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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!
ILASSA Conference on Latin America!
34
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 outof-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 “5Central”, 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 firsttimers 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.
NORTHEAST
AUSTIN
SOUTH AUSTIN
Cameron Road
(CR)
Pleasant Valley
(PV)
1BR: $510 - $760
North Riverside
2BR: $650 - $915
(NR)
3BR: $950 - $1100
Parker Lane (PL)
Wickersham
Lane (WL)
3BR: $950 - $1100
AUSTIN
Far West (FW)
1BR: $550 +
2BR: $745 +
3BR: $1100 +
CENTRAL
WEST AUSTIN
Enfield Road
(ER)
1BR: $500 - $765
2BR: $590 - $1000
NORTHWEST
West Campus
(WC)
AUSTIN (Hyde
Park)
Intramural
Fields (IF)
Red River (RR)
1BR: $525 - $900
1BR: $500 - $800
2BR: $750 - $1300
2BR: $715 - $1000
3BR: $1200 - $1800
Listed below are a few apartment locators who often deal with college students.
Apartment Headquarters, (512) 442-9333
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
(512) 477-8865
[email protected]
[email protected]
408 W. 17th St.
Austin, TX
Inter-Cooperative Council
(512)474-2408
iccaustin.coop
510 W. 23rd St.
College Houses Cooperative, Inc.
Austin, TX 78705
www.collegehouses.org
(512) 476-1957
1906 Pearl St.
(512) 476-4789
Austin, TX 78705
[email protected]
(512) 476-5678
(512) 476-1743
Halstead
[email protected]
2222 Pearl St.
Austin, TX 78705
Deutsches Haus Co-op (German House)
(512) 476-9729
www.utexas.edu/students/dhaus
2103 Nueces St.
For more coops:
Austin, TX 78705
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:
MCI Worldcom
AT&T
Residential sales: 1-800-950-5555
One Rate Texas service
Residential Sales: 1-800-222-0300
Southwestern Bell
www.att.com/local_service/tx/html/
index.html
New service: 1-800-464-7928
Spanish Assistance: 1-800-559-0050
Electric:
Internet:
Austin Energy
Austin TX.com
721 Barton Springs Road
(512) 300-0176
494-9400
home.austintx.com
http://www.austinenergy.com/
Gas:
Commuter Communication Systems
Texas Gas Service
(512) 257-2274
(512) 452-2390
www.ccsi.com
http://www.southernunionco.com
Constant.com
Water:
(512) 458-3882
City of Austin
www.constant.com
Water and Wastewater disposal
(512) 974-3329
Freeside Communications, Inc.
www.ci.austin.tx.us/water/
(512) 458-9810
www.fc.net
Cable:
Time Warner Cable
Grande Communications
(512) 485-5555
(512)220-4880
12012 N Mo-Pac Expway
www.grandecom.com
www.timewarneraustin.com
Grande Communications
Illuminati Online
(512) 220-4880
(512) 462-0999
http://www.grandecom.com
www.io.com
Internet (cont.):
Real/Time Communications
The Internet Port
(512) 451-0046
(512) 349-2791
www.realtime.net
www.inetport.com
Southwestern Bell Internet Services
Jump Point Communications, Inc.
www.swbell.net
(512) 257-4700
www.jump.net
Texagnet
[email protected]
Onramp Access
(512) 322-9200
Texas Networking, Inc.
www.onr.com
(512) 427-1651
www.texas.net
PrismNet, Inc.
(512) 821-2991
Time Warner Communications
www.prismnet.com
(512) 485-6396
www.twtelecom.com
Transportation
Within 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
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
• Love Car Care
• Sam's Chevron
• Express Automotive
• Shreve Auto Repair
• Oltorf Exxon
• Lambs Goodyear
• Excaliber Automotive
• Wayne Barbee
• Roger Beasely Mazda
• Dan’s Texaco
• 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 Matters
LLILAS 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 ([email protected]).
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:
[email protected]
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 [email protected]. 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)"
Wells Fargo Bank"
1-800-252-8311/ http://www.ufcu.org
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/.
Entertainment
The 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 rollerbladders. 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.
ILASSA
The 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 Tshirts, 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/.