Getting Started
PARENT
2019
WELCOME
Er
ic
nd
a
pa
rt
of
the
ad m
issi
ons
tea m
w e lco
me new students to T rinity on move-in day.
Now is an exciting time as your students begin the next phases of their lives at Trinity.
Dear parents and other family members, Congratulations on becoming part of the Tiger family! We are pleased to welcome you to Trinity University and look forward to sharing these next years together. Now is an exciting time as your students begin the next phases of their lives at Trinity. We know that this process may feel overwhelming over the coming months as you plan for your students’ first days here. It’s a major step for many students as they move into adulthood, and it’s equally as big for you as a parent to take a step back from your daily involvement. To help with the transition, you will be receiving three Parent Guides over the summer. This first issue focuses on “Getting Started” and includes due dates and basic logistical information. The second issue will focus on residence halls, move-in day, and orientation, and the third issue will shed light on day-to-day life as a student and how you can get involved as a parent. Trinity works hard to communicate well with our families. We invite you to explore this guide and the upcoming two issues, and we hope they prove helpful as your students move through this important chapter in their lives. We all look forward to our future together. Most sincerely,
Eric Maloof Vice President for Enrollment Management
2
PARENT GUIDE
SUMMARY
Upcoming Student Deadlines Fri., May 17 • Academic interest survey due*
Get Connected Bond with other Trinity parents FACEBOOK: Join the “TU Parents” group and/or “TU Parents – Diversity” group. EMAIL: Sign up for e-newsletters, including the TrinitE Parent and Family newsletter, at gotu.us/newsletters. WEBSITE: Visit Trinity’s parent web page at gotu.us/parents.
Keep up with campus /TrinityUniversity @Trinity_U @TrinityU trinitonian.com trinitydean.blogspot.com
Follow campus life
Watch live events on campus, including lectures and home athletic games, at live.trinity.edu. Download the TU Life mobile app to check academic and financial information, view campus event information, explore the campus map, and much more. Make sure you’re receiving the communication you need. Send updated parent contact information to Aliza Holzman-Cantu ’92, ’94 (Director of Parent Giving and Engagement) at aholzman@trinity.edu.
Sat., June 1 • Housing survey due* Mon., July 1 • Health record form due* • Sports medicine packet due Thurs., Aug. 1 • Educational loan paperwork due Mon., Aug. 5 • Reading TUgether assignment due • Fall semester tuition payment due Fri., Aug. 9 • Math skills assessment due Wed., Aug. 14 • Chemistry placement exam due Fri., Aug. 16 • “Think About It” online course due Sat., Aug. 17 • Language placement exams administered Sun., Aug. 18 • Digital literacy placement exam due Wed., Aug. 21 • Music theory course sequence placement exam due Wed., Aug. 28 • Student Health Insurance Plan waiver due* • Tuition Refund Plan opt-out waiver due*
You’ll read more about these deadlines throughout this issue. *=F orms available through the applicant portal
When you see this icon, you’ll know that students will receive information about this topic through their Trinity email accounts (Tmail). Encourage your student to check Tmail regularly for updates at tmail.trinity.edu.
gotu.us/parents
3
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Where and when can I see my student’s bill?
MONDAY
AUG. 5
Fall semester e-bill statements are posted to Fall semester the Student Account Suite tuition payment (payonline.trinity.edu) in due mid-July, and payment is due Aug. 5. Spring semester e-bill statements are posted to the Student Account Suite in mid-December, and payment is due Jan. 5, 2020. Monthly e-bill statements are produced on the 1st of the month or nearest business day.
How does my student apply for financial aid? Students applying WEDNESDAY for financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal FAFSA preferred Student Aid (FAFSA), filing deadline available at fafsa.gov, as well as the College Board’s CSS Profile, available at cssprofile.collegeboard.org.
MAY 1
4
Both aid applications become available Oct. 1. The FAFSA must be submitted annually, no later than May 1, for your student to be considered for financial aid, but the Profile is only required the first time your student applies for institutional assistance. First-year students received an award letter shortly after being notified of admission. Returning students will receive an award letter by June 1.
What if my student has received financial assistance from Trinity?
THURSDAY
AUG 1 Educational loan
Grants and scholarships paperwork due administered by Trinity will be applied to students’ accounts prior to the first day of class each semester. If your student is planning on using educational loan funds to address student account charges, all educational loan paperwork should be completed by Aug. 1 and loan funds secured for disbursement.
PARENT GUIDE
To access Student Financial Services forms, visit gotu.us/sfsforms.
