6. ACADEMIC RESOURCES AND STUDENT SERVICES

ACADEMIC RESOURCES

OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

The Office of Undergraduate Studies directs the activities of several areas at UTSA, including Academic Advising, Writing Program, Graduation Initiative, Learning Communities, Testing Services, the Tomás Rivera Center, Undergraduate Studies Support and Technology Services, and the University Health Professions Office. The office also oversees the coordination of UTSA’s undergraduate curriculum and UTSA’s undergraduate academic policies and procedures.

Academic Advising

UTSA views sound academic advising as a significant responsibility in educating its students. Employing developmental advising principles, UTSA academic advisors offer academic advising and guidance to empower students to realize their full potential.

New and transfer freshmen (under 30 semester credit hours accepted by UTSA) are advised by either the Colleges’ Freshmen Advising Center or the Tomás Rivera Center. With the exception of Honors College freshmen, all freshmen who have not decided upon a major or have provisional status are advised through the Tomás Rivera Center. All other freshmen who have decided upon a major are advised through the Colleges’ Freshman Advising Center. Students who are accepted into the Honors College are advised by the Honors College advisors. Scholarship athletes are dually advised by the center of their major and the athletic advisor.

Continuing and new transfer students (30 earned semester credit hours and more), with declared or decided majors, are advised through the college advising center of their major or by the honors advisors if they are accepted into the Honors College. Undecided students continue with the Tomás Rivera Center until a major is decided, with the exception of Honors students. On the UTSA Downtown Campus, freshmen through seniors with declared majors are advised through the Downtown Undergraduate Advising Center and students who have not decided upon a major or have a provisional status are advised through the Downtown Tomás Rivera Center.

All students, regardless of classification or major, accepted into the Honors College are advised by the Honors College advisors. Scholarship athletes are dually advised through the center of their major and the athletic advisor. Students pursuing careers in the health professions are dually advised by the University Health Professions Office and the advising center of their major.

The Power of Academic Advising:

Academic advisors promote insight into academic, social, and personal experiences and individual needs.
Academic advisors connect to the academic community to encourage sound academic and personal goals, which lead to successful learners.
Academic advisors serve an interpretive role with students, administration, faculty, and staff in a collaborative approach.
Academic advisors possess the knowledge and skills necessary to teach in an inclusive and innovative manner.
Students place a great deal of trust in academic advisors.

For more information, please visit the undergraduate advising Web site: http://www.utsa.edu/advise/advisors.htm.

Graduation Initiative

The Graduation Initiative is a UTSA institutional resource dedicated to identifying ways to improve the undergraduate graduation rates, working closely with stakeholders within the colleges. Additionally, the Graduation Initiative staff work with individual students close to graduation to help them overcome graduation barriers.

Tomás Rivera Center

The Tomás Rivera Center (TRC) is a comprehensive academic support center for students. Services offered at the TRC include:

academic advising for students who have not yet decided on majors;
tutoring in quantitative subjects;
academic coaching and study strategies;
workshops;
Supplemental Instruction (SI) to accompany difficult courses;
noncourse-based developmental instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics (including computer-mediated modules);
graduate learning assistance; and
retention programs for selected groups.

These programs include the Downtown Campus ACE Scholars Program, which provides scholarships and support for recipients, the Scholar Support Program for designated scholarship holders at the Main Campus, and the Academic Development Program (ADP) for provisionally admitted students. Any student in academic difficulty is invited to visit the TRC, located at the Multidisciplinary Sciences Building, room 1.02.02, at the Main Campus or in the Durango Building, room 2.114, at the Downtown Campus, for personalized help.

Learning Communities and Freshman Seminar Programs

The Learning Communities Program, a division of the Tomás Rivera Center, is designed to ease the transition to college for UTSA students. First-year students are enrolled in two or three Core Curriculum classes in the Fall with the same group of 25 students. Core Curriculum classes taken by students in the Learning Communities Program are as academically rigorous as other sections of Core Curriculum courses; however, students frequently interact with faculty, learn about tools and resources for academic success, and develop critical thinking skills that promote academic success across the curriculum. Because students attend several classes together, a greater opportunity to make friends also exists.

