Welcome to LLILAS atThe University of Texas at AustinUnofficial 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

WelcomeWelcome 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 adibble@mail.utexas.edu. For any additional questions,

please feel free to contact me at oscar.aparicio@gmail.com 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 oscar.aparicio@gmail.com.

 

This handbook was revised by Oscar Aparicio, Summer 2007.

Introduction to AustinNewspapers, 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

HousingNeighborhoods, 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. There are lots of apartments and houses here to rent.  The prices vary over

a large range because some of the apartments are old and some are brand new.  Many students

live in this area due to it campus access via walking, or biking.  The neighborhood is quiet, and

most students find good deals here.  There are also many coffee shops and restaurants (most of

them locally owned) within walking distance.

The Cameron Road area, located on the northeast side of town, is also a mixture of old and new. 

Some consider crime here to be higher than in the previous neighborhoods mentioned.  There

are many apartments in this area, but also some houses in the residential areas. Grocery

accessibility is not the best, but the Capital Plaza (Target, Ross, Office Max) is located on

Cameron Rd. and the Highland Mall is just across IH-35. Shuttle service can be interrupted by

accidents on IH-35. There are many students who live here because rent is cheaper, but first-

timers may want to live closer to campus.

Pleasant Valley, North Riverside, Parker Lane, and Wickersham Lane shuttles service the

area directly south of the river on the east side of I-35.  Many UT undergraduates and students

from other colleges live in this area.  The neighborhood is populated almost entirely by

apartment dwellers.  In general, the areas next to the river and south of Oltorf have a higher

incidence of crime, but most of the crime is limited to theft.  Shuttle service here can be delayed

by traffic on I-35.  In addition, due to the large volume of students living here, the shuttle buses

fill up fast.  Many new complexes have been erected here in the past few years, and the area’s

reputation has improved substantially.

French Place is located directly east of campus. Rent here is about as cheap as you will find

anywhere in Austin.  Along Manor Road there are several apartments that have been renovated to

attract students.  The closest grocery stores are H.E.B. on Red River and Fiesta on 38 1⁄2 Street. 

Many LLILAS students have been very happy living here and enjoy the short walk from the

Benson.

You have several options for housing in Austin.  There are plenty of apartments to fit most price

ranges, as well as houses for rent.  Many Austinites rent out rooms in their homes.  There are also

a few housing cooperatives in town.  Finally, for those who have the means, there is the option of

buying a house.

Finding an Apartment

Rental prices range from $395 to $1500 depending on whether you want to live alone or with

roommates, how close you want to be to campus, and how nice a neighborhood or apartment you

desire. Most neighborhoods are as safe as those in any large city. The housing market is very

tight in Austin, and the situation is unlikely to improve in the near future. Recently, occupancy

rates have been very high, and rent is always rising. It is not uncommon to have rent increases of

$30 to $60 every year. Security deposits are required to hold an apartment. Deposits range from

$150 to $250 for a one bedroom and $200 to $400 for two bedrooms. An application fee of $35

to $50 is also charged to run a credit history in some cases. If you decide to rent a house or

condo, deposits of one month’s rent are usually charged.  There are some small-scale landlords

who may not require an application. If you have a pet, you may also have to pay a pet deposit.  The

following is a list of apartment costs around Austin. 

Helpful Websites

The University Division of Housing and Food Services website (http://www.utexas.edu/

student/housing) offers helpful information on housing in Austin, near campus, and on-campus.

In addition, they offer a link to a housing search engine Longhorn Living (http://

www.longhornliving.org).

No UT affiliation:

http://www.ausapt.com/

http://www.aptsforrent.com/

http://www.austin360.com/

http://www.statesman.com/

http://www.austinapartmentfinder.com/

http://www.austinchronicle.com/class

http://www.craigslist.org/

Average Prices for Location

The following is a list of average apartment prices in the surrounding UT areas. Hyde Park and

West Campus are popular places, but a bit more expensive. South Austin is less expensive, but a

little ways from the campus life, which could be a good thing or a bad thing for you depending on

what you are looking for. The prices below are ranges and May change based on the housing

market.

 

Listed below are a few apartment locators who often deal with college students.

Apartment Headquarters, (512) 442-9333

SOUTH AUSTIN

Pleasant Valley

(PV)

North Riverside

(NR)

Parker Lane (PL)

Wickersham

Lane (WL)

1BR: $500 - $765

2BR: $590 - $1000

3BR: $950 - $1100

NORTHEAST

AUSTIN

Cameron Road

(CR)

1BR: $510 - $760

2BR: $650 - $915

3BR: $950 - $1100

WEST AUSTIN

Enfield Road

(ER)

West Campus

(WC)

1BR: $525 - $900

2BR: $750 - $1300

3BR: $1200 - $1800

NORTHWEST

AUSTIN

Far West (FW)

1BR: $550 +

2BR: $745 +

3BR: $1100 +

CENTRAL

AUSTIN (Hyde

Park)

Intramural

Fields (IF)

Red River (RR)

1BR: $500 - $800

2BR: $715 - $1000

Front Page Properties, (512) 480-8518

Property Management of Texas, (512) 476-2673

Vision Ads, (512) 418-8264 (a higher scale place in which you watch videos on each complex)

Apartment Experts (512) 339-4411

Considerations When Looking for an Apartment

Because parking is difficult for those who don't get up at the crack of dawn, we recommend that

you get an apartment that is on a UT shuttle bus route or on the city bus route (see

www.capmetro.org for a map and schedule). Although this may mean higher rent, it does save

you the hassle of driving in traffic and trying to find a place to park. Most apartment complexes

require you to sign a TAA (Texas Apartment Association) lease. Get to know this lease and pay

close attention to the sections that the leasing agents fill in themselves. There is also a standard

lease for duplexes and condominiums. You should definitely arrange a visit to Austin as early as

possible to look for an apartment, and for the best possible selection. 