What if my student has received financial assistance from sources other than Trinity? Assistance from sources other than Trinity, such as scholarships or educational benefits, must be reported to the financial aid office as soon as possible. Notify us of these types of resources by submitting the external scholarship notification form or a copy of the scholarship notification letter. External resources should be mailed to: Trinity University Student Financial Services Financial Aid Office One Trinity Place #77 San Antonio, TX 78212-7200
Does Trinity offer payment plans? Trinity offers payment plans for fall and spring terms. Enrollment for the fall 2019 semester plan will open when students receive their online e-bill in mid-July. The payment plan consists of four fixed monthly installments with a $30 enrollment fee. Students must enroll in a new payment plan each semester.
LET’S GET DIGITAL Students should familiarize themselves with the Student Account Suite, Trinity’s online payment system that allows students and authorized users to view statements, pay online, and set up a payment profile for e-refunds. Student accounts are in the name of the student, and they can authorize users to access their account. To view your student’s account, your student must authorize access. Finances should be settled before students begin classes each semester. Access the Student Account Suite at payonline.trinity.edu.
Can a third-party sponsor pay my student’s bill? Trinity University will accept payments from a third-party sponsor (e.g. outside agency, employer, or state prepaid plan) that agrees to pay directly to Trinity all or part of the tuition and fees. Students must provide a written agreement from the third party.
What if my Tiger is an international student? View “Managing Your Money” in the International Student Handbook at gotu.us/isssresources for more information on financial services related to international students. Trinity has partnered with Flywire to provide an easy and secure method of sending international payments.
How Do I React When Those Calls Come? By Leslie Wan, parent of a Class of 2010 Tiger
No matter how prepared for college or resourceful you feel your student is, you are going to get calls. These will cause you stress if you don’t understand in advance that these calls, too, shall pass. The First Call
Often the first call will be lamenting that they haven’t made friends or are homesick. Both of those can be because they miss the family and the routine of the family. There was comfort in friends they had spent years with, and making new ones is an effort. Making new friends requires them to rediscover who they are and what their interests are now, instead of the comfortable ebb and flow of friends and activities of the past. In truth, both of these are an integral part of a process that will follow them throughout their lives and career. What better time to experience this than when surrounded by a cadre of new students undergoing the same dilemma?
The Next Call
This could be that the food is not edible or is distasteful. Remember, our children are born with dramatic tendencies and haven’t foraged for food in our homes. This is the age-old complaint of “There is nothing to eat in this house” on a grander
scale. Oh, to be back at home where food just appeared and they didn’t really have to think about it. “Healthy eating? Really? I now have to put that into my thought process?” You get the picture here. Usually, this is more about starving in a sea of possibilities. It takes energy and planning to maneuver through. “Just wait until you live in your own apartment,” I thought. Once she did, my daughter missed Mabee Dining Hall!
More Calls
Finally you may hear, “Man, the work is hard!” “Yes, my dear daughter,” I said. “It is tough, but you are tougher!” There may be many of these calls, and they may be sprinkled in with some of the funniest calls you will ever hear. There might be moments when you are absolutely certain that these times will be the best first steps in many independent steps to come. Don’t panic, because in as short a time as two days, most of these calls will be forgotten and your child will have begun to figure it out. You may still want to send them a care package now and again because it makes you feel better, but not because they are hungry in a dining hall of plenty. This post appeared on the Trinity University Parent Perspective blog. Read more posts at tuparentperspective. blogspot.com.
gotu.us/parents
5
DEADLINES & MORE
Parent Tip: “Check your health insurance for doctors in the area before you decline the Student Health Insurance Plan to make sure, if you’re not from San Antonio, that your student has access to medical services in San Antonio under your family coverage.”
– Parent of a Class of 2020 Tiger
Student Health Insurance Plan
The University requires students to maintain health insurance coverage. To comply with the mandatory health insurance requirement, all students will be billed for annual coverage of the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) in July on the fall semester e-bill statement each year. The premium for 12-month coverage for the 2019-20 year is $1,878. Details about the SHIP are available on the Academic Health Plans website at trinity.myahpcare.com. All students are eligible for care in Health Services regardless of their health insurance. Call Health Services at 210-999-8111 with any questions.
Declining the Student Health Insurance Plan
WEDNESDAY
AUG. 28
If students have health insurance coverage Student Health through another source Insurance Plan and want to decline the waiver due SHIP offered through Trinity, they must submit an online insurance waiver annually. A completed waiver allows students to decline coverage and have the charge reversed from the student account. If the waiver is not completed by the deadline, students will be enrolled in the SHIP and the corresponding charge cannot be removed.
Enrolling in the Student Health Insurance Plan Students must fill out the SHIP waiver annually to indicate whether they are declining or enrolling in the Student Health Insurance Plan. The online health insurance waiver form will be available beginning July 10 through Aug. 28 on the applicant portal, through email, and at trinity.myahpcare.com/waiver.
