The University of Texas at Austin as the name implies is located in Austin the state capital of Texas. UT or simply "Texas", as the University is also known, is the largest institution in The University of Texas System. The alumni of UT are known as Texas Exes. The athletic teams are the Longhorns and the Lady Horns. The Longhorn faithful can often be heard yelling the phrase Hook'em Horns and flashing the distinctive Hook'em Horns hand sign.
The University officially began classes in 1883 even though the Congress of the Republic of Texas in 1839 set aside a site in Austin known as College Hill for a University. The original area of the main campus on College Hill was located on 40 acres.
The Permanent University Fund (PUF) was established by the Texas Constitution in 1876. The proceeds from the land (mineral royalties and grazing leases) and investment returns in the PUF are distributed to The University of Texas System and the Texas A&M University System. Because of the proceeds of the PUF, The University of Texas is one of the most highly endowed universities in the country.
The University consists of the following colleges and academic units:
The men's athletics teams are known as the Texas Longhorns. The Longhorns compete in the varsity sports of football, baseball, basketball, golf, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and cross-country.
The women's athletics teams can be called the Lady Horns or just the Texas Longhorns like the men. The Lady Horns compete in the varsity sports of volleyball, softball, basketball, golf, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, cross-country, rowing, and soccer.