Furniture

Moving within the United States: All the information you will ever need to move: http://

www.moving.com. For those of you who like to "do it yourself”:

•U-Haul: http://www.uhaul.com/

•Ryder: http://www.ryder.com

Renting furniture and other household items:  Most Austin apartments will offer referrals to

furniture rental companies who will deliver to your home during Orientation and set up

everything for you.  You can expect to pay $100 - $150 per month for rented furniture,

depending on what you get.

•Aaron Rental: http://www.aaronrents.com/ 

•Cort Furniture Rental: http://www.cort1.com/ 

Purchasing New Furniture and Household Items

Austin has no shortage of furniture stores, including great discount places, so please don’t feel

the need to haul every piece of your furniture across the country or ocean.  There are plenty of

second-hand (Salvation Army type) stores on Lamar, north of 45th, and others are distributed

throughout the city.  You should have no trouble buying used pots, pans, couches, etc.  There

are also many garage/yard sales in August.   Many former students are leaving town at that time

and are willing to sell their good stuff for very little money.  If you want to buy new furniture,

there are tons of furniture stores on Burnet Road.  Check the yellow pages for listings.  Austin

City Search also has a Furniture Store link. One such store is:

•Furniture Factory Warehouse: 6510 S. Congress (512) 707-2095 or 5319 N IH 35 (512)

380-0025.

You can find just about anything you need within a ten-minute drive at Target or Wal-Mart, if

you’re not as concerned about social responsibility.

• Target:  http://www.target.com/guest/locator/index.html

• Linens and Things: www.lnt.com

• Bed, Bath, and Beyond: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/

•The Container Store: www.containerstore.com 9629 Research Blvd, 418-8479

• IKEA: www.ikea-usa.com For those of you who can’t live without it, the nearest IKEA is in

Round Rock (only 30 minutes away): 1 IKEA Way, Round Rock, TX 78664

 

Recycling

Receptacles for recycling aluminum cans and all types of paper can be found in buildings on the

UT campus.  Grocery stores collect used grocery bags for recycling. Many Austin neighborhoods

have a weekly recycling collection, as do some apartment complexes. For all other recycling

needs, Ecology Action of Texas http://www.ecology-action.org (512) 322-0000 runs recycling

centers at the Hancock Center (IH 35 at 41st St.), Westlake Center (Campcraft Road at

Westbank Road), Burnet Center (8100 Burnet Rd.), and the drive through center at 9th and I-35.

Housing Cooperatives

The following is a list some co-ops in Austin: 

Buying a Home

Abbey House Student Residence Hall

live@Abbey-House.com

408 W. 17th St.

Austin, TX

(512)474-2408

College Houses Cooperative, Inc.

www.collegehouses.org

1906 Pearl St.

Austin, TX 78705

(512) 476-5678

(512) 476-1743

info@collegehouses.org

Deutsches Haus Co-op (German House)

www.utexas.edu/students/dhaus

2103 Nueces St.

Austin, TX 78705

(512) 477-8865

dhaus@mail.utexas.edu

Inter-Cooperative Council

iccaustin.coop

510 W. 23rd St.

Austin, TX 78705

(512) 476-1957

(512) 476-4789

welcome@iccaustin.com

Halstead

2222 Pearl St.

Austin, TX 78705

(512) 476-9729

For more coops:

http://www.umich.edu/~nasco/gtcc/texas.html

If you have a family or otherwise intend to stay in the same place during a 5-6 year stay in Austin, you may wish to consider buying a house. You may save money on your monthly payments, get a tax break, and will probably be able to earn a profit reselling the home when you leave. Programs exist to aid first time home-buyers with their down payment and interest rate.  Those interested should contact the UT Office of Student Financial Services for further information (http://finaid.utexas.edu).

 

Roommates

If you want to be included on a list of students seeking roommates, please send a message to our chupacabra listserve.  Instructions on how to subscribe to the list serve are located below.  You can also check the Austin American Statesman, the Austin Chronicle and Craigslist the predominant Austin newspapers, for roommate ads.  Once you arrive you can also check the bulletin board in the Texas Union Building.  There are dozens of students seeking roommates who post there. 

Renter’s Insurance

It is a good idea to have renters insurance. There have been several apartment fires in Austin that have destroyed students’ entire possessions. You might try calling State Farm Insurance or William-Gammon first. If you or a parent served in the U.S. military, USAA offers the best rates.  For $100-$200, you can insure around $25,000 of your valuables.

 

Utilities

Most apartments in Austin have electric heaters and water heaters. As a consequence, electric bills for an average two bedroom apartment are $40-$70 in the winter and $70-$100 in the summer. Of course, if you can find a place with gas appliances, your electric bill in the winter could drop to as low as $20. Once you decide on an apartment, you can call the electric department to find out the average electric bills for that unit.  Utilities are often included within the price of rent, and many student apartments come with free basic cable. On occasion, Time Warner will run installation specials.

