About the University Co-op
Non-profit & Independent Since 1896
We exist to support UT students
Founded in 1896, The Co-op sought to serve and meet the need for UT Austin students. Staying true to the original idea and vision set by future UT President, Dr. William J. Battle, our vision is to strengthen the Longhorn experience by focusing on student success and faculty initiatives, and our mission is to promote student success by expanding access to affordable learning resources, offering college-to-career initiatives, and providing opportunities for student learning and development beyond the classroom.
What you spend and donate here is reinvested into enhancing and impacting the University community and the student experience.
While many college bookstores are operated by for-profit corporations, The University Co-op is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit and operated by a board of directors comprised of students, faculty, and staff at The University of Texas at Austin. As students’ needs have changed, we’ve grown and adapted to meet that need. Over the last 125 years, we’ve offered services like photo processing and offered small appliances and records in store.
Today we believe in equitable and affordable access to course materials and advantageous opportunities for students to grow and develop their skills outside the classroom to set them apart from candidates in their future careers.
How We Support
Supporting students with University Co-op Course Material Scholarships
Starting in 2022, we have made a commitment to Course Material scholarships. With a match from the University, $10,000,000 will go to help students at the University of Texas at Austin to defray costs of textbooks and other necessary materials.
Supporting and Expanding College-to-Career Initiatives
Each year, we support the Longhorn Center of Academic Equity's College-to-Career internship program by offering first-generation students two-year paid internships which help them get hands-on experience in their fields.
Since its inception in 2019, over 50 students have participated in the program and gained valuable experience that has benefited them as they’ve gone on to graduate school and successful careers.
Learn more about the Co-op Internship program or sign up for one of the upcoming info sessions by visiting the LCAE website.
Identifying and Introducing New Initiatives to Reduce the Cost of Course Materials and Expand Access for Students
Over the last few years, we have worked with The University and course materials publishers to offer a course material inclusive access program called Longhorn Textbook Access. This program increases buying power to offer course materials at an even lower cost.
The 11-course Longhorn Textbook Access pilot program begins Spring 2021, with plans to roll out University-wide for the Fall 2021 semester.
Through our strategic relationships with vendors, we also work directly with publishers to expand the offering of titles available as low-cost digital options.
Providing the Opportunity for Experiential Learning Outside of the Classroom
We dedicate resources and partner with classes and departments on campus in marketing, management, textiles and apparel, and more to offer hands-on projects to gain real-world experience in the operations of a business.
Student projects like these influence the decisions we make as a business so students can see the real impact of their contributions.
Curating the Official Booklist
As the bookstore for the University, we help curate the official booklist for each semester to ensure compliance with the federal law, HEOA & HB33.
We also educate incoming freshman about how to shop for course materials within any budget and find the lowest cost materials available.
Books are sold at the lowest cost possible. No profit is made off textbooks. Operational costs are covered by the retail business.
Offering Student Employment and Development Opportunities
We hire students and offer flexible shifts to fit their course schedule.
Student employees have access to mentors in their fields of interest and staff development opportunities.
Supporting the Texas Advance Commitment
The Co-op has committed to giving $125,000 to the Texas Advance Commitment between 2019 and 2024.
First implemented in 2018, the Texas Advance Commitment is UT Austin’s commitment to making a UT education even more affordable, more transparent, and understandable for Texas students and families from middle- and low-income backgrounds who have financial need.
Supporting and Celebrating Faculty Research and Writing at the Hamilton Book Awards
Each fall, the Hamilton Book Awards celebrates nominated faculty who have published works including scholarly monographs, creative works, exhibition catalogues, textbooks, and edited collections. Winners are selected by a committee of scholars appointed by the Vice President for Research at UT Austin.
Additionally, we celebrate research with three awards: Career Research Excellence Award, acknowledging a faculty or staff researcher who has maintained superior research programs over many years; the Best Research Paper Award, presented to a faculty or staff researcher who is the principal or sole author of a peer-reviewed scholarly paper reporting original research, and the Creative Research Award, that recognizes extraordinary creative achievement.
Celebrating Graduate and Undergraduate Academic Excellence
Each spring, the Co-op sponsors the Academic Excellence Awards, recognizing superior academic achievement for undergraduate and graduate students. Grand prizes are given to outstanding dissertation and undergraduate academic achievement.
Winners are nominated by faculty and selected by a committee of scholars.
The University Co-operative Society is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation, Federal Tax ID #74-096-0070, and your contribution is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Consult your tax professional for further advice on how this gift may impact your personal tax situation.
How to Get Involved
Internships
Each year, we support the Longhorn Center of Academic Equity's College-to-Career internship program by offering students two-year paid internships which help them get hands-on experience in their fields. Internships are offered in all departments including Textbooks, Finance, Buying, Operations, Marketing, IT, and more.
Applications for the program open at the beginning of each fall semester and interested candidates are welcome to attend info sessions during the fall semester and can apply before December. Watch our employment openings and social media for the internship application.
Co-op Board of Directors
Every year during the annual campus-wide election, two UT students are elected to serve as representatives of the UT student body on the University Co-op Board of Directors. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that you do not want to miss out on.
The positions are open to full time students at UT Austin, who have completed a minimum of twenty four (24) hours credit in residence and have at least a 3.2000 grade point average. Graduate students who have completed twelve (12) hours credit in residence are eligible to apply. Candidates must be able to serve for two years while maintaining full time student status.
These positions share equal responsibility and voting rights with the entire board consisting of two additional students, four faculty members, two independent members and a chair.
