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Plan a Visit

Tours & appointments.

Undergraduate College of Fine Arts Tours

Led by our student ambassadors and staff, these sessions are tailored for prospective undergraduate students interested in the college, including the School of Design & Creative Technologies. You’ll learn about the College of Fine Arts, get information about degrees, student resources, and the application process–with a bonus inside look at your department of choice.

• Register for a COFA Virtual Information Session
• Register for a COFA In-Person Tour

Graduate Tours & Appointments

Looking to schedule an individual tour or appointment to discuss the department’s graduate programs, labs and studio spaces, or the admissions process? Reach out at least two weeks prior to your planned visit, and our graduate coordinator will be in touch.

• Request Individual Graduate Tour

Undergraduate Admissions Appointment Requests

Looking to schedule an individual appointment or group tour to discuss the department’s undergraduate programs and admissions process? Please make your tour requests at least two weeks prior to your planned visit, and someone from our admissions team will be in touch.

• Request Undergraduate Admissions Appointment
• Email Us for a Group Tour

UT Tours & Information Sessions

The University of Texas at Austin’s main campus is home to amazing landmarks, beautiful landscapes, and endless resources for creative inspiration. UT’s virtual and in person tours provide a chance to learn about student life, events, academic programs, and what it means to be a Longhorn.

• Explore UT Austin Information Sessions & Tours

This downloadable PDF guide gives you a chance to explore some of our favorite classrooms, labs, and maker spaces used by all SDCT students without scheduling an official appointment.

Maps and Parking

View information about getting to UT Austin campus, where to park, and directions to the School of Design and Creative Technologies buildings.

SDCT Main Building and Facilities

UT Austin Main Campus Map

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Engineering Buildings

Engineering campus map.

Interested in seeing what the Texas Engineering campus is like? There are several ways to visit the Cockrell School and UT Austin and learn more about our buildings and spaces, programs and resources, extracurricular and student group offerings, and life in Austin. Watch our Cockrell Campus Virtual Tour video, explore the engineering campus map, attend an information session, schedule a UT visit and more.

Info Sessions

UT Campus Visits

Prospective Undergraduate Students The Engineering Student Services office helps in all aspects of the student experience, with academic advisors and support staff, the scholarship and recruiting program, study abroad program, student life office, career center and broadening participation in engineering programs. Contact Engineering Student Services

Prospective Graduate Students Each of the Cockrell School's graduate engineering programs has a faculty advisor and administrative coordinator who are available to answer questions about a program and provide more information about what we're looking for in prospective graduate students. Contact a Graduate Advisor or Coordinator

Physical Address Cockrell School staff are currently working remotely Ernest Cockrell Jr. Hall (ECJ), 10th Floor 301 E. Dean Keeton St. Austin, Texas 78705 Contact Us page

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UT Austin Campus Tours

Are you planning to attend the University of Texas at Austin? Or maybe you're just curious about its facilities and services? In either case, the best way to get the inside scoop on the campus is by taking a guided tour.

Campus tours are an excellent opportunity to see all that the university has to offer, and UT Austin offers a variety of tours to suit every interest and need. From scenic walks around campus to academic building tours, this blog will summarize the key features of UT Austin campus tours.

1. UT Austin Admissions Tour

This tour is specially designed for visitors who are interested in applying to UT Austin. The tour covers the admissions process, academic programs, campus housing, academic resources, and student life.

During the tour, you'll be able to ask the tour guides any questions about the admissions process, and they'll also give you insider tips on applying for scholarships and financial aid. This tour is offered every weekday and on selected weekends, and reservations are required.

Click here for more information

2. Student-Led Campus Tours

These tours are led by UT Austin students, who will take you around their favorite spots on campus. The tours are personalized to your interests, so you'll get a chance to see the parts of UT Austin that resonate with you the most.

Student-led campus tours are offered on weekdays and occasionally on weekends. Keep in mind that the tours can fill up quickly, so it's best to ask for availability ahead of time.

3. Walking Tours

If you're interested in learning more about specific buildings on campus, these tours are for you. The University offers tours of academic, administrative, and research facilities that showcase the state-of-the-art equipment and technology used by students and faculty.