 

Phone:

AT&T

One Rate Texas service

Residential Sales: 1-800-222-0300

www.att.com/local_service/tx/html/index.html

MCI Worldcom

Residential sales: 1-800-950-5555

Southwestern Bell

New service: 1-800-464-7928

Spanish Assistance: 1-800-559-0050

Electric:

Austin Energy

721 Barton Springs Road

494-9400

http://www.austinenergy.com/

Gas:

Texas Gas Service

(512) 452-2390

http://www.southernunionco.com

Water:

City of Austin

Water and Wastewater disposal

(512) 974-3329

www.ci.austin.tx.us/water/

Cable:

Time Warner Cable

(512) 485-5555

12012 N Mo-Pac Expway

www.timewarneraustin.com

Grande Communications

(512) 220-4880

http://www.grandecom.com

Internet:

Austin TX.com

(512) 300-0176

home.austintx.com

Commuter Communication Systems

(512) 257-2274

www.ccsi.com

Constant.com

(512) 458-3882

www.constant.com

Freeside Communications, Inc.

(512) 458-9810

www.fc.net

Grande Communications

(512)220-4880

www.grandecom.com

Illuminati Online

(512) 462-0999

www.io.com

 

TransportationWithin the City

The city bus system is operated by Capital Metro, with more than 48 bus routes including

downtown routes and the Capitol area "Dillo Express." City bus schedules can be found online

or at the Union and the UT Co-op (across Guadalupe from the Union). Public transportation

does not cover the entire city; there are several areas outside of the central Austin area to which

Internet (cont.):

The Internet Port

(512) 349-2791

www.inetport.com

Jump Point Communications, Inc.

(512) 257-4700

www.jump.net

Onramp Access

(512) 322-9200

www.onr.com

PrismNet, Inc.

(512) 821-2991

www.prismnet.com

 

Real/Time Communications

(512) 451-0046

www.realtime.net

Southwestern Bell Internet Services

www.swbell.net

Texagnet

staff@texagnet.net

Texas Networking, Inc.

(512) 427-1651

www.texas.net

Time Warner Communications

(512) 485-6396

www.twtelecom.com

the city bus system does not travel. As long as you have a valid UT student ID, you can ride the

bus for free. For the riders without a student ID, Capital Metro offers free rides to customers on

all routes on ‘Ozone Action Days’, daily information can be found at www.capmetro.org/riding/

ozone. Another great service is transportation to and from the airport from campus (see

schedule for bus 100 Airport Flyer). Any questions about these services should be directed to

the numbers below.

Website complete with maps and schedules: (http://www.capmetro.org)

Phone: (512) 474-1200

Special transit services for mobility impaired: (512) 478-9647

UT Shuttle

Capitol Metro is also contracted by the University to operate the UT Shuttle system; it is not

necessary to show at UT ID to ride the UT Shuttle buses. The UT shuttle routes are extremely

convenient if you can find an apartment near one.  The buses run from 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM,

Monday through Friday. During the day, most shuttles come by every five to eleven minutes, but

after 5:30 PM the buses only run every 30 minutes.  When classes are not in session or during

school holidays, the shuttles do not run at all, and during finals or registration the buses only run

every thirty minutes all day.  On Sunday, there is limited service available from 2 PM to 11 PM, and

the frequency of buses varies for each route, so check in the city bus schedule.

Getting Home After a Night of Drinking

Getting Home After a Night of Drinking:  The University operates a UT shuttle route for late

night service called the “Entertainment Bus” which runs from areas around campus to 6th street

and other downtown locations.  Check the UT shuttle route for more information and specific

running times.  (http://www.capmetro.org/riding/ebus.asp)

Taxicab Companies

Different than large metropolitan cities, you will seldom be able to hail a cab on an Austin street

corner. Phone a cab and expect to wait 10-20 minutes for it to arrive.

Austin Cab Company (512) 929-3314

Roy's Taxi (512) 482-0000

Yellow Checker (512) 472-1111

Outside the City

Besides the standard planes, trains, and buses, you might consider going to the Union to find a

way out of the city. The Union has bulletin boards where you can place ads to share rides or buy

and sell plane tickets. Many private shuttle bus companies also offer service to major cities in

Texas.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/austinairport/

Amtrak Trains: 250 North Lamar Blvd, 1-800-USA-RAIL, http://www.amtrak.com

Greyhound Bus: 916 E. Koenig Lane, (512) 458-4463, http://www.greyhound.com

 

Your Own Automobile

When driving a car in Texas, you must have car insurance. If you are ever pulled over by the

police or if you are involved in an accident, proof of liability insurance and a valid driver's license

will be needed. Proof of liability insurance is also needed for the yearly car inspection, to obtain a

Texas driver's license, and to register your car and obtain Texas license plates. In addition to the

insurance requirements, there is a mandatory seat belt law in Texas. All front seat drivers and

passengers of automobiles and pickups must wear and buckle their seat belts. Children under

age 2 must be in a safety seat. Children under the age of 4 must be in passenger restraints

regardless of whether they are in the front seat or back.

For more information, visit the Texas Department of Transportation website:

www.dot.state.tx.us and the Texas State Department of Public Safety at http://

www.txdps.state.tx.us

Auto Repair

The following service stations were recommended to us by an informal survey. 

