Pillars of the Forty Acres
About Pillars of The Forty Acres
The Pillars of the Forty Acres awards are given out at The Evening of the Stars ceremony. It is a recognition program for student organizations whose activities embody the University's six Core Values. The purpose of the program is to create a culture of accountability and recognize organizations for their creative ways of incorporating the Core Values.
There are two levels of recognition status: Distinguished and Exemplary. Organizations that complete the program are eligible for monetary prizes awarded at the Evening of the Stars ceremony held in April.
To achieve Distinguished Status, an organization must complete at least one activity, event or program that aligns with your organization's mission and/or helps your organization reach one of its goals for three of the six Core Values.
To achieve Exemplary Status, an organization must complete at least one activity, event or program that aligns with your organization's missions and/or helps your organization reach one of its goals for each of the six Core Values.
Why should your organization participate in the Pillars of the Forty Acres program?
- Enhance your organization and connect with resources
- Be entered to win monetary prize drawings
- Get public recognition on the Student Organizations website
- Be honored during the Evening of the Stars award ceremony in the spring
To participate in the Pillars of the Forty Acres program, each organization must complete all five of the following steps:
- Be in good standing with the Office of the Dean of Students. If your organization is not listed in HornsLink, then it is frozen. Contact Student Organizations at 512-471-3065 to speak with a staff member and learn how to resolve the issue.
- Select one member of your organization to be the Pillars Representative. Pillars Representative must be listed on the organization's HornsLink roster.
- Selected Pillars Representative must attend a Discover Pillars Workshop during the fall to enroll in this year's Pillars Program. Visit the Student Organizations Hornslink page to find a Discover Pillars Workshop and RSVP.
- Complete the Pillars of the Forty Acres Outline on HornsLink by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 23, 2025.
- Complete the Pillars of the Forty Acres Summary on HornsLink by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
If you have questions about the Pillars of the Forty Acres recognition program, please schedule a Pillars consultation with a staff member or email awards@austin.utexas.edu.
Resources
Learning | Discovery | Freedom | Leadership | Individual Opportunity | Responsibility
Learning
The acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, study, or by being taught.Activity/Campus Partner
Description
Consultation
Complete a consultation on a topic that is related to the mission and/or goals of the student organization and share it with your student organization.
Guest Speaker
Have a UT department, faculty or staff member present at a student organization meeting on a topic that is related to the mission and/or goals of the student organization.
New, NOW, Next: Student Leader Panel
The New, NOW, Next: Student Leader Panel takes place each Spring and brings together dynamic student panelists who have shaped their student organizations, shared their visions, and led impactful initiatives. As they step into the next chapter, these outgoing seniors share valuable lessons, challenges, and advice on leadership, engagement, and what it means to shape the Longhorn experience.
The purpose of this event is for student orgs to meet campus partners and learn about the amazing resources they provide for student orgs to host events on campus.
Symposium/Conference
Attend a conference/symposium that is related to the mission and/or goals of the student organization and share it with your student organization.
Discovery
The act of finding something that had not been known before.Activity/Campus Partner
Description
Student Organizations Discover Pillars Workshop
Attend a Discover Pillars Workshop and share it with your student organization.
https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sa/student-organization-leadership.php#workshops
https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sa/student-organization-leadership.php#workshops
Freedom
The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.Activity/Campus Partner
Description
Awareness Rally
Hold an on-campus awareness rally about a topic that is important to your organization (e.g. social justice, environmental justice, health or disease awareness, etc.).
BeVOCAL Workshop
Have members of your organization attend a BeVOCAL Workshop.
https://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/lwc/bevocal.html
https://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/lwc/bevocal.html
Voices Against Violence
Have members of your organization attend a Voices Against Violence Workshop or one of the following events.
- Breaking the Silence
- Take Back the Night
Leadership
The ability of an individual or a group of individuals to influence and guide followers or other members of an organization.Activity/Campus Partner
Description
Longhorn Playbook for Successful Student Organizations
The Longhorn Playbook for Successful Student Organizations event is a community building experience designed to empower student organization leaders to foster safer, more welcoming campus communities and promote positive organizational cultures.
Aligned with the mission of the Office of the Dean of Students, this event cultivates critical thinking, leadership development, and a lifelong commitment to positive civic engagement. Through guided reflection, engaging discussions, and resource sharing, participants will explore their role in shaping organizational culture and gain practical tools to lead with integrity, influence, and impact, championing student success at the University of Texas at Austin.
