NEWS | UPDATED JULY 31

Student Organizations
Traditions recounted in booklet

The compilation recites the university’s history in an effort to motivate students.

By Amy Nelson
Contributor to The Shorthorn

Emily Hoad says traditions make up the essence of a university.

“They give you a link to the past, and it’s an encouragement to continue old traditions and start new ones,” the graduate assistant for Student Organizations said.

A new booklet developed by Student Governance details those campus traditions, history, student activities and includes a “brags” section, which describes important university facts.

The idea for the booklet, titled UTA Traditions and Trivia, started in 1998 with Hoad, then an ambassador, former Mr. UTA Chris Heasley and former Ms. UTA Normalinda Gonzales. It took three years to complete because gathering and checking all the information took time, she said.

The booklet started because the Ambassadors wanted to promote traditions.

“There are many traditions on the UTA campus that are very special to the campus, but not everybody knows about these traditions,” she said.

Hoad said the idea came from UT-Austin and Texas A&M University, schools that each offer a class about their campus traditions, complete with a textbook. The UTA booklet was mailed to all faculty and staff and will be available to students Aug. 29, which is Activities Fair Day, and at other student events.

Jamie Williams, Student Governance assistant director, said the campus has a rich history that people should know about.

“It reminds you that you are a part of something really big — something to be excited about,” she said.

Mr. UTA Adam McCarthy said the booklet was formed to create more of a community atmosphere on campus. He said it should educate students about activities and encourage involvement.

“I think that pretty much every student could find at least one or two activities that interest them,” he said.

Jeff Sorenson, Student Governance and Organizations director, said traditions add “a sense of time and place” to the university and that the booklet should add to them.

“We’re looking to make it a tradition in itself,” he said of the booklet.

Sorenson said the Ambassadors plan to publish a new issue before fall orientation every year. It will be updated before each publication, he said.

The former Mr. and Ms. UTA and Hoad said they were pleased with the first publication.

“I am hoping that this will be something that the campus community will really appreciate and enjoy as well,” Hoad said.