CDBrannom

UT has a program informing incoming students about drugs and alcohol. The campus is dry, but the most popular activity is drinking by students - legal and underage. The campus police will issue citations to any student under the influence of alcohol or drugs, get medical intervention, or introduce the offending individual to their own bars at the station depending on the situation. RA's in the dorms are trained in recognizing certain smells and the process of alerting the campus police to problems also. They want the students to be safe and they do work very hard 24-7 campuswide.

I enjoy having all four seasons in Austin. Thanksgiving was warm - 60-70 degrees. Didn't need a coat! We may get a little dusting of snow in January. It can get cold from November through February, but the spring is beautiful. The summer can be hot, but with the low humidity in Austin, all you have to do is stop under a shade tree and you will cool off quickly!

There are numerous apartments/housing opportunities for students. In fact, a majority of the students do live off campus. The closer you are to campus, the more it will cost. I am in a new house 14 miles from campus for $300 a month - all inclusive except for food! Can't beat a deal like that.

No matter what type of activities you enjoy, Austin Texas has something for everyone. Austin is a very healthy city with bike lanes downtown, bike trails, rivers and lakes for kayaking, boating, skiing and swimming etc. You can hike, bike, walk, dance, go to concerts, attend auto races, go to a museum and don't forget to experience all the sports and activities on the UT campus: football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, rowing, swimming, rock climbing. They even have a quidditch league!

Safety at UT – Texas has it's own police force whose presence on campus is noticeable and appreciated. Exterior Safety: They have installed police callboxes with bue lights all over campus to alert them of a problem. The callboxes are close enough together that you can see other callboxes. If you are being chased, all you have to do is hit the button, keep moving, hit the next callbox button, etc. They will know that you are being chased and they know how to look for you. Interior Safety: you must use your campus issued ID in order to gain access to your dorm - it won't work on any other dorm. This keep out many potential criminals. But, some of your fellow students can be criminals also. Lock your door and when you are outside or studying on campus, always keep your things with you. Leaving a phone, computer, backpack etc alone makes it easy for someone to take it. Common Sense People!

The University of Texas suggests that each student have their own personal computer. Everyone including Professors, RA's in the dorms, Administration, the University Co-Op/Bookstore and Teaching Assistants, etc. communicate via the internet. Class lectures are taped and available online for viewing after class. The university does provide a wireless environment that can be accessed from anywhere on campus and also has direct wiring into each dorm room. You must pay the University for internet access and without internet access, you can nott access any lectures, your blackboard, etc. I have used the internet to look up information to help me understand Calculus and Physics problems I have for homework. Any class changes are e-mailed to the students and checking your e-mail account daily for information is a necessity. The university has programs with different computer vendors to halp make computer ownership for each student possible. One of the vendors who helps students is Dell Computers. Michael Dell was actually a student here at the University of Texas when he started building personal computers out of his dorm room. He was so successful that he left to build his company and returned later to finish his degree. My Dad was at Texas the same time Michael Dell was and told me about him - pretty cool, huh?
Because I own my own computer, I feel that accessing all the information available to me at the University of Texas is enhanced. If I had to go to the libraries or individual buildings where computers might be available, there is no guarantee that I would be able to get an available computer to use. Having your own computer maximizes time efficiency which is why the University suggests to all students that they have a computer.

Tradition of Excellence and History – The University of Texas in Austin is a fabulous school. It located in the heart of Austin-the capitol of Texas! The cmapus is within walking distance to downtown Austin, numerous museums and restaurants. I am living in the oldest dorm on campus-Littlefield. At first I was leery being in a 130 person, female only freshman dorm; but the atchitecture of the dorm, the antiques from the Littlefield family, the history traditions of the dorm itself quickly won me over and I love being a 'Littlefield Ladybug.' Traditions abound at Texas. From academic excellence to sports (except for football this year-worst record since the 30's) Texas is known worldwide for its programs, athletics and graduates. Walter Cronkite was a Texas graduate and he actually recorded the tag line for the UT promotional materials - "What Starts Here Changes The World" which is so true. The University of Texas educational excellence is evidenced by her alumni-3 Nobel Laureates, 28 Rhodes Scholars, 20 Pulitzer Prizse, and 9 Astronauts as well as many other notable individuals from the arts including movie stars, musicians, dancers, and even inventors like Michael Dell. Students come from all over the world to attend the University of Texas for the education. When you say you have a degree from the University of Texas, people recognize the name. That doesn't happen with other colleges and universities.

The bus service for the University of Texas campus is great. It is available for students, faculty, and school employees - all you have to do is show your UT ID card. There are many pick-up locations with the various routes posted at each stop. The buses run well into the night so traveling from one side of campus to the other safely is ensured. Also, certain buses will pick students up at the airport and take us to the airport which is fantastic because I am from another state and do not have my own transportation - not even a bicycle. I was apprehensive the first time I used the bus to get me to the airport, but the driver saw me from across the street (I was at the wrong bus stop) and waited for me, met me at the door after I crossed the street and helped load my bags onto the bus for me. He said he would not have left me. Friendliness of the bus drivers is so nice and makes using the University of Texas transportation service enjoyable. The University of Texas has definately figured out that helping the students easily get around campus is a plus. Their transportation system should be copied and applied at other schools.