6
Students who plan to be covered by the SHIP with United Healthcare should enroll through the online waiver. Once students log in, they may select the green button for “Yes, I want the insurance.” By selecting this option, students can access benefits immediately when the term begins on Aug. 1.
PARENT GUIDE
Students will receive login and waive or enroll instructions for SHIP in July.
Tuition Refund Plan
On occasion, students WEDNESDAY face the decision whether to withdraw from all classes for a semester. Tuition Refund The Tuition Refund Plan opt-out Plan provides a unique waiver due insurance option for protecting the financial investment impacted by such a decision. Upon claim approval, refunds up to 75 percent are issued on withdrawals for both documented medical reasons and documented psychological reasons.
AUG. 28
Students will be billed $377 for the 2019-20 Tuition Refund Plan. Students may opt out of this coverage by completing the online waiver at tuitionprotection.com/TU beginning July 10 through Aug. 28.
Don’t forget about the meningitis vaccine! Texas law requires all new students to have the meningitis vaccination administered at least 10 days before and within the five years prior to the first day of class. The date of the meningitis vaccine must be included in the health record form with either an official copy of the vaccine record or the signature of the health care provider verifying immunizations. The bacterial meningitis vaccine is not the only immunization required for students living on campus. The health record form will provide information about other required vaccinations. gotu.us/healthrecord
Academic Interest Survey
due Friday, May 17 In this survey, students will list their academic interests and select their top options for FirstYear Experience (FYE) courses. Their answers help determine faculty adviser assignments and which FYE course they will be enrolled in. Students will fill out this survey online via the applicant portal.
Housing Survey
due Saturday, June 1 Students will complete this survey detailing their lifestyle preferences, such as sleep habits and degrees of neatness. This information will be used to match students with compatible roommates and suitemates. Students will fill out this survey online through the student housing portal, available via the applicant portal. Students will also select their meal plans in this survey.
Health Record Form
due Monday, July 1 New students must submit a health record form to Health Services that includes a recent physical exam, immunization records, and tuberculosis screening. The health record form is available online on the applicant portal and at gotu.us/healthrecord.
Sports Medicine Packet
due Monday, July 1 All student-athletes (returning, transfer, and first-year) must complete a packet of preparticipation and sports medicine forms. This packet is separate from the health record form; first-year and transfer students need to fill out both this packet and the health record form. Student-athletes will be emailed the sports medicine packet.
FERPA: Student Records & Privacy The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) dictates that Trinity University cannot release grades and advising information or financial aid, student accounts, or billing records to anyone other than the student unless s/he files a Student Consent to Release Educational Records form. This form only needs to be submitted once and will be effective the rest of your student’s time at Trinity. A copy of this form can be found online at gotu.us/ferpa. If you would like to request information directly from the University, the Office of the Registrar must have this form on file. For example, to request grade reports, you must send an email to the Office of the Registrar with the request, and the form must be on file. The University is also not permitted to disclose information contained in medical records or counseling records, so student visits to Health Services and Counseling Services will remain confidential.
Student-Parent Conversations Help prepare your students for this new stage in their lives by cultivating conversations this summer about a wide range of topics, including: safety, health, alcohol, sex, living with a roommate, your parent-child relationship, finances, academics, campus involvement, social media and online activity, responsible citizenship, and career exploration. Find the full list of suggested conversations online at gotu.us/talkaboutlist.
ACADEMICS
Academic Advising
Once students arrive on campus, they will meet with their academic advisers and register for courses during New Student Orientation (NSO). Assigned to students over the summer, advisers meet with students in groups and one-on-one during NSO. Trinity assigns faculty advisers based on student responses to the academic interest survey; when students declare a major, they are assigned a new faculty adviser in their major department. Students should see their advisers as resources for learning about the Pathways curriculum, course requirements, and recommended courses. Students will receive an email with their adviser assignments and important advising and registration deadlines by early August.
Course Registration
After consulting with FRIDAY advisers, students will register for classes in Coates Library at their “Think About It” assigned time on Monday, online course due Aug. 19 or Tuesday, Aug. 20, during New Student Orientation. Academic advisers, upper-class student mentors, members of the Office of the Registrar, and TigerTech staff are among the many who will help guide students through course registration.
AUG. 16
Add/Drop Period
Don’t worry if your students don’t get into all of their first-choice courses. All students can, and frequently do, make online revisions to their schedules during the add/drop period that takes place Aug. 21-28. About half of all students make schedule adjustments during add/drop, so a substantial number of courses will become available as both new and returning students make changes. Students should be patient throughout the registration process and check course availability often using TigerPAWS, Trinity’s online registration system (tigerpaws.trinity.edu).
