Newsletter
The Family Association Newsletter provides you with insight into UTSA events, resources, opportunities, and talking points for supporting your student.
Highlights
Family Weekend
There is still time to be part of the UTSA Family Weekend fun happening Friday, October 13 through Sunday, October 15. Events begin on Friday afternoon and continue through the weekend. Take a look at the schedule of events to plan your visit to one of the Student Success Center Open House events on the Main Campus.
Enjoy a family meal in the Student Union Ballroom at the Family Association Dinner on Friday evening at 6:30 pm. The dinner will include a performance by the UTSA Mariachi Los Paisanos.
Start your Saturday at Campus Rec with a workout or a walk around the indoor track, then get yourself ready for UTSA Game Day! There are two tailgate options available to Roadrunner families, Student Indoor Tailgate in the Alamodome and the Alumni Tailgate. Enjoy some food and get spirited just in time to watch the UTSA Football take on UAB at 7:00 pm.
Tickets are still available for the Family Association Dinner on Friday evening, as well as the Alumni Tailgate and the UTSA Football Game. Most events on the Family Weekend schedule are free and all events are open to children.
We are excited to see all our Roadrunner families during UTSA Family Weekend!
Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month events celebrating Prosperity, Power, and Progress continue at UTSA and the greater San Antonio Community. Explore the UTSA Hispanic Heritage Month website to learn about the full schedule of events happening through Saturday, October 15. Consider attending one of these two featured events open to families!
Visit the UTSA Hispanic Heritage Month website to learn about the events happening on campus and around town for students and their families. Special events of note include:
- ¡Vive con Ganas! Listen to the vocal prowess and rhythmic power of the Patsy Torres Band as they join the UTSA Chamber Strings and Mariachi Los Paisanos! Dance, sing along, and be moved by the incredible talent on stage on Tuesday, October 3 at 7:30 pm at the UTSA Recital Hall. Free admission in per School of Music's Facebook page.
- Westside Community Center Pachanga. Ven a comer (come eat!) on Thursday, October 5 at 6:00 pm. Food trucks will be on hand selling bites inspired by UTSA's Mexican Cookbook Collection. As a special treat, enjoy DJ Despeinada’s all-vinyl set of canciones culinarias, food-songs, from South Texas, México, and Latin America. Advanced registration is required. The first 100 registrants receive complimentary food.
Encourage your student to nominate themselves or a friend for the Outstanding Latinx Student Award! One roadrunner will be selected during Hispanic Heritage Month who has demonstrated leadership and advocacy to the Latinx community. Nominations close on Sunday, October 1.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), and the purpose is to raise awareness and empower survivors while educating allies. Visit the UTSA Safe Campus website for upcoming events on sexual violence prevention and bystander intervention hosted by several departments on campus in collaboration with the PEACE Center and Wellbeing Services.
DVAM events begin with National Night Out, an annual event hosted by the UTSA Police Department, on Tuesday, October 3 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. There will be music, paletas, swag, games, and activities.
Take Back the Night is a featured event from the PEACE Center and Wellbeing Services planned for Tuesday, October 17 at 6:00 pm in the Sombrilla Plaza. The Roadrunner community is invited to attend for an evening of survivor support and reaffirmation of a commitment to end violence on our campus. The event will include an empowerment march through campus, guest performers (song/poetry), a campus and community resource fair, The Silent Witness Project reveal, and an open microphone for survivors to speak out against the violence they have experienced.
LGBTQIA+ History Month Begins
During the month of October, UTSA celebrates the history, contributions and voices of the LGBTQIA+ community in recognition of LGBTQIA+ History Month. The month kicks off with events celebrating National Coming Out Day on both the Main and Downtown campuses on Wednesday October 11 and Thursday, October 12, respectively. The LGBTQIA+ History Month website includes additional events planned for this month and organizations for students, faculty and staff to connect with throughout the year.
Also on the website is an opportunity to recognize an outstanding LGBTQIA+ student leader by nominating them for the Outstanding LGBTQIA+ Student Leadership Award. This award will honor a UTSA student with strong leadership skills and service toward the LGBTQIA+ community. Students can be nominated, or they can self-nominate.
Nomination Requirements:
- Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00
- Must be currently enrolled at UTSA
- Must show campus leadership involvement
- Must show active service toward the LGBTQIA+ Community
Nominations must be submitted to the Multicultural Student Center for Equity & Justice (MSC) by 5:00 pm on Friday, October 13, 2023, via RowdyLink.
