Newsletter
The Family Association Newsletter provides you with insight into UTSA events, resources, opportunities, and talking points for supporting your student.
October Highlights
October is a busy time at UTSA. We kick off the month in the middle of our Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations and UTSA Family Weekend. There are several education and awareness events for students to attend as a part of LGBTQIA+ History and Domestic Violence Awareness months. All this energy is heightened from October 16-22 for UTSA Homecoming where current Roadrunners and alumni celebrate UTSA spirit at BestFest and the football game! Encourage your student to attend one of the many events happening this month, and feel free to join them for a few.
It's Time for UTSA Family Weekend
The Family Association is excited to welcome Roadrunner families for UTSA Family Weekend festivities this weekend on Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8. The weekend will begin on Friday with a tour of the Roadrunner Athletic Center of Excellence (RACE) facility and the Family Association Dinner which will include the announcement of the Family of the Year. Events for Saturday include the Student Indoor Tailgate and the UTSA Football game against WKU.
The RACE Tour and Family Association Dinner have reached attendance capacity but we have started a waitlist for both events. There is still an opportunity to purchase tickets to the UTSA Football game and to stop by the Student Indoor Tailgate on Saturday. Complete details and where to purchase tickets are on our Family Weekend page. We hope to see you there!
Hispanic Heritage Month Events Continue
UTSA is continuing to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at several events taking place through Saturday, October 15. Unidos: Building a Stronger UTSA remains the guiding theme from the keynote speakers, to the football game, and workshops.
Keynote Speaker: Shea Serrano will be hosted by Inclusive Excellence and University Relations on Thursday, October 6 at 6:00 pm. Serrano is a New York Times Best-selling author, former teacher and San Antonio native. His first book, "Bun B's Rap Coloring and Activity Book" was a collaboration with rapper Bun B. Serrano followed that book with "The Rap Yearbook," "Basketball (And Other Things)," and "Movies And Other Things." Access to this live event is open to all of the UTSA community.
Additional highlighted events are listed below. Roadrunners can learn more about the remaining Hispanic Heritage Month events by visiting the website.
- UTSA Football Hispanic Heritage Game – Saturday, October 8
- Dia de los Muertos Nicho Box Workshop – Monday, October 10
- Writing Selena – Wednesday, October 12
- The Social Lives of Pots – Saturday, October 15
October is LGBTQIA+ History Month
UTSA recognizes the history and achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community during the month of October. Events for LGBTQIA+ History Month begin with Coming Out in an Interview, a collaborative event between the Alvarez College of Business and the Multicultural Student Center for Equity and Justice. This virtual event on Wednesday, October 5 at 6:00 pm will offer tips and advice about successfully blending LGBTQ+ culture into the professional work environment.
National Coming Out Day on Tuesday, October 11, a Keynote lecture on Tuesday, October 25, and Gayla hosted by Prism and MSCEJ on Friday, October 28 are additional events taking place during October. Students are invited to attend these events and to follow @UTSA_MSCEJ on social media to hear stories from members of the LGBTQIA+ community at UTSA.
Students are also invited to apply for the Outstanding LGBTQIA+ Student Leadership Award. This honor goes to a student who has shown strong leadership skills and service toward the LGBTQIA+ community and will be awarded at the end of the month. Nominations are due by 8:00 am on Monday, October 17.
Learn about Domestic Violence Awareness In October
October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) and the purpose is to raise awareness and empower survivors while educating allies. The UTSA Safe Campus website has a comprehensive list of upcoming events on sexual violence prevention and bystander intervention hosted by several departments on campus in collaboration with the PEACE Center and Wellbeing Services. Featured events for DVAM include National Night Out, Take Back the Night, and Little Black Dress.
- National Night Out is an annual event hosted by UTSA Police Department, on Tuesday, October 4 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the SU Paseo. This free event is an opportunity to come together as a UTSA community to take a stand against crime by working to make our university a safer and more caring place to live, work, and learn.
- Take Back the Night will be on Monday, October 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Sombrilla Plaza. The evening will include an empowerment march through campus, guest speakers, a campus and community resource fair, and an open microphone for survivors to speak out against the violence they have experienced.