Students must complete an online course titled “Think About It” before they are allowed to register. In this course, students will find links to Trinity’s sexual assault policy and web page. Students will receive an email in mid-June with instructions to access and complete the “Think About It” course.
8
PARENT GUIDE
If your first-year students can’t get into all the courses they want, ask them to explore courses fulfilling Pathways requirements, courses in disciplines that weren’t available in high school, or courses that just sound challenging and fun. There’s plenty of time to complete the Pathways curriculum and a major; there’s only one chance to try something for the first time. – Michael Soto Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs: Student Academic Issues and Retention
Most placement exams will be available at tlearn.trinity.edu. For more information about placement exams, testing, and AP or IB credit, visit gotu.us/nso.
Even though first-year students won’t register until they are on campus, there is still plenty for them to do over the summer to prepare for academics at Trinity!
Complete any needed placement exams
Depending on their courses of study, some students may need to take placement exams to ensure they are placed in the appropriate course level for a variety of subjects. Students can find online placement exams at tlearn.trinity.edu.
Math skills assessment:
Language placement exams:
All incoming students FRIDAY should take the online math skills assessment by Aug. 9. This exam Math skills will inform students’ assessment due mathematics placement and preparation for quantitatively-demanding courses.
These exams will take SATURDAY place on campus during New Student Orientation on Aug. 17. Students Language wishing to satisfy placement exam the Trinity language administered requirement by means of exam should take the placement exam. Exams are available in Spanish, Latin, Chinese, French, and German languages. Additionally, students interested in taking the following languages should reach out to these professors:
AUG. 9
Chemistry placement exam: All entering students interested in taking chemistry at any point in their college careers must take this exam online by Aug. 14.
Digital literacy placement exam: All entering students should take this exam so that their academic advisers may help them determine the best way to fulfill the digital literacy requirement of the Pathways curriculum. The exam is available online through Aug. 18.
WEDNESDAY
AUG. 14 Chemistry placement exam due
AUG. 17
Music theory course sequence placement exam: All students seeking enrollment in the music theory course sequence must take this exam online by Aug. 21.
WEDNESDAY
AUG. 21 Music theory course sequence placement exam due
•A ncient Greek – Tim O’Sullivan (tosulliv@trinity.edu) • Russian – Bruce Holl (bholl@trinity.edu)
SUNDAY
AUG. 18 Digital literacy placement exam due
gotu.us/parents
9
Learn about the Pathways curriculum The Pathways curriculum ensures that students are equipped to face the challenges of the modern world with critical thinking skills, curiosity, and interdisciplinary perspectives. Pathways has six key components: the First-Year Experience (FYE), the Approaches to Creation and Analysis, the Core Capacities, the Interdisciplinary Cluster, the Major, and Fitness Education. As a foundation of Pathways, all new students must take an FYE course. Trinity will enroll students in an FYE based on a survey of preferences they fill out in the academic interest survey, due May 17. By the time they graduate, students must fulfill all the Pathways requirements. They can get a jump start by reviewing the courses that look interesting to them for the fall 2019 semester at gotu.us/classschedule. Learn more about the Pathways curriculum at gotu.us/pathways.
Complete the Reading TUgether book and assignment Reading TUgether is a University-wide reading program in which MONDAY the entire campus community, including students, parents, staff, Reading TUgether faculty, and alumni, assignment due participate. First-year students must complete a short, online research assignment in conjunction with the book, due Monday, Aug. 5. They will use TLEARN (tlearn.trinity.edu) to complete the assignment. To learn more, visit gotu.us/readingtugether. Students can visit Coates Library online at lib.trinity.edu for more information on research resources and support.
AUG. 5
10
New international students must take INTL 1100, the international student orientation course, in the fall.
The Reading TUgether book chosen for summer 2019 is On Immunity: An Inoculation by Eula Biss. The highly acclaimed book addresses our fear of the government, the medical establishment, and what may be in our air, food, mattresses, medicines, and vaccines. Reflecting on her own experience as a new mother, Biss suggests that we cannot immunize our children, or ourselves, against the world. Biss will deliver the Reading TUgether keynote lecture on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. in Laurie Auditorium.
PARENT GUIDE
Students will receive more detailed instructions about the Reading TUgether research assignment in early June.