Places to see on this tour:

Welcome Center & Perry castañeda Library (PCL)

Blanton Art Museum (BMA)

Jester Dormitory And Jester Center (JES)

Sanger Learning Center

Gregory Gym (GRE)

Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (DKR)

Patton Hall (RLP)

Mccombs School Of Business (CBA)

Gates Dell Complex (GDC)

Peter O’donnell Building (POB)

Engineering Education And Research Center (EER)

Norman Hackerman Building (NHB)

G. B. Dealey Center For New Media (DMC)

Turtle Pond

Tower And Main Building (MAI)

Harry Ransom Center (HRC)

4. Virtual Tours

If you cannot make it to the campus, UT Austin also offers virtual tours through its website.

Virtual tours give you a 360-degree view of the campus, complete with audio narration and interactive maps. You can take a virtual tour at any time of day, from anywhere.

Best places on campus for a photo:

Littlefield Fountain

Battle Hall (BTL)

Barbara Jordan Statue

Visiting the University of Texas at Austin campus is a great way to get a feel for what student life is like and to determine if the university is the right fit for you. With several tour options available, including student-led and admissions tours, as well as building tours and virtual tours, you can customize your experience to your interests and schedule.

So, whether you're an aspiring student or just interested in seeing the UT Austin campus for yourself, start planning your tour today!

#campus tour #academic programs #student activity center #performing arts #texas union #education #ut tower #engineering buildings #visit #flawn academic center

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• UTCS Direct

Schedule a visit

Get to know utcs.

To find available dates and to register for a virtual info session, visit College of Natural Sciences Virtual Information Sessions . 

In-person coffee chats and building tours are available on Mondays and Fridays.  Visit   College of Natural Sciences In-Person Information Sessions   to register.  Please note that we are not offering class visits or in-person advisor meetings during this time.  

Ambassador visits are designed for high school juniors and seniors.  During the Spring semester, priority is given to admitted students. 

Tour the Bill and Melinda Gates Computer Science Complex

Explore our building with a current student Ambassador. See the labs and other facilities enjoyed by UTCS students.

Meet with a Current Student

Speak with a CS Ambassador about their college selection experience, why they chose UT, how they transitioned to college, how they enjoy living in Austin, and what it's REALLY like to be a UTCS major.

Attend a Virtual Info Session

Review the curriculum and discuss special programs like the Turing Scholars Honors, Texas CSB, 5-Year Integrated BS/MS, and student organizations.

Ambassador Visit FAQs

Who should participate in an Ambassador visit? Students who are interested in pursuing a CS degree at UT Austin and are high school juniors or seniors. Please note that during the Spring semester, priority is given to admitted students.

Are parents and guardians welcome to accompany students on their tour? Yes! Parents and guardians are welcome to attend all components of an Ambassador visit.

Can I come on a day when your calendar does not show a scheduled visit? If you would like to visit campus another day, please let us know when you email, and we will do our best to arrange a visit another day. But, we cannot guarantee we can accommodate requests outside of our scheduled visits. 

Where is the Department of Computer Science (UTCS)?   UTCS is located in the new Gates Dell Complex (GDC), at 2317 Speedway, just south of 24th St.  We're in region 5 on the  campus map .  You can click on our region of the map for more details.

Where do we go once we find the Gates Dell Complex (GDC)?    The Ambassador office is in the academic suite, GDC 2.702.  It's on the right after you enter GDC (from Speedway).

Where can we park?    The closest  UT parking garages  are the San Jacinto Garage (SJG, in region 6 on the campus map), the Speedway Garage (SWG, region 1), and the 27th Street Garage (TSG, region 1).  Parking for 4-8 hours is $15.  The walk to GDC from the garages is about 10 minutes.  

Is there a bus from the airport to campus?    Capital Metro's  Airport Flyer #100  comes to campus from the airport, and leaves the airport every hour and half hour.  Exit the airport from baggage claim and you'll see the bus stop on the far right on the median.  The bus costs $1.50.  It will drop you off on the east side of the football stadium, a 10-minute walk to GDC.  The stadium is in region 8 of the campus map.     

What hotels are near campus?    There are lots of  hotels near campus .  Our zip code is 78712, which you can use to search your favorite travel website.

