Getting Started
PARENT
2020
WELCOME
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Now is an exciting time as your student begins the next phase of their life at Trinity.
Dear parents and other family members, Congratulations on becoming a 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 student begins the next phase of their life at Trinity. The current circumstances are unprecedented in our lifetimes, but Trinity is responding by remaining committed to the thoughtful, human-centered principles and practices that have guided our work for more than 150 years. The University is committed to your students as they move into adulthood, and the transition will also help you to take a step back from your daily involvement. To help with the transition, this Parent Guide will be available and kept up-to-date over the summer as Trinity makes decisions about the upcoming semester and how to best maintain the health and safety of our community. Trinity works hard to communicate well with our families. We invite you to explore this guide, and we hope it proves helpful as your student moves into this important chapter of their life. We all look forward to our future together. Most sincerely,
Eric Maloof
Vice President for Enrollment Management
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PARENT GUIDE
SUMMARY
Upcoming Student Deadlines Fri., May 15 • Academic interest survey due* Mon., June 1 • Housing survey due*
Get Connected Bond with other Trinity parents FACEBOOK: Join the “TU Parents” group.
Wed., July 1 • Health record form due* • Sports medicine packet due
EMAIL: Sign up for e-newsletters, including the TrinitE Parent and Family newsletter, at gotu.us/newsletters.
Fri., July 10 • Math placement exam, online language placement exam, and chemistry placement exam due
WEBSITE: Visit Trinity’s parent web page at gotu.us/parents.
Fri., July 31 • Digital literacy placement exam due
Keep up with campus
Sat., Aug. 1
/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, M’94 (Director of Parent Giving and Engagement) at aholzman@trinity.edu.
• Educational loan paperwork due
Mon., Aug. 3 • Reading TUgether assignment due Wed., Aug. 5 • Fall semester tuition payment due Sat., Aug. 22 • In-person Language placement exam Tues., Aug. 25 • Music theory course sequence placement exam due Wed., Sept. 2 • Student Health Insurance Plan waiver due* • Tuition Refund Plan opt-out waiver due*
You’ll read more about these deadlines throughout this issue.
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
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FINANCIAL SERVICES
Where and when can I see my student’s bill?
WEDNESDAY
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, 2021. 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 MONDAY 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.
MAR. 1
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Both aid applications become available Oct. 1. The FAFSA must be submitted annually by the preferred filing deadline of March 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 May 1.
What if my student has received financial assistance from sources other than Trinity?
What if my student has received financial assistance from Trinity?
Trinity University Student Financial Services Financial Aid Office One Trinity Place #77 San Antonio, TX 78212-7200
SATURDAY
AUG. 1 Educational loan paperwork due
Grants and scholarships 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.
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 (gotu.us/sfs) or a copy of the scholarship notification letter. External resources should be mailed to:
Does Trinity offer payment plans? Trinity offers payment plans for fall and spring terms. Enrollment for the fall 2020 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/isss 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.
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
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?
is tough, but you are tougher!” There may
The Next Call
You may still want to send them a care
This could be that the food is not edible or is distasteful. Remember, our children are born with dramatic tendencies and
makes you feel better, but not because
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. package now and again because it they are hungry in a dining hall of plenty.
gotu.us/parents
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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 2020-21 year is $2,056. 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
If students have health insurance coverage through another source Student Health and want to decline the Insurance Plan SHIP offered through waiver due 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.
SEPT. 2
Enrolling in the Student Health Insurance Plan Students must fill out the SHIP waiver every fall semester 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 Sept. 2 on the applicant portal, through email, and at trinity.myahpcare.com/waiver.
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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. When electing to enroll in the SHIP, it is important to select this option as
PARENT GUIDE
Students will receive login and waive or enroll instructions for SHIP in July.
soon as possible to avoid a delay in accessing benefits. If enrollment in the SHIP occurs automatically due to not completing the waiver, access to SHIP benefits will be delayed.
Tuition Refund Plan
On occasion, students face the decision whether to withdraw from all classes WEDNESDAY for a semester. The Tuition Refund Plan provides a unique insurance option Tuition Refund for protecting the financial Plan opt-out investment impacted by waiver due such a decision. Upon claim approval, refunds up to 75 percent are issued on withdrawals for both documented medical reasons and documented psychological reasons.
SEPT. 2
Students will be billed $385 for the 2020-21 Tuition Refund Plan. Students may opt out of this coverage by completing the online waiver at tuitionprotection.com/TU beginning July 10 through Sept. 2.
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 15 In this survey, students will list their academic interests and select their top options for FirstYear Experience (FYE) courses. Their answers help determine academic 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 Monday, 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 Wednesday, 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 Wednesday, July 1 All student-athletes (returning, transfer, and firstyear) must complete a packet of pre-participation 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
Early in the summer, students will be assigned a discipline-specific professional academic adviser who will help them get acclimated to their new campus and review general University requirements, Pathways’ curriculum requirements, preliminary major/ minor degree requirements, the course bulletin, and the class schedule. A student’s academic adviser will also teach them how to navigate Trinity’s automated student system and our registration process. Additionally, together they will explore course options and will build their fall course schedule in preparation for registration. Ultimately, the student’s academic adviser will work closely with them to facilitate their seamless journey to graduation during their first few semesters at Trinity until they declare their major (at which point they will be assigned to a major-specific faculty adviser).
