Want to receive a newsletter like this every month?
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Everyone belongs to UT Austin's official association for parents and families, but you need to sign up for the membership that best suits your family. You'll receive monthly communications similar to Next Steps with timely information to help you help your student. There are two levels of membership: Complimentary and Supporting, learn more
here
.
If you are already a member, welcome and thank you for signing up.
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Gmail users, PLEASE READ
.
Gmail "clips" long emails including our Next Steps eNewsletter, which means that you may only be seeing a portion of the email's content. If you scroll to the bottom of the email, you should see a link:
[Message Clipped] View Entire Message
. If you click on "View Entire Message," the remainder of the newsletter will load.
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Dear Longhorn Parents and Families,
With orientation completed, your student’s focus has moved to arriving on campus and joining the UT Austin community. Last academic year, 98% of undergraduate students connected with the
Division of Student Affairs
through our programs, services and buildings. We offer innovative opportunities for students to build essential skills and develop their professional networks starting from the moment they arrive on campus.
One of the best ways you can help your student prepare for success is by reinforcing key messages they have heard from the university. At orientation, students learned about the “Longhorn State of Mind.” As your family prepares for the move in August, you can build upon that message by:
- Asking what this means to them and sharing your ideas on a “Longhorn State of Mind;”
- Reminding them of the value of getting organized and ready for the life changes that await;
- Suggesting that they can get out of their comfort zones to find a new club or passion;
- Acknowledging them that the university is full of new and challenging experiences, but assuring them that they are not alone; and
- Reassuring them that their support networks include not only you at home, but also all of us in the Division of Student Affairs.
This is an exciting time, and on behalf of our 2,000 Division team members, we look forward to getting to know your student during their career as a Longhorn.
We’ll see you in August!
Hook ‘em,
Dr. Soncia Reagins-Lilly
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
The University of Texas at Austin
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A Message from
Texas Parents
Your student's transition to UT Austin is quickly approaching and questions will arise. Please remember the Texas Parents office is here to help! Call or email us with your questions.
Our contact information can be found at the bottom of the page.
Susie Smith
Texas Parents Director
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In this issue:
- Family Weekend
- Advice from Current Parents & Students
- Mooov-In 2018
- How to Pay Tuition
- On-Campus Dining
- Student Organization Spotlights
and much more!
Additional Resources:
Parents.utexas.edu
with dedicated pages for "incoming freshman" "transfer" parents and families.
Previous issues of Next Steps:
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Mark Your Calendar For...
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Friday-Sunday, October 26-28, 2018
Things to know:
- Website launches September 7
- There's no football game during Family Weekend
- All activities are optional
- some are with fees, others complimentary
- some are on campus, others around Austin
- Registration opens October 8
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Mooov-in Parent Mixer
Saturday, August 25, 6:00-8:00pm
Things to know:
- On campus at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center
- Complimentary hors d'oeuvres
- Cash bar; as alcohol will be served, the event is intended for parents and guardians only, please. We ask that students and siblings not attend.
- RSVP here by Sunday, August 12
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Self-Nominate to serve on the Texas Parents Ambassadors Council
Texas Parents Four-Year or Transfer supporting member can self-nominating for a 2018-2020 seat on the Texas Parents Ambassadors Council through August 17.
Get the nomination form
here
that includes an overview of council member responsibilities. Contact Texas Parents Director,
Susie Smith
, with any questions.
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Send-Offs
Texas Exes is the official alumni association for The University of Texas at Austin with chapters spread across the globe.
Various chapters host events as a way of welcoming the newest Longhorns to the family and then"sending them off" to the Forty Acres with excitement for all that awaits. Go
here
to see if there is a Send-off event in your area.
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Thirteen Rules for School
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At Family Orientation you may have heard from UT Austin chemistry professor, Dr. David Laude. In this video, he outlines his Thirteen Rules for School. Dr. Laude focuses only on teaching now, so his title shown in the video has changed but the insight he offers your student is timeless, tested and true. We hope you'll share this with your Longhorn! If your student is in Dr. Laude's class, what a great conversation starter for your student when they meet!
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UT Lingo
Becoming a part of the Longhorn Family includes learning the lingo, such as Q drop, Six-Pack, FIGs, Flags and more. Knowing these terms can make it easier for you to communicate with your student. Go
here
and don't worry, there won't be a quiz!
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Parent-to-Parent Advice for YOU
We asked current UT Austin parents for their best advice and are excited to share this honest, heartfelt advice
here
.
We hope you find this helpful as your journey begins and we look forward to you sharing
your
insights next year as a seasoned Longhorn parent!
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Restrict Students' Public Directory Information
When students matriculate at UT Austin, their home address and home phone number automatically become public information through the
UT Directory
.
