6. ACADEMIC RESOURCES AND STUDENT SERVICES
CAMPUS LIFE |
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OFFICE OF STUDENT LIFE
The Office of Student Life develops and directs the activities of several areas at UTSA, including the University Center, the Office of Student Activities, the Special Events Center, the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center, the Office of Student Judicial Affairs, the Child Development Center, and the Office of Housing and Residence Life. More information is available by calling (210) 458-4720 or visiting the Student Life Web site.
Child Development Center
UTSA’s Child Development Center, located off UTSA Boulevard on the southwest side of the 1604 Campus, serves the early childhood educational needs of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers whose parents are UTSA students, staff, or faculty. The Center can house 96 children, with spaces for classrooms, a gross motor skills room, and outdoor play areas. The Center is licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and is accredited by the National Association for Education of Young Children. More information on the Center can be obtained by calling (210) 458-6364 or visiting the Child Development Center Web site.
Student Activities
The Office of Student Activities (located at both the 1604 and Downtown campuses) provides the University’s diverse student population with a broad range of programs in a student-centered learning environment. Programs and services include leadership development, cultural events, campus-wide entertainment events, for-credit leadership courses, and annual student recognition programs.
With over 200 student organizations, UTSA provides a dynamic campus student life. Students can become involved in a variety of organizations, including academic clubs, honorary organizations, social organizations, Greek fraternities and sororities, professional organizations, and special interest groups. Student leaders are integral to the planning of many activities on campus including, Homecoming, campus festivals such as Fiesta UTSA, Best Fest, Roadrunner Days, and many other programs.
There is something for everyone and participation in activities, programs, and services is encouraged at both the UTSA 1604 and Downtown campuses. More information on events and activities can be obtained by calling (210) 458-4160 or visiting the Student Activities' Web site.
Inclusion and Community Engagement Center
The mission of the Office of Student Life is to facilitate experiences that provide students with a sense of place and belonging while preparing them to be responsible, engaged citizens in a rapidly changing global environment. The Inclusion and Community Engagement (ICE) Center advances that mission through outreach and programming that promotes cultural appreciation and by facilitating meaningful involvement through volunteer service activities. The ICE Center coordinates volunteer service opportunities and identifies and develops ways to foster a civil and respectful campus climate in which all members of the campus community feel safe, welcome and valued. More information on events and activities can be obtained by calling (210) 458-4770 or visiting the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center Web site.
University Center
The University Center (UC), located on the 1604 Campus, is the focal point for programs, meetings, dining, and relaxation for students, faculty, staff, and University guests.
The building houses the following University departments: Alumni Programs, Career Services, Events Management & Conference Services, the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center, the Office of Student Life & Dean of Students, Orientation and Transition Services, the Special Events Center, the Office of Student Activities, the Student Organization Complex, the Office of Student Judicial Affairs, the Tomás Rivera Center, and the UC Administration. A variety of services and amenities are provided at the UC to support daily campus life. These include the UTSA Bookstore, food service outlets, The Roost game room, lounge space, an Information Center which houses software and Ticketmaster® outlets, Copy Express, an ATM, and several UTSA e-kiosks.
Space dedicated to student activities consists of the Student Organization Complex, which includes a large area for student organization cubicles and office space for the Campus Activities Board, the Student Government Association, the Volunteer Organization Involving Community Education and Service (VOICES) Office, Honors Alliance and the Greek Life Student Organization Council. For more information, contact the University Center at (210) 458-4735 or visit the UC Web site at www.utsa.edu/uctr/.
Living Accommodations
Students can explore the on-campus living accommodations offered at UTSA with the help of the Office of Housing and Residence Life. On-campus housing options include Chaparral Village and Laurel Village, both of which are owned and operated by UTSA. Chisholm Hall and University Oaks on-campus housing facilities are owned and managed by Campus Living Villages on UTSA’s behalf. All on-campus housing is on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible after they are admitted to UTSA.
Campus Residence Hall
Chisholm Hall is a traditional residence hall providing students with an active‑student living environment. Chisholm Hall offers 365-square-foot double- and single-occupancy furnished rooms with private baths, large closets, and all utilities paid. Utilities include electric, local and long distance telephone, and Internet access. The hall has a community kitchen and lounge. Mini-refrigerators and microwaves may also be kept in the residents’ rooms. Meal plans are optional. The Activity Center has an indoor lap pool, digital surround-sound theater with gaming outlets, and computer lab. Contract options include Fall/Spring or Spring Semesters. Special programming is available such as The Living and Learning Community, Quiet Floor, Female Wing, and Academic Rebate Program. The Academic Rebate Program honors per-semester rebates for students who achieve a grade point average of 3.25 or higher. For further information, contact the office at 1-800-377-6933, or complete an application and contract online.