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Students will receive an email with their academic adviser assignments and important advising and registration deadlines by early June.
Course Registration
During the summer, academic advisers will work with students to design a degree plan and flexible options for fall courses. Academic advisers will guide each student through the online course registration process, which takes place later in the summer. Fall semester pre-registration dates will vary for each student. All students will be preregistered for fall courses by mid-August.
Add/Drop Period
Don’t worry if your students don’t get into every class on their fall semester wish list. All students can, and frequently do, make online revisions to their schedules during the add/drop period that takes place Aug. 25–Sept. 2. 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).
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
exams will be available Even though first-year Mostatplacement tlearn.trinity.edu. For more students won’t hit the information about placement exams, testing, and AP or IB credit, books until the fall visit gotu.us/nso. semester starts, 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 starting June 1, with the exception of the language placement exam at tlearn.trinity.edu.
Math placement exam
Incoming students FRIDAY interested in taking Calculus I or II may need to take a placement Math skills assessment to determine assessment due course readiness. Students can learn about these assessments on the Mathematics Placement TLEARN page, and—if required—take the appropriate exam by July 10. For the Calculus I placement assessment, students can use the platform to work on their skills and retake the assessment again throughout the summer.
JULY 10
Chemistry placement exam: All entering students interested in taking chemistry at any point in their college careers must take this exam online by July 10. Students can take this exam only once.
in Ancient Greek, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, and Spanish. If students have any questions, they should contact Bruce Holl (bholl@trinity.edu).
Digital literacy placement exam:
All entering students should take this exam so that their academic advisers may help them determine the best FRIDAY way to fulfill the digital literacy requirement of the Pathways curriculum. The exam is Digital literacy available online through placement exam due July 31.
Music theory course sequence placement exam: All students seeking enrollment in the music theory course sequence must take this exam online by Aug. 25.
TUESDAY
AUG. 25 Music theory course sequence placement exam due
JULY 31
If you have previously received testing accommodations and wish to apply those to the placement exams, reach out to sas@trinity.edu.
FRIDAY
JULY 10 Chemistry placement exam due
Language placement exams: These exams will be administered online on July 10 at 2:00 pm CST with an in-person alternative date of Aug. 22. Exams are available
FRIDAY
JULY 10 Language placement exam administered
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New international students must take INTL 1100, the international student orientation course.
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 FirstYear 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 15. Learn more about the Pathways curriculum at gotu.us/pathways.
Explore course options with an academic adviser
Students can visit Coates Library online at lib.trinity.edu for more information on research resources and support.
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. 3. They will use TLEARN (tlearn.trinity.edu) to complete the assignment. To learn more, visit gotu.us/nso.
AUG. 3
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The Reading TUgether book chosen for summer 2020 is The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir, by Thi Bui. The highly acclaimed book brings to life a family’s epic journey from wartorn Asia to the United States. Bui will deliver the Reading TUgether keynote lecture on Wed., Aug. 26, at 7 p.m.
PARENT GUIDE
Students will receive more detailed instructions about the Reading TUgether research assignment in early June.
Academic advisers will teach students about the tools used to build a course schedule and to plan an academic career. These tools include the fall class schedule, available at gotu.us/ ClassSchedule. This schedule is distinguished from the Courses of Study Bulletin (cosb.trinity. edu), which is a course catalogue, 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. Academic advisers will help students build a selection of possible courses and combinations written down rather than choosing one set of classes their hearts are set on taking. They 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 Trinitybased, 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 Information Technology Services 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 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.
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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.
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
2020-21 meal plans include a combination of board meal points and Bonus Bucks, designed to give students the flexibility of eating at at any of the Aramark run Dining Service locations on campus. • Semester Board Meal point 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 at 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, Sept. 2, to change their meal plan choices in the applicant portal.
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Flex Unlimited
$2,866
• Unlimited visits to Mabee Dining Hall included • 200 Bonus Bucks included
Flex 240
$2,525 • 240 meals at Mabee Dining Hall included (240 board meal points) • 400 Bonus Bucks included
Flex 200
$2,350 • 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/tigercard.
The Tiger Card also stores Tiger Dollars (affectionately known as 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 (as a supplement to their meal plan if needed) • Complete printing services at Ricoh, an on-campus digital print shop
• Campus bookstore • Laundry machines on campus • Vending machines on campus • Off-campus dining establishments
• Copy and printing capabilities from university computer labs (those that utilize the cloud-based Wepa print management system)
Dining at Trinity
Starbucks
There are various dining establishments on campus. All accept Tiger Bucks and Bonus Bucks.
grab coffee, light snacks, and desserts
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.