Make a list of possible course options
Students can use the fall class schedule, available at gotu.us/classschedule, to do some preliminary planning before meeting with their academic advisers during New Student Orientation. This schedule is distinguished from the Courses of Study Bulletin (cosb.trinity.edu), which is a cataloguetype document, updated in the summer, with more detailed class descriptions, requirements for majors and minors, and all academic policies and procedures related to enrollment, registration, graduation, withdrawal, and more. Once students find out what First-Year Experience course they’re enrolled in, they can begin planning around these time blocks. We recommend that students have a selection of possible courses and combinations written down rather than choosing one set of classes their hearts are set on taking. We also suggest first-year students take a manageable workload in their first semester of college to build academic self-confidence and a strong statistical base for their GPAs.
TECHNOLOGY
TUNetwork vs. Tmail Accounts
Students will receive login information for two different accounts: TUNetwork and Tmail. TUNetwork accounts are used to log in to anything Trinity-based, such as the secure WiFi network, campus computers, the Student Account Suite, TLEARN, and TigerPAWS. Tmail is Trinity’s email platform, a form of Google Mail (Gmail). Students’ Tmail accounts give them access to Trinity’s suite of Google tools, such as an email inbox, a calendar, and Google Drive. These accounts should have different passwords.
Do students need to bring a computer to Trinity?
Most students choose to bring their own computer for the sake of convenience and mobility. However, Trinity provides student computer labs around campus, so personal computers are not an absolute necessity. The University does not sell computers, but there are student discounts available that will help lower the cost (gotu.us/techdiscount).
What are the system requirements for a student computer? Find Trinity’s recommendations at gotu.us/studentcomputers.
What technology is available in the residence halls?
Each room comes equipped with a cable outlet, as well as basic cable, HBO, and Cinemax. Students should bring a TV monitor with a QAM 256 digital tuner and standard 75 ohm coaxial cable if they want to access this service. Philo IPTV gives students the ability to watch and record shows using mobile devices or computers while on campus. There is high-speed WiFi available in every residence hall and across campus, but Trinity will also provide an ethernet connection
by request. Phones are available either in individual rooms or common areas (varies by residence hall). When visiting, parents can use the TUGuest wireless network, available to campus visitors without a TUNetwork account. Students will use the TUSecure wireless network, a secure connection available to those with a TUNetwork login.
Can students use campus printers to print wirelessly?
Trinity provides the Wepa printer system, which allows students to print using WiFi from their own devices anywhere on campus and pick up the printouts at a kiosk. If your student brings a personal printer to campus, remember to pack the USB cable. Personal wireless printers will not work on Trinity’s WiFi network.
Does a typical student need any other software or equipment?
Some majors might require the use of resourceintensive software, so students considering a STEM major should consider purchasing a more powerful machine with a compatible operating system. Keep in mind that specialized software is also available in campus computer labs and through a virtual desktop.
Who can I contact at Trinity with questions related to technology needs before classes begin? You can reach out to TigerTech at 210-999-7409 or helpdesk@trinity.edu at any time, or visit technology.trinity.edu and search for information on Trinity technology services and systems. Students will receive login information for their TUNetwork and Tmail accounts in late spring.
Trinity provides a powerful antivirus software called Bitdefender (gotu.us/antivirus) that can be installed on student computers, as well as free access to the Microsoft Office suite. For more information, see gotu.us/software.
gotu.us/parents
11
TIGER CARD + DINING
Tiger Card: The keys to the kingdom The Tiger Card will be an essential addition to your students’ daily life on campus. It is their form of identification, as well as how they access residential halls and other electronicallycontrolled classrooms and labs. The Tiger Card also stores various monetary balances: board meal points, Bonus Bucks, and Tiger Bucks.
New this year!
Students can use one meal point each day at a location other than Mabee Dining Hall, for a value up to $6.50. If the meal costs more than $6.50, students can pay the remaining balance using Bonus Bucks or other forms of payment.
Meal Plan Options
2019-20 meal plans include a combination of board meal points and Bonus Bucks, designed to give students the flexibility of eating at any of the Dining Services/ Aramark locations on campus. • Semester meal allowances provide a certain amount of full-access meals at Mabee Dining Hall using board meal points that expire at the end of each semester. Meal points are like vouchers used for an all-you-care-to-eat buffet-style breakfast, lunch, or dinner. One point = one voucher = one trip to Mabee Dining Hall. • Bonus Bucks are declining balance dollars that can be spent at any Aramark location on campus, retail campus cafes, convenience stores, Mabee Dining Hall, and the Skyline Dining Room. Leftover Bonus Bucks balances carry over from the fall to the spring semester and expire the end of the academic year in May. Bonus Bucks are a set amount of funds included in most student meal plans and cannot be added to throughout the year. First-year students have three meal plan options, charged per semester. At the same time they complete the housing survey, they will select their meal plan. If no option is chosen, the middle plan, Flex 240, will automatically be selected. Students have until the last day of the add/drop period, Aug. 28, to change their meal plan choices in the applicant portal.
