If you witness any behavior by any University employee that is not in alignment with our goals of maintaining a safe and inclusive campus environment, please report this to your Department Chair and/or the Title IX Office, if it pertains to a Title IX matter.
Counseling and Mental Health
Counseling can help you identify effective strategies to cope with difficult situations, enhance your wellbeing and better achieve your academic and life goals. The college’s CARE Counselors are trained to provide support, and other supports are also available. To investigate whether talking to a trained counselor might benefit you, UT has a Counseling and Mental Health Center Crisis Line available to students anytime at (512) 471-2255. You can also use a free anonymous online assessment if you are not in crisis to determine next steps. CMHC is available to all students. Postdoctoral fellows, staff and faculty have access to the Employee Assistance Program and related HealthPoint Wellness offerings.
Behavioral Concerns
You should consider this resource if the stress levels or the behaviors of a roommate, classmate, or coworker concern you – or if a student in your course is behaving uncharacteristically – for example, by no longer attending class, turning in assignments, or responding to emails. BCAL staff members are trained to assess these and similar situations. You may report your concerns by calling 512.232.5050 (twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week) or by submitting an online form.
Depending on the situation, individuals may be referred to resources including but not limited to the Office of the Dean of Students/Student Emergency Services, Counseling and Mental Health Center, and the Employee Assistance Program. Confidentiality will be maintained as much as possible; however, the University may be required to release some information to appropriate parties.
Cases that present an immediate threat to self, others, or property are urgent situations that should be reported directly to the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) by calling 911.
Title IX
Title IX is concerned with incidents of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, interpersonal (dating/domestic/family) violence, or stalking that involve UT-Austin students, faculty, or staff. The University is committed to maintaining a safe and non-discriminatory environment.
Graduate students appointed in academic positions as Teaching Assistants, Assistant Instructors, or Graduate Research Assistants are deemed "responsible employees" under UT policies. Every responsible employee is required to promptly report Title-IX incidents that they experience or hear about if these incidents involve UT-Austin students, faculty, or staff. As responsible employees, graduate students may not offer or maintain confidentiality after learning of such incidents. Responsible employees have the duty to report these privately to the Title IX Coordinator, a Deputy Title IX Coordinator or online. An extensive list of resources for students and employees (some but not all of which can offer confidential help) may be found here.
You should familiarize yourself with the following policies:
- Policy on Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Sexual Misconduct, Interpersonal Violence and Stalking.
- Prohibition of Sexual Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Sexual Misconduct, Interpersonal Violence and Stalking.
Campus Safety
If campus emergencies arise, Teaching Assistants and Assistant Instructors should be prepared to take appropriate actions to promote the safety of students in their classes and laboratories. To improve communication during emergencies, sign up for text alerts here. You may wish to review emergency terms, get safety advice, and view safety videos on the UTPD website.
Gender and Sexuality Center
The mission of the Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) is to provide opportunities for all members of the UT Austin community to explore, organize, and promote learning around issues of gender and sexuality. The center also facilitates a greater responsiveness to the needs of women and the LGBTQIA+ communities through education, outreach, and advocacy.
UT Austin has numerous gender-inclusive restrooms distributed around the campus, a map of which can be found here.
Office of Inclusion and Equity
Consultations, workshops and resources are available to the UT Austin community to support all Longhorns’ sense of belonging. The OIE website has resources linking you to UT's options for reporting matters in need of investigation when a situation arises that runs contrary to campus values of inclusion.