About eTribute
Creating a tribute
Making your donation
Registration/Your account
Help

About eTribute

What is eTribute?
eTribute is an online system at The University of Texas at Austin that allows you to remember special people and important occasions permanently. You can create a tribute using your own text, personal photos and video clips, then share it with family and friends.

Why was eTribute created?
Alumni and friends wanted a way to remember their experiences at the University and to stay connected. eTribute is an exceptional alternative to traditional memorials such as bricks or plaques, because each tribute is as unique as the individual who creates it and can be viewed from anywhere in the world.

What does it cost to create a tribute? When you create a tribute, you make a gift to The University of Texas at Austin. You can choose to donate a gift ranging from $100 to $1,000 or more. eTribute offers five levels of giving, with special tribute features available at each level.

How will my gift to the University be used? All tribute donations will support the preservation and enhancement of the Tower Garden and other green spaces on campus. The Tower Garden is the botanical garden known to generations as "the turtle pond." A section of the garden will be developed as a memorial to the victims of the August 1, 1966, shooting tragedy.

Who can make a tribute? Anyone 18 years or older with a valid ID and credit card may create a tribute online. Those who are under 18 can use eTribute only if supervised by a parent or guardian. See Terms of Use for more information.

How long do tributes last? eTributes are added to UT's web-based archives permanently. The tribute that you create will be seen by future generations, unless you request in writing to have it deleted. See Terms of Use for more information.

Creating a Tribute

How do I create a tribute?
Go to Create a tribute to get started. You can make a tribute in a few steps: add your text and choose the background and media you want to upload. Then save your tribute to return to it later, or submit it with your gift. You will receive an email from an eTribute administrator when your tribute is posted online.

What kind of content can I put in my tribute?
You can add personal messages, poems, photos, or video to your tribute. And you can select your favorite campus images from the eTribute photo gallery. Content must be appropriate, as defined in Terms of use.

I started a tribute but want to change to a different level. What do I do?
No problem; simply go to Choose a level and select a new level. If you want to move up from a lower level, say from 2 to 3, the photos you've already added to your tribute will automatically transfer to the new level. If you want to move down a level, the system will default to the limits of the new level and automatically remove photos or video that exceed those limits.

How long can I save my tribute?
You have the option of saving your tribute for 7 days. During that time, you may want to gather more photos, change text, and ask family or friends to review the tribute (you will need to give them your login information). On the fifth day, you will receive an email from the eTribute system notifying you that you have 2 more days to finish and submit your tribute. If you make changes to the tribute and save it, the process will repeat itself; that is, you will have 7 days from the time you save your tribute to complete it, and you'll receive an email reminder on the fifth day. If you take no action during the 7-day period, the tribute will be deleted permanently and you will need to begin again with a new tribute.

I uploaded personal video to my tribute but can't see it when I preview my tribute. What's wrong?
The preview screen displays all of your text and media, with the exception of video. Video clips must be reviewed by an eTribute administrator first. This precaution is necessary to protect the eTribute system from harmful content. When your tribute is posted, usually within a day or two after you submit it, you will be able to see the entire tribute, including the video.

What do I do if my tribute doesn't look or sound right?
Make sure that your media files are the right size and format for the eTribute system (see designer FAQs for details). If everything is correct and the tribute still won't display properly, contact an eTribute administrator at etribute@www.utexas.edu.

Why doesn't my tribute appear online immediately after I create it?
All tributes are reviewed by an eTribute administrator to protect the security of the eTribute system and to ensure that all content is appropriate. This typically takes one to two days. If the administrator notes a problem with your tribute, she will contact you. No alterations will be made to your tribute without your consent. For more information see Terms of use.

Making your donation

I completed my tribute and submitted it with my credit card information. When will my credit card be charged? Your credit card will be charged after your tribute has been reviewed by the eTribute administration team. You will receive an email when your tribute has been posted online; at that time your credit card will be charged the amount of your gift. This happens typically within two to three days after your submission.

Several of us want to donate to a single tribute. Can each of us pay a portion of the total gift with our own credit cards?
eTribute cannot accept multiple credit cards for a single tribute at this time. Only one credit card can be accepted per tribute.

Is my gift tax deductible?
Yes, as a charitable contribution, your gift is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. An official tax receipt will be emailed to the eTribute-account holder.

Can I give more after I've created my tribute?
You can change the amount of your gift any time before you submit your tribute for review by going to Choose a level. After your tribute is posted online, you can make another gift by creating another tribute.

Registration/Your account

Do I need to register or log in to use the eTribute system? No, feel free to browse existing tributes and to create your own tributes. You will be asked to register only when you are ready to save your work or wish to upload personal media. Every time you log in thereafter, you can access your own personal account, which includes any tributes you've saved or published, including personal photos.

Help

Do you have questions to which you can't find answers on the site? Email the eTribute administration team at etribute@www.utexas.edu.