•Chote's Chevron

•Sam's Chevron

•Shreve Auto Repair

•Lambs Goodyear

•Wayne Barbee

•Dan’s Texaco

•Love Car Care

•Express Automotive

•Oltorf Exxon

•Excaliber Automotive

•Roger Beasely Mazda

•Groovy Automotive 

Parking on Campus

Several options exist for parking on campus. You can buy a "C" permit, which gives you a

license to hunt for a parking space in designated "C" lots. The current cost is $110 per year. 

You can also buy a C+ parking permit, which allows you access to all university garages between

5 p.m. and 4 a.m. weekly and all day on weekends (Friday at 5 p.m. to Monday at 4 a.m.). You can

find C parking in the Benson Library lot but should arrive before 8:30 AM to find a parking

place.  Of course, if you don't mind the hike, many graduate students who come to school after

10 AM park in the residential areas immediately northeast and west of campus.  For more

information on parking, see the UT Parking and Transportation website: http://

www.utexas.edu/parking/.

Parking is also disrupted during football games and special events so it is good to keep a beat on

the events on campus.

There are a couple of parking garages on campus for daily parking. They charge by the hour with

a daily maximum of $8.

 

Biking

Many students find that it is more convenient to bike to school rather than try to find a parking

place. This is especially easy if you live north of campus because many of the roads in this area

have designated bike lanes. Capital Metro also has bike racks on many of its buses.  Be sure to

register your bike with the parking and transportation office (www.utexas.edu/parking/

transportation/biking) on campus and use a secure lock because theft is common.

 

For more information on biking, check the following page on Austin360.com: http://

www.austin360.com/search/content/recreation/guides/bike/bikingindex.html

University MattersLLILAS Orientation

Formal LLILAS orientation for Fall 2007 will begin on Wednesday, August 22 and includes

advising, registration, and miscellaneous paperwork. Plan to arrive in Austin at least one week

prior to Orientation so that you have time to unpack, settle in, and learn your way around town

before beginning your first semester. You may check in with Anne Dibble on or before August 16

to fill out paperwork and pick up the orientation schedule, which can also be found online.

There are two listservs (email distribution lists) that you should sign up immediately for. The

ILASSA listserve is where you will be notified of any and all LLILAS happenings, as well as

conduct elections and see the weekly meeting minutes. It is highly recommended that all

students register for this listserv. You can do so by emailing Mike Gale (mgaledc@gmail.com).

Chupacabra is a different, more inclusive, listserve that will keep you informed of meetings,

classes, happy hours, jobs, and internships, and will let you know what your colleagues are doing

and what’s on their minds.  The biggest difference between the ILASSA and the Chupa listservs

is that you do not have to be a UT student to subscribe.  Chupacabra is a wonderful forum for

meeting roommates and locating living quarters.  To subscribe send your requests to this

address:

 listproc@lists.cc.utexas.edu

Send a message as in the example below, substituting your information for Juana Doe’s.  Leave

the subject line blank, and be sure to type the text in the body of the message.

 SUBSCRIBE CHUPACABRA Juana Doe

Once you have subscribed, you will automatically receive information on how to unsubscribe,

send messages, etc.  You cannot send or receive chupacabra messages unless you have

subscribed.  If you do not subscribe, we guarantee that you will miss out on important         

information.  Any updates to this guide will be disseminated via Chupa. 

If you have any questions contact Mike Gale, the ILASSA Listserve Administrator.

http://wwwtest.utexas.edu/cola/llilas/studentgroups/ilassa/#officers

Useful LLILAS Websites

Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies website:  http://www.utexas.edu/cola/

llilas/

ENLACE Career Center: http://lanic.utexas.edu/enlace/

LANIC (Latin American Network Information Center): http://lanic.utexas.edu/

ILASSA homepage:  http://www.utexas.edu/cola/llilas/students/studentgroups/ilassa/

index.html

Benson Latin American Collection:  http://www.lib.utexas.edu/benson/

Office of Graduate Studies

The Office of Graduate Studies administers most graduate programs on campus. They offer a

quick online orientation (www.utexas.edu/ogs/orientation) to the graduate school, graduate

student life, commonly asked questions and their website is also helpful for questions about

work, thesis/ dissertation criteria, etc. Visit their site at www.utexas.edu/ogs/

Classes/Registration

You will register for at least 9 hours (three classes) every semester and summer school is

optional.  We recommend you double-check these numbers, as the requirements may change

depending on your degree plan.  It is your responsibility to register on time and it is in your best

interest to do so. UT uses a computerized registration system, which will be explained to you

during orientation.  For information about online registration, refer to Rose, UT’s online

registration system. http://www.utexas.edu/student/registrar/rose/. 

The Office of Graduate Studies at The University of Texas requires all students to maintain a

grade point average of 3.0 or higher.  If you receive a C in any course in your division, you will

have to retake the class.  Students who drop below the 3.0 GPA will be placed on academic

probation.  Those who remain below the required minimum for two consecutive semesters face

expulsion. 

International Students Only: Your immigration documents (I-20’s or DS-2019’s) are being

processed now by the UT International Office. Upon your arrival to Austin, you must check-in

with the International Office for important information specific to International Students.

International students traveling directly from overseas should plan to arrive in Austin early

enough so that they can settle in and adjust to the new environment (see your Immigration

Documents or contact the International Office for earliest arrival dates). Foreign students will

find some information about language requirements in this package. 

