Newsletter
The Family Association Newsletter provides you with insight into UTSA events, resources, opportunities, and talking points for supporting your student.
March Highlights
Spring Family Day on Saturday, March 5
There is still time to gather the family and come out to the Spring Family Day event happening this Saturday, March 5. The Family Association lunch begins at 12:30 pm and tickets can be purchased on the UTSA Marketplace website.
Following lunch, there are two athletic events to choose from. You all can walk over to the Convocation Center to watch a men’s basketball game or head over to Roadrunner Field to see a great game of baseball. Reduced rate tickets for the games can be purchased through UTSA Athletics. Here are some highlights to know about the games:
- The UTSA Men’s Basketball team will be celebrating the players graduating this year as a part of Senior Day.
- The UTSA Baseball team is fresh off their fifth straight win, with a victory over the No. 2 nationally-ranked Stanford University.
March is Women’s History Month
The UTSA Women’s Studies Institute invites your students to participate in the events taking place as a part of Women’s History Month. During the month of March, the events scheduled will celebrate the contributions women have made to history, culture and society over the course of American history. Visit the Women’s History Month website to see the complete schedule of events.
- International Women’s Day – The Multicultural Student Center for Equity and Justice (MSCEJ) invites roadrunner students and families to be part of the International Women's Day social media campaign all day on Tuesday, March 8. Take a photo of yourself or an important woman in your life and post it on social media with #BreakTheBias in your caption, and tag @UTSA_MSCEJ.
- Empowering Leaders Women’s Symposium – Students are invited to join Patricia Diaz Dennis on Tuesday, March 8 at 5:00 pm in the Denman Ballroom where she will share her tips with attendees on how to empower themselves to be comfortable asking questions with co-workers, in the board room, and with senior leadership.
- Style Files: Ancestral Aesthetics of South Texas -Ayer, Hoy, y Siempre –Braiding together research and Anzaldúan autohistoria, this workshop will present on the ways women dress themselves to express cultural identity, adorn themselves as a form of self-care. The virtual event will be on Wednesday, March 9 and the in-person event will be on Sunday, March 13.
- In Search of Reproductive Justice – Scholars and reproductive justice activists Drs. Cooper, Owens, and Davis discuss the historical legacies of medical racism and the contemporary challenges facing Black women and birthing people in their quest for reproductive justice. This virtual event will be on Monday, March 28 at 11:30 am.
Safe Spring Break Awareness Week
UTSA Wellbeing Services is working with several campus partners to educate students on how to have a fun and safe Spring Break. Encourage your student to participate in some of the events taking place from March 7 through March 11 for Safe Spring Break Awareness Week. Read this article for a comprehsive list of Spring Break Hours for many of our UTSA services.
- Drive Sober. No Regrets.– Students will be able to take a ‘drive’ on the driving simulator to see the possible physical, emotional, and financial consequences of the choices they make. Campus PD, the Recovery Center, and TXDOT will be hosting this event on Tuesday, March 8 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
- Wellbeing Fair - The Student Psychology Association and Wellbeing Services will be hosting a Wellbeing Fair in the Student Union Denman Ballroom on Wednesday, March 9 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Students can stop by to learn about on-campus resources and how to improve their wellbeing. Free snacks and giveaways will be available.
- Green Dot Bystander Intervention Training - This 90-minute interactive overview introduces the basic elements of the UTSA Green Dot Initiative and the issues of power-based personal violence prevention. The training is virtual on Wednesday, March 9 from 3:00 to 4:30 pm.
- Safe Spring Break Kick-Off – UTSA is helping raise awareness for safe spring break tips on drinking alcohol responsibly, safe driving, hydration, sunscreen protection and water safety on Thursday, March 10. DJ Gumby, a rock-climbing wall, and campus partners will be set up on the Student Union Lawn from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Free hamburgers, hot dogs, and t-shirt giveaways will be available while they last.
Celebrating Women in Fraternity | Sorority Life
Members of the UTSA Fraternity | Sorority Life community attended the Southeastern Greek Leadership Association (SGLA) Annual Conference from February 10-12 in Atlanta, Georgia. While in attendance, the UTSA Panhellenic Council (PHC) was awarded for its 2021 Social and Cultural Awareness Programming efforts. Highlights from the award submission can be found in the Student Affairs Latest Updates News page.
On Thursday, February 24, Fraternity | Sorority Life held their own awards celebration to recognize achievements in Leadership, Philanthropy, Scholarship, Service and Social Development, and the pillars of the community among the UTSA fraternity and sorority chapters. Zeta Tau Alpha came away with top wins this year for remaining true to their dedication of advancing their members and giving back to the community.
Congratulations to the UTSA Panhellenic Council and to Zeta Tau Alpha!
Upcoming Events
LeaderU Challenge
The LeaderU Challenge on Friday, March 25 will focus on teambuilding, exercising students' leadership skills, and contributing to our campus environment through a service project. The day is facilitated by staff around campus and students are broken up into smaller groups to complete the leadership activities followed by a reflection and large group dinner!
