Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter

Vivien is a journalism major from Denton, Texas. For the Fall 2023 semester, she is a News Desk Editor covering campus breaking news, the city metro and politics. She loves to attend renaissance festivals and go axe throwing in her free time.

All content by Vivien Ayers
‘I’m not going to disappear’: Family of police violence victim file formal complaint against city

‘I’m not going to disappear’: Family of police violence victim file formal complaint against city

Vivien Ayers and Kylee Howard January 30, 2024

“I’m lost with words, but it’s okay, it’s going to be okay,” Elizabeth Gonzales said at a press conference on Jan. 30 after the deposition from her federal lawsuit against the city and the individual...

UT experts emphasize mental health resources during heightened stress

UT experts emphasize mental health resources during heightened stress

Vivien Ayers, News Desk Editor November 16, 2023

Around the world, the end of November is usually a time of joy — temperatures are dropping, the holidays are approaching and school is almost out for break. But college students experience a completely...

Littlefield Fountain remains in operation during the drought in Austin, Texas on Aug. 28, 2023.

‘It’s just a different type of heat’: UT students reflect on water accessibility, usage under Austin’s drought restrictions

Vivien Ayers, News Desk Editor September 12, 2023

In mid-August, the city of Austin announced its move into Stage 2 water restrictions, including water accessibility and use limits because of extreme drought conditions dropping water levels in Austin-area...

UT students question the future of DEI offices following state ban

UT students question the future of DEI offices following state ban

Vivien Ayers, News Desk Editor August 28, 2023

The fate of diversity, equity and inclusion offices has been looming in the minds of UT students, staff and faculty since Senate Bill 17 was signed on June 17. The UT Systems Board of Regents voted...

UN report concerning global warming ignites ethical debate of UT’s reliance on fossil fuels

UN report concerning global warming ignites ethical debate of UT’s reliance on fossil fuels

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter April 21, 2023

The United Nations released a report on March 20 warning that if countries maintain their current carbon emissions rates, the planet will reach the maximum temperature to sustain life by the end of the...

UT Students garden at the Campus Environmental Center Microfarm on April 9, 2023.

Ciudad de Austin, el condado de Travis anuncian un plan de alimentos para ayudar a prevenir la inseguridad alimentaria de futuros residentes y estudiantes

Vivien Ayers and Jessica Nino April 21, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 18 de abril por Vivien Ayers y fue traducido al español por Jessica Nino. La Oficina de Sostenibilidad de la ciudad de Austin y el...

UT anuncia una nueva beca para ayudar a los residentes de primer año de los dormitorios universitarios con los costos de vivienda

UT anuncia una nueva beca para ayudar a los residentes de primer año de los dormitorios universitarios con los costos de vivienda

Vivien Ayers and Amy DonJuan April 20, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 18 de abril por Vivien Ayers y fue traducido al español por Amy DonJuan. El presidente de UT, Jay Hartzell, anunció el lanzamiento...

The Texan looks back, forward at news this semester

The Texan looks back, forward at news this semester

Politics and Protests Looking Back: UT students got involved with the state legislative session by testifying to committees and interning with congressional offices. UT’s student advocacy program,...

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Senate passes bill that could disband DEI offices at public universities

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter April 20, 2023

The Texas Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that directs public universities to cease operations of diversity, equity and inclusion offices and practices amid some resistance from collegiate students and...

UT announces new scholarship to assist first-year undergraduate dorm residents with housing costs

UT announces new scholarship to assist first-year undergraduate dorm residents with housing costs

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter April 18, 2023

UT President Jay Hartzell announced the launch of a new scholarship program on Sunday to help offset housing costs for dorm residents with high financial need.  “Like many organizations in this...

UT Students garden at the Campus Environmental Center Microfarm on April 9, 2023.

City of Austin, Travis County announce food plan to help prevent future resident, student food insecurity

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter April 18, 2023

The city of Austin Office of Sustainability and Travis County are partnering together to create the area’s first food plan following concerns of rising food insecurity, an effort the entities say will...

Comité del Senado aprueba proyecto de ley que podría disolver las oficinas de DEI en las universidades públicas

Comité del Senado aprueba proyecto de ley que podría disolver las oficinas de DEI en las universidades públicas

Vivien Ayers and Alyssa Ramos April 16, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 14 de abril por Vivien Ayers y fue traducido al español por Alyssa Ramos. El comité Senatorial de Educación Superior de Texas aprobó...

