University of Texas at Austin

Now Hiring: Inaugural Dean for UT's New Medical School

Syeda Hasan — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:01:06 +0000

Calling all big shots: University of Texas administrators have begun the search for the inaugural dean of the Dell Medical School, hoping to fill the office by early next year.

UT released a 21-page document Monday detailing the necessary qualifications for applicants. The document describes the ideal candidate as an inspiring “leader among leaders,” comfortable with serving in the public eye and representing the school to local media and community leaders.

UT's Briscoe Center Aquires Letter From George Washington

Gefei Liu — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 18:20:37 +0000

The Dolph Briscoe Center at the University of Texas at Austin recently acquired a letter written by George Washington.

The letter was written to John Armstrong in 1769 – before the Revolutionary War. In it, Washington talks about his views of an incident resulting in the deaths of three Native Americans. Washington describes the killings as murders and calls them "villainy" and "mischief.”

UT Grad Wins Student Academy Award for Father-Son Film (Update)

Laura Rice, KUT News — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:18:25 +0000

Update: Actor Jason Schwartzman presented UT RTF graduate Brian Schwarz with the gold Student Academy Award medal Saturday night.

He's only the second UT student to win 'gold' at the Student Academy Awards.

In his acceptance speech, Schwarz did take time to thank the RTF department. He called it a department with "great faculty" and "an enthusiastic student body." He also went on to talk about Austin's supportive film scene.

Comedian Bob Saget hosted the awards.

UT Softball's World Series Trip Ends in Semi-Finals

Greg Echlin — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:20:51 +0000

The University of Texas softball season ended last night with a 2-1 loss to Tennessee at the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.

Earlier in the day, the Longhorns kept their national title hopes alive with a 3-0 victory over Florida.

UT Softball Faces Arizona State in Women's College World Series

Greg Echlin — Fri, 31 May 2013 13:00:09 +0000

For the first time since 2006, the University of Texas at Austin softball team is in Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series. It’s their fifth trip in team history, but the soft national championship has thus far eluded the Longhorns.

They’ll open against Arizona State tonight in a game that will air on ESPN2.

Tuition Revenue Bond Bill is Refiled in Special Session

Kate McGee, KUT News — Tue, 28 May 2013 22:34:39 +0000

State Sen. Kel Seliger has re-filed a bill in the special session allowing state universities to issue Tuition Revenue Bonds for capital projects.

However, lawmakers wouldn't be able to take up the issue unless Gov. Rick Perry adds it to the list of topics for the special session.

After Oklahoma Tornado, Austin Campuses Examine Storm Plans

Kate McGee, KUT News — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:21:03 +0000

The recent tornado in Oklahoma and the shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut last year have increased people’s awareness of emergency management at schools.

At the University of Texas’s Police Building, the Emergency Operation Center is quiet right now. But David Cronk, UT’s Emergency Preparedness director, says when there’s a threat or major event, the room can get pretty crowded.

UT Football Great Vince Young Graduates

Nathan Bernier, KUT News — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:54:33 +0000

Former Longhorn quarterback Vince Young graduated from the University of Texas at Austin Friday with a bachelor’s degree in Youth and Community Studies. He Tweeted a blurry photo of himself receiving his diploma and thanked "everyone who supported me through the good and bad."

Last Seen, Moving Slowly, on the UT Campus: a Robotic Couch

Andrew Weber — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:01:00 +0000

We’ve seen the future – and it is automated.

We have automated vacuum cleaners, cars and even warplanes. So it was only a matter of time until the practice moved to home furnishings. And Sunday before last, at 5 a.m., the UT Robotics and Automation Society (RAS) debuted the latest – and most peculiar – automation application: a robotic couch.

First Look at UT Medical School: New Hospital on Red River, Erwin Center Could Be Demolished

Bobby Blanchard and Laura Rice, KUT News — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:33:20 +0000

Update: The full University of Texas System Board of Regents has voted to move forward with a plan for the future of its flagship campus – including the medical school. The plan passed without discussion.

Update (May 8, 11:51 a.m.): A committee of the UT System Board of Regents approved an update to the university's master plan, including plans for UT's medical school, new teaching buildings and more. The plan could eventually move the Frank Erwin Center.

UT Mines APD Brass for New Police Chief

Nathan Bernier, KUT News — Tue, 07 May 2013 22:01:37 +0000

The University of Texas has a new police chief. It’s David Carter, who is currently Chief of Staff at the Austin Police Department.

UT criminal justice professor Mike Lauderdale led the search committee for the new chief, and recommended the appointment to UT Austin President Bill Powers, who made the final decision.

Lauderdale says one of Carter’s major challenges will be dealing with high turnover at the department.

Despite Viral Video Notoriety, UT's Foam Sword Friday Continues (With Nary a Bus in Sight)

Austin Feldman and Filipa Rodrigues — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:23:26 +0000

It’s the last day of regular classes for the spring semester at the University of Texas. And as it happens every last day of class on UT campus, some students are celebrating with Foam Sword Friday, helping students relieve stress before finals.

The campus tradition used to consist of students charging at one another from either side of Guadalupe Street in front of the University Co-Op. That is, until one student was hit by a bus last spring.

'UT Remembers' Honors Students, Staffers Lost Over the Year

Bobby Blanchard — Fri, 03 May 2013 12:37:54 +0000

The University of Texas at Austin tower will be mostly dark tonight in honor of the 205 members of the UT community who died over the past year.

Dimming the tower is part of UT Remembers, an annual event that pays tribute to the UT students, faculty members, staffers and retirees who died in the past year. The following events are scheduled today:

African-Americans Are Austin's Only Shrinking Ethnic Group. Here's What Some Are Doing About That

Joy Diaz, KUT News — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:24:06 +0000

To say that Austin is growing is an understatement. But amid Austin’s exponential growth, one group is declining – and fast. The African-American community in Austin is shrinking, due to two major factors: moving out of the city’s core, and a mortality rate higher than any other group.

Last night, a diverse group of people met on the UT campus to discuss if there’s a future for black life in Austin.

'Bike to UT Day' Kicks Off Bike Month Festivities

Austin Feldman — Wed, 01 May 2013 13:22:26 +0000

In celebration of Bike Month, the University of Texas at Austin is hosting Bike to UT Day.

Those biking to UT today can stop by one of the many Bike to UT Day kiosks throughout campus between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. to pick up a complimentary light breakfast. From noon until 3 p.m. today, Gregory Plaza will be celebrating with free pizza, t-shirts, tote bags, bike lights, maps and even a keg of root beer.