UTSA Homecoming – Spirit, Pride, and Tradition
The Roadrunner community is coming together to celebrate UTSA Homecoming from Sunday, October 21 through Saturday, October 28. Alumni and families are welcome to join in on the spirit, pride, and tradition taking place for this special occasion.
Wear your best orange and blue to cheer on student athletes at the Volleyball and Soccer matches scheduled for the week. Consider supporting students and their experiences at Pack the Pantry, the Homecoming Golf Tournament, and BestFest. Close out the week of events at the Alamodome as UTSA Football takes on East Carolina.
Student events include a service opportunity through Roadrunners Give Back, a spirit event with Homecoming Blitz, the Rowdy Prize Cab at both the Downtown and Main campuses and a special evening edition of Game Week Wednesday. Wellbeing Pre-Game and Student Indoor Tailgate will have current Roadrunners ready for Game Day.
The Homecoming website has complete details for the planned events including UTSA Spirit Day happening on Wednesday, October 25 where everyone is encouraged to wear their best Roadrunner gear and tag @UTSA or @UTSAStudents on social media.
Families are Invited to UTSA BestFest
Come out to the UTSA Main Campus for BestFest on the Friday of UTSA Homecoming, October 27. This annual Homecoming event and fundraiser is a family-friendly festival helping to support the efforts of participating student organizations. This year’s event will feature dozens of foods, beverages, and game booths, carnival rides, fireworks, and live music.
Entry is free but you can purchase your booth tickets early from the website to avoid lines. BestFest will start at 4:00 pm and a concert will follow the fireworks around 9:00 pm.
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
MSC 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 27 at 11:00 am in the Multicultural Student Lounge (HSU 2.207).
Hunger/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 campus at the Student Union Paseo on Wednesday, November 15 at 7 pm.
Resources and Opportunities
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 21 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. If you are available to assist with UTSA Day, email family@utsa.edu.
Grad Fest
Grad Fest is an event to prepare graduating students for Commencement and to celebrate their accomplishments. At Grad Fest, roadrunners are able to learn about ordering graduation supplies and regalia, joining the Alumni Association, making successful career decisions, discovering the best loan repayment strategies, continuing your education, and more!
Main Campus
Monday, October 9
10:00 am – 7:00 pm
H-E-B Student Union Ballrooms, Main Campus
Downtown Campus
Tuesday, October 10
2:00 - 6:00 pm
Durango Building – Riverwalk Room, Downtown Campus
Alternative Break Applications Closing Soon
An experiential opportunity for UTSA students, Alternative Break is an opportunity to explore a social issue in the community and have a direct impact on that community. This opportunity builds upon leadership skills, fosters individual growth, and promotes a deeper sense of global awareness.
Applications are open now, and close on Sunday, October 8. These trips take place on the following days:
- Weekend Trip: November 3-5, 2023
- Winter Break Trip: December 11-16, 2023
- Spring Break Trip: March 9-14, 2024
Apply through the Leadership and Volunteer Services RowdyLink
Blood Drive
The Blood Drive is back this month! The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center will be on campus from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm in the H-E-B Student Union Bexar room (HSU 1.102. Check your donor eligibility status, schedule an appointment or walk in to donate. Glow in the dark Halloween shirts or an e-gift card of your choice through the donor store will be available
Citation Workshops
UTSA Libraries present Citation Workshops throughout the semester to assist students with citing another author’s research in their papers and projects. There are two workshops coming up and each will focus on a different citation manager available to students. Find out which one will work best for you!
Travel Between Campuses with VIA U-Pass
UTSA and VIA Metropolitan Transit partner to provide free, unlimited bus service through the VIA U-Pass program. Heading to one of our downtown locations? Be sure to visit the Campus Services website to learn about the ways you can ride VIA to travel between campuses. Accessing your VIA U-Pass is easy—just use your UTSA email address to create an account on the VIA goMobile+ app.
Orientation Leader Applications Now Open
Become an Orientation Leader (OL) and welcome the class of 2028! Orientation and Family Programs is recruiting OLs for the 2024 Orientation season. Orientation Leaders serve as a resource and guide to incoming students and families and participate in New Student and Family Orientation. Learn more about the position, application process, and timeline on the Orientation and Family Programs website or attend upcoming tabling and info sessions. Applications are due by Wednesday, November 1 at 5:00 pm.
Conversation Starters 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.
- 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