12
Flex Unlimited
$2,777
• Unlimited visits to Mabee Dining Hall included • 200 Bonus Bucks included
Flex 240
$2,447
• 240 meals at Mabee Dining Hall included (240 board meal points) • 400 Bonus Bucks included
Flex 200
$2,277
• 200 meals at Mabee Dining Hall included (200 board meal points) • 475 Bonus Bucks included
PARENT GUIDE
Explore semester meal allowance and Bonus Bucks information at gotu.us/mealplan.
Tiger Bucks Learn more at gotu.us/tigerbucks.
The Tiger Card also stores Tiger Bucks, Trinity’s popular declining balance debit card program that is separate from meal plan funds. Tiger Bucks funds are completely optional and refundable at the end of the year. Students and parents can deposit funds into a Tiger Bucks account, which can be used at all point-of-sale devices on campus and off-campus at several local restaurants. To manage their Tiger Bucks debit account, parents and students can access GetFunds at gotu.us/tigercard or on the TU Life app. Funds may be deposited online using a major credit card. Tiger Bucks can be used to pay for various items and services on and off campus, including: • All Dining Services/Aramark locations
• Campus bookstore
• Complete printing services at Ricoh, an on-campus digital print shop
• Laundry machines on campus
• Copies and prints from university computer labs (those that utilize the cloud-based Wepa print management system)
• Off-campus dining establishments
• Vending machines on campus
Dining at Trinity There are various dining establishments on campus. All accept Tiger Bucks and Bonus Bucks.
Mabee Dining Hall Mabee Dining Hall accepts board meal points in addition to Tiger Bucks and Bonus Bucks. Students can eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an all-you-care-to-eat buffet.
Commons Food Court The Food Court inside Coates Student Center is close to students’ classes and offers a variety of food, from a Tex-Mex fix at Taco Taco Café to a healthy selection at Freshii. Rotating vendors vary and have included popular brands such as Which Wich and Panda Express and cuisine such as Ethiopian, barbecue, and Korean dishes.
Skyline Dining Room This sit-down restaurant serves breakfast and lunch with a view overlooking the city skyline.
Einstein Bros. Bagels Conveniently located inside Coates Student Center, Einstein’s offers fresh bagels, coffee, and pastries.
Starbucks Just inside of Coates Library, students can grab coffee, light snacks, and desserts before a study session.
P.O.D. Express These convenience-store setting pit stops inside Mabee Dining Hall and the Center for the Sciences and Innovation provide quick grab-and-go options for students on the move.
Off-campus cuisine Tiger Bucks can be used at several nearby restaurants, giving students the freedom to explore San Antonio cuisine with just their Tiger Cards in tow! Tiger Bucks can be used at: • Chipotle Mexican Grill (3928 Broadway) • Jim’s Restaurant (4108 Broadway and 351 W. Hildebrand) • Taco Taco Café (145 E. Hildebrand) • The Mix (2423 N. St. Mary’s) • Tomatillos Cafe and Cantina (3210 Broadway) • Tycoon Flats (2926 N. St. Mary’s)
gotu.us/parents
13
2019–20 IMPORTANT DATES May 15
New student information form due*
May 17
Academic interest survey due*
June 1
Housing survey due* Returning students receive financial aid packages
June 19—August 6 Summer sends-offs gotu.us/summersendoffs
July 1
Health record form due* gotu.us/healthrecord
July 15
August 13
August 18
July 16
August 14
August 19-20
Housing assignments distributed by this date
International student move-in day gotu.us/iso
Fall semester statement and bill available online payonline.trinity.edu
Chemistry placement exam due gotu.us/nso
Final high school transcript due* Sports medicine packet due
July 10—August 28 Submit Tuition Refund Plan waiver* tuitionprotection.com/TU
“Think About It” course due
Parent and Family Orientation gotu.us/pfo
14
PARENT GUIDE
August 16-21
New Student Orientation gotu.us/nsoschedule
August 17
Deadline Guide
August 21-28 August 28
Last day to change meal plan selection gotu.us/mealplan
September 2 Labor day
Language placement exams administered gotu.us/nso Returning students can begin moving in
Welcome Week gotu.us/nsoschedule
Add/drop period
August 16-18
Reading TUgether assignment due gotu.us/readingtugether
Math skills assessment due gotu.us/nso
August 20-24
Move-in day for new students gotu.us/moveinday
Move-in day for Summer Bridge FYE, Summer Bridge Math, and Submit Student Health Insurance Academic Success Program Plan waiver* students (including first-year trinity.myahpcare.com/waiver student football players). gotu.us/summerbridge
August 9
First day of classes
August 16
August 4
Fall semester tuition payment due payonline.trinity.edu
Music theory placement exam due
International Student Orientation gotu.us/iso
Education loan paperwork due
New student course registration
August 21
August 14-16
August 1
August 5
Digital literacy placement exam due gotu.us/nso
September 27-29 Fall Family Weekend gotu.us/familyweekend
New students (first-year and transfer)
All students
April 10
Good Friday
May 1 Fall student-athletes and student athletic trainers will have earlier move-in days. Keep an eye out for more information!
