Student Well-Being
SHIFT
Student well-being is more important than ever for students to thrive academically and personally both at UT and beyond. UT Austin’s SHIFT initiative aims to make student wellness, with an emphasis on alcohol and other drug use, central to the work we do as educators.
Why give a SHIFT in the classroom?
SHIFT engages first-year students in their Signature Courses and supports additional faculty who are interested in further infusing well-being best practices into their courses. This initiative kicked off in 2019-20 with 38 instructors who taught over 1,700 students in their UGS 302 and 303 courses. SHIFT in Signature Courses now includes over 85 faculty and continues to expand.
What is a SHIFT faculty member?
Faculty involved in this initiative integrate evidence-based protective factors in their course(s) (creativity, value varied perspectives, self-compassion, achievement motivation, etc.) that we know reduce substance use and mitigate its risks. These small shifts in instruction add up to large contributions toward changing campus culture.
How do I get involved?
Becoming a part of SHIFT faculty includes completing an hour-long training module and meeting with SHIFT academic leadership for an hour-long one-on-one workshop that could include classroom observation, syllabus audit and/or feedback on classroom activities.
Send us an email to join SHIFT.
In addition to promoting well-being in the classroom, SHIFT believes in building community! We offer semesterly events called Assets in Action Workshops, which are hour-long lunch and learn events that provide a space for faculty to collaborate and to offer support and strategies to each other in order to promote student well-being in their classrooms.
The following campus wellness and health resources are always accessible to undergraduate students because of their enrollment status as students of the University of Texas at Austin:
UT Counseling & Mental Health Center (CMHC)
Website: https://healthyhorns.utexas.edu/cmhc/
Campus Address: Student Services Building (SSB) 5th Floor (SSB – 0980)
Phone Number: 512-471-3515
24-Hour Crisis Hotline: 512-471-2255
Group Series Information: https://healthyhorns.utexas.edu/cmhc/groups.html
Between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, the UT Counseling & Mental Health Center offers graduate and undergraduate students individual counseling, group classes, wellness workshops and events, 24-hour confidential telephone counseling, and well-being resources, including a MindBody Lab and THRIVE app. In the event of an emergency, you can always reach a professional at the 24-hour crisis hotline: (512) 471-CALL (2255) or through the My Student Support Program messaging webpage. If you are an instructor, advisor, or mentor with a concern about an undergraduate student or graduate student, you can contact a Counselors in Academic Residence Program (CARE) counselor to follow up. CARE counselors are especially suited to addressing some of the following: anxiety, coping with failure, depression, managing stress, perfectionism, and test anxiety.
University Health Services (UHS)
Website: https://healthyhorns.utexas.edu
UHS Services Page: https://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/uhs/index.html
Urgent Care: https://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/uhs/urgent-care.html
Campus Address: Student Services Building (SSB) 2nd Floor
Phone Number: 512-471-4955
Nurse Hotline: 512-475-6877
Make an Appointment: https://portal.uhs.utexas.edu/login_directory.aspx
Contact Form: https://utexas.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3F3ucfP5wWXekqF
The University Health Services (UHS) provides health services for graduate students and undergraduates on campus. You can make an appointment Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM with any of the following departments: General Medicine; Urgent Care; Gynecology Clinic; Physical Therapy; Sports Medicine, Nutrition Service; Radiology; Immunizations/Allergy Shots; Sexual Assault Medical Care and Forensic Evidence Collection. UHS also offers specialized support through the Covid-19 Information and Resources page, the Travel Health department, the Laboratory, STI Testing clinic, and Billing & Insurance desk. The 24-hour nurse hotline is ideal for those seeking medical advice outside of business hours or over the weekends.
Lactation/Quiet Rooms (LQR)
Website: https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/lactation-quiet-rooms
Campus Locations: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1Zc9gkF8V_mgadmW4YNfVhn4tHJ74LDnw&usp=sharing
Phone Number: 512-232-1422
Email: healthpoint.wellness@austin.utexas.edu
Lactation/Quiet Rooms (LQR) are accessible to all students, faculty, and staff of the University of Texas at Austin who require space to nurse or rest for medical reasons. Please consult to campus location webpage to identify the most convenient LQR for you. In some cases LQRs may be reserved and in other cases they are available on a case-by-case basis.