ALL students:  All students must take a proficiency exam in either Spanish or Portuguese during

their first semester.  Most find the exam relatively simple, but you may want to refresh yourself

prior to the exam.  The LLILAS graduate program coordinator, Anne Dibble, will let you know

the specifics about the exam procedures. 

Address Changes: Please keep Anne up-to-date with your address and phone number over the

summer.  You may reach her by e-mail at adibble@mail.utexas.edu. You should also update

your address information through UT Direct (http://utdirect.utexas.edu/utdirect)

  

UT Student Identifiers and Computer Information

UT EID (Electronic Identity): Your UT EID and password are electronic identifiers that allow

you to use secure UT services on the Web. You are assigned your UT EID when you apply/ or

are admitted to UT. You may activate your UT EID and choose a password at https://

utdirect.utexas.edu/nlogon/eid_suite/get_started/get_eid.WBX. Be sure to answer security

questions to set up your online self-reset capability. If you forget your UT EID, call the ITS Help

Desk at (512) 475-9400. If you forget your UT EID password, you may reset it at https://

utdirect.utexas.edu/nlogon/eid_suite/essentials/change_epw.WBX, or go to Registration in

the Main Building, MAI 16.

PADlock:

Your PADlock is a second secret password, used in conjunction with your UT EID password to

provide another level of security that functions as an electronic signature when you enter into

legally binding business with the University. Go to https://utdirect.utexas.edu/eid/padlock/

padlock_start.WBX to create your PADlock and to answer security questions to set up your

online self-reset capability.

PADlock allows the University to meet a higher security threshold required by state and Federal

laws for certain transactions. My Bank Info, My Withholdings, and Tuition Loans are example of

services that will soon require a PADlock.

UT Photo ID card:

Admitted UT students should obtain a UT student ID card. The ID center is located on the 1st

floor of the Flawn Academic Center (FAC), and is open 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through

Friday. To have an ID card issued, you must present photo identification (e.g., driver’s license,

passport). A $10 fee is charged for each card issued and must be paid within 30 days at the

Cashier’s Office in the Main Building (MAI) 8 or online at https://utdirect.utexas.edu/acct/

rec/wio/wio_home.WBX.

Personal Computer Account/ IF Account:

An IF (Individually Funded) account entitles you to print in most campus computer labs and the

Internet, although it is not required to use campus computers.  Students have the option of

creating this account.  Get your account number and password at http://www.utexas.edu/cc/

account/, at Flawn Academic Center (FAC) 212.

E-Mail:

To sign up for free e-mail direct your browser to mail.utexas.edu and follow the instructions

there. 

For more information about computer services available and answers to additional questions,

refer to the UT computer services website: http://www.utexas.edu/computer/.

Campus Computer Store:

The campus computer store offers discounted computers, software and computer accessories

and is located in the Flawn Academic Center (FAC) on the first floor. You can purchase software

such as Microsoft Word or Adobe Photoshop in come cases for a sizable discount.

www.campuscomputer.com or (512) 475-6550.

Money

Taxes

Texas state sales tax is 8.25%, but there is no sales tax on food. (Restaurants do charge sales tax,

however.) There is no state income tax, however some states (such as California) still require to

to pay state taxes on any income you may earn in Texas.  Keep in mind that some grant money

may be considered taxable; some students do find that they owe the federal government a lot

more than they expected when taxes are due.

 

Banks

The following is a list of the major banks in the Austin area that have toll free numbers for those

interested in getting information before arriving in Austin.

Bank One " " 1-800- 695-1111 English/ 1-888-226-5663 Spanish

Bank of America" 1-800-344-8382 Student Banking/ http://www.bankofamerica.com

Frost Bank" " 512-473-4343 www.frostbank.com 

University Federal Credit Union (UFCU)" 1-800-252-8311/ http://www.ufcu.org

Wells Fargo Bank" 1-800-869-3557/ http://www.wellsfargo.com"

 

Many graduate students find the University Federal Credit Union to be very convenient due to its

low cost, free check card, new bank branch on Guadalupe across from the Union, and ATMs

around campus. Be sure to set up a bank account as soon as you can.  Remember to bring enough

money with you in cash, traveler's checks, and/or bank checks to get you started.

Financial Aid

If you need to apply for a student loan or need information on other types of financial aid,

Student Financial Services is located at 600 W 24th Street. Their phone number is

512-475-6282, and the address is http://www.utexas.edu/student/finaid/index.html.

 

Tuition may also be paid in installments.  If you choose this option, half will be due in August,

with the other half split between equal payments due at the end of September and the beginning

of November. This payment option is available to all students. The University accepts payment by

cash, check, MasterCard, or Discover.  Note: The University does NOT accept VISA cards as a

form of payment.  If you chose to pay with MasterCard or Discover, you are subject to a 1.75%

“convenience charge” fee calculated based on the entire amount that you owe!

 

Health Insurance                                                                                                                                       

As a registered student, you pay a Medical Services Fee each semester, which entitles you to a

wide variety of University Health Services (UHS) programs and services. You may make an

appointment to see the clinician of your choice as many times a semester as needed with no office

visit charge. There are charges for many services and procedures used to diagnose and treat

illnesses and injuries, but these charges are generally much lower than those for comparable

services provided elsewhere. You may also access the educational programs and materials

provided by the UHS Health Promotion department that are designed to help you make informed

decisions about health-related areas of your life.

