Trinity University Parent Guide 2017 - Academics

THE ACADEMICS ISSUE

PARENT

WELCOME

Welcome to the Academics issue of the Trinity University Parent Guide!

Welcome to Trinity! I’m excited to help your students develop into intellectually curious and sophisticated lifelong learners. Throughout this issue you’ll find ways to help your student start off on the right foot in college, from placement exams to the courses your student must fulfill as part of our Pathways curriculum.

When students arrive on campus, they’ll be surrounded by many resources, all designed to help them succeed. Here are just a few of them: ACADEMIC ADVISERS are members of Trinity faculty who are paired with your student to help them plan for the upcoming semester.

They will meet with students during New Student Orientation to help them select courses and answer other academic questions. Make sure your student fills out the Academic Advising form by Aug. 1 so the advisers can get to know him or her better!

ACADEMIC SUPPORT provides academic programs and services to enhance student learning, academic success, and personal growth through one-on-one academic coaching, study skills workshops, and ongoing support.

CENTER FOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING AND CAREER SUCCESS Career Services helps your student consider their academic interests in the context of career planning and exploration. Visit gotu.us/qeaos for more information.

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PARENT GUIDE

Experiential Learning assists students in securing internships, community service and service-learning opportunities, and undergraduate research. See gotu.us/9wdgs for more information.

STUDY ABROAD is an opportunity for students to earn academic credit toward their Trinity degree while exploring and engaging with a world that is increasingly interconnected and interdependent. Visit gotu.us/studyabroad for more information.

We look forward to seeing you this August. Please don’t hesitate to contact me about any questions regarding your student’s academic career.

Michael Soto, Ph.D. Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs msoto@trinity.edu

SUMMARY

Get Connected Connect with other Trinity parents FACEBOOK: Join the ‘TU Parents’ group EMAIL: Look for the TrinitE Parent and Family email newsletter PARENT PERSPECTIVE BLOG: Read the blog written for Trinity parents, by Trinity parents: tuparentperspective.blogspot.com WEBSITE: Visit Trinity’s parent webpage at gotu.us/parents DEAN OF STUDENTS BLOG: Check it out at trinitydean.blogspot.com

Keep up with campus /TrinityUniversity @Trinity_U

Academic To-Do List Make sure your student...

Takes the online course titled “Campus Clarity:

@TrinityU

Think About It” that must be completed in order

Follow campus life

Prepares for and takes placement exams. Other

for students to register. than language placement exams, all exams are

Watch live events on campus, including lectures and home athletic games, at live.trinity.edu.

taken online over the summer.

Completes the assigned Reading TUgether book, Evicted, before New Student Orientation.

Download the TU Life mobile app to check academic and financial information, view campus event information, explore the campus map, and much more.

Begins looking at courses, paying special attention

Make sure you’re receiving the communication you need. Send updated parent contact information to aholzman@trinity.edu.

New Student Orientation.

to First Year Experience (FYE) classes and courses that fulfill Pathways curriculum requirements.

Registration will take place Aug. 21-22 during Fills out the Academic Advising form, which will be emailed to students, by Aug. 1.

AU G U S T

1

TUESDAY

Academic Advising form due AU G U S T

18

FRIDAY

“Campus Clarity: Think About It” online course due AU G U S T

21-22 MON-TUES

Registration takes place

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ACADEMIC RESOURCES

How can I help my student prepare for his or her first semester of college coursework?

Learn where to go for academic support Trinity’s Student Success Center has an Academic Support program dedicated to helping students develop skills and learn strategies necessary STACY L. DAVIDSON to build a successful academic career. Stacy L. Davidson, director for Academic Support, and her staff offer workshops on a variety of academic success topics, including time management, note taking, and test anxiety, as well as 1:1 academic coaching to assist students in developing academic skills for success. The Writing Center is another component of the Student Success Center and provides support for students in all aspects of the writing process.

Join them for Reading TUgether Reading TUgether is a University-wide common reading program in which the entire campus community, including students, parents, staff, faculty, and alumni, participate. The book chosen for summer 2017

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is Evicted: Poverty and AU G U S T Profit in the American City,

by Matthew Desmond.

Evicted, which won the FRIDAY 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Finish Reading General Nonfiction, TUgether paints a vivid picture of assignment the lives of tenants and landlords in low-income neighborhoods in Milwaukee and argues that we cannot understand poverty in 21st century America without grappling with the problem of access to affordable housing. Evicted was also named one of the 10 best books of 2016 by The New York Times Book Review. Currently the John L. Loeb Associate Professor of the Social Sciences at Harvard University, Desmond was awarded a MacArthur “Genius” grant in 2015.

