A guide to some of what UTSA has to offer

For many first-time college students, or students transferring from a different institution, spending time on campus can seem like a chore. It’s a common misconception that college campuses are lifeless and boring, and an incredible number of students go through four or more years on campus without ever realizing just how much is going on around them. While it’s true that we should probably be spending the majority of our time focusing on our respective subjects and assignments, it’s tremendously important to not ignore the social part of the college experience. Through the years, several programs at UTSA have established a range of extracurricular programs and activities to provide students with fun and safe recreation on campus.

The Roost is one such option. Located on the second floor above the Frost Bank, across from the Student Union at the Main Campus, The Roost offers a variety of games and activities both analog and digital for students, including billiards,

air hockey, foosball, table tennis and board games, along with a PlayStation 4, XBOX One and Nintendo Wii U, with over 50 different games to choose from. 

A full list of available titles is kept on hand at the check-out station inside the facility. 

The Roost is open late and is available to all enrolled UTSA students with a student ID. The Roost holds weekly tournaments for several games, including Super Smash Bros., chess, table tennis, billiards and more during the fall and spring semesters. The full tournament schedule can be found through the Student Union’s page on RowdyLink.

The UTSA Art Galleries is on second floor of the Arts Building (2.03.04) on the Main Campus and are completely free and open to the public between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. The galleries host regular exhibitions by both professional artists and students. UTSA also operates an art gallery downtown called Terminal 136 in the Southtown Art District (136 Blue Star St. San Antonio, TX 78204). Terminal 136 is where students in the Master of Fine Arts program usually present their thesis exhibitions, in addition to hosting exhibitions by other students and professional artists.

Like the galleries on the main campus, Terminal 136 is free and open to the public Thursday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Department of Art and Art History keeps a list of current and former exhibitions at either gallery. The list is accessible through their website (art.utsa.edu).

Perhaps some of the more beloved recurring activities for students on campus are the free movies shown every Friday and Saturday night at the Student Union, commonly known as UCinema Night. A different movie is chosen each week, and movies are usually shown at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday nights and 7 p.m. on Saturday nights. UCinema Night is hosted by the Student Union. A monthly schedule showing movies and times along with other events for that month can be found on the Student Union’s Programs page on their website (utsa.edu/studentunion).

For those feeling a little bit more adventurous and willing to walk a short distance down UTSA Boulevard, The Block offers a varied selection of food trucks run by local chefs and also operates a bar for patrons over 21-years-old.

The Block is located directly across from the Prado apartment complex and features a 1,500 square-foot, covered, dog-friendly patio with plenty of room for you to kick back, relax and enjoy great food and beverages with friends. The Block regularly hosts events including parties, trivia nights, concerts, food and beer festivals.. Beware: The food truck lineup can change based on availability, so follow @theblocksa on social media to keep yourself up to date. For those looking for something a little bit more quiet, or if you’re more of a coffee drinker, Indy Coffee is located just a few hundred feet further down UTSA Boulevard on the first floor of the Prado apartment complex.

There is so much to do on campus than to sit in the library with your head buried in books all year long, and this is just a short sampling of the fun options that are available on and near campus. Explore the campus, get involved and stay informed! Welcome to UTSA; we’re happy you’re here.