- Little Black Dress is an annual philanthropic event hosted by Delta Xi Nu Multicultural Sorority Inc. Each year, the sorority brings awareness about domestic violence against women through spoken word, dance performances, and sharing personal experiences. Funds raised at the event are donated to survivors of domestic abuse.
Show Your Roadrunner Spirit at UTSA Homecoming
UTSA Homecoming is happening this month and the campus is ready to welcome alumni and families for the special occasion. The Roadrunner community is coming together to celebrate UTSA from Sunday, October 16 through Saturday, October 22.
Student events will include a service opportunity through Roadrunners Give Back, a dance party at Roadrunners Live, the Rowdy Prize Cab at both the Downtown and Main campuses, and laughs at the Student Union Comedy Show. Families and alumni are invited to attend the UTSA Volleyball game vs. North Texas on Sunday, BestFest on Friday, and all the football game day activities on Saturday.
Visit the Homecoming website for full details about the planned events including UTSA Spirit Day happening on Friday, October 21 where everyone is encouraged to wear their best Roadrunner gear and tag @UTSA or @UTSAStudents on social media.
Families are Welcome at UTSA BestFest
On the Friday of UTSA Homecoming, October 21, come out to the UTSA Main Campus for BestFest. This family-friendly festival is an annual Homecoming event and fundraiser for the participating student organizations. This year’s event will feature dozens of food, beverages, and game booths, carnival rides, fireworks, and live music.
Entry is free but you can purchase your booth tickets early from the website. BestFest will start at 4:00 pm and a concert will follow the fireworks around 9:00 pm. The concert will feature Tai Verdes, #1 on Billboard’s Emerging Artist Chart in 2020.
Can’t make the event? Consider purchasing booth tickets to be used by your student or just to support participating student organizations.
Upcoming Events
National Immigrants Day
MSCEJ gathers to explore the diverse heritage of our nation’s social fabric to understand how our nation was founded and built by immigrants. National Immigrants Day takes place on Friday, October 28 at 11:00 am in the Multicultural Student Lounge (HSU 2.207).
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is a nationwide initiative to bring awareness to the issues of homelessness and hunger in our local communities and across America. Various service and awareness events will be held on UTSA's main campus throughout the week of November 12–20.
Light the Paseo
Watch the Student Union light up at the Main Campus as all families are invited to welcome in the winter season. Celebrate the holiday festivities on Wednesday, November 30 at 11:00 am.
Resources and Opportunities
Fall Graduates Need to Attend Grad Fest
Grad Fest is an event for your roadrunner to prepare for Commencement and to celebrate their accomplishments. Students will be able to learn about ordering graduation supplies and regalia, joining the Alumni Association, and more!
Roadrunners can visit the H-E-B SU Ballrooms at the Main Campus from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, October 4. Grad Fest at the Downtown Campus is in the Buena Vista Building from 1:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, October 5.
Mandala Sand Painting
Visit the Student Union Window Lounge Monday, October 3 through Friday, October 7 to witness the incredible talents of Tibetan monks creating a mandala entirely out of sand.
The monks visit UTSA as a precursor to World Mental Health Day, a global initiative focused on awareness and advocacy for mental health. The Student Union encourages students to stop by and see the progress of this remarkable art piece throughout the week.
The sand painting begins with an opening ceremony on Monday at noon and the closing ceremony will take place Friday, October 7 at noon.
Speak to New Families at UTSA Day
Each semester, high school juniors and seniors are invited to visit the Main Campus with their families for UTSA Day. Attendees learn about the application process, available majors, support resources, student involvement, and life as a Roadrunner. The Family Association is looking for Roadrunner family members to speak with attendees about their experience supporting a student attending UTSA at this year’s event on Saturday, October 15 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. If you are available to assist with UTSA Day, email family@utsa.edu.
Support Groups Available for UTSA Students
Wellness 360 Counseling and the Collegiate Recovery Center are offering support groups this semester that are supportive, confidential, and tailored to meet student needs. Groups are a unique place where students can see they are not alone and together wellbeing is possible. Students do not have to deal with feelings of depression, anxiety, loneliness, or trauma by themselves. Sign-ups for a group happen through RowdyLink. The My SSP app is also available for students to access free, 24/7, real-time, single-session support.
