The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)

The University of Texas at Austin is a flagship institution within the University of Texas System. This pubic research university is located in Austin, Texas, about one mile from the State Capitol.

History

The first indication of a university in Texas can be traced to 1827. The consensus was to establish a place where students could be educated in the arts and sciences. In 1836, Texas gained independence from Mexico. This is when the Constitution of the Republic was adopted. The Constitution included a clause to establish public education. The Congress of Texas agreed that fifty leagues of land should be used for public educational facilities within the State and forty acres of that land was reserved for that purpose in Austin. It was named College Hill.

Texas was annexed into the US in 1846. At this time, $100,000 in US bonds was designated towards establishing a university by the Act of 1858. Land that had at one time been reserved for railroad development was now designated for universities. Development of this plan was prevented when the Civil War broke out and because Texas seceded.

The Morrill Act of 1862 facilitated Texas A&M University after the Civil War. It became known as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas in 1876.

Austin was chosen for the site of the main university in 1881. The medical department would be located in Galveston. Construction began on College Hill in 1882. The building that was erected is now called the old Main Building. Students were first welcomed there on September 15, 1883.

On May 22, 1971, former President Johnson and his wife, as well as President Nixon, attended the official dedication of the first presidential library on a university campus. The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum is located on the eastern side of the main campus, which consists of 350 acres.

Around Campus

The buildings with the highest prestige are those in the West Mall. These include the Main Building, Battle Hall, Goldsmith Hall and the Texas Union Building. There are various green spaces on campus, including benched gardens, natural habitats for animals and birds, beautiful old trees and turtle ponds.

Two of the most regarded places on campus are the Architecture Library and the Life Sciences Library. Granite sculptures, large wooden beams, carved wooden furniture, dappled light and classic quotations etched into the ceilings make these a favourite place for students to relax or study.

Academics

The University of Texas at Austin offers:

• Organized Research Units
• Undergraduate Degree Programs
• Graduate Degree Programs

Interdisciplinary units include, but aren't limited to:

• Computational and Applied Mathematics Graduate Program
• Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology
• Texas Materials Institute
• Center for Cellular and Molecular Toxicology

Colleges and Schools

There are sixteen colleges and schools within the University of Texas at Austin. Examples include:

• College of Fine Arts
• College of Natural Sciences
• School of Architecture
• Cockrell School of Engineering
• School of Nursing
• School of Law
• Jackson School of Geosciences
• School of Social Work

Student Life

The University of Texas at Austin is a multicultural education facility. Students from all 50 US states attend as well as students from over 100 foreign countries. The University is home to a very active Greek community.

There are fourteen residence halls, which are often spoken for well in advance. Most students live in apartments, housing cooperatives or private resident halls off campus.  

Organizations

There are more than 1,000 student organizations at the University of Texas at Austin. The Student Government was founded in 1902 and represents student's general interests. The hub of student activity is the Texas Union Student Events Center. The oldest honour society is the Friar Society.

Athletics

The University offers a wide variety of intramural and varsity sports. Both men's and women's athletic teams have been dubbed the "Longhorns." Texas State University was selected by Sports Illustrated as America's Best Sports College in 2002. The University is considered a football powerhouse.

Local Community

On campus be sure to visit the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History. The collections and exhibitions are extensive.

Downtown attractions include:

• The Capitol Building
• The Governor's Mansion

Be sure to take in a show at Austin City Limits or enjoy a ghost tour on Friday or Saturday night. Other venues include, but aren't limited to Austin Duck Adventures, Austin Steam Train, Austin Zoo, Bear Creek Stables, Capitol Cruises and much more.

If you're interested in nightlife, there are bars, music venues and restaurants. The nightlife hotspot is Sixth Street.

Locals and tourists alike converge on the Congress Avenue Bridge at dusk between March and September to witness bats by the thousands feeding on insects. This is a very popular spot, so get there early to get a good viewing spot.

The Paramount Theatre is a century old. It was the office of Sam Houston and also the War Department of the Republic of Texas. Be sure to take in a show at this beautiful theatre that was once home to Vaudeville.

If you enjoy the great outdoors, spend a day at Lady Bird Lake, just south of the downtown area. It's a great place for canoeing, kayaking and rowing or a lovely spot to relax and read a book. If you enjoy hiking, there is a 10-mile trail that goes around the lake. Lady Bird Lake is a popular spot for locals and students alike.

Financial Aid Links and Information
• Website: UT Austin Financial Aid Office
• FAFSA Student Aid: Apply Online
• Percent of Students Receiving Financial Aid: 67%

• Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (Ncaa)

Retention Rates
• Full-Time Entering Students Retained: 92%
• Part-Time Entering Students Retained: 77%