Summer is winding down, kickoff is getting closer and students are returning to the Forty Acres for the start of classes August 26.
Amidst the campus maze and throngs of people, there are plenty of helpful resources, beloved traditions, intriguing opportunities and knowledgeable Longhorns that bring out the best UT Austin has to offer.
When our 51,000 students start classes next week, they will be exploring countless opportunities to become tomorrow’s artists, scientists, athletes, doctors, entrepreneurs, engineers and more.
[Explore what’s in store for #UT19 with 12 Stories from the Students of #UTgrad 2015.]
As we gear up for the 2014-15 year, we’re looking at the reality of campus life and how to make the most of it.
[Watch: 5 Tips for Success at UT Austin]
To help adjust to Life as a Longhorn, a series of free events called Longhorn Welcome kicks off Aug. 21 with Mooov-In, where students, faculty and staff welcome and help move more than 7,400 new and returning students into campus residence halls. The festivities continue with 10 signature events, including From Austin with Love, Gone to Texas and Party on the Plaza.
The Longhorn Welcome celebration wraps up on Sept. 5 with a watch party for the first football game of the season. Dozens of other Longhorn Welcome events are also taking place to celebrate UT Austin’s core values and traditions. For a full schedule, visit www.longhornwelcome.com.
Love seeing all the excitement from #UT19!! https://t.co/zirMt711Le
— Texas '19 (@UTAustin2019) August 7, 2015
Here’s a quick look at the signature events all new Longhorns should attend:
Friday, August 21
Mooov-In Begins
Staff, students and faculty continue the 22-year tradition of helping more than 7,400 new and returning Longhorns Mooov-In to 14 on-campus residence halls. Students coming to live on campus are from 46 states, Washington D.C., 51 countries and six continents (all except Antarctica).
https://twitter.com/utstudentaffair/status/633262115940274176
Saturday, August 22
Beat the Heat
Join us in the Texas Union for free food, games, giveaways, movies and more. It’s a perfect way to have fun, meet new friends and — most importantly — stay cool on a Saturday!
Sunday, August 23
From Austin With Love
From Austin with Love officially welcomes new Longhorns to the UT Austin community with live music, a comedy show, games, awesome prizes and other fun activities.
Monday, August 24
RecSports Warm Up
Enjoy some of the most popular programs on campus by participating in this special warm-up event guaranteed to get you moving! Check out free fitness classes, intramural sports sessions, indoor rock climbing, sport club exhibitions and more! No experience needed — choose from a variety of different programs and activities.
Tuesday, August 25
Gone to Texas
This rich tradition continues each August, as a new generation of adventurers converges upon Austin. Join other new students at the Tower the night before classes begin and discover what it means to be a Longhorn — the culture, traditions and magic of Texas.
Wednesday, August 26
Horns Up Night
The Class of 2019 will meet in DKR-Memorial stadium for the Texas Kickoff Rally, the Texas Exes Orange and White Welcome and the Texas-sized class photo.
Friday, August 28
Women’s Soccer vs. UNC
Cheer on the women’s soccer team at Mike Myers Stadium as they take on perennial power North Carolina. The team’s record last season was 11-8-4 overall, and this year’s preseason poll ranked them as sixth in the Big 12 Conference. Goalkeeper Abby Smith is ranked in the top five in every major career goalkeeping category at UT. Catch her and the rest of the team in action on Friday night to kick off your weekend.
Saturday, August 29
Women’s Volleyball vs. LSU
Come out to Gregory Gym and show off your Longhorn spirit as we cheer on the Texas Volleyball team in their game against LSU. Texas Volleyball is the four-time defending Big 12 Conference champion, and the team was recently selected as the 2015 preseason favorite to win the league title.
Whoo hoo! We’re excited to catch their game vs. LSU during #LonghornWelcome! #HookEm https://t.co/5WUrpGrAZF
— UT Orientation (@UTorientation) August 13, 2015
Wednesday, September 2
Party on the Plaza
Activities include a student org fair and the annual Scholarship Shootout in which one male and one female student will win a $2,000 spring 2016 scholarship.
Saturday, September 5
Texas vs. Notre Dame football watch party
Cheer on the Longhorns together and watch as we face off against Notre Dame in the first football game of the season. Hang out with your Longhorn family in the beautiful Etter-Harbin Alumni Center and come out to support the Longhorns during this last Longhorn Welcome Signature Event.
[Summer Break: Longhorns Put Their Horns Up Across the Globe While Studying Abroad]