Is breakfast available nearby, if we arrive early?    Lucky Lab operates GDC's coffee shop, the Qualcomm Cafe.  O's Campus Cafe is in the O'Donnell Building (POB) just north of GDC.  There's also food options in the WCP Student Activity Center (WCP) southeast of GDC.

If you are planning a campus visit, you may find the following links useful:

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Visit Landmarks

The Color Inside

A Skyspace By James Turrell

More information

Landmarks projects are concentrated on the main campus of The University of Texas at Austin . GPS coordinates are listed on individual artist pages.

Austin public transportation to campus is provided by Capital Metro . Once on the main campus, visitors may use free university shuttles.

Please note that parking is limited during special events. Check the special events calendar  to plan your travel. For additional parking options and pricing, please visit Parking and Transportation Services , which includes information about parking for visitors with disabilities. 

Outdoor public art is available for viewing at all times. Works located indoors may be viewed during each facility's regular operating hours.

Sculptures inside Bass Concert Hall are accessible 11 am- 2 pm Monday-Friday or during performances for ticket holders.

Access the Public Art Campus Map on a mobile device or find printed maps at many of the cultural institutions and libraries on campus including:

• Art Building and Museum
• Bass Concert Hall
• Blanton Museum of Art
• Christian-Green Gallery
• Elisabet Ney Museum
• Fine Arts Library
• Flawn Academic Center
• Gates Dell Complex
• Harry Ransom Center
• LBJ Library and Museum
• Norman Hackerman Building
• Perry-Castañeda Library
• Stark Center
• William C. Powers, Jr. Student Activity Center
• Texas Science and Natural History Museum
• UT Visitor Center
• Visual Arts Center

Visiting the UT Austin Campus

Here are some of the must-see places for university of texas visitors.

As the fall school semester begins, visitors, families and future Longhorns will be coming to Austin to explore all there is to offer. A staple of Austin city life since 1883, The University of Texas campus is located just north of the heart of the city and is home to a diverse and fluid population of more than 50,000 students. During late summer, visitors get to experience the unique and expansive campus in a slightly quieter state – before classes begin. This is the perfect time to explore the Forty Acres and surrounding areas without as much of the pedestrian traffic that occurs the rest of the year.

Take a Tour

Campus Tours For a realistic glimpse of student life, campus tours are a great way to see the best of the Forty Acres. Recently admitted high school seniors may register for an  on-campus walking tour.  Advance registration is required and same-day reservations are not available for on-campus tours. Prospective students who are not recently admitted high school seniors may take advantage of the University's many  live virtual sessions  and tours or the  Look Around Virtual Tour .

Blanton Museum of Art The University at Austin is home to several world-class museums that display diversity through art, history, science and culture. To see the best of local and international art, stop by the Blanton and take a tour, or walk through at your own pace. The museum holds regular events and tours. Advance reservations are currently required.

LBJ Presidential Library   (temporarily closed) For the history buffs in the family, stop by the Lyndon B. Johnson Library on the Eastern edge of campus and explore LBJ's presidency and lifespan. Exhibits are informative and family friendly. Be sure to stop by on August 27 and celebrate LBJ's birthday with free admission and cake!

Iconic Restaurants Near Campus

Dirty Martin's Place A trip to Austin isn't complete without exploring the renowned food scene, and student-favorite Dirty's Martin's is sure to be a family hit. Fresh ingredients including legendary burgers, handmade fries and onion rings make this place a required stop, and its proximity to campus and "the Drag" (Guadalupe near campus) make it an easy stop for visitors. Be sure to try a Kum-Bak Burger paired with a local beer for an iconic Austin experience.

Torchy's Tacos Torchy's began its ascent to fame as a little food trailer that served up phenomenal food. If you've been to Austin, you'll know that we appreciate a good taco (especially the breakfast kind) so it's only a matter of time before you find your way into a Torchy's. The UT location is a short walk north of campus; you'll know it by the sign, which proudly proclaims "Damn Good." Try a Migas to see what they're all about and pair it with a more unique flavor like the Brushfire.

Hole in the Wall For live music, great local drinks and true Austin culture, head to Hole in the Wall, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. This bar has live music almost every night of the week and serves up plenty of drink specials to enhance the experience.