Just inside of Coates Library, students can 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: • Grubhub delivery service • 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)
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2020–21 IMPORTANT DATES
May 15
New student information form due* Academic interest survey due*
June 1
Housing survey due* Returning students receive financial aid packages
July 1
Health record form due* gotu.us/healthrecord Final high school transcript due* Sports medicine packet due
July 10—Sept. 2
Submit Tuition Refund Plan waiver* tuitionprotection.com/TU
July 10
Math placement exam due gotu.us/nso Chemistry placement exam due gotu.us/nso
Online language placement exams administered Submit Student Health Insurance gotu.us/nso Plan waiver* trinity.myahpcare.com/waiver
Reading TUgether assignment due gotu.us/nso
August 22
Back-up in-person language placement exam administered gotu.us/nso
August 5
Fall semester tuition payment due payonline.trinity.edu
August 25
July 15
August 11
August 25
July 16
August 11-13
Housing assignments distributed by this date
Fall semester statement and bill available online payonline.trinity.edu
July 31 Digital literacy placement exam due gotu.us/nso
August 1
Education loan paperwork due
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August 3
PARENT GUIDE
International student move-in day gotu.us/iso
International Student Orientation gotu.us/iso
August 14-15
New student move-in
August 14-21
New Student Orientation/ Welcome Week gotu.us/nsoschedule
Deadline Guide
First day of classes
Music theory placement exam due
August 25-Sept. 2 Add/drop period
September 2
Last day to change meal plan selection gotu.us/mealplan
October 9 Class recess
November 23-27 Thanksgiving holiday
New students (first-year and transfer)
All students
* 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.
November 30
January 25
December 9-10
January 18
Virtual instruction begins
Reading days
First day of classes
Fall student-athletes and student athletic trainers will have earlier move-in days. Keep an eye out for more information!
Martin Luther King Jr. holiday
January 21 December 11-17
Final exams (Online Only)
Last day to change meal plan selection gotu.us/mealplan
December 15
March 1
Spring semester statement and bill available online payonline.trinity.edu
2021 January 5
Spring semester tuition payment due payonline.trinity.edu
January 10
Residence halls open for all students
FAFSA preferred filing deadline fafsa.gov
March 6-14 Spring break
April 2
Good Friday
May 10-11 Reading days
May 12-18
Final exams online only
January 20 - Feb. 5 Add/drop period
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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 staff members meet with students prior to registration each semester and guide students through curriculum and course requirements.
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 used by students for the application process and is the hub for many of the forms entering students will access before move-in day.
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.
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/parentengagement
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/parentengagement
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.
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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
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
held on 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
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! e m o c l We
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PARENT GUIDE
We’re so excited to welcome the Class of 2024 in the fall! Keep sharing your photos and meet other Tiger parents in the “TU Parents” Facebook group.
CAMPUS MAP
gotu.us/parents
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CAMPUS RESOURCES
Campus Resources Academic Affairs
academicaffairs@trinity.edu or 210-999-8201
Academic Support
bcurry@trinity.edu or 210-999-8247
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
isss@trinity.edu or 210-999-7313
Mail Center
postal@trinity.edu or 210-999-7220
New Student Orientation
ekim1@trinity.edu or 210-999-8823
Parent Giving and Engagement
Student Financial Services (Financial Aid / Student Accounts) studentfinancialservices@trinity.edu or 210-999-8898
Student Involvement
getinvolved@trinity.edu or 210-999-7547
Student Life
vpsl@trinity.edu or 210-999-8203
aholzman@trinity.edu or 210-999-7410
Study Abroad
Quantitative Reasoning and Skills Center
Information Technology Services
studyabroad@trinity.edu or 210-999-7313
stunstal@trinity.edu or 210-999-8033
helpdesk@trinity.edu or 210-999-7409
Registrar
Tiger Card
registrar@trinity.edu or 210-999-7201
tigercardoffice@trinity.edu or 210-999-7825
Coates Library
Residential Life
Trinity University Police Department
Counseling Services
Spiritual Life
Dean of Students Office
Student Accessibility Services
careerservices@trinity.edu or 210-999-8321 asklib@trinity.edu or 210-999-8127 gneal@trinity.edu or 210-999-7411 dtuttle@trinity.edu or 210-999-8843
Diversity and Inclusion
vpsl@trinity.edu or 210-999-82039
Health Services
healthservices@trinity.edu or 210-999-8111
reslife@trinity.edu or 210-999-7219 chaplain@trinity.edu or 210-999-7311 sas@trinity.edu or 210-999-8528
Student Employment
humanresources@trinity.edu or 210-999-7507
Non-emergency (24-hour): 210-999-7070 Emergency: 210-999-7000
Wellness Services
khewitt@trinity.edu or 210-999-7411
Writing Center
jrowe@trinity.edu or 210-999-7571