The Co-op is a Tradition
Since 1896, nearly every Longhorn has passed through our doors. From graduation to game days and t-shirts to textbooks, we’ve been an integral part of the Longhorn experience and tradition, touching every important moment in the Longhorn life.
Whether you were “Born a Horn” or you’re getting your first Longhorn tee after that acceptance letter arrives in your mailbox, your Longhorn life starts at The Co-op and we’re here for every bit of your Longhorn experience from that point on: when you come to shop for your course materials, when you’re looking for a job that works with your class schedule, when you need support for your class project, when you’re ready to get your graduation cap and gown after 4 years on the 40 Acres, when you make the annual pilgrimage back to campus for game days, when you get your newborn their first Longhorn onesie, when your child gets their acceptance letter and it’s time to celebrate, and when you stop in after dropping them off at their dorm during Mooov-in weekend.
We’ve been part of the Longhorn tradition for over 125 years and we’re proud to be part of this Longhorn community. Thank you for helping us enhance and impact the University community and the student experience for the last 125 years and the next. Hook ‘em!
1883
University of Texas founded
1885
University of Texas Alumni Association - Texas Exes founded1896
University Co-op founded and from the very beginning, gave rebates to students.1896
William J. Battle named President elect, acting President of the University of Texas at Austin in 1914.1903
Harry Y. Benedict named President; names tenth president of The University of Texas at Austin in 1927.The University of Texas' spirit song, "The Eyes of Texas are Upon You" is created.
1906
The University Co-op is incorporated.1911
John W. Calhoun named Co-op President.The University Co-op contributes $10,000 to complete the construction to the Gregory Gym.
1912
The University Co-op introduces purchase reciepts.1917
The University Co-op's first location is built on "The Drag".1924
The University Co-op pledges $1,000 to help build the UT Football Stadium.1924
Texas Memorial Stadium, later named Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium, opens.1930
Gregory Gym Opens.1936
C.E. Rowe named The Co-op President.1937
The Tower is completed.1941
L. Theodore Bellmont named Co-op President; previously UT Athletic Director and professor, namesake of Bellmont Hall.1946
E.S. Redford named Co-op President.1947
The Univeristy Co-op expands and adds a radio and record shop.1949
Baseball National Championship ⚾1950
Baseball National Champs ⚾1955
Big Bertha comes to the University of Texas.The "Hook'em Horns" hand singal is introduced.
1959
The University Co-op expands.1959
Football National Champs 🏈1964
ROBBERY! - Overnight on Thanksgiving, The Overton gang, led by a former UT football player, robs the Co-op vault for over $20,000 in ticket sale money from the Texas vs A&M game.1969-1975
Football National Champs 🏈Football National Champs 🏈
Men's Golf National Champs 🏌
Men's Golf National Champs 🏌
Baseball National Champs ⚾
1977
Gerald L. Matthews named Co-op President1981-85
Men's Swimming and Diving 🌊Women's Swimming and Diving 🌊
Volleyball National Champs 🏐
Women's Outdoor Track and Field 👟
Women's Swimming and Diving 🌊
Baseball National Champs ⚾
Women's Swimming and Diving 🌊
Women's Swimming and Diving 🌊
1986
Women's Basketball National Champs 🏀Women's Cross Country Champs 👟
Women's Outdoor Track and Field 👟
Women's Swimming and Diving 🌊
Women's Indoor Track and Field 👟
Women's Swimming and Diving 🌊
1987
George Mitchell named Co-op President and CEO1988-95
Men's Swimming and Diving 🌊Women's Indoor Track and Field 👟
Women's Swimming and Diving 🌊
Volleyball National Champs 🏐
Men's Swimming and Diving 🌊
Men's Swimming and Diving 🌊
Women's Indoor Track and Field 👟
Women's Swimming and Diving 🌊
Men's Swimming and Diving 🌊
Women's Swimming and Diving 🌊
Women's Tennis National Champs 🎾
Women's Tennis National Champs 🎾
1995
The University Co-op launches their website1996
Men's Swimming and Diving 🌊1997
Robert W. Hamilton Book Awards established.1998
The University Co-op expands.1998
Women's Indoor Track and Field 👟Women's Outdoor Track and Field 👟
1999
George H. Mitchell Awards for Academic Excellence established.1999-2005
Women's Indoor Track and Field 👟Women's Outdoor Track and Field 👟
Men's Swimming and Diving 🌊
Baseball National Champs ⚾
Men's Swimming and Diving 🌊
Football National Champs 🏈
Baseball National Champs ⚾
Women's Outdoor Track and Field 👟
2005
The University Co-op opens at it's current location2006
Women's Indoor Track and Field 👟2006
The University Co-op donates $1,000,000 to the President's initiative for undergraduate curriculum reform.The Co-op parking garage opens.
2008
Michael H. Granof Awards for Excellence is Graduate Education established.The University Co-op donates $450,000 to the renovation of the School of Social Work's Utopia Theatre.
The University Co-op donates $300,00 for the creation of the Co-op Fine Arts Student Center.
2008-15
Women's Beach Volleyball National Champs 🏐Men's Swimming and Diving 🌊
Men's Golf National Champs 🏌
Volleyball National Champs 🏐
Men's Swimming and Diving 🌊
2011-16
The University Co-op named one of Austin American Statesman's "Best Places to Work".The University Co-op "Harlem Shake" video hits 10M views on Youtube.
Cheryl Phifer named the Co-op President and CEO.