Longhorn Wellness Center (LWC)
Website: https://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/lwc/index.html
Campus Location: Student Services Building (SSB) 1.106
Phone Number: 512-475-8252
Email: healthpoint.wellness@austin.utexas.edu
A student’s health and their ability to thrive academically are closely linked. The Longhorn Wellness Center (LWC) supports the missions of University Health Services and the Counseling and Mental Health Center by addressing priority college health issues. The LWC does this using multi-level, evidence-based prevention strategies such as peer education, social marketing, social norm campaigns, environmental changes, and strategic campus partnerships.
Texas Well-Being
Website: https://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/lwc/texas-well-being.html
Campus Location: Student Services Building (SSB) 1.106
Phone Number: 512-475-8252
Email: longhornwellnesscenter@austin.utexas.edu
Texas Well-Being aims to promote well-being in UT Learning Environments. The strategies they suggest are based on research, and are also based on ideas and techniques that other UT faculty have found to be effective in supporting student well-being. When considering strategies or ideas you’d like to try in your class, think about your personal interactions and teaching style. Not every strategy is the right fit, so pick one that feels comfortable and do it well. Some are easier than others to embed. According to students, some of the simplest ideas can have a huge impact when done authentically.
The following campus community and legal service resources are always accessible to undergraduate students because of their enrollment status as students of the University of Texas at Austin:
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
Website: https://global.utexas.edu/isss
Campus Address: Main Building (MAI) Room 7
Phone Number: 512-471-1211
Email: global@austin.utexas.edu
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) supports UT students, faculty, and staff with an emphasis on serving international members of the UT community living, working, and studying in the United States as well as United States citizens traveling to research, work, or study abroad. ISSS offers passport and visa support, immigration information, advising appointments, and domestic and international emergency support
Department of Investigation and Adjudication (DIA)
Website: https://compliance.utexas.edu/programs/dia
Campus Address: UT Administration Building (UTA) 2.206
Phone Number: 512-232-7055
Email: compliance@austin.utexas.edu
File a Discrimination Report: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/b54b83c225684ce68cdd845412a2def0
The University of Texas at Austin is committed to advancing a fair and just campus culture. As part of that commitment, the University created the Department of Investigation and Adjudication (DIA) to investigate allegations of discrimination, harassment, and other prohibited conduct. These claims can involve students, faculty, staff, contractors, applicants, visitors, and other members of the University community. As a neutral investigator, DIA supports the University in fostering a campus environment that is respectful, and free from discrimination and harassment. You may report concerns you have about a student, peer, or faculty member to the CEI by filing a discrimination Report.
Voices Against Violence (VAV)
Website: https://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/lwc/voices-against-violence.html
Campus Address: Student Services Building (SSB) 5th Floor
CMHC Phone Number: 512-471-3515
CMHC Crisis Line: 512-471-2255
Email: voicesagainstviolence@austin.utexas.edu
Request a Presentation, Training, or Workshop: https://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/lwc/group-offerings.html
A subset of the Counseling and Mental Health Center, Voices Against Violence (VAV) is a student organization dedicated to providing information and support related to violence prevention and coping strategies. You may attend or request workshops, performances, or presentations on safety and wellness offered by members of the VAV team. You may contact the VAV team by email if you are interested in becoming a Mental Health or Voices Against Violence Peer Educator or in learning more about the support and services offered through the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) or the Voices Against Violence Program.
Title IX Office
Website: https://titleix.utexas.edu
Campus Address: Student Services Building (SSB) 4.204
Phone Number: 512-471-0419
Email: titleix@austin.utexas.edu
File a Title IX Report: https://titleix.utexas.edu/file-a-report
File a Title IX Report by Phone: 512-232-3992
The Title IX Office is dedicated to protecting members of the UT community from all forms of sexual harassment, sex discrimination, exploitation, and intimidation. As an employee of the University, you are a mandatory reporter by law. This means that you are legally required to report any information related to Title IX violations as they relate to current or former UT students, staff, and faculty.
The following language regarding Senate Bill (SB) 212, enacted on January 1, 2020, is available on the University of Texas Senate Bill 212 Frequently Asked Questions webpage (https://titleix.utexas.edu/faqs):
- “As of January 1, all employees who witness or receive information about sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking that involve a current student or employee must promptly report the incident to the University’s Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy Title IX Coordinator. Reports can be made by phone: (512) 471-0419; email, or online.