- Healing After Trauma - Tuesdays at 1:00 pm
This group focuses on the ways traumatic experiences impact our lives, how students cope with these effects, and connecting to resources and support to start a healing journey. - Vibing with Difficult People - Wednesdays at 1:00 pm
If your student is struggling to deal with confrontational people, they can stop by this group to learn skills and concepts on how to handle these situations. - Anxiety and Depression Toolkit - Thursdays at 1:00 pm
For students who find themselves becoming stressed due to the pressures of everyday life, this weekly workshop to learn how to cope with symptoms of anxiety and depression. - Art of Wellbeing - Fridays at 1:00 pm
Art of Wellbeing has been transformed into a weekly workshop provided by Wellbeing Services! Students can join attend to use different art mediums each week to improve overall wellbeing!
Health Fair and Internship Meet and Greet
The Department of Public Health will be hosting a Health Fair and Internship Meet and Greet open to all students. Public Health students and related majors can also connect to prospective volunteer and internship sites.
Interested students are encouraged to bring copies of their resumes. Wellbeing Services will be handing out totes and Wellbeing care kits to the first 100 students. Stop by the H-E-B Student Union Ballroom on Wednesday, October 12 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Swipe Out Hunger is Underway!
Swipe Out Hunger, an ongoing national campaign to end food insecurity on college campuses runs through Monday, October 31 at UTSA. To participate, meal plan holders can donate unused meal swipes to benefit Roadrunners in need. UTSA Dining will match each donation made in October, meaning that each meal swipe donation will provide two meals at the Roadrunner Café to fellow ‘Runners who need support. Participating is fast and easy through the GET app—students can download it for free today from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
Looking for other ways to donate? Donate to the Whataburger Resource Room at the Main Campus and Downtown Campus.
Celebrate National Transfer Student Week
2023-2024 Financial Aid Applications are Open
Students needing financial aid can begin their application for financial aid now. The application for the 2023-2024 school year will be open through January 15. The applications are now open.- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
complete the application by June 30, 2023 - TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid)
complete the application by January 15, 2023
The UTSA Financial Success team helps students reduce financial stressors by providing comprehensive resources to manage both personal and educational finances. On Mondays in October from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, they will be assisting students who need help completing their 2023 FAFSA and TASFA applications. Click on the specific dates below to learn more about what to bring with you to the workshop.
Visit the Recovery Operations Website for COVID Guidance & Resources
The Recovery Operations website serves as UTSA's hub for important COVID-19 resources for students, faculty and staff, including:
- Guidance for what to do when you have COVID-19 symptoms, test positive or are exposed to a COVID-19 positive person.
- How to submit a COVID Case Report when you are exposed or tested for COVID-19.
- Information about COVID-19 testing.
- Current campus operational status and details about UTSA’s protocols and recommendations for masking, testing, case reporting, vaccination and more.
- On-campus COVID-19 vaccine clinic
- UTSA’s Confirmed Cases dashboard.
- FAQs about vaccines and testing.
For questions about any of the topics and resources above, please contact Recovery Operations.
Campus Parking Options
With more students back on campus this fall, it’s important to know about the convenient parking options available to your Roadrunner. Whether they commute to campus, live in on-campus housing, or live nearby apartment complexes, there are excellent parking and transportation options to make the trip to campus as smooth as possible.
Be sure to check out the Parking and Transportation Guide page on the Campus Services website to learn more and get helpful tips for parking and getting around campus. Even if this isn’t your Roadrunner’s first semester at UTSA, you might learn something new!
If you have any questions about parking or transportation on campus, contact Campus Services.
Conversations With Your Roadrunner
October brings Midterms and Spring Planning
The mid-way mark of the semester typically means midterms but it also means it is time to start planning for the spring semester. Check in with your student about how their homework and studying is going, how much time they are spending with student organizations they are involved with, and if they are thinking about the next semester.
Conversation Starters:
- Tell me about what you enjoy most about school or your friends
- Do you have a study routine?
- How are you making time for your emotional or physical health?
- Is your student organization participating in any Homecoming events like BestFest?
- Have you started planning for registration? Will you need an appointment with your advisor?
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