Aligned with the mission of the Office of the Dean of Students, this event cultivates critical thinking, leadership development, and a lifelong commitment to positive civic engagement. Through guided reflection, engaging discussions, and resource sharing, participants will explore their role in shaping organizational culture and gain practical tools to lead with integrity, influence, and impact, championing student success at the University of Texas at Austin.
Student Organizations Managing Student Org. Finances
Have officers of your student organization complete the Managing Student Org. Finances workshop and share it with your student organization.
https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sa/student-organization-leadership.php#workshops
https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sa/student-organization-leadership.php#workshops
Texas Leadership Education and Development Workshop
Have officers of your student organization attend a workshop or complete a consultation.
https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/leadership/workshops-and-programs.php
https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/leadership/workshops-and-programs.php
Individual Opportunity
A set of circumstances that makes it possible for an individual to do something.Activity/Campus Partner
Description
Longhorn Lights
Student organizations are invited to host an activity at a table on the opening night of Longhorn Lights on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The deadline to apply is Friday, October 31, 2025.
Organization Event
Host an event open to all UT students.
Service Project
Plan and execute a service project with your student organization.
Student Organizations Organization Fair
Table at an organization fair.
https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sa/find-a-student-organization.php#springstudentorganizationfair
https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sa/find-a-student-organization.php#springstudentorganizationfair
Team Intramural Sports
Have your organization participate in one of the RecSports Intramural Team Sports Leagues.
https://www.utrecsports.org/intramurals
https://www.utrecsports.org/intramurals
Responsibility
Accepting what is required and carrying out the task to the best of your ability.Activity/Campus Partner
Description
Campus Environmental Center Activity
Volunteer and/or collaborate with the Campus Environmental Center
https://utenvironment.org/
https://utenvironment.org/
Disability Advocate Training
Have members of your organization complete a Disability Advocate Training.
https://community.utexas.edu/disability/outreach-presentations/
https://community.utexas.edu/disability/outreach-presentations/
Hazing Prevention and Response Activity
- Host a workshop (hazing prevention or creating space for change) for your organization. Workshop requests can be submitted at hazing.utexas.edu.
- Request a leadership consultation for your organization at hazing.utexas.edu.
- Have at minimum 3 members attend a hazing prevention event open to campus (e.g., national hazing prevention week events, horns against hazing guest speakers, etc.)
- Create your own hazing prevention initiative or educational opportunity to implement within your organization. Discuss your ideas and get support by contacting safetyeducation@austin.utexas.edu.
Longhorn Wellness Center
Have members of your organization complete a workshop.
https://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/lwc/group-offerings.html
https://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/lwc/group-offerings.html
Student Organizations Traveling with Your Student Organization
Have officers of your student organization complete the Traveling with Your Student Organization workshop and share it with your student organization.
https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sa/student-organization-leadership.php#workshops
https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sa/student-organization-leadership.php#workshops
Title IX
The Title IX Office offers training and professional development opportunities for all UT students. Workshops are offered both virtually and in-person. Workshops are tailored to the needs of each group and offer an engaging space to learn about policies, process, and prevention.
https://titleix.utexas.edu/training
https://titleix.utexas.edu/training
UT Outpost Donation Drive
Host a UT Outpost Donation Drive for food, clothing or personal items.
https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sos/utoutpost.php
https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sos/utoutpost.php
Well-being for Student Organizations
Register and participate in the Well-being for Student Organizations program.
https://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/lwc/hsop.html
https://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/lwc/hsop.html
Youth Protection Program Student Organization Training
Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Youth Protection Program (YPP) policy as it pertains to student organizations. This training will cover the history of the protection of minors in higher education, the mission and objectives of YPP, as well as key aspects of risk management and custodial responsibility. Participants will also learn about the role of chaperones and best practices for managing their events.
https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sa/student-organization-leadership.php#workshops
https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sa/student-organization-leadership.php#workshops
FAQs
How do I register my organization for the Pillars of the Forty Acres?
Contact Student Organizations at awards@austin.utexas.edu.
Is there a deadline to register for the Pillars of the Forty Acres?
Yes. Student organizations are only permitted to register in the fall.
How long does the Pillars of the Forty Acres program last?
The Pillars of the Forty Acres starts each fall semester and ends the following spring semester.
Can my organization backlog completed criteria?
Yes. Student organizations can count all criteria completed starting the day after the previous year's program ends.
Can my student organization use the same activity, event, or program for more than one core value?
No. Student organizations must complete a different activity, event or program for each core value.
Evening of the Stars
The Pillars of the Forty Acres Awards are presented at the Evening of the Stars Awards Celebration.
The 18th Annual Evening of the Stars celebration took place on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in the Hogg Memorial Auditorium.