Newsletter
The Family Association Newsletter provides you with insight into UTSA events, resources, opportunities, and talking points for supporting your student.
April Highlights
Volunteer Opportunities
As we begin to think about the end of the semester, the Family Association encourages you to think about ways to connect with the campus community through volunteering. We have two upcoming opportunities and plenty for the future.
UTSA Day of Service
There is still time to sign up for a Day of Service project with your student! Join students, staff, and faculty Roadrunners as we give back to the San Antonio Community on Saturday, April 16. 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! View projects on the sign-up page! For more information, please visit the Day of Service website. Be one of our Birds who Serve!
Commencement Drive
Commencement season is fast approaching, and we want you all to be a part of the celebration! Graduates are invited to be a part of a parade through campus for Commencement Drive on Friday, May 13 at 5:30 pm. This Spring we would like to have an area for Family Association members to park together along the route to cheer on the graduating roadrunners and their families for this special accomplishment. To volunteer for Commencement Drive, complete our Get Involved form on our website.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) brings awareness to the issue of sexual violence and its effects on survivors during the month of April. The PEACE Center and other campus partners encourage the UTSA community to attend events throughout the month. Check out the full schedule of events and the virtual backgrounds available on the SAAM website.
Chances are someone in your life is a survivor of sexual harassment, assault, or abuse, even if they have never shared their story with you. This month, we encourage you to discuss some of these events with your student, attend together, and show your support for survivors of sexual harassment and abuse through one of these social media campaigns.
- Wear Teal Tuesdays - Post photos on social media of you and others wearing teal with #SAAM2022.
- Start By Believing – Start By Believing campaign invites the community to believe and support survivors of sexual assault. Learn more: org
- Denim Day – Wear jeans or denim to honor survivors of sexual violence on Denim Day, the last Wednesday of April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Roadrunner Remembrance
Roadrunner Remembrance is an annual memorial event typically held each Spring, honors the lives of members of the UTSA students, faculty, staff, and alumni, who have passed away in the previous year. The memorial includes music, words from campus members, and a reading of the names with a symbolic laying of feathers in a nest for each person. A reception in the Memorial Garden immediately follows the memorial. The event was postponed the past two years and we are now able to host this Memorial.
There will be two ceremonies on Saturday, April 23. The first of two ceremonies will honor UTSA members who passed away in 2019 and 2020 and will take place at 10:00 am.
UTSA Football Fiesta Spring Game
Cheer on the UTSA Football team at the Fiesta Spring Game, an official Fiesta event. Head on over to Dub Farris Stadium on Thursday, April 14. Gates open at 6:00 pm and kick-off is at 7:00 pm. Be sure to enjoy the player meet & greet after the game ends for a chance for some autographs. Admission and parking will be free for all students and fans!
Upcoming Events
UTSA at Fiesta San Antonio
The UTSA is participating in three of the annual Fiesta Parades. The Texas Cavaliers River Parade was on Monday, April 4. The Battle of Flowers Parade during the day on Friday, April 9. The Fiesta Flambeau Parade during the night on Saturday, April 9. The Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band will be leading the parade during the Battle of Flowers. You can visit the KSAT website to re-watch or watch live.
Asian Fanfare
Come join the Multicultural Student Center for Equity & Justice (MSCEJ) in celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month. The Asian Fanfare will include student organizations tabling fair, performances, food, and more on Wednesday, April 20 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm in the Student Union Paseo.
UTSA Commencement
The second weekend of May will be a time to celebrate our Roadrunners who have completed their time as a student at UTSA. Full details for Honors College Stole and Laurel, Doctoral Hooding, and the two ceremonies can be found on the Commencement Website. There are a few on-campus opportunities for families and friends of graduates to make memories and share in this great accomplishment together.
Resources and Opportunities
Identity and Cultural Graduation Celebrations
The Multicultural Center for Equity and Justice (MSCEJ) will host three identity and cultural graduation celebrations to honor Dreamer/Undocumented graduates, LGBTQIA+ graduates, and Black/African American graduates. To be part of the celebrations, graduates need to complete a registration form by Monday, April 25.
UTSA Giving Day
Help #BuildTheNest on Tuesday, April 19 and Wednesday, April 20 for UTSA Giving Day! This event is a celebration of all things UTSA and the impact giving can have on our roadrunners. For 1969 minutes, we are encouraging our Roadrunners, families, friends, and neighbors to donate to a cause of their choice.
We recommend the UTSA Family Fund which helps support the quality of life for all UTSA students through programs and initiatives that contribute to their success as a roadrunner. This year, we will be offering a choice of a Mama Bird, Papa, Bird, or Bird Fam shirt for individual donations over $25!
All About UTSA
History & Traditions
For a university that has only been around for a little over 50 years, UTSA has strong traditions that tell our story of community and cultural diversity, as well as a rich history filled with stories of success. Check out our new Traditions and History pages to find your favorite Roadrunner tradition or discover something new about UTSA's past!
Recognitions
As one of only 20 Hispanic Serving Institutions in the nation that also claim a Tier One designation for research, UTSA is gaining attention as a model for the future of higher education in our nation. Visit our new Fast Facts & Accolades page to see how a ‘Runner education sets you apart!
Financial Aid Final Deadline for 2022-2023 Academic Year – June 30
The 2022-2023 FAFSA has been open, so encourage your student to submit theirs as soon as possible. The final deadline to submit is June 30. Make sure they submit their FAFSA (or TASFA if they aren't a US citizen/green card holder but are a Texas resident) before then. Please visit onestop.utsa.edu/apply for more information.
Conversations With Your Roadrunner
What Comes After Finals?
There may be a few weeks left in the Spring semester but it is also time to start thinking about what is coming up after classes end. Now is the time to support your students through job preparations as well as finals and end-of-semester projects.
Graduating students:
- How can I support you in the final weeks of your studies?
- Have you visited the Career Center to discuss your resume or cover letters?
- What on-campus celebrations are you planning to participate in that we can attend?
Continuing students
- Are you registered for any summer classes?
- Is your class schedule set for the fall semester?
- Will you be applying to, or have you accepted an offer for, a summer internship?
All students
- How are you preparing for your final exams?
- How are you taking care of yourself?
- Is your lease or rental agreement coming to an end soon? If yes, how can we help with moving out?
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
