Jester Center - Facilities

Facilities

With a capacity of 3,200 (3,300 with supplemental housing) students, it was the largest residence hall in North America at the time it was built. The building complex, which occupies a full city block, was the largest building in Austin, Texas when built and was the largest building project in University history.

The complex includes two towers: a 14-level residence (Jester West) and a 10-level residence (Jester East). The vast majority of rooms have built-in furniture. All rooms boast XL-twin beds. While some rooms have private or connecting baths, most students use community restroom facilities. Each tower also has study rooms, lounges, laundry rooms, and storage areas. From time to time, the study lounges have been converted into "supplemental housing" for students who are not allotted a standard residence hall room.

The residence hall also houses several offices for student services, tutoring, mentoring, academic advising, classrooms, and lecture halls. The center also contains an all-you-care-to-eat cafeteria known colloquially as "J2" (signifying Jester 2nd floor), a Wendy's, an a la carte dining center known as "Jester City Limits" (an allusion to Austin City Limits), a convenience store named "Jester City Market", an organic food store named "Jesta' Healthy Store" added in 2007, Jest A' Pizza, 40 Acres Bakery, a smoothie shop named "Freshens", and the Jesta' Texas Gift Shop, selling UT apparel.