Desmond will deliver the Reading TUgether keynote lecture on Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. in Laurie Auditorium.

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Remind them to keep on top of placement exams There are four online summer assessments and one taken during New Student Orientation on

PARENT GUIDE

campus. These assessments will ensure students are placed in the appropriate course level for a variety of subjects. All online assessments are available at tlearn.trinity.edu.

For more information about AP or IB credit, which exams students should take, and other testing information, visit gotu.us/nso.

Chemistry Placement Exam: All entering students interested in taking chemistry at any point in their college career must take this exam online by Aug. 15.

Digital Literacy Assessment: Students should take this assessment so their Academic Advisers can suggest personalized ways to fulfill Trinity’s Digital Literacy requirement. The assessment is available online through Aug. 15.

Language Placement Exams: Students may take a Trinity language placement exam to satisfy the University’s language requirement. Exams are available in Spanish, Latin, Chinese, French, German, Ancient Greek, and Russian languages.

These exams will take place on campus during New Student Orientation on Aug. 18.

Music Theory Course Sequence Placement Exam: All students seeking enrollment in the Music Theory course sequence must take this exam online by Aug. 22.

Math Placement Exam: Students who are interested in majoring in math, science, or business, or who are interested in the pre-med track, should take this placement exam. The exam is administered online and must be completed by Aug. 22.

Encourage them to explore course offerings, especially Pathways course requirements

AU G U S T

15

TUESDAY

Chemistry Placement Exam and Digital Literacy Assessment due AU G U S T

18 FRIDAY

Language Placement Exams taken AU G U S T

22

TUESDAY

Music Theory Course Sequence and Math Placement Exams due

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, the Approaches to Creation and Analysis, the

Core Capacities, the Interdisciplinary Cluster, the Major, and Fitness Education.

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 2017 semester: gotu.us/mvuo6. Learn more about the Pathways curriculum at gotu.us/pathways.

Talk to them about the Honor Code Trinity is proud of its student-initiated Academic Honor Code, and the University expects all students to act with the utmost integrity. Have a conversation with your student about what academic integrity means to them. Use this link to review the Academic Honor Code and more information about it: gotu.us/a16ol. There will be a test during New Student Orientation for students to display that they understand their rights and responsibilities under the Academic Honor Code.

Figure out a plan for tracking grades and academic progress Students are often surprised at the difference in grading between high school and college.

Courses vary, but generally university classes have fewer graded assignments with higher stakes than their high school equivalents. Most professors expect students to keep their own record of their grades; they will not post them to an online gradebook. Students should be able to keep track of grade status in classes using the grade breakdown on the course syllabi.

Trinity encourages faculty to submit midterm grades to the Registrar’s Office for any student who is at a C- or below at the midway point of the semester. Students may access these grades via TigerPAWS after Oct. 20 (and parents may request them from the Registrar if their student has signed a FERPA release).

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REGISTRATION

When will my student register for classes?

Students will register for classes in Coates Library at their assigned time on Monday, Aug. 21 or Tuesday, Aug. 22 during New Student Orientation.

They will have helpers to guide them through every step, including their academic adviser, an upper-class student mentor, members of the Registrar’s Office, and members of the Information Technology Services (ITS) staff.

Students must complete the online course “Campus Clarity: Think About It” before they move onto campus. In this course, students will find links to Trinity’s sexual assault policy and web

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page. Students are required to complete the online course before they are allowed to register.

Further instructions will be sent to the students’ Trinity email address in mid-July.

AU G U S T

18 FRIDAY

“Campus Clarity: Think About It” online course due

Are there any special requirements for first-year students?

All new students must take a First Year Experience (FYE) course, which is the foundation of the Pathways curriculum. Trinity will enroll

PARENT GUIDE

students in a FYE based on a survey of preferences they fill out as part of their Housing and Academic Interest forms.

New international students must take INTL 1100, the International Student Orientation Course, in the fall.

What if my student doesn’t get into the classes he or she wanted?

All students can make revisions to their schedules during the online add/drop period that takes place Aug. 23-30. About half of all students make schedule adjustments during add/ drop, so a substantial number of courses will become available as both new and continuing

students make changes. Students should be patient throughout the registration process and check course availability often using TigerPAWS, Trinity’s online registration system.

