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The University of Texas at Austin Podcast

The University of Texas at Austin Podcast

By: university-of-texas-at-austin
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 Weely news updates at University of Texas at AustinCopyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Episodes
  • UT Austin Update: UT Press 75th, New Cosmic AI Institute, WaterHub Project, Admissions Change, Protest Response, and Blanton Art News

    UT Austin Update: UT Press 75th, New Cosmic AI Institute, WaterHub Project, Admissions Change, Protest Response, and Blanton Art News
    Sep 22 2025
    Good afternoon, Longhorns! It's Monday, September 22, 2025, and here's what's happening at the University of Texas at Austin. The University of Texas Press marked its 75th anniversary with a day-long event at the Austin Central Library on Sunday. The celebration featured discussions by authors and editors on topics ranging from Black history and football to grief psychology and music criticism. Since its founding in 1950, UT Press has published over 4,000 books, establishing itself as the largest publisher in Texas and maintaining a strong reputation in both scholarly and trade publishing. UT Austin has been selected to lead the NSF-Simons AI Institute for Cosmic Origins, a new initiative harnessing artificial intelligence to investigate some of the universe's most profound mysteries, including dark matter and the search for extraterrestrial life. Housed in the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, the institute aims to accelerate cosmic discovery through advanced AI research. The university is developing a 9,600-square-foot water recycling facility known as the WaterHub, set to become the largest of its kind at a U.S. university. Scheduled to be operational by fall 2027, the facility will reclaim up to 1 million gallons of wastewater per day, potentially reducing campus water usage by 40%. Located in the engineering district, the WaterHub will also serve as a hands-on research laboratory for students and faculty. Starting with the Fall 2026 admissions cycle, UT Austin will adjust its automatic admissions threshold for Texas high school students from the top 6% to the top 5% of their graduating class. This change aims to manage enrollment growth while maintaining access for high-achieving students across the state. In response to recent campus protests, UT Austin has created a new Event Readiness and Response unit within the Dean's office. This unit is dedicated to upholding free speech rights on campus and clarifying students' rights and responsibilities regarding free expression. The initiative follows spring protests that led to arrests and highlighted the need for clearer guidelines on campus demonstrations. The Blanton Museum of Art, one of the largest university art museums in the U.S., continues to be a cultural hub on campus. With a collection of over 21,000 works, including modern and contemporary art, Latin American art, and Old Master paintings, the museum offers a rich array of exhibitions and programs for the university community and the public. Currently, it's cloudy and 77 degrees in Austin. Temperatures are expected to rise throughout the day, reaching a high of 100 degrees by late afternoon. Be sure to stay hydrated and take precautions against the heat. That's all for today's update. Stay safe, stay informed, and Hook 'em Horns!
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    3 mins
  • UT Austin Lowers Auto-Admission to Top 5%, Expands Free Tuition, Unveils WaterHub & Welcomes New President in Major 2025 Updates

    UT Austin Lowers Auto-Admission to Top 5%, Expands Free Tuition, Unveils WaterHub & Welcomes New President in Major 2025 Updates
    Sep 16 2025
    Good morning, Longhorns! It's Monday, September 15, 2025, and here's your latest campus news. Starting with the Fall 2026 admissions cycle, the University of Texas at Austin will adjust its automatic admission policy. Currently, Texas high school students in the top 6% of their class receive automatic admission. This threshold will be lowered to the top 5% to better manage enrollment and maintain academic excellence. In February 2025, James E. Davis was appointed as the 31st president of UT Austin. Davis, who previously served as the university's senior vice president and chief operating officer, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. The university is developing a 9,600-square-foot water recycling facility, known as the WaterHub, set to be operational by fall 2027. This facility aims to reclaim up to 1 million gallons of wastewater daily, reducing campus reliance on Austin's water supply and serving as a research hub for water treatment technologies. The UT System has expanded its free tuition program to cover students from families earning $100,000 or less, starting next fall. This initiative includes a $35 million investment across its nine campuses, aiming to reduce student debt and increase accessibility to higher education. The UT System Board of Regents has approved a six-year, $32 million contract for new Longhorns basketball coach Sean Miller. Miller, with a strong coaching record, is set to revitalize the program as it navigates the Southeastern Conference. In response to recent campus protests, UT Austin has established the Event Readiness and Response unit within the Dean's office. This unit is dedicated to upholding free speech rights while ensuring campus safety during events and demonstrations. A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging UT Austin's new admissions policies, affirming that the university no longer considers race in its admissions process, in compliance with the Supreme Court's 2023 decision ending affirmative action. That's all for today's update. Stay informed and Hook 'em Horns!
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    2 mins
  • UT Austin News: $10M Gift, Safety Upgrades, AI Institute Launch, New President, Basketball Coach, and Enhanced Campus Map

    UT Austin News: $10M Gift, Safety Upgrades, AI Institute Launch, New President, Basketball Coach, and Enhanced Campus Map
    Sep 8 2025
    Good morning, Longhorns! It's Monday, September 8, 2025, and here's what's happening at the University of Texas at Austin. First up, the William P. Clements Foundation has committed $10 million to secure the future of UT's Clements Center for National Security. This generous gift will expand opportunities for students and faculty, enhancing research and education in national security. In campus safety news, the University of Texas Police Department has increased patrols in the West Campus area and is cross-training with the Austin Police Department to enhance safety measures. This initiative aims to provide a more secure environment for students and residents. On the academic front, UT Austin has been chosen to lead a new institute that harnesses artificial intelligence to explore some of the leading mysteries of the universe, including dark matter and the fundamentals related to the search for life. The NSF-Simons AI Institute for Cosmic Origins will be housed in UT’s Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences. In administrative news, James E. Davis has been serving as the 31st president of the University of Texas at Austin since February 19, 2025. Davis, a UT Austin alumnus, has a background in law and previously served as the university's senior vice president and chief operating officer. In sports, the Texas Longhorns men's basketball team is preparing for the upcoming season under new head coach Sean Miller, who was hired in March 2025. The team is looking to build on last season's performance and make a strong showing in the Southeastern Conference. Finally, the University of Texas at Austin has launched a new and improved campus map to help students, faculty, and visitors navigate the campus more easily. The updated map includes detailed building information and accessibility features. That's all for today's update. Stay safe, stay informed, and Hook 'em Horns!
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    2 mins
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