The UHS staff includes 15 physicians, 5 nurse practitioners, a physician assistant, and more than

30 nurses, as well as professionally trained and certified pharmacists, physical therapists, medical

technologists, radiologists, and health educators. In addition, they offer stress reduction

seminars, mental health counseling, and assistance for victims of abuse.

 Their web address is http://www.utexas.edu/student/health/.

 

EntertainmentThe Best of Austin

One of the best things about living in Austin is that there are a huge variety of things to do. No

matter what type of entertainment you enjoy, most likely you'll find something in Austin. We

made an effort to include many things that are unique to the city. Hope this helps!

For general information about what’s going on in Austin, try these websites: 

http://austin.citysearch.com/

http://www.austin360.com/

http://www.austinchronicle.com/current/

www.austinist.com

The Texas Union has a food court, a TV viewing room, and the basement (also the Rec Center)

carries a wide selection of video games, pool tables, bowling lanes, and air hockey tables.

Informal Classes: The UT informal classes offer many opportunities to expand your mind from

exotic dancing and wine tasting to weather forecasting and basket weaving. There is a one-time

registration fee that varies with the amount of equipment and instruction needed for each class.

Typical prices are from $20-$100. Classes are offered monthly, and an information booklet can

be found on racks around campus and in the Union. For more information, call (512) 471-0270.

Volunteering: Consider volunteering right here at LLILAS.  Natalie Arsenault, LLILAS

Outreach Coordinator, can tell you about ways you can use your background in Latin American

Studies to volunteer in Austin.  Call her at 512-232-2404 to get involved.

 

The Great Outdoors

Bluebonnets: Between March and May, depending on the amount of rain, the highways and

fields in and around Austin and the rest of Texas will be covered with wildflowers. Don’t plan on

taking home a bouquet, though.  It is illegal to pick wildflowers in Texas!  Also, the Lady Bird

Johnson Wildflower Center (4801 LaCrosse Ave, just off of MoPac in Southwest Austin) is the

national center for the study of domestic wildflowers and is well worth a visit.

Enchanted Rock: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/enchantd/

Golf: Austin has a large number of municipal golf courses that have very reasonable prices

(around $13 for 18 holes). They also have discounted prices after 5 or 6 PM (around $6).

Horseback Riding: Available at Medway Ranch (243-5151) west of Austin in Lakeway, at Bear

Creek Stables in south Austin (280-0287), and Triple Creek Ranch (264-1371).

Intramural Fields: These are at the corner of Guadalupe and 51st Street and can be used by

students. You can ride the IF shuttle from campus to get to the fields. They offer an archery

range, baseball fields, tennis courts, and other facilities.

Lake Travis: Lake Travis is about 30 minutes northwest of town. There are several beaches

where you can go wind sailing, sailing, or skiing. You can also go scuba diving at Windy Point or

sunbathe nude at Hippy Hollow.

Disc Golf: Available at Bartholemew Park (18 holes), Circle C Ranch (18 holes), Mary Moore

Searight Park (18 holes), Pease Park (18 holes), and Zilker Park (9 holes). 

Mount Bonnell: Most likely you saw this on your visitation weekend. Go west on FM 2222 past

MoPac and take a left on Mount Bonnell Rd. It offers a great view of downtown and Lake Austin. 

And it is properly pronounced Buh-NELL.

Mountain Biking/Hiking/Jogging: Try the trails at Zilker, Emma Long (a.k.a. City Park),

Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail, and Pease Park.

Pedernales Falls: A state park with lots of options for hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching

and horseback riding. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/pedernales_falls/

 

Road Biking: Many people like to road bike on Loop 360 due to its extremely wide shoulder.

For information on biking in Austin check-out http://www.austinbikeroutes.com

Rowing/ Sculling/ Kayaking/Canoeing: Town Lake is a popular spot for non-motorized

boats. Check out these sites for boat rentals: www.austinrowing.org, www.rowingdock.com

Shoal Creek Park and Trail: Many people enjoy the Shoal Creek trails. The park is set up for

Frisbee golf and has volleyball courts.

UT Outdoor Adventures: These are field and camping trips offered to UT student to areas

around the state. For example, you can schedule trips to Big Bend National Park or weekend

camping excursions. The organizers do most of the planning; you are required to do the work

and pay for your way on the trip. Find out in the Rec Center (San Jacinto and 20th Street) where

to get a brochure, or call (512) 471-6045. These programs are affordably priced opportunities to

learn and participate in various outdoor sports, including canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing,

horseback riding, and a lot more. They can also rent camping equipment.

Veloway: This is a wide paved loop, around 2.5 miles, which is open to bikers and roller-

bladders. The track is south on MoPac past Slaughter Lane, on the east side of MoPac.

Zilker Park: Zilker Park is a great place for almost any outdoor activity. The actual park is off

Barton Springs Rd between MoPac and Lamar. If you're going jogging, hiking, or biking on the

Greenbelt trails, you can enter from Spyglass. (To enter this way, go south on MoPac from

Barton Springs. Get off on Barton Skyway. The entrance is at the intersection of Barton Skyway

and Spyglass.) You can also access the trails from the park, but they sometimes charge for

parking on weekends. If you continue south on MoPac, and exit at 360 South there is a third

entrance to the left. There are also routes for rock climbing. Inside the park is Barton Springs, a

spring fed swimming pool that has a constant temperature of 68 degrees. The park also features

playing fields, a botanical garden, an outdoor theater, and a train to ride. You can rent canoes

and paddle boats in the park.  For more information about Zilker Park of others parks in Austin,

go to http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/parks.htm.