La Biblioteca Pública de Austin lanza un plan para expandirse y construir nuevas sucursales para aumentar la accesibilidad de la comunidad

La Biblioteca Pública de Austin lanza un plan para expandirse y construir nuevas sucursales para aumentar la accesibilidad de la comunidad

Vivien Ayers and Amy DonJuan April 16, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 10 de abril por Vivien Ayers y fue traducido al español por Amy DonJuan. El Ayuntamiento de Austin anunció un plan el mes pasado...

Senate committee approves bill that could potentially disband DEI offices at public universities

Senate committee approves bill that could potentially disband DEI offices at public universities

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter April 14, 2023

The Texas Senate Higher Education committee approved a bill on Wednesday that directs public universities to cease operations of diversity, equity and inclusion offices and practices amid some resistance...

University Democrats, AURA send letter to City Council calling for the expansion of affordable student housing

University Democrats, AURA send letter to City Council calling for the expansion of affordable student housing

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter April 13, 2023

University Democrats and the Austin Urbanist Association sent a joint letter to the Austin City Council on March 28 asking for an expansion of the student housing supply around college campuses.  “Smart,...

Rachel Davis Mersey appointed interim Moody Dean

Rachel Davis Mersey appointed interim Moody Dean

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter April 11, 2023

Sharon Wood, UT executive vice president and provost, announced via email Monday Rachel Davis Mersey’s appointment as interim dean of the Moody College of Communication starting June 1. This follows...

Austin Public Library launches plan to expand, build new branches to increase community accessibility

Austin Public Library launches plan to expand, build new branches to increase community accessibility

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter April 10, 2023

The Austin City Council announced a plan last month to create four new branches of the Austin Public Library and to relocate or expand 11 other branches, broadening community and student access to resources...

Los nuevo diseños potenciales de Project Connect crean una ruta que se cruza y se detiene en el campus de UT

Los nuevo diseños potenciales de Project Connect crean una ruta que se cruza y se detiene en el campus de UT

Vivien Ayers and Paula Botello April 7, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 4 de abril por Vivien Ayers y fue traducido al español por Paula Botello. La Asociación de Tránsito de Austin propuso cinco nuevas líneas...

32-year legacy: Cain & Abel’s possible demolition by end of April

32-year legacy: Cain & Abel’s possible demolition by end of April

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter April 4, 2023

Popular West Campus bar Cain & Abel’s could be demolished by the end of April for the construction of a 30-story apartment tower, according to a permit filed yesterday by a private development company.  The...

New potential Project Connect designs create route intersecting, stopping at UT campus

New potential Project Connect designs create route intersecting, stopping at UT campus

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter April 4, 2023

Austin Transit Partnership proposed five new potential light rail lines for Project Connect on March 21, including one connecting UT to Yellow Jacket Lane through downtown.   “We are proud of...

Nuevo contrato entre Austin y USDOT explora financiamiento para proyectos de movilidad e infraestructura

Nuevo contrato entre Austin y USDOT explora financiamiento para proyectos de movilidad e infraestructura

Vivien Ayers and Alexa Leon April 3, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 27 de marzo por Vivien Ayers y fue traducido al español por Alexa Leon.  La ciudad de Austin y El Departamento de Transporte de los Estados...

‘Trans Texans deserve to thrive’: Proposed bill puts gender-affirming care at risk for all Texans

‘Trans Texans deserve to thrive’: Proposed bill puts gender-affirming care at risk for all Texans

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter March 30, 2023

CW: This article contains mentions of suicide. A proposed bill restricting access to gender-affirming care — including services offered by University Health Services — for all Texans regardless...

New agreement between Austin, USDOT explores funding for mobility, infrastructure projects

New agreement between Austin, USDOT explores funding for mobility, infrastructure projects

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter March 27, 2023

The city of Austin and the U.S. Department of Transportation signed an agreement last month to investigate ways to fund mobility and infrastructure projects within the city, such as Project Connect and...

Una nueva asociación tiene como objetivo investigar y resolver los problemas de vivienda asequibles en  los campus universitarios

Una nueva asociación tiene como objetivo investigar y resolver los problemas de vivienda asequibles en los campus universitarios

Vivien Ayers and Esteban Elias March 10, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 6 de marzo por Vivien Ayers y fue traducido al español por Esteban Elias. El pasado jueves, el Ayuntamiento de Austin anunció un...

