Justin Doud contributed reporting to this story.
The New Student Services office within UT’s Division of Student Affairs has been dissolved, Katie Meade, New Student Services’ manager of communications and marketing confirmed to TSTV News. Two positions were also dissolved with the change; however, all programs within the office will be shifted to other existing offices.
New Student Services provided resources to assist students in their transition to college.
Celena Mondie-Milner, New Student Services executive director and associate vice president with the Division of Student Affairs, and senior office manager and admin assistant Jennifer Murphy’s positions were dissolved. Meade said she was not sure if they will remain with the university.
All remaining staff members with New Student Services will be shifted to other offices. All programs housed within New Student Services will remain the same and will also be shifted to other offices and divisions, Meade said.
New Student Orientation will fall under enrollment management, Family Orientation will move back to Texas Parents where it was previously housed and Texas Parents will be moved to the Dean of Students Office. Longhorn Welcome, First Gen Longhorns, Bevo Buddy, Horns Helping Horns and RGV Familia will move to the Dean of Students office as well. Longhorn TIES neurodiversity support will be moved to Healthy Horns.
“Things are happening very quickly,” Meade said. “A lot of full structure (changes) and permanent homes … are still being decided.”
The university did not respond to questions regarding the dissolution of the office, but provided similar information as to where programs would be shifted.
Meade said she found out about the change Wednesday, Feb. 19, the day UT’s new interim president was appointed, but she does not know when the decision was made.
The changes come following major leadership changes at the university, including last week’s appointments of a new interim president and interim provost.
UT System Board of Regents’ Chancellor James Milliken last week appointed James E. Davis, senior vice president and chief operating officer, interim president effective immediately. Davis appointed David Vanden Bout, dean of the College of Natural Sciences, as interim provost the following day.