Campus Apartments
Chaparral Village and Laurel Village provide living accommodations to approximately 1,680 students in private 2- or 4-bedroom units. Each fully furnished unit has a living room and a kitchenette with a microwave and refrigerator. The rate includes all utilities, cable, high-speed Internet, phone, and free long distance within the United States. There are several community centers that include laundry facilities, study rooms, full-size kitchens, and recreational/program areas. The City Centers have room for larger gatherings, a computer laboratory, a classroom and conference room. Other amenities include a swimming pool. Residential Learning Communities are also available for students. Residents must purchase a meal plan. Roommate matching is available. For more information, please call (210) 458-6200, or apply online at the Housing and Residence Life Web site.
University Oaks Apartments offers five different floor plans with private bedrooms, full-service kitchens, and built-in dining/study areas. Amenities include three swimming pools and hot tubs, three laundry centers, sand volleyball courts, a basketball court, and limited-access gates. Resident programming is available in the student clubhouse, and an Academic Enrichment Center provides a study environment and computer lab. Housing is available year-round, with 9- and 12-month leases, and 3-month summer term leases. Individual leases are available in which a student is solely responsible for the rent of his/her room. Roommate matching is provided in order to accommodate both parties. Rates include an electricity allowance, Internet, and extended basic cable. For further information, contact the office at 1-800-379-3974, or complete an application and deposit form online.
Off-Campus
Although it does not make recommendations regarding off-campus housing options, the Office of Student Life, located in UC 2.02.18, does make available off-campus housing information to help students find accommodations in the San Antonio area. Contact the Office of Student Life for off-campus housing information at (210) 458-4720, or email them at StudentLife@utsa.edu.
CAMPUS DINING
Dining facilities are available in the Biotechnology, Sciences and Engineering Building, the Business Building, the John Peace Library Building, and the University Center at the 1604 Campus; the Frio Street Building houses dining facilities at the Downtown Campus. Menu selections vary by location and venues may include entrees and vegetables, burgers, pizza, pasta, grilled sandwiches, desserts, and beverages. UTSA’s Roadrunner Café, which provides dining for residents of campus housing and other students on UTSA’s meal plan, is also open to the public for a fixed price. Visit the UTSA Auxiliary Services’ Web site to view more information concerning meal plans and rates.
PARKING, TRANSPORTATION AND SHUTTLE SERVICE
Parking on all UTSA campuses requires either 1) the purchase of a UTSA parking permit, or 2) the payment of an hourly fee at a Short-Term parking space. For more parking information, including permit types, prices, and parking locations, go to: http://www.utsa.edu/parking/. Shuttle bus service is also available on the 1604 Campus from outlying parking lots and residence halls to the core of campus.
VIA buses provide transportation between the 1604 Campus and the Downtown Campus. Students, faculty, and staff may ride the route 93 and 94 buses free of charge with a valid UTSA identification card. VIA also offers two Park-N-Ride lots served by the 93 and 94 routes which offer free parking and free bus service. VIA offers a discounted student bus pass for all other VIA routes. For more VIA Bus information go to: http://www.viainfo.net/.
INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
UTSA fields men’s and women’s teams for intercollegiate competition in Division I of the NCAA. Men’s sports include basketball, baseball, cross-country, golf, indoor and outdoor track, and tennis. Women’s sports are basketball, cross-country, indoor and outdoor track, softball, volleyball, soccer, golf, and tennis. UTSA is one of 12 universities from Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas that comprise the Southland Conference, a NCAA Division IAA football conference.
All currently enrolled students receive free admission to any on-campus UTSA athletic event.
UTSA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The mission of the UTSA Alumni Association is to promote and serve the University and its alumni. The Association seeks to strengthen ties among the University—its past, present, and future students—and the community in order to promote and support programs and initiatives that advance academic excellence.
The Association was established in 1977 and incorporated in 1978 as a 501(c)(3) organization in the State of Texas. It is a dues‑paying membership organization governed by a 21-member elected board of directors. The Office of Alumni Programs was established in 1991 to manage the daily operations of the Alumni Association.
The Student Alumni Association was established in 1995 to encourage active relationships between students and alumni.
Alumni-sponsored activities include:
- an annual gala at which the Alumnus of the Year and Distinguished Service Award recipients are honored
- the Diploma DashTM 5K Run/City Championship Race
- the official UTSA class ring program and a ring ceremony each semester at which students are presented with their rings
- homecoming activities, college events, and opportunities for students to network with alumni.
For more information, call (210) 458-4133 or 1-888-ONE-ALUM, send an email to alumni@utsa.edu, or visit the UTSA Alumni Association Web site.