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Places around campus to be familiar with
The Drag Otherwise
known as a section of Guadalupe Street that runs along the western edge of the University of Texas campus. Although more mainstream
than earlier years it is traditionally home to underground bookstores, tattoo parlors, and other eclectic shops. You can find coffee shops, restaurants, an open market, arcades, and of course people asking you
to spare some change.
West Mall The West
Mall is the area directly west of the Main Building. It is the home of several
campus buildings including the Undergraduate Library and the Texas Union. Most
campus organizations use this area to table and you will often find students taking a break or eating lunch there. Many groups perform on the West mall and on Wednesdays at noon, there is a man who plays the drums and
has a little following.
Main Mall This is
the non-grassy area right in front (south) of the tower. This is a high traffic
area during the class day, a rallying space, and also where the university wide graduation is held. If you stand in the Main Mall you can see the Capital Building, some people think that this place is inspirational
and good luck before a test.
South Mall The south mall
is the grassy area south of the Main Mall and the Tower. It is also known as
the Six Pack because it has three campus buildings on each side, like a six-pack of soda/beer.
If it is a nice day outside, students usually sunbathe on the lawn. During
the fall semester they show movies and football games on the south mall. It is
a great place for a picnic.
Gregory Gym On the
corner of 21st and Speedway, this newly remodeled gym is most popular to UT students.
It has an indoor track, a swimming pool, and two areas with many cardio machines.
There are sometimes special tabling fairs that occur outside Gregory Gym, and this high traffic area would also be
a great place to have a table or an activity. The volleyball Gym also serves
as an auditorium to host speakers. Note: there is another gym called the REC
center that is farter away and less crowded.
Texas Union The Texas
Union is centrally located and has a variety of functions. It has several rooms
that can be reserved by campus organizations to have programs or meetings; it has a food court, a bowling alley and a theater. The Cactus Café is a bar and a small venue for concerts that is attached to the Union. Additionally, the union has a HUGE ballroom where our distinguished speaker usually
lectures and also where we have our Shabbat 1000 in the spring.
Dobie Mall On 21st street
it is the only mall on campus, but it isnt a typical mall. It mostly consists
of a food court and a couple of non-traditional shops (a jewelry place, a florist, a salon and a manicurist). Above it is the Dobie Residence, which is a private dormitory.
Jester Jester is a
dorm, cafeteria, classroom, career center, and convenience store all in one. It
is the largest dormitory in the US and has its very own zip code. There is a
Jester East and a Jester West. There is an area to table in Jester that
becomes active around lunchtime from 11-2.
West Campus West campus is not really considered campus because it is not directly connected the original
40 Acres. It is the area on the west side of Guadalupe Street, which the Hillel
building is on. West campus is a very popular residential area and home to Castilian,
Towers and most Greek Houses.
The Tower
The 307-foot-tall University of Texas at Austin Tower was completed in 1937.
If you are ever lost on campus, just look up! The Tower, a.k.a. the Main Building,
is one of the most recognizable symbols of the University of Texas at Austin. Believe
it or not, it is actually taller than the State Capitol Building! The tower lights
up orange when we win a game, for special events and graduation and orange with the #1 in lights when we win a national championship.
Observation deck tours are available by reservation only through the Texas
Union Information Center. For information on availability and the schedule of tours, call (512) 475-6633, or toll-free at
1-877-475-6633.
Hook Em Horns
This UT spirit gesture resembles
the head of a longhorn. It was introduced in 1955 by Head Yell Leader, Harley
Clark, Jr. Be careful with your horns when you go to Italy, because this hand
symbol means your boyfriend cheated on your with your best friend. Kind of an
elaborate meaning for a simple hand gesture, dont you think?
Texas Traditions
Gone to Texas
This is a special welcome celebration for new students the night before fall
semester begins. President Faulkner is there, local Austin bands play, and everyone
learns The Eyes of Texas. If you would like to start learning a bit about TEXAS
culture, this is a great place to start!
Red River Shootout (TX-OU football game in Dallas) sometime in October
(football schedule not released In time of posting)
This Red River Rivalry began in 1900 when the UT Longhorns played the OU Sooners. The football game is played in Dallas, halfway between Norman, OK, and Austin, TX
because the rivalry is so big. It is also during the Texas State Fair so many
students travel to Dallas for the whole weekend. (If you plan on checking it
out, be prepared for bumper to bumper traffic all the way there). The Torchlight
Parade marches down the Drag to the Tower for a pep rally that kicks off OU weekend dont miss it!
Parents Weekend
The perfect time to meet parents of students you know so well (and some you
dont!). This fall event gives friends and families a chance to get a taste of
university life and see their students in their new environment. During the weekend
there is a football game, Greek activities (this upcoming year I think the Jewish houses are getting together to have a party
check with the parents weekend chairs for more information), and the Hillel brunch! This past year we hosted Darrell Royal
(a legendary former UT football coach) to speak at our event.
Hex Rally and Texas vs. A&M
Since the first football game in 1894, the rivalry between UT and A&M has
grown. Madame Hipple, a local fortuneteller, suggested that UT Longhorns gather
together and light red candles to hex the Aggies before the football game. The
Hex rally has been a sensitive event in the past few years following the bonfire tragedy at A&M in 1999.
Texas Revue Usually the second week of April
Where can you see great entertainment by students for free? Texas Revue, a school-wide talent show, is the place to be! This
is a great event that will make you want to sing and dance! I recommend the first
performance it is outside on the Main Mall in front of the Tower it is less formal and more fun! The UTLB Swing Out awards are announced at this event and this past year our a cappella group rhythm and
Jews preformed.
Forty Acres Fest End of AprilThis is a fun-filled festival
created for and planned by the students. Held each spring, this weekend of excitement
is named after the original plot of land on which UT was established. There is live music all day long and student booth activities
all around campus. Since it is on Shabbat, Hillel looks for a kosher way to participate we have displayed the Freedom Wall/
structure for the past few years.
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