In the Fall Semester there are several models of linked classes available. Students may take a Freshman Seminar (COR 1203) and one or two other Core Curriculum classes together. Some Learning Communities involve advanced Core Curriculum courses for students who may have Advanced Placement (AP) and/or dual credit in some core freshman classes. Freshmen unable to incorporate a cohort of classes into their schedule have the option to enroll in a “stand alone” freshman seminar. There are also general Learning Communities for students of all majors. There is no additional cost to participate in a Learning Community. For further information or to register for a Learning Community, contact the Learning Communities office at (210) 458-7490.

Office of Testing Services

The Office of Testing Services provides University-wide testing services for UTSA and prospective students. For an additional fee, some tests are available to non-UTSA students. The Office provides both national and institutional testing for the purposes of admission, placement, and course credit. The following tests are offered:

ACT Assessment
ACT Residual
Chemistry Placement
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Correspondence Testing
Foreign Language Placement (French, German, Spanish)
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
Math Placement
Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES)
Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA)
THEA-CAT (Computer-Administered Test)
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

ACT

The national ACT and ACT Residual examinations are given for the purpose of admission. While the national ACT is given only six times a year, the ACT Residual is given just prior to every admission deadline for students who missed the national dates and who have submitted an application to UTSA. For more information on the national ACT, which can be used at any college or university, visit www.act.org.

Chemistry Placement

Taking and passing the Chemistry Placement exam is a prerequisite to enrolling in General Chemistry (CHE 1103). The Chemistry Placement exam may be taken only once. Students who achieve the appropriate cutoff score can register for the General Chemistry course. If the cutoff score is not reached, the student may enroll in Basic Chemistry (CHE 1073) but not General Chemistry.

CLEP

CLEP testing gives students the opportunity to gain course credit by examination and covers many of the core courses in a student’s graduation track. CLEP tests are administered by computer in the Office of Testing Services. Testing is handled by appointment. A student must submit payment when registering for a testing appointment. Study suggestions are available through the College Board’s Web site at www.collegeboard.com.

Correspondence Testing

Correspondence testing is offered to students who are taking courses at other universities and are required to have their examinations proctored at a testing facility. The Office of Testing Services must be contacted at least three weeks prior to any proposed examination date. All fees must be paid in advance.

Foreign Language Placement

Foreign language placement testing is offered in French, German, and Spanish. Students who want to register for a higher-level course that requires a prerequisite must take a foreign language placement test.

LSAT

LSAT testing is administered to students seeking admission to law school. LSAT registration is available online at www.lsac.org. Registration bulletins are available in the Office of Testing Services in the Multidisciplinary Studies Building or the Visitor Center in the Multidisciplinary Studies Building.

Math Placement

All students who wish to enroll in their first college mathematics course at the level of college algebra are REQUIRED to take a mathematics placement test unless the student met the required college-level score on the mathematics section of an approved TSI examination. Students who wish to enroll in precalculus/calculus must take an advanced math placement examination unless they have met the prerequisite course(s). Students can access more information on tests that are required prior to orientation and registration at the Office of Testing Services Web site.

MCAT

The MCAT examination is administered twice a year to students seeking admission to medical school. MCAT registration is available only online at www.aamc.org/students/mcat.

TExES

TExES is administered to students seeking teacher certification in special content areas. Certain TExES exams are administered by computer in the Testing Services offices at both the Main and Downtown campuses. Students who have obtained a bar code from Teacher Certification may call the National Evaluation System for the schedule of test dates and registration information at 1-800-523-7088.

THEA

THEA is offered six times a year at the Main Campus for students seeking to register at a Texas public institution. Online registration is available at www.thea.nesinc.com.

THEA-CAT

THEA-CAT is usually offered once a week at the Main Campus for students seeking to register at a Texas public institution. Registration is available by phone only by calling the National Evaluation System (NES) in Austin at (512) 927-5100.

TOEFL

TOEFL testing is administered by computer in the Office of Testing Services Main Campus location according to the schedule established by ETS and Prometric. TOEFL schedule and registration information can be accessed at www.ets.org.

Contact the Office of Testing Services for information on the following tests:

GMAT

The Graduate Management Admission Test is required of students who wish to pursue graduate work in business. The GMAT is not given on the UTSA campus but is administered through Prometric. Students interested in registering for the GMAT examination should call 1-800-717-GMAT or visit www.MBA.com.

GRE

The Graduate Record Examination is required of students who wish to pursue graduate work in any area other than business. The GRE is not given on the UTSA campus but is administered through Prometric. Students interested in registering for a GRE examination should call 1-800-GRE-CALL or visit the ETS Web site at www.gre.org.

