UT Expands West Campus Ambassadors Program

University of Texas President Jay Hartzell has announced that the West Campus Ambassadors program, piloted last year, will continue and expand. The initiative, aimed at enhancing safety and cleanliness in the off-campus student neighborhood, will now operate with an increased staff of 30, covering the entire West Campus area from Guadalupe Street to North Lamar Boulevard.

"Having students feel comfortable and safe enables all the great experiences that they are going to have in school...We've been doing all we can...all with an eye toward having this vibrant, fun immersive campus experience where students feel like they're a part of that." Hartzell said.

The program, a collaboration with the Downtown Austin Alliance, has already shown impact, with ambassadors collecting 30,000 pounds of trash, cleaning up 2,000 graffiti pieces, and escorting 500 students in its first year. The university will invest an additional $600,000 in the program's second year to provide 24/7 coverage from Thursday to Sunday.

Kevin Morris Sr., cleaning team lead, emphasized the ambassadors' commitment to connecting with students and giving back to the community. "My ambassadors hit the ground every single day with humility in their hearts and hospitality at their best, and we go out there to strive to be better," Morris said.

With a hotline, Instagram presence, and plans for a potential app, the West Campus Ambassadors provide a supportive and welcoming presence in the neighborhood, connecting students to UT resources and improving the overall student experience.