These UT Students Have Something Important to Say

On Nov. 13, hundreds of Longhorns sent messages of gratitude to alumni, donors, family, faculty, and the state for supporting their education. Hear why they’re grateful.

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2 minutes

November 25, 2013

“I wouldn’t have this opportunity without you,” reads one note.

“Thank you for helping make my dreams come true!” says another.

And another: “I sign on behalf of my family and our future. Gracias, Christian Mendez and Family.”

The notes are scrawled in pink and blue and orange and green marker on a life-sized sign in front of Gregory Gym. They’re hand written on little notecards in the lobby of the Law School. And at the School of Architecture they’re produced in 3-D sculpture with leftover studio materials.

Across campus on Nov. 13, University of Texas students participated in the annual Thanks Day celebration, writing, building and tweeting messages of gratitude to all the alumni, donors, family, faculty, and the state for supporting their education.

The timing of the event is significant: If UT relied exclusively on tuition and fees alone, it could only operate for about 11 weeks, or mid-way through November.

Learn more about giving to UT and how gifts make a difference at the university. Thankfully, UT doesn’t just run on tuition and fees, which account for only 25 percent of the overall budget. The majority 75 percent comes from additional supporters, who range from our family and friends to the state of Texas. And UT is proud to offer tuition and fees that remain lower than many of its peers. FY 2012-13 undergraduate resident tuition and fees at UT Austin ranked second-lowest out of a 12-institution national comparison group.

So thank you to our many supporters for making UT what it is. (Learn more about the university’s finances on the Budget 101 website.)