike on U Move, a program helping students focus on wellness, since Spring 2022. This year’s program is offering activities and events focused on balancing students’ lives through five forms of wellness: movement, mindfulness, rest, nutrition and connection. By participating, students can earn points to redeem for Nike gear at the end of spring term.
SHIFT, Longhorn Wellness Center and Center for Students in Recovery partnered with the Interfraternity Council to host a Happier Hour ahead of WestFest. They discussed risk reduction and prevention strategies for the annual WestFest hosted by sororities and fraternities. Students with the SHIFT Makers program served zero-proof cocktails.
Student interest is at an all-time high for Dinner with 16 Longhorns, a unique program hosted by the Division of Student Affairs development team. Discover why students say it’s different from other community-building events.
Student Support
The Office of the Dean of Students supported Campus-Wide Elections for students on Feb. 26-27 with election results announced on March 4.
RecSports is helping students prepare for Longhorn Run on April 13 with complimentary training. Offerings include an eight-week training plan for all experience levels designed by the Longhorn Run coach and special trainer-led events for all registrants.
Registration is now open for Family Weekend, April 19-21. This annual tradition that began in the 1920s has brought generations of Longhorn families to Austin to celebrate their students. Texas Parents is partnering with colleges, schools and units across campus to welcome parents and families.
University Health Services and RecSports teamed up to support sport club leaders. They hosted the first-ever UHS Showcase at Gregory Gym on Feb. 9 to share information on UHS services.
Campus Events+Entertainment hosted the annual Lunar New Year Celebration featuring student performances, K-Pop trivia, calligraphy lessons, free food and prizes on Feb. 6. UT Austin and President Jay Hartzell gave the campus community an inside look into the vibrant event in this Instagram reel.
Dean of Students hosted 15 events in February to encourage students to participate and engage in fun activities on campus. 1,645 students attended events like Binglow, a Pilates workout class, Game Night with Esports, Mid-Term Mocktails, and more. These events provided opportunities for students to recharge, connect with their fellow Longhorns, and explore new interests.
Well-being
To promote healthy activities and self-care during spring break, the Living the Longhorn Life team in the Dean of Students office, SHIFT and Longhorn Wellness Center staff hosted a pre-spring break event on Feb. 27. The event promoted resources on resting and recharging during Spring Break, and safer behavior around substance use. This Instagram reel highlights the event where the SHIFT Makers served alcohol-free cocktails.
SHIFT and the Center for Students in Recovery are hosting an Operation Naloxone Open Training on March 4. Since 2017, SHIFT has trained 2,971 participants and distributed 2,252 naloxone doses. The training equips students, faculty and staff with resources, including naloxone, to help combat overdoses. Email Cayla Palmer to register.
To support students’ overall well-being, RecSports is presenting a series of coach-led Wellness Workshops and free drop-in Health Coaching sessions. The workshops will provide students with insight on how time prioritization supports overall well-being.
Participation in pickleball continues to increase on campus. RecSports is hosting 347 intramural pickleball doubles teams this spring. It is a record-setting number of pickleball participation for the Intramural Sports program since it was first offered in fall 2020.
University Health Services restarted the annual chili cook-off, an annual teambuilding tradition that has not taken place since before the pandemic. Staff enjoyed time with their colleagues, and tasting and judging the entries. The 2024 cook-off crowned a new champion: David Rhodes from the Physical Therapy team.
Grab your colleagues for lunchtime league bowling at the Union Underground. The leagues were a popular pre-pandemic activity. Now, as you can see in this Instagram reel, the team is bringing them back as a fun way for students and colleagues to spend their lunch break.