Campus and Student Life:
Looking back: The Office of Undergraduate Research and other university programs will shut down at the end of the semester, and there was a freeze on H-1B visas announced in January. After a mass shooting on Sixth Street that killed a UT senior, students gathered on campus for two different vigils.
Looking forward: The School of Information will consolidate into the College of Natural Sciences, and seven ethnic, area and gender studies departments will merge into two in the fall. The summer orientation for incoming students will also see significant changes this year.
Student Government and UT Administration:
Looking back: The 119th Student Government Assembly debated budget appropriation earlier this year, addressing institutional neutrality concerns. The previous executive alliance also followed through on their digital IDs initiative and their efforts to bring more entrepreneurial opportunities to UT.
Looking forward: Newly sworn-in SG executive alliance Kiera Dixon and Jaden Watt will work to follow up on their promises to address food insecurity, amplify University mental health resources and work on SG reform. UT is still searching for multiple dean positions, including at the Moody College of Communications, McCombs School of Business and College of Liberal Arts.
City and Politics:
Looking back: Democratic and Republican nominees for key races, including U.S. Senate, lieutenant governor and House District 49, were decided in the March 2026 primaries or advanced to a runoff. Various candidates have entered the race for Austin City Council District 9, which represents UT and West Campus.
Looking forward: Austin has asked for community input and will decide the fate of Cesar Chavez Street following allegations of sexual abuse against the late civil rights leader. The May 2026 run-offs will determine the Democratic and Republican nominees for the House District 49, lieutenant governor and U.S. Senate.
Education Policy and UT System:
Looking back: The University signed new partnerships with organizations such as NASA and ERCOT. The UT System Board of Regents adopted rules regulating “controversial topics” in the classroom. Despite some faculty’s academic freedom concerns about the policy, UT President Jim Davis said in his first interview with outside press that professors will not need to self-censor to comply.
Looking forward: The Department of Education recently advised all student borrowers to leave the SAVE plan, and on July 1, borrowers will begin receiving notices to exit the plan. The University’s Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy Library will permanently close on May 6.
Public Safety, Environment and Immigration:
Looking back: After months of public concern, the Austin Police Department updated its policy to prohibit officers from detaining or arresting a person with only a noncriminal warrant from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Looking forward: UT consolidated safety resources which will be led by the newly established role of Executive Director for University Safety. Gov. Greg Abbott instructed state agencies and universities to freeze new H-1B visa petitions until the next legislative session ends in May 2027.