Undergraduate Studies Support and Technology Services

As an extension of the Office of Undergraduate Studies, the office provides support services to academic support programs and the students they serve. Two support programs are housed within this office: academic advising for Special Undergraduates and transient students, and the National Student Exchange Program. In addition, the office provides coordination and support of the transfer articulation processes between UTSA departments and community colleges, and coordinates academic advising activities across the UTSA campuses.

National Student Exchange

UTSA is a member of the National Student Exchange (NSE) program, which is the only comprehensive student exchange program in the United States and now includes partners in Canada. The NSE program provides opportunities for undergraduates with 30 or more earned credit hours and a minimum of 2.5 grade point average to study up to one calendar year at another NSE (non-Texas) institution. With more than 175 institutions located in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and five Canadian provinces, students can continue and enhance their academic progress, broaden life experiences, and explore institutions for possible graduate school opportunities at the same cost as UTSA tuition. Please contact the Office of Undergraduate Studies for application information and deadlines.

University Health Professions Office

The University Health Professions Office (UHPO) provides advising and support to students interested in pursuing careers in the health professions. This includes academic preparation at the undergraduate level, as well as information about health careers, application procedures, and entrance exams. UTSA offers courses that fulfill entrance requirements in most health professions fields, including Medicine and Dentistry, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Podiatry, Chiropractic, and Optometry. Admission to professional schools is highly competitive and involves a separate application process. Admission to UTSA does not guarantee admission into health professions programs at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA).

Students are encouraged to seek advice and consult with the UHPO advising staff early in their college career.

The UHPO is located at the Main Campus (Multidisciplinary Studies Building, room 3.02.10). Advising is also available at the Downtown Campus on selected days and times throughout the academic year. For more information about the UHPO, including appointment schedule, call (210) 458-5185, or visit the Web site at www.utsa.edu/advise/healthprofessions.html.

OFFICE OF ESL (ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE) SERVICES

The Office of ESL Services provides support services and ESL classes for all students who speak English as a second language. During orientation for incoming students, ESL Services conducts the English Language Assessment Procedure (ELAP) for international students with Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores between 500 and 600. Those students requiring further English support are placed in English for International Students (EIS) classes. ESL Services operates a noncredit Intensive English Program for conditionally admitted UTSA students, U.S. residents, and other international students who want to study English in a rigorous academic setting. In addition, the office also provides the UTSA and San Antonio community with accurate information regarding the needs of ESL learners.

OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

International cross-cultural awareness and understanding on the part of all UTSA students and scholars is crucial to the attainment of effective leadership, competitiveness, prosperity, and success in a global world. Recruiting international students and scholars to attend and teach at UTSA and offering UTSA students and scholars opportunities to study abroad at other universities greatly promotes international awareness, understanding, and the exchange of world knowledge.

The core mission of the Office of International Programs (OIP) is to enhance this cross-cultural understanding among UTSA students by:

welcoming and supporting international students and scholars attending UTSA from other countries while assisting them in meeting the visa requirements set forth by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS);
encouraging UTSA students to seek out and participate in educational opportunities abroad;
strengthening scholarly UTSA exchange programs with universities in other countries;
mobilizing UTSA resources toward the support of international students, scholars, and education; and
influencing university policy toward embracing and institutionalizing the internationalization of UTSA curriculum, faculty, and student body.

Study Abroad

The aim of UTSA’s Study Abroad program is to help students reach their goal of studying abroad by providing assistance, support, and resources on program options. Being able to participate in an international learning experience offers life-changing opportunities, such as living with a host family and learning a new language in Spain, participating in an engineering research project in Germany, or serving as an intern in a clinic in Mexico. Participation in Study Abroad programs allows students to build skills, cultural awareness, and self-confidence.

These programs provide an opportunity for students to study at another university while acquiring credit toward a degree at UTSA. Study Abroad program staff is available to help students find the right program to match individual academic and personal interests. Study Abroad programs can help meet major or minor requirements, fulfill general education requirements, or achieve proficiency in a second language. Students may also be able to participate in an internship or conduct research for a final thesis while abroad.

International Exchanges

UTSA maintains bilateral exchange and consortia agreements with a number of international institutions, including, Austria, Canada, China, England, Germany, Japan, Mexico, and Spain. Under these programs, participants pay tuition to UTSA and all other costs to the partner university, avoiding international student tuition fees at the host institution.

