Campus Operations News

Looking up at UT Tower

Campus Operations News

Our team is dedicated to providing a world-class campus experience for our community through operational excellence. Here are media mentions, news, updates, and stories of the caretakers and work happening across Campus Operations.

Julian Cantu  sitting on a bench smiling

5 Questions With Administrative Associate Julian Cantu

March 19, 2024
If you’ve met Julian Cantu, his positivity probably made an impression on you. As an administrative associate in Planning, Design and Construction, he juggles multiple priorities: welcoming guests, managing schedules, responding to emails, preparing reports, arranging travel plans, organizing documents, and much more. A true team player, he says one of his motivators is the success of others.
Main Building

$70 million worth of renovations coming to University of Texas at Austin tower

Feb. 23, 2024
KVUE — Since 1937, the University of Texas at Austin has been the home to a 307-foot-tall structure: the UT Tower. With 27 floors, an observation deck, and a series of windows, this building is well-known even beyond the campus. Now a $70 million renovation project has been approved by the school's Board of Regents.
Chase Dube

5 Questions with Chase Dube, Assistant Director of Power Plant Maintenance

Feb. 15, 2024
We often take comfortable room temperatures in our campus buildings for granted, but there’s an intricate system at the University that makes comfy conditions possible. As the assistant director of plant maintenance in Utilities and Energy Management (UEM), Chase Dube leads a team of team of 46 workers who ensure that heating, cooling and electrical needs are met for the Main Campus and the J.J. Pickle Research Campus.
Ana Thiemer

Conversation Corner: Ana Thiemer, Director of Operations Support – Campus Operations

Jan. 26, 2024
“As a self-proclaimed people pleaser, I never thought my career would hinge upon the ability to say no, and say no often,” Ana Thiemer says. Thiemer is the person responsible for making decisions about where and how a limited amount of money is spent on UT buildings, which means she is in a position where she’s unfortunately practiced at saying no to requests.
Zach LeBlanc

5 Questions with Cabinetmaker Zach LeBlanc

Jan. 26, 2024
What started as a hobby to help pay for college—cabinetry and furniture making—ended up becoming Zach LeBlanc’s career. Prior to joining UT in 2021, LeBlanc worked in residential cabinetry, and today he’s of two cabinetmakers currently working in the Campus Construction Carpentry Shop, building and installing everything from resilient countertops for research labs to ornate bookshelves for office suites.
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Media Coverage

Main Building

$70 million worth of renovations coming to University of Texas at Austin tower

Feb. 23, 2024
KVUE — Since 1937, the University of Texas at Austin has been the home to a 307-foot-tall structure: the UT Tower. With 27 floors, an observation deck, and a series of windows, this building is well-known even beyond the campus. Now a $70 million renovation project has been approved by the school's Board of Regents.
UT's Hogg Auditorium Interior view of seats and balcony

Hogg Memorial Auditorium Undergoes Exciting Renovations

Dec. 30, 2023
Alcalde — Not many 90-year-olds look this good. In fact, Hogg Memorial Auditorium has never looked better. After a two-year, $27.8 million renovation, the first auditorium at The University of Texas at Austin has reopened and is already reclaiming its role as a lively hub of student activity.
Erwin Center demolition with ceiling off

UT Austin’s Frank Erwin Center Demolition Underway

Dec. 6, 2023
Fox News Austin — This time next year, another Austin landmark will be gone. Demolition of UT’s "Frank Erwin Center" is underway downtown. FOX 7 was given an exclusive look inside the project.
Member of UT Irrigation crew in front of lawn and UT tower

Teamwork and technical prowess: UT Austin sets the standard for water conservation in the heart of Texas

Nov. 15, 2023
Calsense — The Moody Center is a new Austin landmark and an impressive building. And in the heart of hot, dry Texas, what’s equally impressive is the way the building and its surroundings are irrigated: using 100% reclaimed water. This is recycled, treated wastewater, and its use significantly eases the burden on the supply of municipal potable water required from the City of Austin. Calsense showcases UT Austin's landscaping crew's holistic, out-of-the-box approach to water management as part of their recognition of Champions of Irrigation.
Aerial of campus

The past, present, future of UT's land acquisition, expansion

Nov. 9, 2023
The Daily Texan — Under pressure to lead the largest public education system in the nation, the iconic Forty Acres opened to UT students in the fall of 1883. One hundred forty years later and almost 400 acres larger, the University is still striving toward this vision through the actions outlined in its Campus Master Plan.

Messages from Associate Vice President for Campus Operations

Leadership Update and Working Together in 2024

Jan. 31, 2024
I want to thank everyone across Campus Operations who ensured UT was operational and protected during the freeze over the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend.

Organizational Changes Related to Campus Planning and Sustainability

Nov. 3, 2023
Thank you all for providing me with an informative and productive first month leading Campus Operations.

Excited to Continue Our Work Together

Sept. 25, 2023
After a busy first week, I wanted to reach out to you as we begin a new chapter for Campus Operations.