Organizations

The UT Austin experience doesn’t end once students leave the classroom or the library. Student organizations make UT’s campus lively, create friendships and bonds, allow students to engage with their passions, and even introduce students to new interests. The 40 acres is home to more than 1,100 students organizations which range from legislative bodies, Greek life, spirit groups, political organizations, and so much more. Learn about the diverse student organizations that meet after hours on and off UT’s campus and the history behind them.

African American culture committee

Diversity feature in 1972 Cactus, The University of Texas at Austin yearbook. (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History)

Student Government

1962: Gwen Jordan becomes the first black student elected to serve on the Student Assembly. She is also tapped in to Orange Jackets. Read about it here on page 13 and 14.

2017: First Latina and first disabled Student Body President, Alejandrina Guzman, elected. Read about it here.

2019: First Executive Alliance Team in which both members are African American and in which a majority of the Student Government Executive Team is African American. Read about it here.

Other Organizations

1923: Orange Jackets is founded and has become UT’s oldest women’s service organization. Read about them here.

Greek Life

1930: Creation of the National Panhellenic Council for African-American Greek organizations. There are currently six NPHC Greek organizations on UT’s campus with about 75 members all together. Read about it here.

1959: “The Delta Xi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is the first black Greek Letter Organization established at The University of Texas at Austin, May 16." Read about it here.

1964: Interfraternity Council moved to allow black men to participate in rush activities, though none did that year. Read about it here on page 14.)

2000: The Latino Panhellenic Council was created. Now there are seven Greek organizations on campus with about 200 members all together. Read about it here.

2000: The Texas Asian Panhellenic Council was created. Now there are seven sororities and fraternities with about 250 people all together. Read about it here.

Present: Racist Incidents in West Campus. Read about them here.

Political Organizations

1960s: Students for a Democratic Society were very active in the 60’s and promoted desegregation. Read about them here.

Young Conservatives of Texas

2013: UT’s chapter of the Young Conservatives of Texas planned a “Catch an Illegal Immigrant” event that was called off. Read about it here.
2013 and 2016: The Young Conservatives held an “affirmative action bake sale” on campus, with prices based on race and gender. Read about it here.

Texas Student Media

1944: Helene Wilke became the first woman to edit the Daily Texan for an entire year. Read about it here.

First Hispanic editor-in-chief of the Texan was Lori Rodriguez, graduated in 1972.

Roger Campbell was the Texan’s first Black editor-in-chief, graduated in 1984.

Read about Lori and Roger here.

Honor Societies

1973: Friar Society becomes the first all-male organization to open its membership to women at UT. Read about them here.

Identity Based Organizations

1969: Afro-Americans for Black Liberation organization (AABL)

Published “11 Proposals” in February 1969, which inspired MASO’s Ten Proposals. Read about them here.

1969: Mexican American Student Organization (MASO) and Mexican American Youth Organization (MAYO)

They published “Ten Proposals” in 1969 calling for education resources; “MASO remained active well into 1970 on campus and with the community such as their protest of fraternity reenactments of battle celebrating Texas Independence." Read about them here.

1976: “The Black Business Association forms at The University of Texas at Austin to provide a means for students in the College of Business to network.” Read about it here.