- Reports to the Title IX Coordinator must include all relevant information that is known about the incident.
- Student employees are encouraged, but not required, to report under SB 212. However, if a student employee is designated as a responsible employee, they are still required to report under Title IX and their responsible employee duties.
- Retaliation against persons who make a good faith report is prohibited.
- An employee who does not report an incident or who makes a false report can be charged with a criminal offense (Class B or Class A Misdemeanor). If an employee fails to make a required report or makes a false report, the law requires that the employee be terminated.
- Employees who have been designated by the university as confidential or private employees are only required to report the type of incident. Students can talk to confidential employees about a Title IX related matter with assurance that confidential employees may not reveal the student’s identity or other identifying information. A list of confidential and private employees is available on the Title IX Website.
- The Title IX Coordinator must submit a written report of the reports received by the institution, to the President at least quarterly.”
The following crisis support and related resources are always accessible to undergraduate students because of their enrollment status as students of the University of Texas at Austin:
Ombuds (Students and Staff)
Website: https://ombuds.utexas.edu
Campus Address: Student Services Building (SSB) G1.404
Email: utombuds@austin.utexas.edu
Student Ombuds: 512-471-3825; https://ombuds.utexas.edu/student
Staff Ombuds: 512-471-3825; https://ombuds.utexas.edu/staff
The Students and Staff Ombuds Office is staffed by mediating professionals who offer free, confidential, neutral, and informal consultations. Ombuds representatives can listen and talk you through difficult situations, direct you to appropriate campus departments or resources based on your needs, and coach you as you prepare to have difficult conversations with supervisors, peers, or students. While Ombudspeople will not intervene on your behalf, they are an excellent resource for those who would like to work with a neutral party to advise them on situations related to enrollment or employment at UT.
Student Emergency Services (SES)
Website: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/emergency/
Campus Address: Student Services Building (SSB) 4.104
Phone Number: 512-471-5017
Email: studentemergency@austin.utexas.edu
Student Emergency Services (SES) in the Office of the Dean of Students serves as a primary point of contact for students and their families and assists with navigating campus and community resources. SES can help students by offering information regarding course load reductions or full withdrawals, emergency funds, short-term emergency housing, referrals to appropriate campus offices, discrete notifications to professors regarding absences, and coordination with families. If you are an instructor, advisor, mentor, roommate, or friend of an enrolled UT student and have concerns about that student, please contact SES. Emergency situations handled by SES include but are not limited to: missing student, family emergency, fire or natural disaster, student death (current or former), medical or mental health concern, academic difficulties related to a crisis or emergency situation, or interpersonal violence (e.g., stalking, harassment, physical and/or sexual assault).
Student Emergency Fund
Website: https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/emergency/studentemergencyfund.php
Apply for Funding: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?UTAustin&layout_id=303
The Student Emergency Fund is available to enrolled students whose financial and personal wellness has been impacted by emergencies which may include but are not limited to: medical treatments and hospitalization; utilities; medication and prescription expenses; food insecurity, safety-related needs (e.g., lock change, emergency shelter, etc.), or the replacement of belongings that have been lost due to a fire or natural disaster.
UT Outpost
Website: https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/emergency/utoutpost.php
Campus Address: 100 W Dean Keeton (SSB), Suite G1.406
Phone Number: 512-471-6242
UT Outpost is a free food pantry and professional clothes career closet accessible to all enrolled UT students. While the main location is on University Avenue, there are satellite locations.
Behavioral Concerns Advice Line (BCAL)
Website: https://safety.utexas.edu/behavior-concerns-advice-line
Campus Address: Office of Campus Safety, East Campus Garage (ECG 1.200)
Phone Number: 512-232-5050
Behavioral Concerns Online Submission Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?UTAustin&layout_id=301
The Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL) is a part of the University Office of Campus Safety that provides UT Austin’s faculty, students, and staff an opportunity to discuss concerns about another individual’s behavior and, if necessary, to intervene to protect the campus community.
Trained staff members will assist the individual in exploring available options and strategies. They will also provide appropriate guidance and resource referrals to address the particular situation. Depending on the situation, individuals may be referred to resources including but not limited to the Office of the Dean of Students/Student Emergency Services, Counseling and Mental Health Center, and the Employee Assistance Program. An individual can either call the line at 512-232-5050 or report their concerns using the online submission form.