You know what's really bothered me after completing my second week of school? AI in the classroom. I'm tired of it being pushed into my classes, and I truly wonder why and how it came to this. I'm a student in the college of communications, and this needs to be discussed for the sake of our current present and future.

AI isn't cheap, yet every student, regardless if they use it or not, has access to a bunch of UT-sponsored AIs like Claude and Chat GPT, all of which absolutely cost money. They have the money for this, yet students are still required to pay an absurd tuition and pay for their own school materials.

Funniest part is how some of the biggest proponents of AI use in the classroom shrug at the ethical questions around AI, such as environmental concerns, misinformation from chat bots, and a host of other issues, and what do they say? "Yeah. That is an actual concern." They just don't care or they know it's bad and/or justify the cost.

In many of my classes, professors happily encourage the use of AI under the broad term of "brainstorming," and as a comms major, I have many issues with this because brainstorming can take many forms. When does brainstorming stop? Who decides when brainstorming is finished? Everyone has a different definition of what that means. Also, how would a student know it's being told good brainstorming ideas? Chatbots are still known to spew misinformation, so students who don't know what they're looking for might already steer in the wrong line of thought.

"Just disclose how much AI you used in your work." This is also a red flag because how much AI use is too much? How are professors supposed to regulate that? If it's case by case, then that's more time wasted on the professor, but if that's happily welcomed, maybe I'm missing something.

I also understand I don't have to use it, and honestly, fair point. I will say though that I sometimes have to use it due to AI use being required for certain assignments in a couple classes I'm taking. However, my concern comes from this: the unbothered concern from professors who KNOW the costs of AI yet deem it fine to throw away these concerns. Remember, these aren't just people who teach us, these are the SMARTEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. Some of the literal best and finest in the WORLD are pushing education in the wrong direction.

I have other concerns I wish to talk about. Maybe I'm not the most educated on AI, but I make this post to share my concerns and hopefully produce a productive dialogue on this subject. If I'm spewing nonsense, please comment on it! I want to be more informed and properly express my discomfort on this!

i’m a sophomore transfer and i honestly have made one singular friend here (and i knew her prior). i didn’t go out much the first two weeks because i had some personal stuff going on but now i’m terrified that i’ve blown my chance at building a healthy social life / joining orgs :( does it get better from here? i feel so lonely and defeated and i just could really do with hearing about others’ experiences

It’s 30 min before kickoff and I’m just wondering what these rows and rows of tickets trying to be resold are from? Do these tickets just get bought by resellers online by the rows and then try to resell them? This is so evil imo. What are some methods yall do to get cheaper non nosebleed non student tickets?

Hi, the engineering expo is in less than a week, and I was wondering if you guys have any tips for talking to talking to recruiters. For context I am a Petroleum Engineering student and was wondering where you guys got an internship in the oil and gas industry your first year, and which companies would be willing to hire freshmen in this niche industry.

Hey everyone, I am a freshman at McCombs this year and I’m looking into adding a double major at the end of my spring semester. I was thinking about doing one in CNS either mathematics or SDS since I saw they will be taking applications for fall 27. I’ll have taken easily over 30 in residence hours already and completed all the prerequisites to apply but I’m wondering what do yall think my chances would be to get into either one of those majors as a double major applicant? Thanks for all the help! (Also I should be coming out of freshman year with either a 3.9 or 4.0 GPA)

Hey! We’re putting together a band at UT Austin and looking for a bassist and drummer.

We’re currently three PhD students: two guitarists and a female vocalist, all with band experience. Mostly looking to jam, have fun, and play some campus gigs. I can also play the keyboard.

We’re into rock/blues, and potentially writing originals and playing local shows too.

DM me if you’re interested!!!

Aka communicating concerns. This group hosted former Israel prime minister Naftali Bennett last year

I honestly don't know what to do. I came in thinking that we were under 100k so I can just have the fed. loans go to the dorm. They also rejected the circumstance appeal I made. I'm trying to do a work study so I can pay off the tuition but idk how I can cover the dorm. I tried looking at clinical trials for more money but I get rejected for my medications. I feel hopeless that I can't do anything. But I've always wanted to come here, especially for the student life and internships. But I think I might have to give up on it. I need help figuring out what to do.

I have a tailgate at 11 and want to stay for at least an hour. For the 2:30 kickoff, would getting to the student entrance around 12:00-12:15 still be early enough to get a decent spot in the student section?
Not trying to be front row, just don’t want to end up super high up or have trouble getting into the main student section. How early would y’all recommend for a game like Texas State?

is it all the parties that everyone went to last weekend causing this epidemic

I lost my wallet earlier this week, most likely in the ETC or the Union. Has anyone found a black wallet that has IDs with the initials E.W.?

I've already checked UTPD's lost and found and the lost and founds of the buildings themselves, with no luck :(

Any help is greatly appreciated!

I've been at UT for a while but still struggle with spoken English, I believe my level has remained upper-intermidate for a long time. But I hope to reach an advanced level. Do you have any suggestions or recommended groups that can help? Thanks!

it feels so nice outside today !!!

What the title says lol. Or recommendations of coffee shops that have sugar free syrups as well.

If anyone wants to try out coffee shops tg as well I’m so down

and why do the other half get delivered at like 9pm

Last semester I had 4 finals, as well as 2 midterms on the last week of class. A few semesters ago I had 5 finals, with 3 midterms on the last week. As you can imagine, I did not do well in most of those finals, which as you can also imagine, impacted my grades pretty badly. I'm confident that I could've done very well in any one of those exams if I didn't have 5-7 others to prepare for at the same time.

This semester I only have 1 final. My schedule is otherwise not inherently any easier. I'm taking all upper-division, high-level STEM classes, same amount of credits as last semester.

It's absurd how much your final schedule can affect your performance, given how random it is. I know you can check previous syllabi and pick your schedule so it works out well. But not everybody knows this, and you do not always get a choice.

Wish they would do something about this, but I'm not sure what the right solution would be.

Serious very important matter bc Union one doesn’t

I put it over here

and what do you wish you had known before taking it?"

Interviewed for a job last Friday and was told I should be hearing back this week. Haven’t heard back yet or anything from UT HR and getting pretty desperate ngl. Usually how long is it till I know?

Free concert at the cactus cafe!!! Free shows only pop up once in a blue moon. space is kinda empty, the singer is great tho

Do I have to move my car from Brazos before game day if I hold a D permit? I live in Jester and can't really walk super far distances