Students have the option of restricting their information from the public directory. Go
here
for more information about a student's official address, what is sent where and how your student can make changes to his or her information on record.
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How does my Student find a list of Needed Textbooks?
The University Co-op is a not-for-profit corporation proudly owned by the students and faculty at UT Austin since 1896. One of the many ways the Co-op supports campus is by compiling the official book list each semester.
Beginning August 1, the textbook department is open. In the meantime, go
here
for more information.
Did you know studies have shown that students who have all of their course materials on the first day of class are more likely to succeed?
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Should My Student Bring a Car to Campus?
If this is a question in your household, we encourage a discussion between you and your student to decide together whether bringing a car to campus is necessary. Questions to consider: Why would a car be needed? Are there reasons that will take your student off campus consistently like medical appointments or a job? How much is a parking permit, insurance, maintenance in relation to the amount of use the car will receive?
Student Parking at UT Austin
There are several parking permit options. Some may be purchased immediately, others are only offered on a lottery system.
Will your student live in a UT Austin Residence Hall? Learn more about "R" permits (garage parking)
here.
Will your student live off-campus? Learn more about "S" permits (garage parking)
here.
Whether living on campus or off-campus, students also have surface lot options. Learn more about"C" permits (surface lots)
here,
"C+" permits (surface lots plus garages after 5pm)
here
.
Learn about permitting for students with motorcycles, motor scooters, mopeds or motor-assisted bicycles
here
.
Learn about disability/ADA student permitting
here.
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Getting Around Without a Car
In addition to ride-share options, be sure your student knows about these modes of transportation:
- The UT Shuttle System offers quick travel around campus as well as to and from off-campus housing areas. Students ride free with their valid UT ID. Encourage your student to do a practice run prior to the first day of class: confirming pick-up and drop-off times, where to get on and off a route, and how long it takes to walk from the shuttle stop to class.
- Free, convenient public transportation is available with Capital Metro, the City of Austin's transit system, when students present their valid UT ID. Cap Metro routes service many areas of the city beyond the University's shuttle system, including the airport, malls and more.
- ZipCar partners with UT Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) to provide a convenient and affordable way for students 18 years or older to have access to a car on campus. There is an annual membership fee and rental rates start at $7.50/hour and include gas and insurance.
- Bicycles are another great option whether students bring their own or take advantage of Austin B-cycle, a free bike-sharing pilot program on campus. Go here for a comprehensive site with all things UT-bike related.
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Transferring Coursework
Students who have taken coursework at
Austin Community College
or
Texas community colleges
outside of Austin should read through the websites above. Each recommends specific courses students can take to ensure that the transfer credit applies toward their lower division UT Austin degree requirements.
In addition, UT has an
Automated Transfer Equivalency
(ATE) system that provides interactive access to more than 250,000 transfer credit evaluations for current and past courses at Texas universities and community colleges.
This database will not work for courses taken out of state. If your student will be taking classes out of state, he or she will need to have the course(s) pre-evaluated beforehand by submitting
this form
. This will ensure that the credits will transfer, if eligible.
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Setting up eProxy Access
With eProxy, you are given your own UT EID and password which is tied to your student's UT EID.
eProxy access only allows you to make tuition payments, housing payments, add money in Dine in Dollars or Bevo Bucks, as well as to view transactions or balances for housing. It does not give you access to grades or schedules.
If you would like to become an eProxy for your student, discuss this option with your student now as there are steps he or she must first initiate. Go
here
for more information, including a step-by-step video.
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Whether your student is an in-coming Freshman or a Transfer student, there will be a 360 Connection to help make this big campus feel smaller for him or her. Find out more
here
. First-Year Interest Groups (FIGS) and Transfer Interest Groups (TrIGS) introduced in the videos below are examples of how the University make these connections.
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Presentations
Thanks to our campus colleagues who presented at Family Orientation in June and July. A lot of great information was shared in the presentations below. If your student is attending August Orientation, please join us for August Family Orientation. Go
here
to register.
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Important Tuition Reminders for Fall 2018
We included this information in your July 13 Next Steps eNewsletter, but it's a message worth repeating.
Students who registered for fall 2018 classes by Wednesday, July 25 will receive a tuition notice electronically on Tuesday, July 31. These were delivered via email to the email address listed on your student's record; no paper bills will be mailed.
Tuition is due no later than 5 p.m. (CT) Friday, August 17.
Students who will register for fall 2018 classes after July 25, such as those students attending August Orientation, will receive their tuition bill after they register for classes.
Tuition for these students will be due no later than 5 p.m. (CT) on Tuesday, August 28.
If tuition is not paid by the payment deadline, your student's class registration will be dropped, no exceptions!