 

Sports

The Longhorn AllSports Package: If you want to go to all the athletic events, you save a

BUNDLE by buying this package, and you can buy a Spouse/Dependent Card too, so you can

draw one more ticket for the really important games. You don't have to be married!! It is nearly

impossible to obtain tickets for some of the football games, but Sports Package members have

first option at the student tickets. This package gives you the opportunity to attend many events

free. If you don't really see yourself going to many games, it's probably not worth the money.

The sports package is good for almost all UT sports; however, if you're interested in a particular

sport, check it out first - many sports have free admission anyway!

Recreational Sports Center/ Gregory Gym: These sports complexes along with the other gyms

scattered throughout campus, offer you a wide variety of indoor sports options. For example, the

Rec Center has facilities for volleyball, racquetball, wallyball, handball, and basketball along with

ping-pong, free weights, nautilus, and aerobic equipment. In addition, there is an extensive

aerobic workout program holding classes for both men and women. Gregory Gym offers a new

indoor/outdoor aquatic center.

Intramural Sports: UT has intramurals in almost every sport, and the chemistry department has

several teams put together by grad students.  You can get also assemble your own team. If you

would like to start a basketball or softball team, sign up fellow students and faculty and then take

the list to the Rec Sports Center.  ILASSA fielded soccer and softball teams during the

2001-2002 and 2002-2003 school years.

Sports Clubs: UT has many student sports clubs including a Shotokan Karate club, Judo Club,

Gymnastics Club, and Archery. Check in the Rec Center for what are available and meeting

times.

Pro Sports: Texas offers the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets

basketball teams, Texas Rangers (based in Dallas-Fort Worth) and Houston Astros baseball

teams, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and Austin Wranglers football teams, and Dallas Stars

hockey team. Austin is home to a number of minor league teams. The minor league hockey team

is the Ice Bats. The Round Rock Express, a minor league baseball team, is just a short drive north

on I-35 to the Dell Diamond. The Austin Toros play minor league basketball.

 

Other Entertainment Around Town

The Congress Street Bridge Bats: Just after sundown from April to October (they head down

south to Mexico for the rest of the year), 1.5 million bats take flight from under the Congress

Street Bridge in search of food. The peak is during August. For more info on viewing the

spectacular show, call 416-5700 and enter category 3636. There is a "Bat Information

Center" (and we're not joking!) directly southeast of the bridge.  This is the largest urban colony

of migratory bats in the Western Hemisphere (and some say the world)!

Botanical Gardens: Next to Zilker Park. Definitely worth a visit.

The Texas Capitol: The largest in the country and well worth touring, especially since it’s free!

First Thursdays:  Arts, music, and food on South Congress.   

Visual and Performing Arts: Both the community and UT host a large number of plays,

musicals, concerts, and other various shows. If you are truly interested in seeing many of these

shows, the Performing Arts Center at UT offers a performance package, which will allow you to

buy a discounted ticket to them. A booklet describing the semester's performances should be

available so you can check before you buy, or you can call 1-800-678-6010 (471-1444 in Austin)

for information or to buy tickets. For performances and exhibitions off campus, we recommend

the Austin Chronicle and the Statesman as your guide. You can also find information about this

topic on the Internet and at the Union.

Museums on Campus

Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library: Offers many exhibits and holds many of the

papers of this past President.  The gifts of state from foreign dignitaries are spectacular, and the

scale model Oval Office is nifty as well.

Texas Memorial Museum: Natural history exhibits and gun collection. Dinosaur tracks nearby.

Harry Ransom Center: Currently holds art exhibits and a continuous display of the Guttenberg

Bible and the first photo ever taken.

Huntington Art Gallery in the Art Building: Exhibits art made by UT students and faculty.

The Texas State History Museum: Located on Martin Luther King Dr. and San Jacinto just

across the street from campus. It’s worth a visit when non-Texan family members are in town!

Blanton Art Museum: This is a wonderful, award winning, museum housing many art exhibits.

Find more info at http://www.blantonmuseum.org/

Music and Film

Austin is "The Live Music Capital of the World." Just about every bar in town has live music at

least one night a week. Look in the Austin Chronicle to find out who is playing where and when.

In the March, there is a multimedia festival called South by Southwest (SXSW) (http://

www.sxsw.com/) which hosts thousands of live bands at various bars around town.  A great way

to see many of these bands for free is to volunteer during the festival.  In September, you may

want to check out the Austin City Limits Festival (http://www.aclfestival.com/). Tickets for this

event go quickly so get them as soon as possible!

 

Movie Theaters: There are more than a dozen major theaters around town that carry general

release pictures and two nice dollar theaters. In addition, the Dobie Theater next to campus, the

Arbor Theater at the Arboretum and the Paramount Theater carry art and indie films. Also,

during the month of March “Cine de las Americas” takes place, screening many films made in

Latin America.  Don’t miss the Alamo Drafthouse (an Austin original).  It would be impossible

to explain it in this packet, but check out their website at www.alamodrafthouse.com.  They show

many different kind of movies while simultaneously serving food and drinks. They also have

special events for movie premiers and sing-alongs.

Around the State

Houston: About 3.5 hours east on 290, Houston offers almost everything - a huge number of art

museums, Astroworld (a Six Flags theme park), and about everything any other large city would

have. In addition, the LBJ Space Center (NASA) is located in Houston and offers tours daily.