FAFSA preferred filing deadline fafsa.gov
May 4-5
Reading days
May 6-12 Final exams
May 14
* Form or information available on the applicant portal. Students have used this online portal for the application process. You’ll always find updated academic calendars at gotu.us/academiccalendar.
Residence halls close for non-graduating students
October 4-6 Alumni Weekend
October 11 Class recess
November 27-29 Thanksgiving holiday
December 4-5 Reading days
December 6-12 Final exams
December 12
2020 January 5
January 10-23 Add/drop period
January 12
Residence halls open for all students
January 15
First day of classes
January 20
December 14
January 23
December 15
March 7-15
Residence halls close for graduating students
Residence halls close for graduating students
Spring semester tuition payment due payonline.trinity.edu
Spring semester statement and bill available online payonline.trinity.edu
Residence halls close for non-graduating students
May 17
Martin Luther King Jr. holiday
Last day to change meal plan selection gotu.us/mealplan
Spring break
March 27-29
Spring Family Showcase gotu.us/familyweekend gotu.us/parents
15
TIGER TERMS
Trinity’s campus was blanketed with unfamiliar cold, white stuff in December 2017. Don’t worry–this is rare. The last major snowfall was in 1985!
Academic Advisers: These faculty members meet with students prior to registration each semester and guide students through curriculum and course requirements. All academic advisers are full-time members of the Trinity faculty and represent every department on campus. Academic Convocation for New Students: The president of the University, alongside faculty and staff, welcomes students into Trinity with an official matriculation during orientation. This is a solemn ceremony and proper attire is required. Parents and families are welcome to attend.
Academic Honor Code: Students pledge to adhere to this code, which shows a commitment to academic integrity and honesty. In addition to signing a pledge to the Honor Code during Welcome Week, students pledge the Honor Code on each of their assignments.
Applicant Portal: This online portal was
Bonus Bucks: Part of the student meal plan, Bonus Bucks can be spent at any retail campus cafe, restaurant, convenience store, Mabee Dining Hall, and the Skyline Dining Room. This money is separate from the semester meal allowances and rolls over from the fall semester to the spring semester, although any remaining balance is forfeited at the end of the spring semester. Career Advisors: These staff members provide information to aid in student career exploration and guidance, professional document creation and skills training, and assistance in planning for internships, jobs, and programs for now and life after Trinity.
Experiential Learning: This part of the Trinity education encompasses any activity in which students are actively engaged in their education beyond the classroom, such as undergraduate research opportunities, volunteer experiences, internships, and study abroad.
used by students for the application process and is the hub for many of the forms entering students will access before move-in day.
First-Year Experience: The cornerstone of Trinity’s Pathways curriculum, this course must be taken by all incoming students during their first semester at the University. Trinity enrolls students into a section based on their preferences indicated on the academic interest survey. gotu.us/fye
Parent Ambassadors: This volunteer program is aligned with the Office of Admissions to utilize parents in helping recruit prospective Trinity students and their families. gotu.us/parentambassadors
Parent Council: Members strengthen the Trinity community through volunteer work welcoming new and returning families; working with career development; helping promote diversity and inclusion; and supporting the Trinity Fund. gotu.us/parentcouncil
Pathways: Trinity’s educational curriculum, Pathways provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences for all bachelor’s degrees awarded by the University. gotu.us/pathways
QRS Center: Partnering with Academic Support, trained peer tutors offer support to students in courses from all disciplines with demanding math components.
16
PARENT GUIDE
Reading Days: Usually the two days before final exams begin, these designated study days give students time to prepare for exams without classes held or major assignments due. Residence Hall: Undergraduate students are required to live on campus for three years (six semesters) in a residence hall. Some residence halls are based on a shared interest, such as entrepreneurship or community service. gotu.us/reslife
Resident Assistant (RA): Resident assistants live in residence halls. These student staff members sponsor activities to help students meet one another, guide students through advising and registration, and provide personal and academic support.
Residential Life Coordinator: These full-time professional staff members live in residence hall apartments and supervise student resident assistants. Reach out to residential life coordinators, not student RAs, with questions and concerns related to residence halls.