Regardless of whether or not your student's tuition bill notification is successfully received via email, students are still responsible for timely payment of their tuition bill.
Undeliverable messages returned because of either a full inbox or use of a spam filter will still be considered 'delivered.'
Financial Aid and Tuition Bills
Because financial aid funds are not released immediately, your student's tuition bill will state a balance due until the funds are released.
If the aid fully covers the tuition bill and fees: students will click the "Pay with Financial Aid" button on My Tuition Bill.
If the financial aid does NOT fully cover the tuition bill and fees: the amount due will be reduced by the financial aid and the student will need to pay the balance by the deadline.
Other Questions about paying tuition with financial aid, when funds are disbursed ?
Go
here
to Financial Aid's FAQs page.
REGARDING UT HOUSING BILLING
Please note UT Housing is a separate billing process. The first housing payment will be due September 15. Your student will receive a reminder email a few days before. Go
here
for more information, including installment plans.
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Paying Tuition
Options to pay tuition include:
Installment plans, paying online, in person, by mail, with financial aid and short-term tuition loans. Learn about each
here
.
Zero Bill
Students who see a ($0.00) tuition bill
still need to CONFIRM ATTENDANCE
by clicking that button on their My Tuition Bill before 5 p.m. on their due date or their classes will be canceled.
Three-Payment Installment Plan
Students must electronically sign a promissory note before the first installment payment will be accepted. The first payment is approximately half of the tuition bill, plus a non-refundable $15 service charge. It is due by deadline stated at the bottom of the student's My Tuition Bill. The second installment is due Friday, September 28 and the third, Friday, October 26.
Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan (TGTP)
Students must provide a copy of their membership ID card to Student Accounts Receivable (SAR) the first semester they're enrolled at UT Austin. Students can do so by email to
[email protected]
,
be sure they include their UT EID in the email
.
Texas Tuition Promise Fund (TTPF)
Plan purchasers must authorize use of the benefits at least three weeks prior to the payment due date each semester. Go
here
for the TTPF website. Purchasers should enter the student's EID as the "Student's ID" and "The University of Texas at Austin" as the "Name of the University/College."
Need-to-knows when using TGTP and TTPF:
- If the amount due is zero, students must complete registration by clicking "Confirm Attendance" on the My Tuition Bill website no later than 5 p.m. on the due date or their registration will be canceled.
- These plans pay tuition only, the student is responsible for all other fees.
Other Tuition Questions?
Student Accounts Receivable (SAR)
has a great FAQs page here that includes specifics if you plan to pay with a 529 college savings plan. In addition to their website, they are happy to assist you by email,
[email protected]
or calling 512-475-7777, M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (CT).
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Resident Assistants (RAs) are here to help!
The RAs and the Residence Life team are present to help your Longhorn learn and develop self-management strategies, build positive relationships within their community, and engage with others towards cultural competency.
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- By the time your student arrives on campus, the 161 Residence Assistants (RAs) will have received 60+ hours of training on how to build a resident community and welcome students to their new home
- There are also 16 full-time Masters-level live-in professional staff members to help your Longhorn with the transition to UT Austin
- Each residence hall has several bulletin boards that are decorated with timely resources to help with a smooth transition
- Welcome Programming consists of fun events like ice cream socials, pancake dinners, movie nights, and more
- RAs make crafty door decorations for all 7300+ residents living in on-campus housing
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Fall 2018 Mooov-In
Friday-Saturday, August 25-26
7am-7pm, Both Days
Starting at Disch-Fauk Field
*Early Check-in begins Monday, August 20*
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Mooov-In
is a great Longhorn tradition held the weekend before classes start. Students moving into on-campus residence halls are welcomed and assisted by their extended Longhorn Family. Herds of faculty, administration, student, staff and parent volunteers assemble in identifiable Mooov-In t-shirts to greet, unload and carry items as well as answer questions. Mooov-In is a great start to your student truly feeling at home on the Forty Acres.
Before heading to Austin, encourage your student to...
- Schedule a check-in time on "My Housing Page" before Monday, August 13. Check-in times can be scheduled now; it is not necessary to wait for a rooming assignment to complete this task.
- Take a look at the Mooov-in process here. This gives specific directions on where to check in depending on the day and time your student has selected. There is also information about Mooov-In parking, advice from current students, and answers to frequently asked questions.
- Check out University Housing and Dining's (UHD) "Before You Arrive" page here with a list of to-do's, what to and not to bring, what is already in the room, links to information about laundry facilities and internet access.
*Early check-in begins Monday, August 20 at 3 p.m. for those who would like to move in to the dorms earlier. Students choosing this option will be charged an additional $50 per night.
If your student is participating in sorority recruitment or Longhorn Band auditions, this is an option to consider.