Kerbey Lane Cafe When it gets late and you've got a case of the munchies, make the trip to Kerbey Lane on Guadalupe. This 24-hour diner serves up breakfast all day (and night) and you can't go wrong with their famous Buttermilk Pancakes or Kerbey Queso. Gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options abound in this city and Kerbey's menu is full of tasty alternatives. *Local tip: Be on the lookout for Pumpkin Pancakes as fall arrives.

Get Your Gear

University Co-op The Co-op is a one-stop-shop for all of your burnt orange needs. Visitors can find everything from clothes to dishware to pet accessories and more in this three-story store. It is located right across the street from campus, so be sure to check it out after a campus tour or before a football game.

Malvern Books Located just north of campus, this independent bookstore specializes in literature and poetry from independent publishers. Explore the shop on your own or attend an event – poetry readings, open mic nights and author events are a great way to get a feel for the independent writing community in Austin.

Other nearby shopping includes Lo-Fi Vintage, Antone's Record Store, Wheatsville Co-Op, Breed & Company and more.

For more information about UT and Central Austin, check out our blog .

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• Campus & Community : Campus Destinations

Campus Destinations

Spend just a minute on our campus and you'll quickly see how The University of Texas at Austin is an immense and beautiful world all its own. And with our dozens of museums, libraries, centers, institutes and special venues spread across the campus and the city, each with its own unique exhibits and programming, you'll never be bored. Designed to enhance the experience of not just current students, faculty, and staff but also community members and visitors from around the world, our many campus destinations will educate, delight and amaze.

Blanton Museum of Art

One of the foremost university art museums in the country, with the largest and most comprehensive collection of art in Central Texas.

Cactus Cafe

Located in the historical Texas Union, the Cactus is a live music listening room that showcases top local, regional, national and international acts.

Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium

One of the largest stadiums in the nation — and home to our beloved Longhorns football team.

Briscoe Center for American History

A leading history research center featuring rich collections on Texas and U.S. history.

Gregory Gym Aquatic Complex

An impressive aquatic complex with indoor and outdoor lap and leisure pools, a spa, deck space, and more.

Harry Ransom Center

An internationally renowned humanities research library and museum, providing unique insight into the creative process of writers and artists.

LBJ Presidential Library

An iconic presidential library and museum covering President Lyndon Baines Johnson's political career and American history.

Moody Center

Moody Center is a $375M, 15,000+ seat premier venue featuring over 150 nights a year of unique entertainment. Moody Center features the best and biggest names in the music industry while hosting The University of Texas Women’s and Men’s basketball games, family shows and other sporting and local events.

Stark Center

A museum and library dedicated to the study of physical culture and sports.

William C. Powers, Jr. Student Activity Center

A state-of-the-art, award-winning and environmentally friendly student gathering space.

Texas Science & Natural History Museum

A museum devoted to the natural sciences, exhibiting the university’s stunning biological and geological collections.

Texas Union

Our historic student union, serving as the university's "living room" since 1933.

UT Austin's most recognizable landmark and symbol.

Visual Arts Center

A vibrant and dynamic creative hub on campus with both exhibition and research space.

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Sweetwater Wind Farm Tour 2024

On April 13, 2024, wind energy expert, Roderick E. Wetsel, led one of our LL.M. students on a tour of the Sweetwater Wind Farm in Texas, one of the largest wind farms in the world. They also made a stop at Texas State Technical College in Sweetwater and toured around the campus and the on site museum. Additionally, there was a site visit to an area in the city declared a public nuisance, where there is an abundance of stacked obsolete wind blades and other equipment.

WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING

“The tour of the wind farm and facilities was enlightening. Professor Wetsel’s guidance provided invaluable insights into the practical aspects of renewable energy systems, further fueling my passion for the field. As an aspiring energy lawyer, this experience has deepened my understanding and will undoubtedly shape my future career path.”

Recent News

'This was a breach of trust': TX NAACP confirms 66 former UT DEI jobs lost at UT April 2

Lawmakers from the Texas Legislative Black Caucus and rights advocates are condemning the layoffs earlier this month of more than 60 University of Texas staff members, who before January had worked in DEI-related positions, as an overcompliance with the state's ban on diversity, equity and inclusion offices at public universities.