New partnership aims to investigate, solve issues with affordable housing around university campuses

New partnership aims to investigate, solve issues with affordable housing around university campuses

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter March 6, 2023

Last Thursday, the Austin City Council announced a working plan to cooperate with local universities to examine possible solutions to the lack of affordable student housing near campuses, like UT’s...

UT System Board of Regents announce pause on new DEI policies, review of current policies

UT System Board of Regents announce pause on new DEI policies, review of current policies

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporters February 24, 2023

The University of Texas System Board of Regents announced an active pause on all new diversity, equity and inclusion policies at all system institutions Wednesday in addition to requesting reports on currently...

New graffiti working group poses questions about maintaining Austin’s culture, local iconic art

New graffiti working group poses questions about maintaining Austin’s culture, local iconic art

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter February 24, 2023

The Austin Downtown Commission voted Jan. 18 to form a graffiti working group to address illegal vandalism in downtown Austin and West Campus, leaving some Austinites worried about the possible loss of...

City of Austin grant aims to make safer, more walkable intersections in West Campus

City of Austin grant aims to make safer, more walkable intersections in West Campus

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter February 17, 2023

The city of Austin received a $22.9 million grant on Feb. 3 to improve road infrastructure within the next five years throughout the city, including two prospective Guadalupe Street intersections at Martin...

The live music capital no more: new census reveals local musicians are leaving Austin due to living costs

The live music capital no more: new census reveals local musicians are leaving Austin due to living costs

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter February 14, 2023

The second-ever Greater Austin Music Census published earlier this month revealed local bands — especially ones composed of Gen Z musicians — are being pushed out of the city due to rising living costs.  Sound...

Con demanda alta y bajos suministros, estudiantes enfrentan la crisis nacional de huevos

Con demanda alta y bajos suministros, estudiantes enfrentan la crisis nacional de huevos

Vivien Ayers and Paula Botello February 13, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 9 de febrero por Vivien Ayers y fue traducido al español por Paula Botello. Los huevos son utilizados para todas las comidas - el...

Propuesto Proyecto de Ley Permitiría a los Tejanos Romper Contratos de Arrendamiento Después de la Pérdida de Servicios Públicos Causada por Clima Extrema

Propuesto Proyecto de Ley Permitiría a los Tejanos Romper Contratos de Arrendamiento Después de la Pérdida de Servicios Públicos Causada por Clima Extrema

Vivien Ayers and Jessica Nino February 12, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 2 de febrero por Vivien Ayers, y fue traducido al español por Jessica Nino. Un propuesto proyecto de ley en la actual sesión legislativa...

With high demand, low supply, students deal with national egg crisis

With high demand, low supply, students deal with national egg crisis

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter February 10, 2023

Eggs are used for all meals — breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert — but this commodity has turned into a luxury as shortages decrease their affordability and accessibility. “The local economy...

Finish the 5: UT students work with local organization to advocate for abolition of last Texas youth prisons

Finish the 5: UT students work with local organization to advocate for abolition of last Texas youth prisons

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter February 2, 2023

Content warning: This story mentions suicide. The Austin Liberation Youth Movement, a student-led organization that includes UT students, is advocating for the closure of the last five youth prisons...

Proposed bill would allow Texans to break leases following loss of utilities caused by extreme weather

Proposed bill would allow Texans to break leases following loss of utilities caused by extreme weather

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter February 2, 2023

A proposed bill in the current Texas legislative session would allow tenants to break their leases following a loss of essential utilities caused by weather events — similar to the outages during...

Diversidad, equidad e inclusión: el proyecto de ley de Texas busca aumentar la “diversidad de puntos de vista” en la educación superior

Diversidad, equidad e inclusión: el proyecto de ley de Texas busca aumentar la “diversidad de puntos de vista” en la educación superior

Vivien Ayers and Mariana Flores-Sosa January 29, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 26 de enero por Vivien Ayers y fue traducido al español por Mariana Flores-Sosa.  La legislatura de Texas podría considerar un proyecto...

Diversity, equity, inclusion: proposed Texas bill seeks to increase ‘viewpoint diversity’ in higher education

Diversity, equity, inclusion: proposed Texas bill seeks to increase ‘viewpoint diversity’ in higher education

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter January 26, 2023

The Texas legislature may consider a bill this session from State Rep. Carl Tepper, aiming to limit talk of social issues such as racial, sexual and gender identity on university campuses by prohibiting...

