The Division of Student Affairs at TCU ascribes to and supports the stated
philosophy, goals and objectives of the University. As an integral part of TCU,
the Division places specific and intentional emphasis on providing opportunities
for students to grown and develop within this context. TCU offers a rich learning
environment, and through the university experience, students engage in an intensive
process of intellectual, personal, moral and social development. The Division
holds a special but not exclusive responsibility to assure that the co-curricular
learning experiences of students are of high quality, are directed to the development
of students, and meet both institutional and individual student needs.
The Division complements the academic mission of TCU. Through programs,
activities, and services, the Division strives to assure that graduates are
prepared to assume roles as productive citizens. Therefore, there is an emphasis
on leadership, the ability to accept responsibility and to behave responsibly,
understanding the global economy and a diverse society, developing opportunities
for critical thinking and application of classroom learning, and preparing students
for life transitions.
The following units and departments comprise the Division of Student Affairs:
Residential Services (Housing and Residence Life, Dining Service, Identification
Card Center); Health Services (Health Center, Counseling Center, Psychological
Services, Health Education); Campus Life (Judicial Affairs, Student Activities,
Student Center, Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, International Students); Student
Development Services (Intercultural Education and Services, New Student Orientation,
Leadership Development, Women's Programs, Alcohol and Drug Education, Recreational
Sports); and Campus Police (Security, Crime Prevention and Parking). The Vice
Chancellor for Student Affairs provides leadership for the Division.
Residential Services
Living in a TCU residence hall is an integral
part of the TCU experience. Residence hall students make new friends, get involved
in campus activities, and discover opportunities for personal and intellectual
growth. Residence halls are conveniently located on the campus, and the halls
provide a comfortable room that a student can call "home" while at
TCU.
A majority of the undergraduate students at TCU
live on campus. Through academic, cultural, intramural, and social activities,
students within each hall determine the hall's character. Participation
in these activities assists in the student's adjustment and development
within a residential setting.
Residence hall rooms are designed for student
comfort and are used for study as well as sleeping and socializing. All accommodations
are air-conditioned. Most rooms are designed for double occupancy. The basic
student room contains a bed, a desk and chair, a chest, and a closet for each
student. Each room is also equipped with access to the Internet, TCU Cable Television,
and telephone services. Students are encouraged to add decorative items to personalize
their surroundings.
The residence hall office is a primary resource
on campus. The Hall Director, a live-in professional who administers the hall,
serves as an adviser to students. Each hall has Resident Assistants (RAs) who
are sensitive to student needs and alert to student concerns. The hall staff
knows the many University resources and can help students find needed assistance.
Residence hall programs at TCU assume that the
most productive learning environment extends into all areas of a student's
life. All residence halls offer a broad range of programs, which may include
social programs, physical activities, career information, study skills, personal
management skills, spiritual involvement, and self-help aids. Programs are designed
to meet the unique interests of the student population in a particular residence
hall. Student involvement enhances the creation of a distinctive hall environment.
Residence Requirement. All freshman students
(defined as students with less than 24 earned credit hours) under 21 and enrolled
for nine or more semester hours are required to live in a residence hall unless
they are married, divorced, or live with parents. Students enrolled for fewer
than nine hours may live in a residence hall only with special permission from
Residential Services. Housing contracts apply to the entire academic year. Short-term
housing contracts for the fall semester are accepted only from graduating seniors.
Students over 25 will be housed by special permission only on a space available
basis.
Housing Reservations. Newly admitted students
will generally receive information about housing two to three weeks after notification
of admission. A signed/dated payment coupon (which indicates review of the Residence
Hall and Dining Service Contract) and the housing deposit must be returned to
establish an assignment priority date. The priority date is the day the signed/dated
payment coupon and the housing deposit are received by the University. Students
are assigned to housing based upon their established priority date.
Continuing or returning students should make housing
reservations each spring for the following fall. This reservation period has
two phases: (1) for students continuing in a same hall and (2) for students
wishing to change halls. A housing deposit and a signed/dated payment coupon
are required to confirm a reservation for a continuing student. Continuing students
who fail to reserve a room by the announced date will lose their priority for
housing.
The housing deposit is credited to the student's
University account immediately, thereby immediately applied as credit for University
charges as billed. Upon submission, the Housing Deposit is subject to the schedules
associated with Pre-Residence Contract Cancellation Charges as outlined in the
contract.
