As College of AI, Cyber and Computing students trade familiar academic campus routines for a new experience at the Downtown Campus this fall, UT San Antonio and its community partners are helping them navigate the transition
For some students, the move means learning a new commute. For others, it means balancing classes between campuses, navigating VIA bus routes or getting familiar with a different part of San Antonio.
Transportation assistance, safety resources and support services are part of an effort to ease the transition and ensure students remain connected to the university community.
‘A big switch’
Computer science senior Evelyn Silva knows the academic campus well. She lives nearby and previously worked as a campus tour guide. Now, as she enters her senior year, she is becoming familiar with a new environment as a peer coach with the USAA Student Success Center at the college.
“It’s a big switch in my senior year,” Silva said.
Her first drive downtown brought some challenges, from navigating one-way streets to figuring out where to go. But Silva also came away impressed by the downtown facilities and the new places available for students to study. She plans to get acclimated quickly so she can help other students who need guidance.
“When this semester starts, I’ll try different things out so I can inform other people about what they can expect on our new campus,” she said.
To help students prepare, the USAA Student Success Center partnered with the university’s Campus Services team and VIA Metropolitan Transit for a ride-along experience before the start of the semester. Students had the chance to experience the route firsthand, learn how to activate and use their U-Pass, navigate VIA apps and ask questions about the commute.
“Ultimately, students are responsible for planning their commute and arriving to class on time, but our responsibility is to make sure they have the knowledge, resources and confidence to do that successfully,” said Lizet Casas, assistant director with the USAA Student Success Center. “That’s exactly why we partnered with Campus Services and VIA to create this ride-along experience.”
The ride-along event introduced students to resources and amenities throughout downtown. Representatives from GO Rio shared information about river shuttles and cruises while students also learned about the nearest H-E-B and dining options.
Students have several options for getting to and around downtown. VIA’s U-Pass provides free, unlimited bus service for UT San Antonio students, including the Roadrunner Express (Route 93) between the Main and Downtown Campuses, while VIA Link offers free, on-demand rides within its service zones. The Little ’Runner provides shuttle service between key downtown locations, and parking permits and hourly parking options are also available.
Hayden Oesterle, a junior studying computer science, is preparing for similar adjustments.
“I’ve learned the bus system,” Oesterle said. “It’s been a fun experience. I’m looking forward to attending class downtown.”
Students will find additional resources at San Pedro I and II and throughout the surrounding downtown area. Centro San Antonio ambassadors who serve the downtown area also provide safety and information resources and can direct students to nearby restaurants, shops and other resources.
“Our ambassadors are up front interacting with students daily,” said Monty McCann, safety manager for Centro San Antonio. “Students may seek our ambassadors for the golf cart shuttle or call our operations phone number, and we will shuttle people back and forth from the campuses, parking areas and bus stops.”
The USAA Student Success Center is also working with Campus Services and VIA to develop additional instructional resources, videos and signage.
For Casas, the effort is about more than helping students make it to class on time. It is about helping them become part of the university’s growing downtown community.
“Our goal isn’t simply to get students from one campus to another; it’s to help them feel like Downtown is their campus, too,” Casas said. “When students are confident navigating the city and connected to the resources around them, they’re better positioned to engage, persist and thrive.”