Manteniendo el Ambiente de Austin: UT investigadores, organizaciones locales luchan en contra de problemas del medioambiente en el Este de Austin 

Manteniendo el Ambiente de Austin: UT investigadores, organizaciones locales luchan en contra de problemas del medioambiente en el Este de Austin 

Vivien Ayers and Paula Botello January 25, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 19 de enero por Vivien Ayers y fue traducido al español por Paula Botello.  La institución de Ciencias Ambientales, conocida comúnmente...

On Jan. 22, 2023, Madly Kilburn protests the overturn of Roe v. Wade outside of the Texas State Capitol.

50 years later, UT students, protesters commemorate, fight against the loss of Roe v. Wade

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter January 23, 2023

Chants of “the people, united, will never be defeated!” echoed down Congress Avenue as almost 100 Austinites and UT students gathered at the Texas Capitol to protest state legislation restricting bodily...

Keeping Austin Green: UT researchers, local organizations battle environmental issues in East Austin

Keeping Austin Green: UT researchers, local organizations battle environmental issues in East Austin

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter January 19, 2023

The Environmental Science Institute at the Jackson School of Geosciences is initiating a five-year plan researching ways to build climate resilience in East Austin, following environmental concerns about...

UT-Austin Dean Jay Bernhardt speaks at a Moody College of Communication event during the fall 2022 semester. Bernhardt has been a UT dean since 2016.

Moody Dean Jay Bernhardt to say goodbye to Forty Acres

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter January 16, 2023

On Jan. 12, Dean Jay Bernhardt announced in an email that he would be leaving UT and the Moody College of Communication at the end of the spring 2023 semester to become the 13th president of Emerson College...

New system improves course evaluations for professors

New system improves course evaluations for professors

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter January 12, 2023

A new student course evaluation system with an improved interface and accessibility features launched at the end of the fall 2022 semester following a 2020 resolution advocating for improvements. “(Students)...

UT System teams up with Google for increased educational degree opportunities

UT System teams up with Google for increased educational degree opportunities

Vivien Ayers, Senior News Reporter January 11, 2023

The UT System announced a partnership with Grow with Google to provide free technology-oriented online career certificates on Dec. 9. “UT Systems’ degree-granting programs are preparing students...

Collaborative UT project studies equity, opportunities for Black STEM undergraduates

Collaborative UT project studies equity, opportunities for Black STEM undergraduates

Vivien Ayers, General News Reporter November 17, 2022

UT, along with five other American institutions, received an $8.8 million grant from the National Science Foundation to study racial inequity in STEM and to propose adjustments to educational structures...

UT Outpost, Student Parent Organization helps little Longhorns with UT’s first diaper drive

UT Outpost, Student Parent Organization helps little Longhorns with UT’s first diaper drive

Vivien Ayers, General news reporter November 9, 2022

The Student Parent Organization and UT Outpost ran the first diaper, formula and baby wipe drive for UT Outpost last week — a drive that gathered over 600 pounds of goods to be distributed to students...

Annual fire safety report proves importance of active drills for dormitory residents

Annual fire safety report proves importance of active drills for dormitory residents

Vivien Ayers, General News Reporter November 4, 2022

Almost every dormitory resident has had to trek downstairs in their pajamas for a fire drill at least once during their stay — but these drills prove more important, and effective, than students would...

Protesters hold a banner reading AID ABET ABORTION during a protest on the West Mall on Oct. 6, 2022.

Bodily autonomy for all: UT students advocate for reproductive, trans rights following recent state legislature limiting freedom

Vivien Ayers, General News Reporter October 7, 2022

Students chanted “hey hey, ho ho, abortion bans have got to go,” on the Oct. 6 Day of Action for Bodily Autonomy protest — a national event which included 50 campuses across 30 states.  The...

UT report showing that sustainable jobs have a growing place in the workforce affirms value of on-campus environmental activism

UT report showing that sustainable jobs have a growing place in the workforce affirms value of on-campus environmental activism

Vivien Ayers, General News Reporter September 21, 2022

A UT report analyzing the connection between career growth and environmentally focused workplaces found that jobs that promote sustainable practices are growing faster than the rest of the workforce in...

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