Students receiving full financial aid may request
to have the Housing Deposit waived by completing appropriate waiver forms available
from Residential Services. Any student receiving a Housing Deposit Waiver who
cancels his or her housing reservation will be charged a Housing Deposit Waiver
Cancellation Charge in the same manner as if the Housing Deposit had been paid
and according to the schedules for Contract Cancellation Charges outlined in
the contract.
Any student who terminates his or her contract
prior to occupancy will be credited or charged (as appropriate) as outlined
in the Contract Cancellation Charges portion of the contract.
A current resident who is eligible to live off
campus and wishes to terminate a housing agreement for the final semester of
the contract must notify Residential Services in writing. Contract Cancellation
Charges will be imposed according to the schedules outlined in the contract.
Any student who terminates his or her contract
subsequent to occupancy and after an established date must give written notification,
including a statement of reasons for termination, to Residential Services. Contract
termination subsequent to occupancy will result in housing charges for the full
semester. The student may appeal the charges. Each case will be considered independently.
Housing Preferences. While consideration
is given to all preferences for hall, room, and roommate, the University assigns
accommodations according to the availability of residence hall space. The right
to make reassignments is reserved by the University. The University makes room
assignments without regard to race, creed, religion, or national origin.
Private Rooms. An additional fee is charged
for single rooms and for double rooms occupied by one person. First semester
freshmen are not eligible for private rooms. Private rooms are assigned on the
basis of priority determined by classification and other criteria established
by Residential Services. After the first day of classes, students living alone
in a double occupancy room must either pay for the private room or participate
in the consolidation process with other residents in a similar situation. The
University guarantees the private accommodations for one semester only, but
students with private rooms in the fall semester are given priority to continue
their private accommodations for the spring semester.
Other housing information and current regulations are distributed to students
at the beginning of each semester. Detailed housing information may be viewed
at www.rlh.tcu.edu/rlh/
Student ID Card
Your TCU ID Card is your access key to many
University resources. It is permanent and may be used as long as you are enrolled
at TCU. If at any time you have any questions or problems with your ID Card,
contact the ID Card Center in the Student Center, Room 221 or phone (817) 257-7856.
How it works. Your ID is a computerized
plastic card, bearing your photo and TCU ID number, with a magnetic stripe on
the back. Each time the card is inserted in a card reader, the data encoded
in the magnetic stripe is electronically scanned and sent back to a central
computer for verification. The system then transmits whether the card is valid
and the transaction accepted.
Where to use your card. You will use
your card for: Dining Services, TCU Book Store send home charges, copying in
the Library and Frog Prints, entry into the Rickel Building, Health Center services,
athletic event admission, admission to many TCU events, voting in student elections,
and to verify identity if requested by TCU Police. In some residence halls your
card is used for: door access, laundry, and soda and snack vending machines.
Lost or Stolen. Card owners are responsible
for reporting lost or stolen cards PROMPTLY, to assure that no one else uses
your card. Report lost or stolen cards to The ID Card Center (Student Center,
room 221, (817) 257-7856), TCU Police (257-7777), or any dining services area
cashier. Until one of these agencies has been notified, you are responsible
for any purchases with your card. There is a replacement charge of $10.00 for
a lost or stolen card.
Please remember. The ID Card remains
the property of the University at all times and any abuse of the card could
result in loss of privileges. Your card should be in your possession at all
times and must be surrendered upon the request of any University official. Upon
leaving the University, you must turn in your ID card to your Hall Director
or RA, a Fraternity Hall Director, the Dean of Campus Life, or the University
ID Card Center.
Dining Service
Good atmosphere, tasty food and a fair price are the goal of TCU Dining
Services. Flexible dining hours, convenient locations and a variety of services,
including nutritional counseling and catering are available. Dining plans are
offered to meet the demands of a student's busy schedule.
Dining service plans are available to all TCU students; however, students
living in a university residence hall must purchase one of the dining plans.
All TCU dining plans permit students to purchase items individually rather than
purchasing a predetermined number of meals. Since these plans are not traditional
board plans, there is no cost for missed meals. Students may choose from a wide
assortment of food offerings at each meal and the cost of items will be deducted
from the student's prepaid dining service account. The amount spent for
each meal depends solely on the choices made.
Dining service plans are not designed to cover all of a student's
dining cost during a semester.
It is difficult to determine what the actual expenditures will be because
individual eating patterns and tastes differ. Some students may need to supplement
the originally purchased plan. Additions to a dining service account may be
made at any time during the semester. At the end of each semester, refunds of
unused funds that have been added to the account will be credited to the student's
university account.