Student Account Suite: This online
Tiger Learning Commons (TLC):
portal is Trinity’s payment system that allows students and authorized users to view statements, pay online, and set up a payment profile for e-refunds. payonline.trinity.edu
Located on the main floor of Coates Library, the TLC houses Academic Support, the Writing Center, the QRS Center, and Student Accessibility Services. gotu.us/tlc
TigerPAWS: Students use this web interface to search for and register for classes; view grades, GPAs, and transcripts; and log hours and view employment documents if they work on campus. tigerpaws.trinity.edu
TLEARN: Students utilize this learning management system to access specific course materials, such as syllabi, articles, and assignments. Some courses will also offer a gradebook feature. tlearn.trinity.edu
Tiger Bucks: Tiger Bucks are funds held on
Tmail: Tmail is Trinity’s email platform, a form of Google Mail (Gmail). Students’ Tmail accounts give them access to Trinity’s suite of Google tools, such as Google Drive cloud-based storage. tmail.trinity.edu
students’ Tiger Cards. Students can use these funds at any point-of-sales (POS) device on campus, including the dining facilities, bookstore, Mail Center, print shop and kiosks, campus vending, campus laundry, required fees, and at participating off-campus merchants. gotu.us/ tigerbucks
Tiger Card: Trinity’s ID card, the Tiger Card
TUNetwork: TUNetwork accounts are used to log into anything Trinity-based, such as the secure WiFi network, on-campus computers, TLEARN, and TigerPAWS.
grants access into secure campus facilities, including most residence hall rooms, and contains information on meal plans, Tiger Bucks, and Bonus Bucks. gotu.us/tigercard
gotu.us/parents
17
CUT OUT LeeRoy
Trinity Travels
slevarT ytinirT dlrow era sregiT ytinirT ytinirT dna ,srelevart ees ot stnaw enizagam !sotohp ruoy
Take LeeRoy on vacation with you this summer! Cut him out of this page, or visit gotu.us/ cutoutleeroy for another copy. For extra #TigerPride, make sure to wear Trinity gear in the photo!
ot slevarTytinirT# esU no sotohp ruoy erahs timbus ro ,aidem laicos ot liame yb meht .ude.ytinirt@1irdoogj
Show us your adventures by using #TrinityTravels to share your pictures on social media, or email your photos to Parent Guide editor Molly Mohr Bruni at mmohr@trinity.edu.
18
PARENT GUIDE
ude.ytinirt.www
CAMPUS MAP
gotu.us/parents
19
CAMPUS RESOURCES
Keep an eye out for the “Move-in” and “Life as a Tiger” issues of the Trinity University Parent Guide coming this summer!
Campus Resources Academic Affairs academicaffairs@trinity.edu or 210-999-8201
Academic Support bcurry@trinity.edu or 210-999-7613
Admissions admissions@trinity.edu or 210-999-7275
Advising Center lbowman@trinity.edu or 210-999-7145
Campus Publications cpbusiness@trinity.edu or 210-999-8556
Career Services (Center for Experiential Learning & Career Success)
International Students and Scholars
Student Financial Services (Financial Aid / Student Accounts)
isss@trinity.edu or 210-999-7313
studentfinancialservices@trinity.edu or 210-999-8898
Mail Center postal@trinity.edu or 210-999-7220
Student Involvement
New Student Orientation
getinvolved@trinity.edu or 210-999-7547
getinvolved@trinity.edu or 210-999-7547
Student Life
Parent Giving and Engagement
vpsl@trinity.edu or 210-999-8203
aholzman@trinity.edu or 210-999-7410
Study Abroad
Quantitative Reasoning and Skills Center
studyabroad@trinity.edu or 210-999-7313
stunstal@trinity.edu or 210-999-8033
Registrar
careerservices@trinity.edu or 210-999-8321
registrar@trinity.edu or 210-999-7201
Coates Library
Residential Life
asklib@trinity.edu or 210-999-8127
reslife@trinity.edu or 210-999-7219
TigerTech helpdesk@trinity.edu or 210-999-7409
Tiger Card tigercardoffice@trinity.edu or 210-999-7825
Trinity University Police Department
Counseling Services
Spiritual Life
gneal@trinity.edu or 210-999-7411
chaplain@trinity.edu or 210-999-7311
Non-emergency (24-hour): 210-999-7070 Emergency: 210-999-7000
Dean of Students Office
Student Accessibility Services
Wellness Services
dtuttle@trinity.edu or 210-999-8843
sas@trinity.edu or 210-999-7419
khewitt@trinity.edu or 210-999-7411
Health Services
Student Employment
Writing Center
healthservices@trinity.edu or 210-999-8111
humanresources@trinity.edu or 210-999-7507
jrowe@trinity.edu or 210-999-7571