Senate Bill 17, which prohibits public institutions of higher education from having DEI offices and initiatives, went into effect Jan. 1. Before then, UT announced it was taking measures to comply with the law, such as cutting DEI-related programs and scholarships; requiring student and faculty groups sponsored by the school to either comply with SB 17 or lose their funding; and closing the Multicultural Engagement Center, which housed six UT-sponsored student groups.

On April 2, UT announced it was closing its Division of Campus and Community Engagement, which previously was the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, and laid off employees who previously had served in DEI-related jobs.

Gary Bledsoe, president of the Texas chapter of the NAACP, described the April layoffs and closing of the Division of Campus and Community Engagement as a “second cut” of implementation, since SB 17 had required all the institutions to assert their compliance by Jan. 1.  

Bledsoe, at a news conference with other leaders Wednesday, said Texas NAACP has a list of 66 confirmed names of people who UT laid off April 2, but he said the total number of layoffs could be significantly higher. UT has not announced how many employees it laid off, and the American-Statesman has confirmed with people with close knowledge of the layoffs that at least 60 employees were axed.

“These were not DEI employees,” said Legislative Black Caucus Chair Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City. "This was a breach of trust.”

More: 'We did not see this coming': UT staff, students react to layoffs, DCCE closure after SB17

The NAACP also said it confirmed UT lost six programs: the Center for Access and Restorative Engagement, formerly the Center for Equity and Inclusion; the Leadership and Dialogue program, formerly Diversity Education; the Women’s Community Center, formerly the Gender and Sexuality Center; Initiatives for Campus Support, formerly Inclusive Campus Support; Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship; and the Center for Leadership and Training, formerly Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence.

More: Senate Education Committee is warning universities to comply with anti-DEI law. Here's why

Reynolds and Bledsoe connected UT's latest cuts to a letter state Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, who wrote the anti-DEI law, sent to university chancellors on March 26 warning them to fully comply with SB 17 ahead of May hearings in which the Senate Education Committee is expected to quiz administrators on how their institutions are following the law. Creighton warned that just renaming offices or titles was "unacceptable."

Bledsoe said he anticipates other universities will follow UT’s lead.

On Wednesday, UT-Dallas announced it was closing its Office of Campus Resources and Support , a new office that opened Jan. 1 after SB 17 went into effect, and was laying off about 20 employees, as part of its reevaluation of services.

The school had opened that office "to ensure UT Dallas can continue to meet the needs" of its students in a way that complied with SB 17 after the school closed its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, according to its website.

“The systemic elimination of important positions because of SB 17 and the Creighton letter is itself an act of First Amendment retaliation and likely discrimination, and it will only serve to dumb down the university,” Bledsoe said.

Creighton told the Statesman in a statement Thursday that "the new law will be enforced."

"Taxpayer funded colleges and universities are required to be in compliance with state law, and our letter was one of many, to remind stakeholders, of the Texas Senate Education Committee's expectations for future interim public hearings," Creighton said. "I'm not exactly sure what has caused any level of surprise with recent decisions that have been made. DEI is banned. Compliance is expected."

UT Campus and Community Engagement Division

Brian Evans, president-elect of the Texas Conference of the American Association of University Professors, said UT's now-shuttered Campus and Community Engagement Division did not run DEI-related functions and was fully compliant with SB 17. The division and its staff provided evidence-based programs to support students, he said.

“What did the students lose?” Evans asked. “They lost staff who provided the academic advising, the scholarships, connections with internships, counseling, health services, food pantries, and ways to connect with other students.”

Evans said division staff also connected faculty members with research grants — something that's exempt under SB 17.

UT declined to comment, instead referring the Statesman to President Jay Hartzell’s April 2 message to the school about the division closing and layoffs, which he said came from eliminating duplication of services that UT provides after it made changes to comply with SB 17.

Was UT expected to lay off employees after DEI ban?

At the news conference Wednesday, the Black Legislative Caucus members shared a video of state Rep. John Kuempel, R-Seguin, who sponsored SB 17 in the House, answering questions at a May hearing about the anticipated job eliminations. When asked if UT staff members specifically would lose their jobs, Kuempel said, “No.”

