The fall semester begins on Wednesday Aug. 30, and new and returning Longhorns will be kicking off the academic year at a number of welcome events across campus. In addition to the large-scale university-wide events, there are several back-to-school events offered by the Multicultural Engagement Center, the Gender and Sexuality Center and Services for Students with Disabilities that can help students find their voice, their community and their advocacy skills.

We encourage you to peruse the list of events below and to take advantage of the many resources this university has to offer!

Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC)

Contact the GSC for more information: 512-232-1831, gsc@austin.utexas.edu. Website: diversity.utexas.edu/genderandsexuality/

Open House
Tuesday, Aug. 29, 5-6:30 p.m., Student Activity Center (SAC 2.112)
Stop by the open house to learn about the many services the GSC provides to all members of the university and the Austin community. The center offers a myriad of resources that promote learning around issues of gender and sexuality. The GSC also facilitates a greater responsiveness to the needs of women and the LGBTQ communities through education, outreach and advocacy.

Ice Cream Social (Feminist Action Project)
Wednesday, Aug. 30, 7-8 p.m., Student Activity Center (SAC 2.112)
Stop by the GSC for an ice cream social with members of the Feminist Action Project, a  student group that organizes activist programs, conversations and events for gender justice with the collaboration of the GSC.

Multicultural Engagement Center (MEC)

All events (except for New Black Student Weekend) are free of charge. Contact the MEC for more information: 512-232-2958, mec@austin.utexas.edu. Website: diversity.utexas.edu/multiculturalengagement/

New Black Student Weekend (Afrikan American Affairs)
Friday, Aug. 25-Sunday, Aug. 27, Jester’s Spanish Terrace, Camp Buckner
New Black Student Weekend is a program dedicated to welcoming incoming Black students at UT Austin. It is an unforgettable experience where students can learn more about the university, resources for people of color, make lifelong friendships, gain essential tools for success and kick-start the transition into college life. The students attend workshops, a leadership retreat, and a celebratory block party. Go here to register.

Block Party (Afrikan American Affairs)
Friday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m., Jester Oaks Terrace
A celebratory event that educates incoming Longhorns about succeeding during their undergraduate careers. The event also informs students about resources available on campus that will enhance their college experience.

Adelante! (Latino Community Affairs)
Wednesday, Aug. 30, 5-8 p.m., Gregory Gym Arena
Adelante is a resource fair geared toward Latino students. The fair is open to all students and will feature food, music, various fun activities and prizes.

Justice Jubilee (Students for Equity and Diversity)
Thursday, Aug. 31, 5 p.m., East Mall
Justice Jubilee is a resource fair geared toward students with emerging interests in social justice, including environmental justice, racial justice, and more. The fair is open to all students and will feature various fun activities and prizes and opportunities to engage in social justice work.

Four Directions (Native American and Indigenous Collective)
Friday, Sept. 1, 5-8 p.m., PCL Plaza
Four Directions is a welcome event and resource fair, open to all people at UT Austin and the surrounding community. Four Directions is designed for incoming first-year and transfer students who are Native American and Indigenous in order to help give them a sense of community, presence and belonging on campus, and to give other people in the UT community a greater insight into the native and indigenous presence at UT Austin.

YBO: You Bring Out the Asian in Me (Asian Desi Pacific Islander American Collective)
Wednesday, Sept. 6, 5-8 p.m., Union Ballroom
YBO is both a resource fair and concert for incoming APIA freshmen students. The YBO resource fair provides opportunities to find APIA student organizations and professional development opportunities. The event culminates in a rousing concert by a prominent Asian American artist.

Bloq Party (Queer People of Color and Allies)
Thursday, Sept. 7, 5-8 p.m. East Mall
Bloq Party is a resource fair and welcome event to support  LGBTQ students. The fair is open to all students and will feature music, various fun activities and prizes.

Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD)

For more details about RSVP-only events, contact SSD at 512-471-6259, 512-410-6644 (video phone), ssd@austin.utexas.edu. Website: diversity.utexas.edu/disability/

Deaf/Hard of Hearing Meet and Greet (open to the campus community)
Tuesday, Sept. 5, 5:30 -7:30 p.m. at the National Deaf Center, located in the Sanchez Building (SZB 228)
This event provides an opportunity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students and other members of the UT community to connect and build community. All are welcome to attend!

Accommodation Orientation (open to students registered with SSD)
Wednesday, Sept 6, 3:30-5 p.m. RSVP required
Incoming students will receive helpful advice and instructions about using accommodations from current UT Students and SSD staff.

Accommodation Orientation and Resource Fair (open to students registered with SSD)
Thursday, Sept. 7- Resource Fair from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Accommodation Orientation from 6:30-8 p.m. in SAC 3.116, RSVP Required
Incoming students will receive helpful advice and instructions about using accommodations from current UT Students and SSD staff.

Self-Advocacy Skills Workshop (open to students registered with SSD)
Tuesday, Sept. 12, 3:30-4:30 p.m. RSVP required
Join SSD and the Student Ombuds for a hands-on workshop that will strengthen your self-advocacy skills and help you approach your professors with more confidence.

disABILITY Advocacy Student Coalition Meeting (open to the campus community)
Thursday, Sept. 14, 6 p.m., Student Activity Center (SAC 3.116)
Want to get involved with disability awareness and advocacy on campus? Come learn more about this student organization by attending their first meeting of the semester!

Tea and Tech- Web Portal Overview (open to students registered with SSD)
Tuesday, Sept. 19, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Student Services Building (SSB 4.212)
Drop by and enjoy some tea and treats while you ask questions, trouble shoot and learn more about the features of the SSD Web Portal!

Student Services Building 20th Anniversary Celebration (open to the campus community)
Friday, Sept. 22, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Student Services Building
Come join in the celebration and learn about all the different departments housed inside the SSB. There will be free food, fun and prizes so stop by and learn about all the services available to you as a UT student!