Issue 9 of 11 | July 1, 2024 | |
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Hello Longhorn Family!
As we approach the final editions of Next Steps, we are thrilled to continue sharing beneficial information that will enhance your understanding of the available resources and departments dedicated to supporting your Longhorn.
During Family Orientation, we get many questions about how students get around campus. In this issue, we'll introduce you to Parking and Transportation Services (PTS), which has many options to help Longhorns get to and from campus safely, along with guidance to make the best decision for your family.
Your Longhorn's overall well-being is one of the University's top priorities. Keep reading to learn of two important well-being partners that will help your student meet their physical and academic goals.
Obtaining a good understanding of your Longhorn's tuition information is essential in guiding you through the process and ensuring a seamless experience for you and your student. In the upcoming issue of Next Steps, we will be taking a more in-depth look at tuition dates and payment information.
Hook 'em!
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Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) | |
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PTS Welcomes New Students to Campus
The most popular way for students to commute to campus is on UT Shuttle and CapMetro buses. Riding the bus is free with a UT ID. The best place for your student to determine the most efficient route is CapMetro’s Trip Planner.
Biking is another great way to get around campus or commute from nearby. To prevent bike theft, students should double lock their bike. All students should also register their bike. Registering bikes will improve the chances of students getting their bike back if it is impounded, lost, or stolen, and registration is FREE. Students can also use bike tools at Fixit stations around campus or borrow a bike from MetroBike.
If your student plants to bring a car, there is no free parking on campus aside from signed 30-minute loading zones. Everywhere requires either a permit or payment of a fee to park. Students can choose from a variety of parking permit types. Areas in higher demand require getting on a waitlist, which opens in early July for the fall. PTS typically makes offers later in July. See parking.utexas.edu/stinstruct for waitlist entry and offer dates. Non-dorm residents who only bring their car to campus occasionally may prefer to use the Parking Perks debit program. This program does not require a permit and allows flexibility to use various garages across campus at a rate discounted from the pull-a-ticket rate.
If your student is on campus late and concerned about safety, have them consider using one of our late-night programs. To get a ride or accompanied walk to their dorm residence or campus destination, they can request a Sure Walk at parking.utexas.edu/walk or call 512-232-9255.
For further trips home, UT Night Rides offers Lyft rides home from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m., seven days per week. See parking.utexas.edu/night for service area and details.
For more information, see parking.utexas.edu/new.
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Committed to helping students reach their academic potential
The Sanger Learning Center is UT's on-campus academic support center offering many services to students including one-on-one tutoring, drop-in tutoring, free workshops and much more!
Encourage your student to check out PEARL, a one-stop resource from the Sanger Learning Center. Students can log in with their EID to see their current class schedule and a list of all the academic support services across campus available to them.
Check out the Sanger Learning Center at undergradcollege.utexas.edu/slc.
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RecSports: What Starts Here Moves You
As a newly enrolled Longhorn, your student has access to seven RecSports facilities beginning Friday, Aug. 23. Any time students are enrolled in classes, they can enjoy access to three indoor facilities, five pools and 40 acres of outdoor recreation spaces by simply scanning in with their UT ID or generating My RecSports QR Code on their mobile device. And that’s just the beginning. RecSports offers an array of programs and activities to fuel students’ well-being, from intramural sports designed for all skill levels, to group fitness classes and personal training, adventure trips, indoor rock climbing, over 40 sport clubs, swim and tennis lessons, and much more. Visit utrecsports.org/welcome to learn more!
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Texas Parents Membership
A common question Texas Parents hear when talking to incoming parents and families about signing up for the Texas Parents Association is, “What are the benefits of membership?” The response to that question is a question in return asking, “What is important to you?”
If it’s feeling connected or having real-time information, the monthly eNewsletters which incoming members will begin receiving August 15, provide that link to all you need to know.
If it’s discounts, Texas Parents has many including, but not limited to:
- Hotels and lodging to transportation;
- Moving and storage options;
- Continuing education for you and your student;
- Treats for your Longhorns like warm cookie delivery, and;
- Medical equipment rentals (think knee scooters for an injured Longhorn or wheelchairs when an elderly family member visits).
If it’s the swag, Texas Parents has t-shirts, tote bags, car decals, magnets and luggage tags.
Maybe it’s having a tax deduction from your gift. Current and past members will say the most important benefit is knowing there is one department on campus specifically to help you help your student. That help can take on many forms but you only need to go to one place to find it and so much more: Texas Parents.
Learn more and sign up here.
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University Federal Credit Union
Open a Free Checking account and be entered for a chance to win $1,000!
- Instant-issue VISA® Debit Card
- Online Banking and Mobile app
- No minimum balance requirements or monthly fees
- Four convenient campus-area branches
- Over 25 campus-area ATM locations
Federally insured by NCUA. Click here to learn more about UFCU.
Visit UFCU.org/Promo for current sweepstakes rules and details.
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The day before fall classes begin, professors and first-year student meet all over campus to talk about books they read over the summer. This is an opportunity to read a great book, meet an outstanding faculty member and get acquainted with a small group of fellow first-year students. The Reading Round-Up will take place on Sunday, August 25, 2024 from 12-1:30 p.m.
Encourage your student to browse through the book list and sign up.
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Traditions Corner
As the 1976 football season came to a close, it was decided by university officials that the University needed a mascot, as this would be easier to transport to events than a live longhorn. Not to be mistaken with Bevo, Hook 'Em made his first appearance on November 29, 1977 when the men's basketball team hosted their rival University of Oklahoma at the Frank Erwin Center. Hook 'Em has been an important part of game day and various campus events ever since. Annually, Hook 'Em attends more than 1,000 UT events.
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It's not too late to register!
Each year the Texas Exes, UT's official alumni association, transforms the lives of students through experiences like Camp Texas that foster connections with other students, professors, administrators and UT traditions. Camp Texas is a separate program from your student's orientation session.
Outstanding counselors provide peer-to-peer guidance that works. The data shows that Camp Texas attendees are more successful at UT. On average, they have higher GPAs and a higher four-year graduation rate than those who didn’t attend.
Have your student join Texas Exes this summer at this optional, overnight, off-campus experience to get a head start on life at UT. Learn more texasexes.org.
Camp Texas Sessions Dates:
Session 1: August 4-6
Session 2: August 6-8
Session 3: August 8-10
Session 4: August 10-12
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REMINDER: Register Now for Family Orientation at The University of Texas at Austin | |
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If you have already completed family orientation registration, your spot in the session is secure and you should receive a confirmation email. For additional information, please visit our website.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: student and family orientation programs are hosted separately and require separate registration systems.
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What to expect in the next issue of Next Steps
- Important tuition payment timelines
- Information about textbooks and other course materials
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You can always review the full academic calendar to get more information on academic and tuition-related deadlines coming up.
2024-2025 Academic Calendar
registrar.utexas.edu/calendars/24-25
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