How can my student prepare for registration over the summer?

Students can use the Fall Class Schedule, available at gotu.us/mvuo6, 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 at cosb.trinity.edu which is a longer, catalogue-type document with more detailed class descriptions and all the

requirements for each major and minor.

Once students find out what First Year Experience they’re enrolled in, they can begin planning around these time blocks.

Trinity recommends having a selection of possible courses and combinations written down rather than students choosing one set of classes that their hearts are set on taking.

Don’t let your Tigers bite off more than they can chew. It is recommended that 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.

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CALENDAR

Important Dates 2017 Fall Semester M AY

JUNE

MONDAY

THURSDAY

New Student Information form due*

Housing and Academic Interest forms due*

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1

AU G U S T

SATURDAY

Fall semester tuition payment due

15

1

J U LY

SATURDAY

7

FRIDAY

Final high school Student-Athlete transcript due* Medical Packet due Health Record form due*

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Deadlines highlighted in blue

14

J U LY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

TUESDAY

Fall semester statement and bill available online

Housing assignments distributed

Educational Loan paperwork completed

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TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

AUG 15-22 Placement exams due

Move-in Day for Move-in Day New International International Parent and Family “Campus Clarity: Students Orientation

Think About It” AUG 16-19 course due New International AUG 18-20 Student Parent and Orientation Family Orientation

SATURDAY

AUG 18-22 New Student Orientation

S E P T.

O CTO B E R

O CTO B E R

MONDAY

FRIDAY

FRIDAY

Labor Day offices closed, residence halls open, no class

OCT 6-8 Fall Family Weekend

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6

6

8

20 FRIDAY

WEDNESDAY

OCT 13-15 Alumni Weekend

Class Recessoffices open, residence halls open, no class

NOV 22-24 Thanksgiving holiday - offices closed, residence halls open, no class

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16

WEDNESDAY

FRIDAY

THURSDAY

SATURDAY

DEC 6-7 Reading days

DEC 8-14 Final exams

Spring semester statement and bill available online

Residence halls close at noon

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N OV.

13

DECEMBER

PARENT GUIDE

(students must leave within 24 hours of their last final)

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FRIDAY

AU G U S T

18

15

AU G U S T

22

AU G U S T

23 30

WEDNESDAY

Classes begin

WEDNESDAY

Last day to submit Student Health Insurance Plan waiver*

Last day to submit Tuition Refund Plan waiver

Important Dates 2018 Spring Semester JA N UA RY

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7

JA N UA RY

1O

15

Deadlines highlighted in blue

10

MARCH

FRIDAY

SUNDAY

WEDNESDAY

MONDAY

SATURDAY

Spring semester tuition payment due

Residence halls open at noon

Classes begin

MLK holiday offices closed, residence halls open, no class

MAR 10-18 Spring Break offices open, residence halls open, no class

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APRIL

30

2

M AY

FRIDAY

MONDAY

WEDNESDAY

APR 6-8 Spring Family Showcase

APR 30- MAY 1 Reading days

MAY 2-8 Final exams

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THURSDAY Residence halls close at noon

(students must leave within 24 hours of their last final)

30 FRIDAY

Good Friday offices closed, residence halls open, no class

You’ll always find updated academic calendars on the Registrar’s website at gotu.us/ixwbu. * Form or information available on the Applicant Status Page. Students have used this online page for the application process.

Explanation of Student Deadlines MAY 15 New Student Information form: This form should have been submitted when students submitted their deposits. If not, they should log into the Applicant Status Page and complete the form.

JUNE 1 Housing and Academic Interest forms: These forms must be filled out through the Applicant Status Page. Students will not receive their housing and roommate assignments without the completion of these forms.

JULY 1 Final high school transcript: Students must submit an official final copy of their high school transcript to the Office of Admissions.

JULY 1 Health Record form: Students must submit a Health Record to Health Services that includes a recent physical exam, immunization records, and tuberculosis screening. This form is available on the Applicant Status Page and at gotu.us/i74xx.

AUG. 18 “Campus Clarity: Think About It” course: During New Student Orientation, students will attend a session on sexual assault and bystander action. The sexual assault program is supplemented with the online course “Campus Clarity: Think About It” that students must complete before they move onto campus. This online course will be emailed to students and also provides links to Trinity’s sexual assault policy and web page.

