Influencing the Longhorn Life Staff Newsletter
Published: Sept. 25, 2025 (August and September updates)
Beyond the Classroom: The Power of Student Involvement
The Division of Students Affairs has embodied a rich history of supporting all students on campus for more than 120 years including in volunteerism, participation and employment. This is the focus of the 2024-2025 Division of Student Affairs Annual Impact Report, Beyond the Classroom: The Power of Student Involvement.
A recent press release from the University also revealed the economic value of students’ volunteerism and the positive impact of participation in student organizations.
Programs
As the new academic year began, our team helped fuel our collective Longhorn pride during Longhorn Welcome, an enduring campus tradition of celebratory events to help empower all Longhorns. The Office of the Dean of Students and University Unions brought energy at 5 of 11 Signature Events, and the Longhorn Wellness Center, SHIFT, Longhorn TIES, Office of the Dean of Students hosted dozens of other campus events. Watch this video to see the highlights and visit the Division of Student Affairs’ Flickr page to see the event photos.
Recreational Sports hosted the 27th annual back-to-school tradition, Party on the Plaza, presented by American Campus Communities. The event featured over 320 student organizations, raising $6,480 for the Student Emergency Fund. Two students from 202 finalists in the scholarship shootout, presented by University Federal Credit Union, were each awarded a $2,500 scholarship. Watch this highlight reel to relive the excitement.
Longhorn TIES (Transition, Inspire, Empower, Succeed) kicked off its NDatUT programs tailored to neurodivergent students’ sensory and social needs with three events for 140+ attendees. They hosted two Longhorn Welcome events, a relaxed Western Welcome social and a sensory-friendly screening of Lilo + Stitch with Campus Events + Entertainment, and Quick Connections, a modified speed-friending experience.
SHIFT Makers joined the College of Natural Sciences’ Patio Palooza and the Office of the Dean of Students’ Longhorn Watch Party, serving more than 1,100 zero-proof cocktails combined. These events accounted for nearly a fourth of all drinks served during the 2024–2025 academic year.
A new Center for Students in Recovery workshop this fall includes Mindful Movements, a weekly recovery yoga series designed to combine gentle movement and mindfulness. This series aims to support balance, healing and community. It's an opportunity for individuals to connect with their bodies and minds while fostering a sense of well-being and recovery in a supportive environment.
SHIFT and the Center for Students in Recovery co-hosted the first Operation Naloxone training of the academic year for 65 participants. Students, faculty and staff who attended received free Narcan and other SHIFT items. After the training, they joined CSR's weekly Longhorn Recovery Circle for a Snack and Chat reception.
To help students explore all the ways they can incorporate movement and play into their college experience, Recreational Sports hosted RecSports Open House. Participants enjoyed access to group fitness classes, indoor rock climbing, sport club open houses, the Golf+ Simulator inside Gregory Gym, and drop-in tennis and pickleball lessons. View photos.
University Unions ramped up live music with several shows at the Cactus Café, including a packed house for the 6th annual Other Voices: A Tribute to the Songs of Nanci Griffith. Campus Events+Entertainment also inspired Longhorn pride with UT’s 142nd Birthday Party, an enduring campus tradition.
Spaces
The Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) opened a second location — CMHC @ WCP — on the first floor of the William C. Powers, Jr. Student Activity. This innovative new space provides students with convenient access to single-session counseling and other clinical services for those not in immediate crisis.
The Group Counseling spaces have relocated to Suite 3.214 on the third floor of the Student Services Building (SSB). The new area offers a welcoming environment for students seeking support with counseling offices, group rooms, an open lounge and bright, airy spaces filled with natural light and plants.
Disability and Access (D&A) has relocated to Suite 3.200J on the third floor of the Student Services Building (SSB), bringing all D&A staff together to collaborate in one space. Longhorn TIES is now located in the same hallway, in Suite 3.286.
The Disability Cultural Center officially opened its space in SSB 2.106. The team hosted/co-hosted seven welcome events, including a Disability Resource Fair, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Meet and Greet, Art Gallery Opening and Artist Talk and the DCC Grand Opening. These events brought members of the UT Austin community together for community building and connection to resources. More than 130 people attended the DCC’s welcome events. The DCC space will be open for studying, socializing or exploring the art exhibit and DCC library. Open hours will be Tuesday and Wednesdays, 1-5 p.m., and Thursdays, 11-5 p.m. See the photos.
Recreational Sports hosted a Bodyweight Strength Class with Peloton instructor Camila Ramón in the Gregory Gym Arena. More than 100 students had the opportunity to experience an in-person Peloton class and meet the instructor. The event also provided an opportunity for students to learn more about Peloton at Texas, which opened inside Gregory Gym in February. View photos.
Resources
To welcome students back to campus for the fall semester, Vice President for Student Affairs John Dalton sent this message to all students.
Vice President for Student Affairs John Dalton visited with Division staff at three Meet Our VP events where staff had the opportunity to ask questions and win prizes. The University shared his story of how a short-term opportunity led to his life-changing career, including his homecoming to our Division.
The Longhorn Wellness Center is equipping Longhorns with skills and resources through a new mental health module for all incoming first-year and transfer students. Students received this message from Associate Vice President Chris Brownson with mental health resources. Faculty received a similar message from VP Dalton and Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Tasha Beretvas.
Save the date for the annual University Health Services flu vaccination clinics, Oct. 1-30, for students, faculty and staff. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Online scheduling will be available in late September.
The Office of the Dean of Students Volunteer Fair – a campus event for nearly 30 years – featured 50+ campus and community organizations. The Volunteerism and Service Learning team also coordinated 23 student volunteers to help distribute more than 5,000 lbs. of food to 250 shoppers at the UT Outpost X Central Texas Food Bank mobile food pantry. See photos from the Volunteer Fair.
Staff can join in making a donation to the UT Outpost during the Red River Food Fight at seven campus locations or online. This friendly competition has become an annual tradition ahead of the Longhorns matchup with Oklahoma University on Oct. 11.
The Office of the Dean of Students is helping set the standard for academic excellence by engaging 210 University Leadership Network (ULN) students in an interactive workshop. Cohort Connection participants explored personal strengths and team contributions through the Superstar Start-Up activity, preparing them for a year of growth, connection and leadership opportunities.
Recreational Sports welcomed back over 300 student employees at the department’s annual Fall Kickoff event at the Wright-Whitaker Sports Complex. Students had an opportunity to build community with teammates and participate in interactive activities to get to know the department’s professional staff. View photos.
The Longhorn Wellness Center trained 23 students and staff during Longhorns Listen, a new suicide prevention workshop. Adapted from Syracuse University, the workshop equips participants with essential skills to support mental health on campus.
UHS launched several new nutrition workshops based on student feedback. These workshops aim to support students in building healthier relationships with food and enhancing their overall well-being.