UTA Libraries Welcomes Mavericks for Fall 2021

The University of Texas at Arlington Libraries welcomed Mavericks back to campus on Wednesday, August 25, for the first day of classes of the Fall 2021 semester.

Students enjoyed Sno-Cones from the Experiential Learning and Outreach team in front of Central Library and met with Libraries staff in the Library Mall to learn more about everything from the events to campus layout.

Four Mavericks also laid claim to the new study spaces that will see them through the next three months of rigorous academic responsibility.

Senior criminal justice major Sidney Delgado has many reasons to celebrate returning to campus—and celebrate she did.

“It feels good to be back on campus,” Delgado said. “I actually went and got an Einstein’s bagel, because I’ve been waiting a year for one, so that was exciting.”

There was one experience she was really anticipating though.

“I’m excited to see all my friends that I haven’t seen in a year, honestly,” she said.

Freshman Leila Perez anticipated a totally different first day than the one she experienced.

“I thought it would be more confusing,” Perez said. “But it’s like, everyone is trying to find their classes, so it’s…comforting. It’s not scary.”

As a new Maverick, Perez was most impressed by the Libraries’ size—and all the variety it offered in its study spaces.

“It’s big—there is a lot going on,” she said. “But I like how there’s levels of quietness. There’s levels where it’s super quiet, and some where you are able to talk. I like it so far.”

By mid-morning, seniors Giles Fitzwilliams and Adam Fountain had claimed a corner of the third floor and were already hard at work on early assignments.

Prior to COVID-19, Fitzwilliams and Fountain would gather with their friends on the third floor to study and socialize. They referred to it as a kind of “third place” that they are excited to have access to again in their final year together as university students.

“Particularly in this area of the third floor, we would always meet,” Fitzwilliams said. “Somebody would always been here throughout the morning classes, evening classes, either to be a study buddy or just talk to them about your day.”

“We haven’t been up here in a long time,” Fountain said. “It’s cool to come back.”

Fitzwilliams was most excited about the ability to take advantage of Central Library’s 24-hour policy.

“I don’t have to rush to try and get everything done and go home,” Fitzwilliams said. “I can take my time and stay here as long as I need.”

Fountain was most looking forward to the potential for connection that being on campus offers.

“I’m glad we’re back on campus to see people in person, talk to people in person,” Fountain said. “You know, just build relationships.”

Both men were excited about all the activities and events coming up soon, both at the Libraries and across campus. Fitzwilliams especially emphasized the importance of making the most of their time together.

“We have to take advantage of everything now, since it’s our last year.”

Supporting The University of Texas at Arlington and the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan region, UTA Libraries create transformational learning experiences by connecting people to first-class resources, empowering knowledge creation, exploring ideas, and pursuing innovations in learning. The UTA FabLab offers all students access to cutting-edge technology for research in digital fabrication. The dataCAVE provides tools and workshops to support data visualization and management. UTA Libraries Special Collections focuses on the history of Texas, Mexico and the Southwest, and includes one of the finest cartographical collections on Texas and the Gulf of Mexico in the world. To learn more about UTA Libraries, please visit http://libraries.uta.edu.