University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin, often called UT or Texas, is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System. US News consistently ranks Texas the best public university in the state and, in its 2006 rankings places it 17th among all public research universities in the U.S.http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/premium/natudoc/natudoc_pub.php. It is considered one of eight Public Ivies. The university is one of the largest single-campuses in the nation by enrollment, with nearly 50,000 undergraduates and graduate students attending.

History

The University of Texas was originally conceived in 1839, when the Congress of the Republic of Texas set aside land for a "university of the first class" in the new state capital, Austin. At first located on the legendary 40 acres (160,000 m²) then known as College Hill, the University has since expanded, although the term 40 Acres is still used to refer to the central campus.

Related Topics:
Republic of Texas - Austin

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On August 1, 1966, Charles Whitman barricaded himself in the observation deck of the tower of the Main Building with a sniper rifle and other weapons, killed 14 Austin residents, and wounded more. The observation deck was closed until 1968, and then closed again in 1975 following a series of suicide jumps during the 1970s. The observation deck has been reopened since 1998 for guided tours only.

Related Topics:
August 1 - 1966 - Charles Whitman - 1968 - 1975 - Suicide - 1970s

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