International Student and Scholar Services

Support and assistance are provided to all international students and scholars before and after their arrival at UTSA. The Office of International Programs conducts orientation programs to help newcomers understand federal regulations governing their stay and learn about services available at other UTSA offices. OIP advisors assist students with maintaining proper status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and with SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System of the federal government. Immigration information, forms, and advice are provided to international students and to faculty and researchers who are employed at UTSA.

Border County Program

The Border County Program, coordinated by the Office of International Programs, enables students from Mexico who have limited financial resources to enroll at state institutions at resident tuition rates. A Border County student must: be a citizen or permanent resident of Mexico; meet the admission requirements of UTSA; demonstrate financial need; and re-enroll in the program each year.

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES

The Office of the Vice President for Community Services is responsible for extending the University beyond its campuses and into San Antonio and South Texas through public service, extension, outreach, and community education. This is accomplished through the following: the Institute for Economic Development, the Prefreshman Engineering Program, the Office of P-20 Initiatives, the Office of Community Outreach, the Office of Extended Education, the Downtown Special Events Office, the Institute of Texan Cultures, the UTSA Mexico Center, and the Child and Adolescent Policy Research Institute.

Prefreshman Engineering Program

The Prefreshman Engineering Program (PREP) identifies achieving middle and high school students with an interest in mathematics, science, engineering and technology, and establishes the foundation for careers in these and other mathematics-related areas. Founded at UTSA in 1979, the eight-week, mathematics-based academic program is held each summer at nine local colleges and universities. Designed for students in grades 6–11, PREP promotes high achievement and provides students with the necessary reinforcement to successfully pursue higher education and careers in mathematics, science, engineering and technology. With a focus on building a high-quality and diverse 21st-century workforce, women and members of minority groups—traditionally underrepresented in science and engineering—serve as special target groups. For the local PREP office see http://www.prep-usa.org/portal/main/.

OFFICE OF P-20 INITIATIVES

The University of Texas at San Antonio initially established the Alliance for Education in 1990 in response to the city of San Antonio’s Target ’90 agenda. The focus of this effort was to increase the educational attainment of the local workforce, specifically those from underserved and underrepresented populations. The Alliance for Education administered two programs with a full-time permanent staff of two professional members. This department is now known as the Office of P-20 Initiatives.

Today, the focus of the UTSA Office of P-20 Initiatives is to strengthen the quality of education in San Antonio and South Texas from kindergarten to college, via partnerships and collaborations with schools and business, industry and community-based organizations and foundations. The Office of P-20 Initiatives coordinates, facilitates, and implements over 20 outreach programs serving over 30,000 students, parents and educational professionals in South Texas, with an annual operating budget exceeding $3 million. As a comprehensive University and system-wide effort, the Office of P-20 Initiatives seeks to provide leadership in education reform and facilitate University involvement in public education through intervention programs, research and service.

Office of Community Outreach

The Office of Community Outreach (OCO) was established in November 1999 to increase UTSA’s visibility in targeted communities in South Texas and to foster appropriate, mutually beneficial partnerships with these communities. The OCO works with educational, business and civic leaders in communities served by UTSA to promote higher education as an economic development resource. The OCO, in concert with community leaders, addresses barriers that inhibit or prevent area residents from enrolling at UTSA. Special events bring community leaders to UTSA and take UTSA executive officers into South Texas communities. The OCO works closely with the Admissions Office as well as other University offices in supporting student recruitment efforts.

Office of Extended Education

The Office of Extended Education serves the region’s adult, professional and continuing education needs through a range of targeted programs that match the University’s unique resources with the lifelong learning needs of the region. Operating out of the UTSA Downtown Campus, the Office of Extended Education works collaboratively with academic and nonacademic units of the University to develop and present seminars, online courses, conferences and programs for the general public, professional and governmental agencies, and businesses. The UTSA Extended Education Web page provides information on seminars, online courses, conferences and programs that are open to the University and local communities. The Office of Extended Education also provides specialized training to organizations needing customized training programs for their employees.

Downtown Special Events Office

The Downtown Special Events Office is responsible for scheduling, coordinating and managing special events at the Downtown Campus. The Downtown Campus has clearly become the venue of choice for University organizations as well as many community organizations, and the office operates as a “one-stop shopping” experience for on- and off-campus users of University facilities. The office manages cash handling, logistical operations and designs, implements control systems for managing various resources needed for events and provides logistical support for Extended Education.