“They will not lose their jobs. They will, I assume, be reassigned to Student Services,” Kuempel said. “It is my understanding as of today.”

More: What UT lost with SB 17: American-Statesman's guide to changes due to Texas' anti-DEI law

UT lists 19 programs from the eliminated division that will be reorganized into other divisions.

“We sat in the Higher Education Committee, and we heard from students, from the university about how much these programs had meant to them and their success at the university,” said Rep. Sheryl Cole, D-Austin.

Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, who represents UT in her district, said professors and students feel “targeted.”

Hinojosa said lawmakers are going to gather information to ask the “tough questions” of the universities once the next legislative session begins.

“We have to make decisions based on what these institutions give us whether it's funding, legislation,” she said.

'Victims of partisan political fights'

Nelson Linder, president of Austin’s NAACP chapter, said protesting and voting is important and critical to the future of this state. Other officials at the news conference also applauded students' activism and organizing.

“We're going to win this battle,” Linder said. “Make sure that this state does not violate the rights of the students and us as well.”

Reynolds said lawmakers are calling on students to “vote their values.”

Bledsoe said Texas NAACP and UT employees who have been laid off are in discussions about potential litigation due to the “vague and unclear” language of SB 17. Meanwhile, the group and Texas AAUP are continuing to collect information about what has happened and talk with staff and students who have been affected by UT's actions, Evans said.

“Each of these employees are individuals with families that were committed to supporting students at the University of Texas, and all had been reassigned in roles that were in full compliance with Senate Bill 17, yet they were laid off anyway,” Evans said. "They did not deserve to be the victims of partisan political fights.”

Amid state DEI ban, the University of Texas lays off dozens of employees

The layoffs come after a republican state legislator warned college administrators in texas to comply with the controversial law..

A university in Texas has begun massive staff layoffs months after a statewide ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public colleges took effect.

State Sen. Brandon Creighton, a Republican, warned Texas university system administrators last week about the state's expectations for higher education institutions to comply with Senate Bill 17, an anti-DEI law that went into effect in January. Now, the University of Texas at Austin has laid off at least 60 staff members who previously worked in DEI-related positions, according to two people with knowledge of the terminations who confirmed them to the Austin American-Statesman, part of the USA TODAY Network.

The decision is yet another escalation in the mounting attacks on programs that benefit marginalized groups in higher education. In red states like Texas and Florida, anti-DEI laws have shuttered safe spaces for LGBTQ students in the past year and triggered fears that professors and students would flee to more liberal states.

The University of Texas has not confirmed to the Statesman the number of staff positions that have been eliminated or how many employees will be laid off. But on Tuesday afternoon, one of the people with knowledge of the terminations said at least 60 people lost their jobs, 40 of them in the Division of Campus and Community Engagement alone. The layoffs become effective in 90 days or more, people familiar with the terminations told the Statesman. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the terminations publicly. UT did not respond to a Statesman request for comment.

Read more: DEI lives to fight another day at the University of Wyoming

UT Austin is also closing the Division of Campus and Community Engagement, previously known as the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement. President Jay Hartzell said in an email to the UT community on Tuesday afternoon, which was obtained by the Statesman, that although the school made changes before Jan. 1 to comply with SB 17, "we knew that more work would be required to utilize our talent and resources most effectively in support of our teaching and research missions, and ultimately, our students."

More: What UT lost with SB 17: American-Statesman's guide to changes due to Texas' anti-DEI law

"The new law has changed the scope of some programs on campus, making them broader and creating duplication with long-standing existing programs supporting students, faculty, and staff," Hartzell said. "Following those reviews, we have concluded that additional measures are necessary to reduce overlaps, streamline student-facing portfolios, and optimize and redirect resources into our fundamental activities of teaching and research."

Hartzell said the remaining programs will be redistributed among other divisions. He said funding that previously supported DEI initiatives will now be redirected to "support teaching and research." Student support, however, will be available for the rest of the semester.

"The positions that provided support for those associate and assistant deans and a small number of staff roles across campus that were formerly focused on DEI will no longer be funded," Hartzell said.

