Office of the Dean of Students
The Office of the Dean of Students provides opportunities and experiences that support student learning and development. The core values of advocating for the needs of all students, helping community members navigate the University, encouraging student responsibility and leadership, and promoting a diverse and socially responsible learning community are reflected in the programs and services provided by the office.
The Leadership and Ethics Institute
The Leadership and Ethics Institute is a centralized, comprehensive leadership development office for enrolled students at The University of Texas at Austin. The Leadership and Ethics Institute provides experiential opportunities geared toward building leadership capacity and efficacy through an ethical, socially responsible lens. The Leadership and Ethics Institute is home to many free student programs, including: The Burnt Orange Society, a pathway for students to maximize their engagement through participation in an out-of-classroom curriculum; Leadership Education and Progress (LEAP), a first year and transfer student leadership development initiative; ProjectLEAD, a project management and community empowerment program, The Texas Leadership Summit, a one-day leadership development conference; and The CHANGE Institute a transformative retreat for students to explore issues related to leadership, diversity, and social justice. Additionally, our Peer Leadership Education Program provides competency-based workshops and trainings to student organizations and groups across The Forty Acres.
Legal Services for Students
Legal Services for Students provides advice, representation, access to mediation, and other services to students with legal concerns. The area also offers seminars, workshops, and presentations to student groups and classes to educate students about legal issues before conflicts arise. A free notarization service is also available to all registered students during normal business hours.
Student Activities
Student Activities offers many services to student organizations, providing information, registration, space reservations, training through its workshops and risk management programs, one-on-one consultations, and event planning support. Student Activities manages HornsLink, through which students can find events and activities, connect with student organizations, explore opportunities based upon interests, build a leadership resume, and manage organization affairs.
Student Emergency Services
Student Emergency Services provides immediate professional assistance to students who are faced with emergencies, difficult circumstances, and critical incidents. Student Emergency Services also provides oversight for the Behavioral Concerns Advice Line (BCAL), in partnership with the Counseling and Mental Health Center, Employee Assistance Program, and the UT Police Department. BCAL is a resource to report behavioral concerns of an individual affiliated with the University (i.e. student, faculty, staff, or visitors). Student Emergency Services offers a Student Emergency Fund for financial emergencies to help address immediate and essential needs (i.e. food, shelter, clothing, safety, or medicine). In addition, Student Emergency Services assists students who may have been impacted by a Title IX related situation, and can provide outreach to students, resources, options, coordination of remedies, and any other support for student needs. Title IX is a federal law that encompasses sexual harassment, sexual assault, interpersonal violence (i.e. dating violence, domestic violence, or family violence), sex/gender discrimination, stalking, and sexual misconduct.
Student Conduct and Academic Integrity
Student Conduct and Academic Integrity investigates alleged violations of University regulations related to student behavior, assists faculty members in addressing academic integrity issues, and provides educational opportunities for student learning and development.
Student Veteran Services
Student Veteran Services provides advising, support, and tailored programs for current student veterans, active duty military, veterans, and the dependents of veterans. Current University student veterans have access to free tutoring services, academic support, one-on-one mentoring, career counseling, on-site mental health counseling, health resources, programs for women veterans, veteran benefits counseling, and organizations that promote a vibrant student veteran community on campus.
Sorority and Fraternity Life
Sorority and Fraternity Life serves as a liaison to the Interfraternity, Latino Pan-Hellenic, Multicultural Greek, National Pan-Hellenic, Texas Asian Pan-Hellenic, and University Panhellenic Councils, as well as affiliated organizations. The area's mission is to cultivate educational and leadership development, in collaboration with individuals and organizations, to foster a culturally conscious, safe, and responsible sorority and fraternity community contributing to a positive sisterhood, brotherhood, and siblinghood.
The Research Institute
The Research Institute (DRI) supports the Office of the Dean of Students by conducting research, assessment, and program review to inform decision-making, change and improvement of programs and services, and enhance student development, retention and success.
The Election Supervisory Board
The Election Supervisory Board (ESB) is tasked with conducting and overseeing all campus-wide student elections. The entities that defer to the ESB for election processes are: Graduate Student Assembly, Texas Student Media, University Co-op, University Unions, and Student Government. It is the exclusive prerogative of the ESB to hear complaints, conduct hearings, and release resolutions and advisory opinions regarding election activities. These and all other powers granted to the ESB fall strictly within the purview of the Common Code, which is adopted by each aforementioned entity, revised annually, and approved by the Office of the Dean of Students. For more information, visit UTexasVote.org.
Title IX Training and Investigations
Title IX Training and Investigations is responsible for investigating allegations of student misconduct involving sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, interpersonal violence (including domestic violence and dating violence) and stalking. The area also facilitates trainings related to the University’s Title IX investigation and accommodations processes.
Legislative Student Organizations
The Office of the Dean of Students advises and supports Student Government, Graduate Student Assembly, and Senate of College Councils.