GRADUATE STUDENT RESOURCES

The Graduate School

The Graduate School at UTSA is the centralized office for all graduate-related services. In collaboration with the academic colleges and student services offices, The UTSA Graduate School provides services in the areas of recruitment (including diversity initiatives), admissions, general orientation, retention workshops, evaluation of the graduate experience, faculty and staff resources, as well as thesis and dissertation submission services.

Academic Common Market

The Academic Common Market is an interstate agreement for sharing academic programs through an exchange of students across state lines. Fifteen southern states take part in the Academic Common Market. Texas and Florida participate at the graduate level only. (Undergraduate and graduate students interested in participating in exchange programs with other universities, either in the United States or abroad, should contact the Office of International Programs.) Selected out-of-state programs that are not offered in a student’s home state can be accessed through the Academic Common Market at in-state tuition rates.

Further information on the Academic Common Market may be obtained from the Texas State Coordinator for the Academic Common Market, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, P. O. Box 12788, Austin, Texas 78711.

Cooperative Consortium

A cooperative arrangement between The University of Texas System and The Texas A&M University System allows a graduate student at one institution to use unique facilities or access courses at the other institution with a minimum of paperwork. The graduate student registers and pays fees at the home institution and may retain any fellowship or financial assistance awarded by it. Space must be readily available, and the instructor or laboratory director of the proposed work must consent to the arrangement. Approval must be given by the graduate dean of each institution.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (COMPUTING RESOURCES)

Administrative Computing

Technical support for administrative processing and official record keeping is provided by the Administrative Computing Department. The department provides daily, ongoing support for Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, Fiscal Services, Advising, Degree Audit, Police, Athletics, Institutional Research, and Human Resources. In addition, Administrative Computing provides support to all other departments that may require assistance with administrative processing and reporting.

Students can access their own records by using UTSA’s Automated Student Access Program (ASAP). Information in the administrative systems is accessible by personal identification number and password.

This Web-based student information system allows students to register for classes and pay their fees from any computer with an Internet connection.

Center for Distance Learning and Academic Technology

The Center for Distance Learning and Academic Technology supports faculty, students and staff in the use of distance learning and educational technologies.

UTSA has a robust interactive video network capable of connecting university classes and programs around the city, state and world. The Center schedules academic courses that utilize distance learning facilities, maintains the video network, manages classroom facilities and assists faculty in the creative use of computer and Web-based technologies, including WebCT and streaming video applications.

The Center is committed to:

integrating state-of-the-art advancements in distance learning and instructional technology
managing and developing the use of distance learning and academic technology to complement the academic programs of the University.

The Center distributes classroom presentation equipment including sound systems, video players/recorders, high-performance computers and video projectors. The media resource area schedules and delivers equipment to classrooms via a reservation system. Video production facilities are used to create video clips for student and faculty projects.

The Center

schedules and records satellite feeds and cable programs on request
hosts workshops for faculty and staff on the use of computer technology
provides on-call assistance to faculty who use technology in the classroom
assists faculty members who use technology to conduct research
helps students become active participants in the learning process.

WebCT associates in each college provide individual assistance to UTSA faculty by developing WebCT courses and other multimedia materials. The laboratories provide access to special software and peripheral devices including three-dimensional graphics, multimedia authoring, Web page software, slide and hardcopy scanners, audio and video capture boards, digital cameras, color printers and CD burners.

Information Security Office

The focus of the Information Security Office is the protection of the University networks, computers, electronic data and records. It is charged more specifically with maintaining access controls for the major information systems used by students, faculty and staff; instituting policies and procedures for ensuring continuing integrity of the electronic information systems on campus; conducting awareness programs and other security training and responding to security incidents.

There are information security representatives in many departments, and their activities are coordinated by the Information Security Group. System alerts and training are provided to system administrators of other facilities on campus. The staff of the Information Security Group is available for consultation regarding data protection, information security and other security services, as needed.

Student Computing Services

Student Computing Services offers some of the finest general access computer labs in higher education. The help desk and technical teams are continuously improving systems and service to provide the best personal computer equipment and application support to UTSA students. The Student Computing Services goal is to assist student customers in acquiring the computing skills and knowledge necessary to achieve their academic and professional endeavors. Computer laboratories are usually open over 102 hours per week but expand to 24-hour service during the last few weeks of each major semester.

The laboratories house over 460 work stations with full Internet access and printing capabilities. Two labs on the Main Campus and one on the Downtown Campus offer the same desktop “look and feel” with similar capabilities so students can easily work in any facility. Documents may be sent to print in black-and-white or color from any work station. All labs have collaborative work areas where student groups may interact to complete team projects. Most major software applications are offered and specialty applications are installed in cooperation with requesting faculty.

