• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

Welcome to LLILAS at The University of Texas at Austin Unofficial Guide, Fall 2007 Provided by the Institute of Latin American Studies Student Association Table of Contents Welcome! 3 Introduction to Austin! 4 Newspapers! 4 Other Guides! 4 Weather! 5 Allergies! 5 Housing! 6 Neighborhoods! 6 Finding an Apartment! 8 Helpful Websites! 9 Average Prices for Location! 9 Considerations When Looking for an Apartment! 11 Furniture! 11 Purchasing New Furniture and Household Items! 12 Recycling! 12 Housing Cooperatives! 13 Buying a Home! 13 Roommates! 14 Renter’s Insurance! 14 Utilities! 14 Transportation! 16 Within the City! 16 Getting Home After a Night of Drinking! 17 Taxicab Companies! 18 Outside the City! 18 Auto Repair! 19 University Matters! 20 LLILAS Orientation! 20 Useful LLILAS Websites! 21 Office of Graduate Studies! 22 Classes/Registration! 22 UT Student Identifiers and Computer Information! 23 Money! 24 Taxes! 25 Banks! 25 Financial Aid! 25 Health Insurance! 26 Entertainment! 26 The Best of Austin! 26 Sports! 29 Other Entertainment Around Town! 30 Music and Film! 31 Around the State! 32 ILASSA! 34 ILASSA Conference on Latin America! 34 Welcome Welcome to Austin, The University of Texas, and the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies (LLILAS). In anticipation of your arrival this summer or fall, we have prepared this handbook to answer some of the many questions you probably have about moving to Austin and beginning your graduate career. Although it does not cover everything you will ever need to know, we hope it is helpful in getting you started. For any specific questions regarding the program not answered in the booklet or in the orientation information, please contact Anne Dibble, Graduate Coordinator, at [email protected]. For any additional questions, please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or submit the question to the ILASSA listserve (see information in handbook about how to join) where students at UT and alumni will offer their assistance. We look forward to your arrival. “Hook ‘Em Horns!” Sincerely, Oscar Aparicio, President Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies Student Association The views expressed in this booklet are those of the Institute of Latin American Studies Student Association and not those of the Institute or The University of Texas at Austin. Please keep in mind that this information can become out- of-date at any time. The prices listed should be used as a general guide; there is no guarantee that the prices will be the same when you inquire. Likewise, phone numbers and other information may change. When in doubt, confirm the information. We take no responsibility for any errors that may exist. If you find errors or have suggestions on how to improve this packet, please e-mail me at [email protected]. This handbook was revised by Oscar Aparicio, Summer 2007. Introduction to Austin Newspapers, Other Guides, Weather, Allergies and Vernacular Austin is one of the fastest growing areas in the country. Its metropolitan population is over 600,000. Aside from UT, there are four additional colleges and universities in the city. Austin is located near the middle of the state allowing easy access to Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Because Austin is the capital of Texas, you will find that there is a strong emphasis on politics in the news. There is also a large live music scene in Austin. Almost every bar, café and restaurant offer live music at least one night a week. Music interests here range from rock and roll, jazz, and country to alternative and folk. If you would like to check-out the local bands, the bars on 6th Street are the easiest place to start. There is also a thriving visual and performance art community in Austin. The city currently boasts 33 galleries, more than 25 theaters, several interesting museums, and a performing arts center as well as dance and ballet companies, a symphony, and an opera. Austin also experienced growth in high-tech industry. Samsung recently built a site here, in addition to the companies which have been here for quite some time: Motorola, Texas Instruments, Dell, Radian, 3M, Texaco, Sematech, IBM, Advanced Micro Devices, etc. Newspapers The daily newspaper for the city is The Austin American-Statesman (www.statesman.com). Ask for the student rate! The University of Texas newspaper, the Daily Texan (www.dailytexanonline.com) is distributed free Monday through Friday on campus, no paper on the weekends. The Austin Chronicle (www.austinchronicle.com) is distributed weekly each Thursday and is also free to the public. This publication can be found in the foyer of most restaurants and at the Main Building and Texas Union on campus, in addition to locations throughout Austin. Although it does not cover much in the way of news, it does serve as a good guide to bar specials, weekend events, the art scene, politics, and music. Other Guides We don’t claim to be the last word in Austin guidebooks. We recommend the following guidebooks in case you want more information: •Austin Travel: Lonely Planet World Guide (www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/ north_america/austin/) •Austin 360 (www.austin360.com) •Frommer’s San Antonio and Austin (http://www.frommers.com/destinations/austin/)The •Insider’s Guide to Austin (http://www.insiders.com/austin) •Check out the ‘Newcomers Guide.’ at http://austin.citysearch.com/ Weather If you love the outdoors, then you’ll love Austin. Austinites can enjoy outdoor "hot spots" such as Lake Travis and Barton Springs almost year-round. Average monthly temperatures range from 49° F in January to 95° F in July and August. There tends to be one minor winter storm each year that will shut down the city completely. The average afternoon humidity ranges from 47% in July to 65% in February. Often forecasters will say that the high for the day may be, for example, 90°, but the humidity creates a heat index reading of 102°. In other words, it will feel much hotter outside than you think it will! Regardless of the temperature, Austin's average of nearly 300 sunny days per year means clear skies most of the time. When it does rain, be prepared for thunderstorms, often accompanied by heavy downpours. Allergies Does the weather sound too good to be true? Well, sadly there is a catch. If you have allergies to ragweed, cedar, or molds, you may need to buy prescription medication. For a daily allergy count, check the Austin-American Statesman Metro and State section on the back page or at www.statesman.com/weather/content/weather/pollen. The other bad news is that basic student health insurance does not cover allergy medication. Vernacular Austinites have their own way of pronouncing things that you’ll have to get used to: Burnet "= (BURN-it) Guadalupe = (GUAD-a-loop) (this is also called “The Drag” between 29th street to the North and Martin Luther King to the South) Manchaca = (MAN-chack) Manor = (MAY-ner) MoPac = (from the Missouri-Pacific railroad) = Loop 1 San Jacinto = (Sanjack) (San Juh-SIN-to) Lake Austin = Colorado River (not THE Colorado that runs through the Grand Canyon) Town Lake = Colorado River (yes, another name for a dammed section of the same river) Loop 360 = Capital of Texas Highway Housing Neighborhoods, Finding a Place, Helpful Websites, Furnishing Your Apartment Neighborhoods This section will provide you with a realistic view of the areas that are serviced by shuttles. The following is a map of the Austin neighborhoods. The bottom section of the area labeled “5- Central”, below the actual words, corresponds roughly to downtown. UT is located about where you see the word “Central.” Far West is located in the hillsides in the Northwest Austin and is most accessible by MoPac. However, the UT shuttles that service this area are often overcrowded in the morning, and MoPac traffic is especially bad from 7:30 to 9:00 AM. If you can afford the rent, this area is a good first choice for an apartment, at least until you get to know the city better. Enfield Road and Lake Austin areas are located just west of campus near Town Lake. Grad students heavily populate this area. The area offers a hodgepodge of architectural styles. Many of the houses and apartments were built in the 1960s and have begun to look run down. However, there are several places that have been renovated and as a consequence charge higher rents. Parking is limited at most complexes. Access to campus from this area is quite easy. The crime rate in this area is fairly low, and, if you are lucky, you may find a place with extremely low rent. The Lake Austin shuttle also services the Married Student Housing Dormitories, which are operated by UT. These dorms offer fairly low rents and are inhabited mostly by international students and couples and their children; however, waiting lists for this location are prohibitively long. West Campus is the area directly west of UT. Although a shuttle runs through this area, it is literally just two blocks from campus. This area is inhabited predominantly by social fraternities and, as a consequence, is known for its wild and loud parties on the weekends. In addition, because of its close proximity to campus, the rent here is generally high and parking is difficult. This area is great for someone who doesn't have a car but does have some extra cash. This area also has smaller houses located outside of the “greek area” which are quite pleasant and financially reasonable for two roommates. Intramural Fields and Red River shuttles service the area north of campus that is generally known as Hyde Park.

Load more

  36

Copy Link