Campus Services

Take advantage of the services and resources that are available to you as a student. The university provides many options to help you accomplish the things that are important to you.

Parking and Shuttle Buses
As a new graduate student you are eligible for a "C" campus parking permit, as well as others depending on your needs. If you are employed as a teaching assistant, graduate research assistant or an assistant instructor, you may be eligible for the "A" employee parking permit. To learn more about parking and the costs for various permit options, visit the Parking and Transportation web site.
http://www.utexas.edu/parking/utafaq.html

The UT Shuttle System is the largest university shuttle system in the country, with 16 routes and more than 7.5 million passengers annually. The shuttle system provides an easy and cost-effective way for students, faculty, staff and visitors to access the UT campus. UT Austin students, faculty and staff may ride the shuttles at no charge with a valid UT ID. Without a UT ID, the charge is 50 cents. To view a campus-area shuttle map, go to
http://www.utexas.edu/parking/transportation/shuttle/map.html

University of Texas Libraries
UT Austin has 17 different libraries with a collection containing more than nine million volumes and providing access to the latest electronic research materials. The library collects the products of human knowledge in all formats. Before starting that first research project, visit the University of Texas Libraries Web site to see the wealth of resources offered. A section specifically for graduate students available online.
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/gradstudents/

Sports
The Longhorn All-Sports Package (LASP) is the most economical way for UT Austin students, faculty and staff to obtain tickets to all regular season home sports events. For one low price, this unique package provides access to tickets, the opportunity to set up group seating and the chance to purchase additional tickets for your friends and guests who are not UT Austin students, faculty or staff.
http://www.texassports.com

University Health Services
University Health Services (UHS) helps keep UT Austin students healthy while they focus on their studies. As a UT Austin graduate student, you can expect the same types of services from UHS that you get from your family doctor ... and more.

Clinical services include general medical care as well as an urgent care clinic and women's health, sports medicine and immunization and allergy shot specialty clinics. Nurses staffing the Nurse Advice Line at 512-475-NURS (6877) can provide guidance to ill or injured students 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

UHS Pharmacy staff can fill prescriptions that have been written by any healthcare provider licensed to practice in the United States. The pharmacy also carries over-the-counter medications, personal care items and health aids.

UHS does not file third party insurance claims for charges, except for students with UT System-selected Student Health Insurance (https://www.uhcsr.com/ or 512-471-1040) or the UT Select UT employee health insurance plan. If you have other health insurance, you can request documentation to file a claim for reimbursement with your insurance company. Check with your company to determine if you can file a claim and whether they will reimburse you for charges incurred at a "campus health facility." The UHS Pharmacy, however, accepts most major prescription drug insurance cards, allowing you to pay the same amount at UHS as you would in your regular pharmacy.

UHS is in the Student Services Building (SSB) at 100 W. Dean Keeton St. (W. 26th). For UHS information and appointments, call 512-471-4955.
www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/

Counseling and Mental Health
The Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) helps students with their personal concerns, so they can meet the daily challenges of student life. CHMC provides short-term individual counseling, psychiatric services, and group counseling. The Center regularly offers group meetings designed for graduate students and older students, and has a self-guided MindBody Lab to help students learn relaxation techniques and biofeedback. Staffed by psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and other licensed mental health professionals, the center is open to registered UT Austin students between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The office is located on the fifth floor of the Student Services Building. You can contact CMHC at 512-471-3515.
http://www.utexas.edu/student/cmhc/

CMHC also offers telephone counseling, a confidential service that offers an opportunity for UT Austin students to talk with trained counselors about their problems and concerns. A counselor is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays. You can call when you want, at your convenience, in the privacy of your home. The number is 512-471-CALL (2255).

Student Financial Services
The Office of Student Financial Services (OSFS) is often referred to as the "financial aid office." OSFS provides many services for graduate students looking for assistance financing their educations. OSFS provides services and information regarding funding sources such as grants, scholarships, waivers, short- and long-term loans, emergency loans and much more. The Office provides financial counseling to students to help explain the process of receiving aid, as well as to help students make the best decisions about financial assistance while in graduate school. OSFS is located on the third floor of the Student Services Building. You can contact OSFS at 512-475-6282.
http://finaid.utexas.edu/

Student Academic Employment
Teaching and research assistantships provide important experience for graduate students. Assistantships benefit students through interaction with faculty members, and financial support provided by these employment opportunities. Nonresident students who are employed at least half-time as a Teaching Assistant, Assistant Instructor, Graduate Research Assistant, Academic Assistant, Assistant (Graduate) or Tutor-Grad are eligible to receive a waiver of the nonresident portion of their tuition and will be charged in-state tuition. Duties and responsibilities of each appointment will vary by department and supervisor.

Graduate students may be appointed as a Teaching Assistant, Assistant Instructor, Graduate Research Assistant, Academic Assistant, Assistant (Graduate) or Tutor-Grad for up to 14 long semesters while pursuing a graduate degree at The University of Texas at Austin.

Begin looking for specific availability of academic appointments well in advance of the start of the semester by checking with the graduate adviser or graduate coordinator in the department in which you want employment. You will need to check with individual professors for Graduate Research Assistant positions.