All labs include areas of adaptive technology for students with unique physical requirements. Specialized hardware and software packages are offered to blind, deaf and mobility-impaired students. Staff members are trained to consult and assist students with special needs.

Telephone Services

Three University-owned telephone systems support the tri-campus community. The systems are networked to enable four-digit dialing between all locations and to allow shared features including voicemail. More than 2,200 faculty and staff extensions are equipped with Cisco Unity Voicemail. The University uses the State of Texas communications network (TEX-AN) for routing long distance telephone calls.

The campus switchboard is staffed from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The switchboard operator provides general campus information and transfers calls to campus offices. The campus switchboard can be reached by dialing (210) 458-4011 (off campus) or 0 (on campus).

University communication technicians install voice and data cables, perform new telephone installations and relocate existing telephone extensions. The department maintains information on all cable installations.

UTSA offers a hotline number, (210) 458-SNOW, for information regarding campus closures and class cancellations in the event of inclement weather. UTSA’s Office of Communications updates the hotline information.

University Network

The UTSA University network is a high-speed (Gigabit Ethernet) network that connects UTSA facilities, provides links to wide area networks and provides services such as electronic mail, file transfer and remote log-in capabilities.

A switched 100 Mb/s Ethernet connects most campus classrooms, laboratories and offices from “the backbone to the desktop.” A Gigabit Ethernet connection links the backbone to the Internet and Internet2, allowing students, faculty and staff to access electronic data quickly from any computer on the network. AirRowdy—UTSA’s wireless network—is available throughout all UTSA locations.

Enterprise Systems also provides e-mail for faculty, staff and students, as well as central services for applications and storage. The UTSA Help Desk provides desktop support for faculty and staff.

UT TELECAMPUS

The UT TeleCampus (UTTC) is the centralized support center for online education throughout The University of Texas System. A full list of courses and host universities for UTTC programs can be found at the UT TeleCampus Web site: http://www.telecampus.utsystem.edu.

This Web site contains online classrooms, a digital library, free online tutorial services, 24/7 technical support, links to various admissions and registrar offices throughout the UT System and full program descriptions for the online courses and degrees the UT TeleCampus facilitates. Designated contacts at each campus and student services support staff of the UT TeleCampus are available to assist students. For more information, call 1-888-TEXAS-16 or 1-888-839-2716.

LIBRARY RESOURCES AND SERVICES

The University of Texas at San Antonio Library serves the tri-campus UTSA community through locations at the Main Campus, Downtown Campus, and the Institute of Texan Cultures.

The goal of the library staff is to assist students, faculty, and staff with their research, information, and educational needs by providing the latest in library and information services within a learner-centered environment that fosters the development of the skills needed to find, evaluate, and use all types of library resources. The Library provides both electronic and physical access to a wealth of information resources and services, including a collection of more than 650,000 books and 2,000 print periodicals; electronic access to more than 35,000 full text/full image journals, indexing and abstracting tools, and databases; 5.8 million microforms; and significant collections of maps, CD’s, and videotapes. The Library is also a selective depository for state and federal government documents with collections in excess of 10,000 items. A courier service operates between facilities enabling materials to be retrieved within 24 to 48 hours.

In addition to traditional study and stack areas, the Library maintains a computer laboratory, multimedia viewing and listening facilities, carrels, group study rooms, and faculty study rooms. The Library also offers many instructional and consultative services through innovative combinations of delivery methods including brochures, Web resources, e-mail, telephone, and class presentations as well as traditional individualized assistance. In order to maximize access for the UTSA community, the Library participates in library consortia and specific resource-sharing programs, such as the UT System Digital Library at the local, state, regional, and national levels. The Library’s Web page serves as a gateway to the wide range of resources and instructional services available to students, faculty, and staff.

The Archives and Special Collections Department is a resource center for research on San Antonio, South Texas, and the Southwest. The Department operates two facilities with distinct holdings. Special Collections is located in the John Peace Library at the Main Campus and concentrates on book, print, and manuscript collections with particular focus on the history of San Antonio and South Texas from the Spanish Colonial period to the present. The Archives is located at the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures and actively acquires, preserves, and makes accessible for research primary and secondary source materials that document the history, politics, arts, industry, social customs, and civic life of South Texas, Bexar County, and San Antonio.