AUG. 15-22 Placement exams: Students will need to take some or all of the academic placement exams to ensure they are enrolled in the correct level of coursework. Most exams are available online and must be completed by mid-August; language placement exams will be taken on campus during New Student Orientation. Deadlines differ for each exam.

See more information at gotu.us/nso.

JULY 7 Student-Athlete Medical Packet: All student-athletes must complete this packet, as well as the Health Record form. Talk to the coach of your sport for more information.

JULY 10 - AUG. 30 Student Health Insurance Plan waiver: Students have the option of remaining on family health insurance or receiving coverage through Trinity. Students must submit this form to indicate whether they are waiving or enrolling in University health insurance. Find the form at trinity.myahpcare.com/waiver.

AUG. 1 Educational Loan paperwork: If students or parents plan to use loan funds to address student account charges, all loan paperwork should be completed and loan funds secured for disbursement.

JULY 10 - AUG. 30 Tuition Refund Plan waiver: Semester charges will include an elective tuition reimbursement insurance. Students may decline the coverage by completing an online waiver at tuitionprotection.com/TU.

AUG. 5 Fall semester tuition payment: Semester E-Bill statements will be available in mid-July and include tuition and other semester charges.

Payment can be made through the Student Account Suite at payonline.trinity.edu. gotu.us/parents

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TIGER TERMS ACADEMIC ADVISERS: These faculty meet with students prior to registration each semester and guide students through academic problems. All of Trinity’s 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.

ACADEMIC HONOR CODE: This pledge displays students’ commitment to academic integrity and honesty. In addition to signing a pledge to the Honor Code at the Academic Convocation, students pledge the Honor Code on each of their assignments.

APPLICANT STATUS PAGE: This online portal was used by students for the application process and is the hub for many of the forms first-year 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, the RFoC Mabee Dining Hall, and the Skyline Room. This money is separate from the semester meal allowances, rolls over from the fall semester to the spring semester, and any remaining balance is forfeited at the end of the spring semester.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING: This part of the Trinity education encompasses any activity in which students are actively engaged in their education inside or outside of the classroom, such as undergraduate research opportunities, volunteer experiences, internships, study abroad, and more.

FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE (FYE): 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 from the Housing and Academic Interest forms.

NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION AND PARENT AND FAMILY ORIENTATION: Following International Student Move-in on the same day, international students and their parents will participate in sessions and events that address their immediate needs and assist them with adjusting to new campus culture in the United States.

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NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION (NSO) AND PARENT AND FAMILY ORIENTATION (PFO): Beginning on Move-in Day, incoming students and their families will immerse themselves in the Trinity experience with information sessions, a Welcome Picnic, expert panels, and other activities. NSO is mandatory and runs through Aug. 22, while PFO is not mandatory, but strongly encouraged, and takes place Aug. 18-20.

PARENT AMBASSADORS: This volunteer program is aligned with the Office of Admissions to utilize parents in helping recruit prospective Trinity students and their families.

PARENT COUNCIL: Parent Council members create a welcoming community environment for new and returning Trinity parents and enhance the University experience for all students by working with career development, hosting and attending parent events, and demonstrating philanthropy.

PATHWAYS: Trinity’s educational curriculum, Pathways consists of six requirements that provide a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences for all bachelor’s degrees awarded by the University.

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 assignments due.

RESIDENCE HALL: Trinity is known for having “dorms like palaces.” Students must live on campus for three years in residence halls.

RESIDENT ASSISTANT: Resident assistants live in residence halls and sponsor activities to help students meet one another, guide students through advising and registration, and provide personal and academic support.

PARENT GUIDE

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 resident assistants, for questions and concerns related to residence halls.

STUDENT ACCOUNT SUITE: This is 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.

TIGER BUCKS: Tiger Bucks are funds held on students’ Tiger Cards. Students can use these funds at any point-of-sale (POS) device on campus, including dining facilities, bookstore, print shop and printer kiosks, campus vending, campus laundry, parking permits, Health Services, departmental fees, and at participating off-campus merchants.

TIGER CARD: Trinity’s ID card, the Tiger Card grants access into campus facilities, including most residence hall rooms, and contains the funds used for meal plan points, Bonus Bucks, and Tiger Bucks.

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.

TLEARN: Students utilize this learning management system to access specific materials, such as syllabi, articles, and assignments, for their classes. Some courses will also offer a grade book feature, which can be found on TLEARN.

