Longhorns Return to Campus Amid Controversy

The Longhorns are back to school, marked by a burnt-orange banner above Dean Keeton Street, dozens of student booths lining Speedway, and a balloon Bevo on the Main Mall. Tens of thousands of University of Texas students returned to campus Monday for their first day of classes, greeted by free ice cream, UT swag, and snacks by the Tower.

“Their energy, their enthusiasm, their passion is tremendous,” UT President Jay Hartzell said in an interview Thursday about students coming back to campus. “The return of the students' energy back to campus is always a really special time.”

UT, ranked the best public school in Texas by U.S. News & World Report this year, has about 52,000 total students and more than 170 undergraduate degrees across 19 colleges and schools.

“It’s very special … how much people love to be here,” said Rifa Momin, a returning sophomore. “And I think that makes other people love it.”

The Class of 2028—selected from 73,000 applications, a 10% increase from last year—was its most competitive yet, Hartzell said.

First-year engineering student Jocelynne Salinas said, “UT has always been the greatest option for me. Walking around, it feels like I'm actually a college student. It hasn't... hit me yet.”

Kenneth Rangel, returning after two years, said the campus feels “revitalized” post-pandemic. “It feels great. Seeing a lot more people in the FAC (Flawn Academic Center)... is very, very exciting.”

Over the summer, UT celebrated joining the Southeastern Conference and an $840 million award from the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency. However, the summer also saw fallout from April's pro-Palestinian protests, with UT pursuing disciplinary action against students and tightening free speech policies.

Hartzell hopes for a “reset” this year, with expression within UT’s speech rules. He pointed to the universitywide graduation as a potential turning point. “It hopefully is the launching pad for another great year.”

Morgan Walz, an undeclared second-year student, was disappointed with UT's response to the protests but decided to stay. “There’s no other opportunity like this. I'm going to try to uphold my own values of inclusion... because that's what the campus should be.”

This semester also marks the absence of programs from the Division of Campus and Career Engagement, the Women’s Community Center, and 49 former diversity, equity, and inclusion staff terminated April 2 due to anti-DEI Senate Bill 17.

Sophomore Kenna Nyuga-Galega said, “We're all working together to make sure that our presence isn't gone... It's kind of annoying that our school isn't supporting us anymore... but it's not knocking us out.”

Despite challenges, Nyuga-Galega is excited for the year. “If I’m at UT, there’s nothing I can’t do. It gives me the confidence that I’m on the right path.”