Send Your Student a Mooov-In Postcard
If your student is moving in on Friday or Saturday, please stop by the Texas Parents table at Disch-Falk Field. Postcards will be provided for families to fill out while students check-in to receive their keys. Staff will deliver postcards to the students' campus mailboxes during the first weeks of classes.
Special Mooov-In rate at Four Seasons
The Four Seasons Austin has extended a special rate starting at $229 per night for all incoming Longhorn families for August 1-31. To book, enter the promo code: FRESHMAN under the calendar/date selector box when booking
online
or give it to the reservations team when calling (512) 685-8100 to book directly.
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Off-Campus Housing Move-In Dates
If your student will be living in Callaway House, Castilian, Dobie Twenty21, Hardin House, SRD or University Towers, go
here
for move-in information from each.
If your student is living in an apartment in the area west of campus, go
here
for an overview of move-in information coordinated by the West Campus Coalition and the Austin Private Dormitory Association. If your student's property is not listed, check the lease as it likely contains the information you need.
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University Housing and Dining (UHD)
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Healthy Eating On-Campus
Students can make healthy choices at campus dining halls by referring to the nutritional icons displayed on digital menu boards throughout Kinsolving and J2 dining halls. Learn more
here
.
Students can also view the weekly menu for every UHD dining location online
here
and explore the nutrition information by clicking on the "Nutrition" tab above each menu category.
Food Allergies and Special Diets
UHD is dedicated to providing support to students with food allergies through education, staff training, and reasonable accommodations in an effort to create a safe and inclusive collegiate dining experience. All food allergies and Celiac Disease cases are handled on an individual basis. It is the student's responsibility to notify UHD of a food allergy so that reasonable housing and/or dining accommodations can be determined in advance. To ensure the safety of students with medically diagnosed food restrictions, it is recommended they register with Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). Go
here
for more information.
Meet with the Housing and Food Service Dietician
The Registered Dietician can meet with any student who lives and/or dines with UHD to discuss dietary concerns including allergies, vegetarian or vegan diets, weight change goals and healthy habits. Students with food allergies and/or special diets are recommended to first
email
the UHD Registered Dietitian.
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Bevo Bucks and Dine-In Dollars:
What's the difference?
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Dine-in Dollars
If your student lives in the UT Austin Residence Halls, Dine In Dollars are included in the room and board fees. For the 2018-19 academic year, your student will receive 1800 Dine In Dollars.
- Students not living in UT Austin Residence Halls do not receive Dine In Dollars.
- The 1800 Dine In Dollars are loaded onto your student's ID card.
- Dine In Dollars are only accepted in all Jester and Kinsolving dining locations, Cypress Bend in San Jacinto and the Littlefield Patio Cafe.
- Using Dine In Dollars in the All-You-Care-To-Eat locations, J2 and Kinsloving Dining, are the best value with $4.60/lunch and $5/dinner.
- Using Dine In Dollars in the a la carte campus locations gives students a 10% discount on food and drink items.
- Students as well as parents and families with eProxy access can monitor account activity and balances as well as add additional funds online.
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Bevo Bucks
Bevo Bucks are a cashless form of payment stored in a prepaid account on your student's ID card. If your student lives in the UT Austin Residence Halls, 200 Bevo Bucks, in addition to the 1800 Dine In Dollars, are included in the room and board fees.
- Students not living in UT Austin Residence Halls are not issued any Bevo Bucks but may purchase them at anytime.
- Bevo Bucks are accepted at over 100 participating merchants on and off campus for food and non-food purchases.
- Bevo Bucks receive a 5% discount in the All-You-Care-To-Eat locations, J2 and Kinsloving Dining and a 10% discount on any food and drink items in the a la carte campus locations.
- There are no monthly service fees or minimum balances required.
- Unspent Bevo Bucks rollover to the next semester and are refundable at graduation.
- Cash withdrawals are prohibited.
- Students as well as parents and families with eProxy access can monitor account activity and balances as well as add additional funds online.
- Go here for locations, how to add and other Bevo Bucks information.
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The Next Issue of Next Steps
The final issue of
Next Steps
will be sent on Friday, August 10
and will cover the following topics and more:
- Longhorn Welcome Events
- Campus Safety Tips
- Gone to Texas Details
- Final Mooov-In Reminders
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Unsubscribing from the Next Steps eNewsletter:
You're receiving this email because you either attended Family Orientation, signed up for membership in Texas Parents, or your student provided your email address on his or her Admissions application. In addition to this issue, you will receive one more on August 10.
Please note that by clicking the link below to unsubscribe, you will no longer receive
any
Texas Parents messaging. Instead of unsubscribing, we ask that you simply delete this message. If you have any questions, please contact the Texas Parents office.
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Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Central)
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