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Halsell Center

City Vista

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Coates Library

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H IL D E BRAND E AS T ROS EWO O DA VAV NU E E NE U E

Chapman Center

STA D IUM D R IV E SHOOK AV E N UE

RuthTaylor Fine Arts Center Dicke Art

The Center for the Sciences and Innovation

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Magic Stones

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Marrs McLean

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BUS H NELL AV E NU E

Health Services

H EI D I CI R CLE

Susanna Wesley North DO

Alamo Stadium Visitor Parking

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Murchison

Witt Reception

MC

First Year Residence Halls

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FR ER AI

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Herndon

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Mabee Dining Hall

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Trinity Baseball Field

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OR Pitman RP A I Courts Tennis

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Witt-Winn

Outdoor Swimming

Isabel AY EW RE McFarlin RF

Miller

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Coates University Center

Coates Esplanade

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sidence Halls

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Calvert Al G. Hill Jr. Tennis Stadium

Heidi McFarlin Lounge

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Fiesta Room

Storch Memorial

Myrtle McFarlin

STA D IU

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Bookstore Alamo Stadium Visitor Parking

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Ruth Taylor Recital Hall

Northrup Hall Admissions

Murchison Tower

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Smith Music

A TR IN IT

Parker Chapel

Holt Center

RuthTaylor Fine Arts Center Dicke Art

Ruth Taylor Theater

Miller Fountain

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Ruth Taylor Recital Hall

Richardson Communication Center Stieren Theater

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Laurie Auditorium

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Thomas

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Bell Athletic Center

Verna McLean ST

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Trinity Football and Track & Field Stadium

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Lightner

Facility Services Butch Newman Tennis Center

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Trinity University 210-999-7011 Admissions Office 1-800-TRINITY University Police 210-999-7000

538 University Police

Softball

Jesse H. Jones Recreation Area

Alumni Relations & Development

Meadows Pavillion

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Buildings Streets & Parking Visitor Parking (Lot Letter) Sidewalks & Terraces EAS T M UL BERRY AVENU E Campus Directory Athletic Facilities Emergency Phone

Paul McGinlay Soccer Field

E A ST MU LBERRY AVEN U E

CAMPUS MAP Trinity University 210-999-7011 Admissions Office 1-800-TRINITY University Police 210-999-7000 STADI UM DRIVE

Prassel Garage

CAMPUS MAP

STADIU M DRIV E

Intramural Field

Mabry Pavillion

LEDGE LAN E

M CA LLIS T E R FR E E W AY

SHOOK AV ENUE

Prassel

STADIU M DRIV E

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BRAND

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Jogging Trail

STA D IUM D R IV E

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Buildings Streets & Parking Visitor Parking (Lot Letter) Sidewalks & Terraces Campus Directory Athletic Facilities Emergency Phone

gotu.us/parents

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CONTACT US

Stay tuned for the Engagement issue of the Trinity University Parent Guide coming this summer!

Campus Resources Academic Affairs academicaffairs@trinity.edu or 210-999-8201

Mail Center postal@trinity.edu or 210-999-7220

Student Involvement getinvolved@trinity.edu or 210-999-7547

Academic Support sdavidso@trinity.edu or 210-999-8247

New Student Orientation getinvolved@trinity.edu or 210-999-7547

Student Life vpsl@trinity.edu or 210-999-8203

Admissions admissions@trinity.edu or 210-999-7275

Registrar roffice@trinity.edu or 210-999-7201

Study Abroad Office studyabroad@trinity.edu or 210-999-7313

Career Services careerservices@trinity.edu or 210-999-8321

Residential Life reslife@trinity.edu or 210-999-7219

Technology Help Desk helpdesk@trinity.edu or 210-999-7409

Counseling Services gneal@trinity.edu or 210-999-7411

Spiritual Life snickle@trinity.edu or 210-999-7341

Tiger Card Office TigerCardOffice@trinity.edu or 210-999-7825

Dean of Students Office deanofstudents@trinity.edu or 210-999-8843

Student Accessibility Services sas@trinity.edu or 210-999-7411

Health Services healthservices@trinity.edu or 210-999-8111

Student Employment humanresources@trinity.edu or 210-999-7507

Trinity University Police Department Non-emergency (24-hr): 210-999-7070 Emergency: 210-999-7000

International Students and Scholars isss@trinity.edu or 210-999-7313

Student Financial Services (Financial Aid / Student Accounts) studentfinancialservices@trinity.edu or 210-999-8898

Wellness Services khewitt@trinity.edu or 210-999-7411