uttenants

We are a group of UT Austin graduate students, families, and allies who recently came together to defend our tenants' rights.

[Daily Texan Audio @texanaudio]

Housing in Austin is infamously expensive. So when UT offered a low-cost solution for graduate students, it was a welcome relief.

But new UHD policies have angered residents and uprooted some from their new homes.

@saraschleede reports:

https://t.co/eI9GYd6Y5u

[uttenants @uthtenants]

Also, read and share widely!
The piece not only explains the new housing policy, but shows the impact it is having —and will have—, especially in vulnerable students, such as international or QPOC folks #fairhousingforgradstudents #fairhousingforUTgrads
https://t.co/CyuAccEH1u

[uttenants @uthtenants]

@thedailytexan is covering different issues regarding @UTHousing ‘s policies. This also means the way the institution communicates in public is not entirely transparent.
https://t.co/feAH4AX1QC

[uttenants @uthtenants]

It is April 18. Thunderstorms, sun, butterflies, AND FINALS. We are still waiting for clear data and (peer-reviewed) research to support this policy. @UTAustinNews @thedailytexan @TelemundoAustin

[uttenants @uthtenants]

Moreover, one of our biggest concerns is data. It is unclear where the 190 'new' contract-holders will live or where does that estimate come from. We have not received a satisfactory answer form @UTHousing #fairhousingforutgrads

[Ciudagramos @Ciudagramos3]

AND!! UHD has not been able to show any proof, any data regarding the abuses we supposedly commit. That is, they are implementing their deeply damaging policy with ill-founded claims. #fairhousingforUTgrads @UnderpaidatUT

[Borel @MaoXueyu]

No kidding, just have up to one year to graduate, now I have to move to another complex if I want my mom to stay with me for more than 21 days. So depressed. @UTHousing @UT_CMHC @uthtenants

[uttenants @uthtenants]

@thedailytexan @texanopinion wrote about the new housing policy @UTHousing is imposing on students. Please, share, comment. Most of us would not have accepted to come to @UTAustin should we have known our living conditions were going to change like this. https://t.co/CyuAccEH1u

[uttenants @uthtenants]

We are also committed to raising awareness about the precarious living conditions of most @UTAustin grad students. Please consider signing this petition regarding the Tuition Reduction Benefit GAP @UnderpaidatUT @UTAustinNews @TelemundoAustin

[uttenants @uthtenants]

@Ciudagramos3 @UTHousing @utgsa @utdos @WorldandUT @PEFSA @pefsa is involved and they have been of great help giving tools to @UTHousing understanding and embracing a broader definition of family. There is still a long way to go, though, especially for QPOC folks who don't want/can't go through an affidavit.

[uttenants @uthtenants]

WE STILL NEED YOUR ATTENTION AND HELP! @utgradschool @UTAustinNews @UT_HistDept @utknightcenter We NEED specific information about how they expect to implement the new housing policy for all cases (family, singles, how many units available, we’ll be able to choose?)

[uttenants @uthtenants]

UT FOLKS: please see an updated timeline of events, actions, decisions and dialogues regarding the implementation of the new housing policy in @UTAustin
https://t.co/i9efv5ubsG
Please, share, retweet and comment. We need your support! #fairhousingforutgrads

[uttenants @uthtenants]

We are committed to having a transparent, informed, and strategic dialogue with @UTHousing @utgsa @utdos @WorldandUT in order to have a transition to a more comprehensive implementation where #queer #singles #families #internationalstudents feel they are being taken into account

[uttenants @uthtenants]

We also haven't received most of the information and answers we have asked @UTHousing about the implementation of this policy: clear data and research supporting it. #fairhousingforutgrads

[uttenants @uthtenants]

@uthtenants has requested to pause the implementation until UHD gathers data and students input. UHD responded they didn’t communicate effectively the program change and underestimated people’s concerns but they never intended to conduct “shared governance” #fairhousingforutgrads

[uttenants @uthtenants]

#TuesdayThoughts We've reached Deans, the Graduate Assembly, @utdos @utgsa and the Graduate Education Taskforce to inform them about the steps we suggest we should take in order for the policy to be more diverse, inclusive and fair #fairhousingforutgrads

[uttenants @uthtenants]

Finally, our housing issue has been included in the Graduate Education Taskforce. @utgsa #fairhousingforutgrads

[uttenants @uthtenants]

There have been a LOT OF THINGS GOING ON in #fairhousingforUTgrads @UTexasStudents The tenants association has been meeting both fellow residents and UT decision makers. In conjunction with other student organizations (TAB, etc.) we hace accomplished a few things. (See thread)

[uttenants @uthtenants]

@UTHousing has promised to extend the timeframe for implementation, although we are not sure what this exactly means.