More: 'Exhausted', 'confused,' 'unprecedented': Texas professors, students reflect on DEI ban

Hartzell added in his email that the Division of Student Affairs will work to ensure student-facing support lasts through the rest of the semester as do student workers' positions, and that "staff members whose positions are being eliminated will have the opportunity to apply and be considered for existing open positions at the University, and resources will be made available to support them."

The university did not clarify how many or which programs and positions have been eliminated. University officials at seven other University of Texas campuses did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday about whether they had taken or planned to take similar action.

DEI on campus: Attacks continue nationwide

In recent years, conservatives have centered their disdain for diversity, equity and inclusion programs in their approach to higher education policy.

According to the Chronicle of Higher Education , more than 80 DEI-related bills have been introduced since 2023 in state legislatures nationwide, largely aimed at dismantling such programs. About two dozen of those bills have either become law or were given a final legislative stamp of approval.

Nowhere have DEI programs been more jeopardized than Florida and Texas . Republican governors in both states signed strict laws preventing taxpayer dollars from going toward certain positions or training tailored to help marginalized groups succeed on campus.

Why are changes influenced by SB 17 still being made?

In Texas, SB 17 bans DEI offices, initiatives and employees from fulfilling those functions at Texas public universities and colleges. In Creighton’s March 26 letter to university system chancellors and boards of regents, he expressed disappointment that some colleges might just be changing office names and titles as part of their compliance, and he cautioned that “this letter should serve as notice that this practice is unacceptable.” He warned administrators that lawmakers could take legal action and even freeze state funding for their institutions if they do not fully comply with SB 17.

"Recognized as the most robust DEI prohibition in the nation, this bill mandates a fundamental shift in the operation of our higher education institutions," Creighton said in his letter.

Read more: Emotions run high as Nebraska becomes latest state caught in crosshairs of DEI initiatives

A UT department chair who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the terminations publicly told the Statesman that they were contacted by their dean Tuesday morning to notify them that an employee in the department would be terminated. That employee, according to the chair, had previously worked in a DEI-related role but was reassigned to a new position and duties as part of the school's compliance with SB 17.

A sophomore who also works in the dean's office told The Daily Texan, the campus newspaper, on Tuesday she learned secondhand that her job had been axed.

“We had an event today, so I texted my boss and I said ‘Hello, where in the Union are we meeting?’” Taizon Walker told the Daily Texan. “She said, ‘Our job has been dissolved today.’”

In previous communications about the anti-DEI law, Hartzell assured the community that the school would continue to support all students while complying with the law. From December until this week, Hartzell did not address the university community about the school's continued efforts to comply with SB 17. On Tuesday when he announced the Division of Campus and Community Engagement was shutting down.

'Y'all are taking away lifesaving services'

UT Austin senior Bibi Macias, a first-generation college student involved in student agencies previously housed in the now-shuttered Multicultural Engagement Center, said the news of staff members losing their jobs and as well as the Division of Campus and Community Engagement (formerly Diversity and Community Engagement Division) closing is "disgusting."

"Heartbreaking and devastating don't begin to cover my feelings about it," Macias said. "Y'all are taking away lifesaving services."

As a first-generation student, Macias said, the Community Engagement Division has been an important resource for her. She said its support had a drastic impact on students' experience and comfort on campus. But she also worries about the staff members, who have dedicated so much to supporting students.

"They're messing with people's lives," Macias said.

Students and professors have accused the university of overcomplying with the law – UT has shut down programs like Monarch , which helped undocumented students navigate school applications, internships and financial aid; and shuttered the Multicultural Engagement Center, which served as a “home away from home” for students of multiple multicultural identities and was open to everyone. They've argued that SB 17 and the university's compliance with it is creating a chilling effect on recruitment and retention – Macias fears it will affect graduation rates for marginalized student groups.

Some conservative lawmakers, who have celebrated ending DEI programs at universities and colleges, have said the Legislature's work to end "woke" policies, or identity politics, at institutions of higher learning is not finished.

UT, like all public universities, went through drastic changes in the weeks and months leading up to SB 17's Jan. 1 effective date. In December, UT announced it was replacing its Gender and Sexuality Center with the Women’s Community Center, shifting the center's focus from LGBTQ+ issues to gender-related matters.

