Settling in

Before you arrive

If you have not been reached out to by either a group member or Wennie about two weeks before your arrival, please feel free to email and ask about any concerns or questions you have.

Below we list a few useful resources to help you navigate and plan for your time here:

Moving to Austin

• short term accommodation: Airbnb and extended stay hotels

  • subletting, e.g., https://www.sublet.com/apartments-for-rent/austin/central-austin

• general resources: Zillow, apartments.com, Redfin (while national platforms, many local rental postings go through these websites)

• some other resources:

  • government programs/resources: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/housing

  • online forum related to relocation, moving and general local discussions: https://www.city-data.com/forum/austin/

  • https://www.umovefree.com/: free service with more real-estate-agent feel

  • https://www.freeapartmenthunters.com/austin.html: help with finding apartments, free service apparently

• Grocery stores to look out for: HEB, 99 Ranch, MT Supermarket, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods

• Cost of living calculators: https://www.nerdwallet.com/cost-of-living-calculator, https://www.bestplaces.net/cost-of-living/

• Transportation options:

  • UT Night rides: https://parking.utexas.edu/ut-night-rides

  • UT Shuttles: https://parking.utexas.edu/transportation/shuttles

  • UT Parking: https://parking.utexas.edu/

  • Zipcar: https://www.zipcar.com/

  • MetroRideShare: https://www.capmetro.org/ourservices/rideshare

  • Buy a bike (and helmet): https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bicycle.html (e.g., WW uses a fixie for in-city biking- low maintenance)

Sign up for accounts

• get a UT EID; this is used for all university-related logins and authentications: https://idmanager.its.utexas.edu/eid_self_help/?createEID
• download Duo for two-factor authentication: https://duo.com/
• see the Communication channels page for the full list of how we keep in communication
• (UG/G) Register for next semester's classes. See more on the Classes at UT page
• (G/PD) Talk to Wennie about ordering a computer. See the Computer and workspace page for more info.
• Read about the group's expectations and policies
• Get a head start on recommendations from the reading list
• The group's home department is the Chemical Engineering Department, which has an extensive infrastructure of administrative support. You will want to know the staff who will be helping you throughout your journey here. Below listed are some of the relevant positions. For the most up-to-date contact info, see staff listing

  • Undergraduate Academic Advisor, Academic Advising Coordinator

  • Graduate Advisor, Recruitment chair, Program Administrator

  • IT manager

  • Building Manager

  • Human Resources

• Become familiar with the department's intranet, which contains forms and information on e.g.,

  • printing, including for posters

  • room reservations

  • reimbursement links