Another 1.5 hours south on Interstate 45 is Galveston: an island with a multitude of beaches

(although if you're used to clear water, you'll be disappointed with this part of the Gulf) and

outstanding seafood. One thing to see in Galveston is the 3D IMAX Theater in Moody Gardens.

Dallas/Fort Worth: Another large metropolitan with almost everything imaginable, about 3

hours north on I-35. There is another Six Flags park here as well as the Texas Ranger's Ballpark

in Arlington and the Dallas Cowboys.  The shopping is fabulous; unsurprising given Neiman

Marcus was founded in Dallas.  Fort Worth has some especially fine art museums.

New Braunfels: About 45-min. south on I-35, this small town's main attraction is the Guadalupe

River, on which you can raft or tube. Schlitterbahn is a fun water park here. In October the town

hosts Wurstfest, a German festival featuring German sausage, beer, and dancing. For a good

place to eat, try the Gristmill in Gruene (another small town right off the river). Gruene offers

many small shops with antiques or unique handmade items. A drive up River Road is pretty and

will end near Canyon Lake, which offers camping and swimming. There is an outlet mall in New

Braunfels, but the largest outlet mall in the nation is just north of New Braunfels on I-35.

San Antonio: The main attraction here is the Riverwalk, which is lined with numerous shops and

restaurants. During the Christmas season it is illuminated with lights. The River Center mall has

an IMAX theater, which plays movies like “Apollo 13” and “Jurassic Park” in addition to the

regular IMAX films. The Alamo is near here, as well as several Spanish missions. There is the new

Alamodome, which hosts the Spurs, and Fiesta Texas (a Six Flags theme park). Splashtown and

Seaworld are also located here.  San Antonio has some amazingly good Mexican restaurants as

well.

Big Bend National Park: Located in the southwest part of the state on the Mexican border. The

prime time to go is any time other than the summer months, which can be really hot. Big Bend is

part desert and part mountains. You can raft, hike, and bike. It's hot during the day and cool at

night. During Spring Break, it is extremely crowded, but the weather is great. There are remote

campsites as well as ones accessible by car. Very few showers are available unless you want to stay

in the lodge. A hike up to the South Rim can offer an awesome sight. On a clear day you can see

over into Mexico, but be sure to start early enough, take your camera, and don’t make a paper

airplane out of your map. If you have the time and are in this area, you can also drive northward to

the MacDonald Observatory, an astronomical observatory owned by UT.

Mexico: A great place to visit and only 4.5 hours south on I-35. The border towns (Nuevo

Laredo, Reynosa, Matamoros) are a nice weekend trip with shopping, entertainment, and a little

more “mex” than “tex-mex”. 

State Parks: The Hill Country and the surrounding area are home to some of the state's most

beautiful parks. Most offer camping, wildlife, nature trails, and water sports. There are several

guides to Texas state parks available at local bookstores that outline the amenities and whether

you need reservations or not. We recommend seeing any of the following: Enchanted Rock, Inks

Lake, Bastrop State Park, Pedernales Falls, Lost Maples, McKinley Falls.

ILASSAThe Institute of Latin American Studies Student Association (ILASSA) was formed by graduate

students seeking to encourage more active student participation in institute and campus affairs

concerning Latin American Studies and to provide a greater student voice in the direction of the

LLILAS program. ILASSA provides orientation activities and also sends representatives to the

Graduate Student Assembly (COGS) and other campus activities. Membership is open to all UT

students with an interest in Latin America. To become part of ILASSA you have to contact the

ILASSA officers and sign up to listserv.  

The association sponsors activities to foster exchanges on Latin American topics; to encourage

involvement with the Latino community; to collect aid funds for disaster relief in Latin America;

and to help in new student orientation. ILASSA also helps provide job- and internship-seeking

services for graduate and undergraduate students through its strong alumni network. The annual

Latin American Studies Student Conference is a major responsibility of the association.

ILASSA is also social in nature, sponsoring events during the term that focus on nonacademic

pursuits. These include a highly successful coed intramural sports tradition, planned and

impromptu parties, Friday evening get-togethers, and canoe, beach, and camping/rock-climbing

trips. The institute provides a lounge in Sid Richardson Hall room 1.302 for use by members.

ILASSA Conference on Latin America

ILASSA's annual student conference is the oldest and largest student-run academic conference

on Latin America in the world.  The ILASSA Conference offers students from UT-Austin as well

as other institutions in the United States and abroad the opportunity to present their research in

the style and atmosphere of an academic conference, but with plenty of opportunities for fun as

well.  Hosting the conference gives ILASSA a unique opportunity for leadership and a chance to

share that special Austin and LLILAS warmth.  ILASSA students house students visiting from

outside the Austin area during their stay in Austin. The conference is funded by LLILAS and

other campus departments and organizations, through the sale of the ever-popular ILASSA T-

shirts, and via other events. Local and international businesses are solicited for contributions or

discounts for the conference participants as well.

Over 120 graduate students from the U.S., Latin America, and Europe presented at the the 2007

Conference.  Overall, over 350 people participated in the conference. Anderson Sá and Oscar

Olivera gave riveting speeches about their work during their keynote speeches. We expect a

similar turnout next year.  The conference is ILASSA’s biggest activity as a group.

For more information on the Conference please take a look at the website:  http://

wwwtest.utexas.edu/cola/llilas/studentgroups/ilassa/.