“With its depth, breadth and extraordinary expertise, the Division of Campus and Community Engagement will continue to distinguish UT Austin as uniquely capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly changing campus, state and world,” LaToya Smith, vice president of campus and community engagement, said in an email to the school community in December about the division's changes. “We are here for all.”

Macias, who is involved in the QTBIPOCA and Latinx Community Affairs student agencies that lost UT sponsorship before Jan. 1, said SB 17 creates more pressure for students to create and maintain safe spaces for historically underrepresented and marginalized peoples. Macias's younger sister, a UT freshman, won't have the resources she did, she said.

"How do we survive as these institutions within UT?" Macias asked.

U.S. Air Force’s First Female Fighter Pilot Will Deliver Commencement Address

AUSTIN, Texas — Retired Maj. Gen. Jeannie M. Leavitt, the U.S. Air Force’s first female fighter pilot and a 1990 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, will deliver the keynote address at UT’s 141st Spring Commencement on May 11. The ceremony is expected to draw more than 50,000 attendees and will be held at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. During her 31 years of service, Leavitt logged more than 3,000 hours of flight time, including over 300 hours of combat flying in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Maj. Gen. Leavitt broke much more than the sound barrier when she first took to the skies as a fighter pilot. She set an example of great persistence in pursuing her dreams, resilience in the face of disappointment, and being prepared for unforeseen opportunities,” said President Jay Hartzell. “In many ways she represents this year’s graduates, who entered UT physically detached from our campus at the start of the pandemic and adapted so they could succeed. I am incredibly proud that Maj. Gen. Leavitt blazed her remarkable trail as a Longhorn.”

An aerospace engineering and engineering mechanics alumna, Leavitt went to pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio. She was the top graduate of her class. By 1992, Congress had changed the law to allow women in combat aviation, but the Department of Defense still prohibited women in any combat roles. Figuring the Department of Defense could not ignore Congress forever, she went against her leadership’s advice and requested the F-15E Strike Eagle. She was told she was not eligible for that assignment and directed to make another selection.

In April 1993, Leavitt was training to become an instructor pilot in the T-38 Talon trainer aircraft when her career took a dramatic turn. The Department of Defense changed its policy, and the Air Force remembered her request to fly the Strike Eagle. She was flown to Washington, D.C., for a press conference at the Pentagon, where the Air Force announced that she would be their first female fighter pilot. In 1998, Leavitt became the first female pilot to graduate from Weapons School, the Air Force equivalent of the Navy’s Top Gun.

Leavitt grew up in St. Louis and came to UT because she wanted to study aerospace engineering. Though she never flew as a child because of her mother’s fear of flying, she wanted to be a pilot, and at UT joined Air Force ROTC. When she achieved her goal, Leavitt remembers that most of her peer pilots accepted her, but many from the prior generation did not. Leavitt says that her own experience with loneliness in her efforts to become a fighter pilot gives her empathy with this year’s graduates, who persisted through the loneliness of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am honored to join the class of 2024 for their commencement ceremony,” Leavitt said. “These graduates showed incredible grit as they persevered through the pandemic. Rather than focus on how their lives were impacted by COVID, they focused on actions they could control and excelled in their endeavors at UT. With courage, compassion and commitment, the Longhorn class of 2024 will change the world.”

Leavitt consulted with Marvel Studios during the filming of the 2019 movie “Captain Marvel.” Wanting it to be an authentic representation of a female fighter pilot, she put her heart and soul into working with actor Brie Larson.

“I think that a lot of the tenacity and the spunk and the attitude of ‘Captain Marvel’ really was based off of Gen. Leavitt,” said retired Lt. Col. Caroline Jensen in Leavitt’s tribute video when Leavitt received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2023 from the Texas Exes.

“One of her great hallmarks is how she made any team she was a part of better,” said retired Lt. Gen. Steve Kwast in the same tribute. “She would uplift the condition of the entire team with the way she approached the human piece of this very difficult job of putting your life at risk, fighting another human being that can be equally as good, and always finding a way to win and to bring your team home alive.”

After a long list of service, including a return to Weapons School as an instructor, Leavitt retired from the Air Force in 2023. Her awards and decorations for heroism and meritorious service include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, and the Bronze Star. Leavitt now lives in New Braunfels with her husband and children.

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