Día en la Sombrilla
It’s almost time for Fiesta® here in San Antonio and UTSA joins in on the fun. Come to campus for Día en la Sombrilla, a family friendly festival that supports student organizations on campus. The event takes place on Friday, April 1 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
UTSA Giving Day
Save the date for UTSA Giving Day on April 19-20. This event is a celebration of all things UTSA and the impact giving can have on our roadrunners. For 1969 minutes, help us to #BuildTheNest by donating to the UTSA Family Fund.
Resources and Opportunities
UTSA Day of Service Project Sign Ups Open Now
Be part of Day of Service, one of the largest traditional events at UTSA. Project RSVPs are open for this event happening Saturday, April 16. Choose from over 20 projects to volunteer! All projects will be listed with age requirements, with some allowing children as young as 5 years old, so you can bring your little ones! For more information, please visit the Day of Service website.
Aquatics Center Family Day
Bring your family in for a fun adventure at Campus Recreation’s Aquatic Center on Saturday, April 2 from 12:00 to 6:00 pm. Spend some time in the leisure or lap pool as well as enjoying an obstacle course and volleyball. This event will be held in 2-hour time slots and is available for FREE to any current UTSA student and their immediate families. There will only be 50 people in the facility at one time, so be sure to reserve your space today!
University Life Award Nominations are Open
The University Life Awards (ULA) recognize the strong efforts students, faculty, and staff make to improve the UTSA and San Antonio communities. Nominations are currently open on RowdyLink and the deadline for students, faculty, and staff to submit the form is Sunday, March 20. Recipients will be announced at the ULA ceremony on Thursday, April 28.
Sustainability Grant Funding Available
The Office of Sustainability offers funding for sustainable programs, projects and initiatives, and invites students to apply for a SUSTAIN grant. This program is a great opportunity to grow academically and professionally, while also creating a direct impact on UTSA’s sustainability efforts.
Students can apply for grants to support the three pillars of sustainability: economic, social, and conservation. Proposals are due by 5:00 pm on Thursday, March 31. Rules and Requirements can be found on RowdyLink. Students can email the Office of Sustainability to learn about current projects or to discuss your proposal ideas.
Additional Commuter Student Parking Options Added on Main Campus
Hundreds of additional commuter student parking spaces are now available in Ximenes Lot and Bauerle Rd. Lot 1. If roadrunners have a commuter student parking permit, they can check out these new locations for unmarked commuter student spaces. To see all of parking options, view the color-coded parking map. To learn more about parking on campus and the permit options available to you, visit utsa.edu/parking.
Housing & Residence Life Fall 2022-Spring 2023 Housing Application
As we prepare for the contracts to be added to the 2022-2023 application, here is some important information for you to know:
Housing Application
- Current residents will be emailed with important dates and deadlines regarding the application and housing assignment when the contract is active on your application.
- Students should not complete the contract if they are still considering other housing options.
- Cancellation options are limited within the contract once completed.
Room Assignment Priority Order
- Assignments are completed by contract date order. Completing a contract early increases the chances of receiving preferred housing arrangements.
- The contract does not guarantee a specific facility, room type or roommate.
- Room assignments are subject to change based upon university guidelines to address public health task force requirements and recommendations.
- University Housing reserves the right to utilize housing facilities and adjust housing assignments as necessary to achieve University objectives
Roommate Matching
- Once the contract is complete, the option to match with roommates who have also completed their contract becomes available - according to the completion date.
- All roommate requests must be mutual to complete assignments as a paired group.
- Roommate selection will only be conducted with other students who have completed their contract in the same time frame and have listed the same housing preferences.
Conversations With Your Roadrunner
Rest, Relaxation, and Making Plans
Spring Break is this month which means it is time for some rest and relaxation for our roadrunners. It is important to talk through safety tips for Spring Break, whether your student is traveling with others or just staying home. It is also a time to check in on how the semester is going and to start preparing for the summer. Consider these questions as you speak with your students over the next few weeks.Conversation Starters:
Academics and Career Path Check In
- Tell me about the experiences you’ve had related to your major. Is this something you can still see yourself doing after graduation?
- Have you investigated jobs, internships, or classes?
- How can I support your wellbeing during midterms?
- What plans are you making to ensure you and your friends have a safe Spring Break?
- Do you know each other’s emergency contact?
Summer Preparation
- What are your plans for this summer for where will you live?
- What are the pros and cons of living off-campus for the summer or next year?
- Are you ready for the additional responsibilities of living off-campus?
Not Yet a Member?
Join the UTSA Family Association Today!
Family Association Membership is free, and members receive:
- Priority notice to register for Family Association events
- Access to members-only student scholarships
- Networking opportunities with Roadrunner families and staff
- Email copy of the Family Association Newsletter
