GROWING

GROWING STUDENT SUCCESS

Powerful connections. Precision progress.

Tarleton students come from all parts of Texas, 43 states and almost three dozen countries. They love the university — its people, its traditions, its commitment to student triumphs in and out of the classroom.

From the moment they arrive, students know they’re part of something big. Part of the Tarleton family. And families stick together, especially in a global crisis.

Whether increased financial assistance or reduced residential rates or COVID-19 testing and telehealth services, Tarleton moved quickly in 2020 to meet unexpected needs.

An online information hub, TexConnect, was created to do just what it says — link Tarleton Texans with resources to not only survive but thrive. And a new University College forged a network of programs and services to support first- and second-year students.

More than $5.4 million in 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding helped 3,997 students facing financial hardship due to COVID-19. Two grants from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief fund totaled almost $1.6 million, benefiting 1,479 students. And 568 more received aid through The Texas A&M University System Regents’ Grant, the Texas Public Education Grant and Tarleton’s own Student Emergency Fund.

Students saw a decrease in fall 2020 on-campus residential rates thanks to regent approval for the university to buy private student housing and terminate ground leases — a huge win for students and their parents given the financial uncertainty created by the pandemic.

Having more than 100 student organizations means thousands of possibilities for students to find their place. Members of Tarleton’s 18 fraternities and sororities make up more than 75 percent of leaders at student orientations and camps.

If an ounce of prevention still equals a pound of cure, then Tarleton is doing some heavy lifting with free on-campus COVID-19 testing for students, faculty and staff. The testing reflects an agreement between the A&M System and Curative Inc., a national testing company.

Dining options include more to-go, and a Meals for Vets program provides eligible student veterans with a free hot meal daily on the Stephenville campus.

On-campus isolation housing is available; telehealth and telecounseling services supplement in-person visits; dairy products can be found at the Stephenville Purple Pantry thanks to a partnership with Dairy MAX; and most programming and on-campus events come with a live-stream choice to support CDC physical distancing guidelines and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

That’s but a sampling of efforts to keep the Tarleton family together, and safe. With 2020 came remote Texan Orientations (one in Spanish) for prospective students and their families, virtual experiences to acquaint first-year students with services, and virtual recruitment for Greek life.

But not everything went virtual. Traditions like summer Duck Camp for incoming freshmen and transfer students and fall Homecoming are just better in person.

Duck Camp moved from an off-site location to the Stephenville campus, and Homecoming was reimagined as Texan Spirit Week with time-honored activities like the Silver Bugle Hunt, Purple Out Picnic and Launching of the Ducks. A full week of Homecoming events was planned for spring 2021 to coincide with Tarleton’s pandemic-shifted football season.

There’s student success outside COVID-19 ...

Having more than 100 student organizations means thousands of possibilities for students to find their place at Tarleton, and a number of substantive leadership and service opportunities provide personal development and community involvement.

Student-led discussions sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and International Programs explore topics from Afro-Latinx realities to living with autism. And organized intramurals, club sports and cutting-edge physical training are available at the Tarleton Rec Center.

In addition to being the voice of Tarleton Texans, the Student Government Association volunteers at community undertakings and assists with food and toy drives. The association is planning a campus-wide CAN-struction competition — building giant structures with cans of food and then donating them to on-campus and community pantries — for early 2021.

Philanthropy and leadership are mainstays of Greek life, too, with members of Tarleton’s 18 fraternities and sororities dedicated to the greater good through support and service for nonprofits. Greeks make up more than 75 percent of Texan Reps, Alumni Ambassadors, and leaders for summer orientations and camps.

… and a commitment to placing a high-quality education within reach of all students

Formed in 2020 as a platform for Texans to share their hopes and concerns, the Advisory Board on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion promotes ways to increase access and opportunity; overcome barriers that impede academic, personal and professional success; and ensure that everyone at Tarleton enjoys a welcoming environment.

At Tarleton State University, we learn together and work together and serve together. Our diverse experiences and thinking bring us together. We belong to each other. Today and tomorrow.