art_history
Art and Art History

Art History Graduate Student Guide to Getting Started at UT

Congratulations on your acceptance into the Art History graduate program at the University of Texas at Austin. We look forward to welcoming you to Austin for the start of the Fall semester. We've provided some useful information below to help you navigate the UT Austin system.

First, get to know the home page of the UT Web site: www.utexas.edu (opens in new window)

Locate campus buildings by clicking on Maps. Check out the Popular Sites drop-down menu for frequently used links. You can link to Libraries, Grad Studies and Information Technology from the menu on the left side of the page. You can link to UT Direct (you must know your UT EID and password). You won't be able to check out books from the UT Austin libraries until you have paid tuition and your registration is complete; however, most campus libraries have open stacks you may read books and periodicals in many campus libraries as soon as you arrive on campus. As soon as you get to Austin, you can get a UT student ID Card, update your local address, and claim a UT Austin e-mail address.

You can scroll down to access the information below, or use the links provided to jump directly to a topic:

ID Card

Get your UT student photo ID card with a high assurance EID on the first floor of the Flawn Academic Center (FAC) between the Main Building (MAI, also know as The Tower) and the Texas Union (UNB). High assurance EID is needed for registration and payment. The ID Center is open 8:30 - 5:00 pm on weekdays only. You will need to bring a government-issued photo ID as proof of identity (U.S. or Canadian driver's license, passport, alien registration card with photo, U.S. citizen ID card, or resident citizen card).

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Local Address

You can update your Austin address, phone number, email online through UT Direct. Your Campus mail Code is D1300. Your updated local address is required for registration, fellowships, parking permits, and student employment.

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E-mail

You may continue using your personal e-mail account; however, the University Mailbox Service (UMBS) provides current UT Austin students with a free university-affiliated e-mail address. Your UMBS e-mail account remains active for as long as you are affiliated with the university. When you leave the university, your e-mail account remains active for an additional six months. E-mail is the official University means of communication – check it daily. ITS (Information Technology Services) offers other computing services for graduate students.

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Webspace

After your registration is complete, you are allocated one free gigabyte (GB) of online space to store/share files and to publish your own Web site. To set up your account or to access Webspace, select Webspace from the Popular Sites drop-down menu on the UT Home Page.

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Mail

Mail Folders for graduate students are located in the Art History Front Office (DFA 2.124) in the top drawer of the blue filing cabinet. Check your mail folder regularly.

If you are momentarily without a local address while getting settled in Austin, the Art and Art History Office will accept mail or packages for graduate students using these addresses below. Please let me know if you will need to receive mail here at Art History.

Expedited Mail Services (UPS, etc.)
Art Building, Room 3.338A
UT Austin
23rd and San Jacinto
Austin, TX 78712-128
Phone: 512-232-2047

Any item/letter sent by US Mail
Your name c/o Maureen Howell
UT Austin
Department of Art and Art History

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University Health Services and Health Insurance

You may use University Health Services beginning one month before the beginning of the semester, with certain conditions. Click on Eligibility to Use UHS and carefully review the information under Students admitted to UT for a future semester, but not enrolled in the current semester.

Students may enroll in supplemental health insurance approved by the University. Scroll down and click on policy coverage. If you will be employed as a 20-hour-a-week Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant, you are automatically enrolled in UT Austin's health insurance (refer to TA/AI information for details).

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UT Shuttle Bus Service

Shuttle bus schedules are online or pick up a schedule at the Trinity Garage (TRG). Shuttle buses are running now and you can ride them. You can ride Capital Metro buses for free with your new UT Student ID card. Just swipe it in the card reader when you board the bus. Capital Metro bus schedules are online or call 512-474-1200 for route information.

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Bicycles on Campus

All bicycles used on campus must be registered, but there's no charge. All Capitol Metro and most UT shuttle buses have a double bike rack on the front, so your bike can ride with you. The City of Austin has published a map of bike routes. Order a copy online or visit a local bike shop in Austin to pick up your copy ($2.00). The bad news: Austin and UT Austin in particular have a serious bike theft problem. Get a high-quality lock for your bicycle and use it every time you leave your bike unattended at school or at home.

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Parking Permits

After you have registered and paid your tuition bill, you can purchase a parking permit online or in person. Select Parking from the Popular Sites drop-down menu on the UT Home Page. Click on My Parking Profile. TAs, AIs and Research Assistants are eligible to purchase A permits.

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Masters Degree Students

If you received your bachelor's degree since you filed your application to UT Austin, request that an official transcript showing receipt of your bachelor's degree be sent to:

Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC)
UT Austin
PO Box 7608
Austin, TX 78713-7608

Until GIAC receives a transcript showing award of degree, a bar will be placed on your Spring registration.

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Orientation

The mandatory Art History orientation for incoming graduate students is scheduled for Tuesday, August 18th at 9 am. The orientation will be held in the Doty Fine Arts lecture hall, DFA 2.204. Enter the building from Trinity St, come up the walkway and through the glass doors. The hallway immediately to your right is the Art History hallway. The next door to your right (in a recess in the brick wall) is the entrance to the lecture hall.

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Registration

New students register on the Thursday and Friday prior to the beginning of classes. Select Registrar from the Popular Sites drop-down menu on the UT Home Page. Click on Students, then Registration. You can always find the available time slots for your registration by going to Check your RIS (Registration Information Sheet).

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Pay your Tuition Bill

In order to pay your tuition bill, first pay for your ID and any other charges you may have incurred. Select What I Owe from the Popular Sites drop-down menu on the UT home page. If you have incurred charges, you can pay on this page. What I Owe and My Tuition Bill pages inter link.

The most important part of your registration is to continue until you get the message, "Your registration is complete." If you do not see this message, your registration is NOT COMPLETE and your courses will be dropped for non-payment at the end of the fourth class day. Even if your tuition bill is being paid by a third party, YOU MUST CONFIRM ATTENDANCE. Until you get the message "Your Registration is Complete" you are NOT REGISTERED.

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Money (Direct Deposit and Electronic Funds Transfer)

If you have been awarded a fellowship and/or a teaching assistantship, sign up for both Direct Deposit for employment-related payments and Electronic Funds Transfer for fellowship payments. By electing these options, all payments will go immediately into your checking account on the first day available. You can elect these options on My Paycheck Profile.

To complete that screen, you need a check from your bank account. Out-of-town banks are fine. Your Bank Routing Number is the one at the lower left corner of your check. Your Bank Account Number is the one to the right of the routing number. (The next number is your check number. Do not enter that.)

If you do not elect Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer, TA payments will be sent to the Department of Art & Art History and will be placed in your mail folder. Fellowship checks will be mailed to your specified local address.

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Art History Graduate Studies Committee (GSC)

The GSC within each department is comprised of all tenured and tenure-track faculty at the rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor. The position of Art History GSC chair and Art History Graduate Adviser are held by the same person. Only members of the GSC may teach graduate students; the Graduate Dean may approve exceptions by petition. A graduate student may never supervise the academic work of another graduate student.

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Graduate School

Although the Department of Art and Art History is within the College of Fine Arts, as a graduate student, your dean is in the Graduate School. Terry Kahn, Associate Dean of Graduate Student Services, deals with all academic issues for graduate students. The Office of Graduate Studies has created an online guide and orientation that you may find useful.

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