Orange Jackets
Our History
Scholarship
Leadership
Service
Our Tenets
Orange Jackets is the oldest honorary service organization at the University of Texas. The core tenets of the organization are excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service. Since its inception in 1923, OJs have been active in serving both UT and the greater Austin community.
Although the Orange Jackets have historically been highly visible during UT football games, where they lead the school in the singing of “The Eyes of Texas” before kickoff, they remain first and foremost a service organization. Orange Jackets host numerous events for the University of Texas, plan and put on the annual Week of Women, and raise money for The Settlement Home with their Capture the 40 Acres flag football tournament.
The Orange Jackets tenet of scholarship is not defined merely by GPA. Orange Jackets go far beyond grades, to seize every opportunity on the UT campus, and to ensure that their education is as enriching as possible in their years here. They have passion for their studies and do not settle for just taking classes.Orange Jackets have studied abroad in countries all around the globe; France, Morocco Malaysia China Germany to name only a few. But Orange Jackets do not have to leave the country to pursue their academic interests. Every day, Orange Jackets are contributing to the academic community through their research in topics of Neurobiology, English, Psychology, Political Science, Robotics and Media Studies.
Orange Jackets are selected for their commitment to leadership. Orange Jackets hold officer positions in organizations in all areas of campus, including Senate of College Councils, Multicultural Information Center, Greek Sororities, Plan II Students Association, University Democrats, Eastside Community Connection, the US Census, and Best Buddies. Orange Jackets also show their leadership skills in ways outside of campus organizations. Orange Jackets start their own businesses, start non-profit organizations, as well as work and serve in both.
Orange Jackets are very active in serving the UT and surrounding Austin communities. Our main philanthropy is The Settlement Home for Children, a home for helping abused and neglected girls. Almost every Friday, 15 members visit with the girls at the home to play outside, do crafts, and serve as role models to encourage the girls to go to college. We also hold a benefit event for The Settlement Home every fall to raise money for the girls.To learn more about The Settlement Home, go to www.settlementhome.org.
Additionally, each year new OJs (called Tappeees) work together as a new member class and come up with a service project that will benefit the community. Past projects include: Mom & Dad's Day (now Parent's Weekend) Capture the 40 Acres, Week of Women, The Barbara Jordan Statue Project, Save Voices Against Violence, Pennies Make Sense.
Orange Jackets also serve hundreds of hours as an organization for the UT and Austin communities. Here is a sampling of the organizations we help every year: Eastside Community Connection, Ronald McDonald House, UT Dance Marathon, Zilker Kite Festival, UT Services for Students with Disabilities, Austin Fine Arts Festival, Girlstart, Safeplace and UT Longhorn Halloween.
Members of Orange Jackets are easily recognized at campus events by their burnt orange vests emblazoned with a white “T” on the side pocket. Orange Jackets have been sporting this uniform ever since the UT v. OU game that took place on November 17, 1923. Every woman who becomes an Orange Jacket receives her vest at the end of her Tappee year.
OJ Tappees also perform a unique service for the University of Texas or the city of Austin on an annual basis through the execution of their year-long Tappee project, a requirement the Tappees must complete in order to earn their vests by Initiation.
Past Tappee projects have included the Push for Emergency Call Boxes Initiative, the Voices Against Violence Campaign, the We: Rose Stories of Longhorn Women journal, and the Barbara Jordan Statue project. Given that Orange Jackets was founded as an organization for the most outstanding women on campus, it is no surprise that many former members have gone on to become outstanding figures in their professional fields. Dr. Margaret C. Berry, Shirley Bird Perry, Carol Keeton Strayhorn, Liz Carpenter, and Lady Bird Johnson are only a few examples of countless prominent Orange Jackets alumnae. The Orange Jackets today continue the traditions set out by their illustrious predecessors. Through the continued selection of campus leaders for membership, Orange Jackets will long be remembered for their leadership, scholarship, spirit, service, and dedication to the University of Texas at Austin.