For more information about student academic employment including conditions, benefits and requirements, visit
www.utexas.edu/ogs/employment/

Insurance
All registered graduate students who take credit courses and pay the required fees are eligible to enroll in the UT System student health insurance plan. All international students holding nonimmigrant visas are eligible and will be automatically enrolled in the plan to complete registration, except those students who certify in writing that comparable coverage is in effect under another plan as approved by The University of Texas System Board of Regents. The student must enroll in the plan if dependent coverage is desired. Any family member who is a fee-paying student may be insured as a student or as a family member, but not as both. The Graduate School urges all students to maintain health insurance coverage. If you are interested in buying the UT System student health insurance plan or for more information, an on-campus student representative is available to answer your questions Monday through Friday, at the UT Student Health Center in the Student Services Building, Room 2.106 or call 512-471-1040.
https://www.uhcsr.com/

Dean of Students
The Office of the Dean of Students (DOS) collaborates with all campus departments, staff, faculty, parents, alumni and the Austin community to provide essential support to graduate and undergraduate students in every aspect of their educational experience. The units providing this support are: DOS Central, Greek Life & Education (GLE), Legal Services for Students (LSS), Legislative Student Organizations (LSO), New Student Services (NSS), Student Activities & Leadership Development (SALD), Student Emergency Services (SES) and Student Judicial Services (SJS). Some of the critical resources available are general UT Austin information, mentoring and community service opportunities, part-time employment, conflict management, legal services, emergency support, and information on student rights and standards of conduct. Please visit the office on the fourth floor of the Student Services Building (SSB), 100 West Dean Keeton Street, or call 512-471-5017.
http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/

Special note: Effective January 1, 2007, four units within the Office of the Dean of Students - Academic Enrichment Services (AES), the Gender & Sexuality Center (GSC), the Multicultural Information Center (MIC), Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), and the Volunteer & Service Learning Center (VSLC) - became part of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement.

Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD)
SSD determines eligibility and helps implement reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities at the university. If you need an accommodation letter or a service provided because of a disability you must register with SSD. For information on how to register and to download forms, please go online, or call 512-471-6259, TTY 512-471-4641.
http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/

Getting Involved on Campus
Life outside the classroom at the university is as varied and active as UT Austin students. If you are looking to join a student organization or find an opportunity to volunteer, try visiting the offices of Student Activities and Leadership Development (SALD), the Volunteer and Service Learning Center (VSLC) or the Texas Union. SALD is part of the Office of the Dean of Students and the VSLC is part of the new Division of Diversity and Community Engagement. Both these offices can be found on the fourth floor of the Student Services Building. The Texas Union offers a game room, as well as numerous choices for food and entertainment. The Texas Union is located on the West Mall near Guadalupe Street.

Graduate students also can get involved in campus issues by becoming active in the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA). Opportunities for involvement with GSA include attending the bimonthly general meetings, serving as a department representative, serving as a GSA appointee to a university committee or attending social events.
http://www.utexas.edu/studentgov/gsa/index.php

You can find more information on getting involved by visiting these Web sites:
http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sald/
http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/vslc/
http://www.utexas.edu/txunion/

Campus Safety
The University of Texas at Austin is served by the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD). UTPD serves the community with a variety of programs and services from crime prevention and safety programs to providing security for special events. You can contact UTPD at 512-471-4441. UTPD also publishes Campus Watch, a daily e-mail that addresses the crimes that occur on the UT Austin campus. To sign-up for this e-mail go to the UT Police Web site.
www.utexas.edu/police/campuswatch/

For additional information on crime prevention, please contact the UT Police Department Crime Prevention Unit at 512-232-9634 or 512-232-9638.

Housing
The University Apartments, located off-campus on Lake Austin Boulevard, are reserved for married students, families, graduate students and undergraduates with at least 30 hours credit and in good standing with the university. Shuttle bus service is readily available from the University Apartments to campus.
www.utexas.edu/student/housing/

The university does not offer designated housing for graduate students in the on-campus residential facilities. Most graduate students live off-campus in private dormitories, apartments and houses. The Division of Housing and Food Service provides information about off-campus housing options, which include postings for rental properties and a roommate search.
www.longhornliving.org/

You can also use local agencies to help you locate a house or an apartment to rent. Many students use these services if they cannot be in Austin in person and want to secure a place to live before arriving in town.

Note: The Graduate School is not associated with these agencies and cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided.

Small Planet Guide
http://austin.smallplanetguide.com/rentals/

Apartment Finders
512-322-9556 or 800-711-0498

Habitat Hunters
512-482-8651

Perfect Place
512-791-7774

Properties One
512-836-0727

Remax Affinity Group
512-372-9595

ApartmentRatings.com

Recreational Sports
With 500,000 square feet of indoor space and 40 acres of outdoor activity space, Recreational Sports offers a variety of ways for you to get active in its 10 facilities on and off campus. Through Rec Sports, you can join clubs ranging from dance and tennis to roller hockey and water polo. You can drop in to Gregory Gym for a game of pick-up basketball, swim laps at the Aquatic Center, work out at Belmont Hall, or play a game of table tennis at the Recreational Sports Center. Also, fitness, safety and aquatic classes are offered.

Rec Sports' facilities, services and programs are available to all UT Austin graduate students during any semester for which they are registered, beginning the first day of classes through the day before classes begin the following semester. You are required to display your UT ID card upon entry to a recreational facility. Additional fees are charged to participate in some programs.
www.utrecsports.org/

Child Care
As a graduate student you are eligible to use the University of Texas Child Development Center. The program cares for children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age. You must apply for the service and will be placed on a waiting list according to the date of your application. Siblings of currently enrolled children receive priority.
www.utexas.edu/childcenter/

You may also want to consider visiting the Texas Department of Family and Protective Serves (DFPS) at http://www.dfps.state.tx.us.

DFPS provides a list of all licensed child care providers by zip code. If you need financial assistance for child care you can contact Work Source Austin at 512-597-7191.
www.worksourceaustin.com/