Job conflicts and certain academic conflicts (Senior Nursing, Senior Fashion
Merchandising, Ranch Management, Student Teaching) may enable students to reduce
their dining service plan up to one-half of the minimum requirement. Requests
for waivers should be submitted in writing prior to October 1 in fall or February
20 in the spring.
Cash may be used at any time at any of the dining facilities. Dining Service
programs are subject to change in accordance with student needs and desires. Questions
regarding dining service issues should be directed to TCU Dining Services in the
Department of Residential Services.
Student Development Services
The purpose of Student Development Services
is to assist each TCU student in achieving his or her potential. The unit provides
programs for particular student populations; coordinates leadership education,
training and development for the campus community; develops mentoring opportunities
for students, faculty and staff; and encourages wellness through physical activity
and responsible decisions regarding alcohol and other drugs. The main Student
Development Services office is located in Student Center 220. The telephone
number is (817) 257-7855.
Commuter Student Services
The Office of Commuter Student Services was created to ensure commuter students
remain closely connected to TCU. Through this office we provide a centralized
information center that effectively addresses the needs of commuter students.
Services include limited free locker rentals, a commuter student on-line newsletter,
access to networked computers, and programming events which include a commuter
student movie night and our annual commuter student bowling party. For more information,
call (817) 257-8555.
Mentoring Programs
TCU Mentoring Programs encompass two levels
of experience: underclass students have the opportunity to be mentored by a
more experienced student or a member of the faculty, staff or Fort Worth community,
while upper-class students may have the chance to become mentors themselves,
either within the TCU student body or with younger students in the community.
Mentoring relationships are structured in such a way that both the mentor and
mentee benefit.
In addition to these individual-mentoring opportunities,
a network of "mentors at large" exists for the entire campus. Campus
Mentors is a model program created by TCU, designed to improve the well being
of young people through existing resources within the institution. This program
surveys the student body to find out the "natural helpers" to whom
students turn in times of need. Students, faculty and staff identified as Campus
Mentors are invited to attend special training opportunities throughout the
year.
Intercultural Education & Services
The mission of the Office of Intercultural Education & Services is to promote
intercultural awareness and respect for diversity as well as provide students
of diverse backgrounds with the resources necessary to transition into college
life to succeed on campus and beyond. The Office provides support, guidance and
encouragement to TCU students through a variety of services: individual and group
advising; student programming; diversity training; educational and technological
support; and community involvement. If you would like further information, please
contact Darron Turner or Cyndi Campoy at (817) 257-7855 or send e-mail to d.turner@tuc.edu
or c.campoy@tcu.edu.
Women's Resource Center
The TCU Women's Resource Center provides a forum on campus for addressing
issues that are especially significant for all women. The Center encourages
dialogue among students, faculty, and staff. We are committed to programming
that invites participation by the broader Fort Worth community. The Women's
Resource Center at Texas Christian University calls attention to how our private
and public lives intersect within the university and society.
Each year the WRC hosts and collaborates with curricular and co-curricular
units on a variety of programming. They vary depending on interest and need.
Annual programs that are either hosted or co-sponsored by the Women's Resource
Center are: TCU LEAPS - all campus community service day, International Women's
Day Celebration - March 8th, and the annual Women's Symposium
- scheduled during Women's History month.
To receive more information regarding current programming or to become involved
in the WRC contact Marcy L. Paul, Program Coordinator, Women's Resource
Center at 817-257-7855.
Allies
Allies of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students is an informal network
of faculty and staff. This group provides individual support to those students
on campus and educational advocacy to the entire campus community. The function
of Allies is to be available for individual meetings with GLBT students or those
who have questions related to sexual orientation with the gay community. Also,
an Ally can provide a supportive, confidential place for GLBT students to go
on campus. An Ally can recommend facilitators for group programming on the TCU
campus related to sexual orientation and the gay community and act as liaisons
to the GLBT communities in the Metroplex. Allies is also the support network
for eQ Alliance.
Previously known as TCU Triangle, eQ Alliance is the gay, lesbian, bisexual,
transgender, and straight student organization. This student group seeks to
foster awareness and understanding of the rights and concerns regarding gender
and sexual identity. eQ Alliance meets weekly as a student group to share ideas
and discourse with faculty, staff, and community members. To receive more information
regarding Allies or eQ Alliance, contact Marcy L. Paul, Program Coordinator,
Women's Resource Center at 817-257-7855.
New Student Programs
Frog Camp
Frog Camp is a 3-5 day experiential retreat that immerses new students in TCU
history and traditions, helps them establish new friendships, and guides them
acquiring the skills they need to be successful in college. Each new Horned Frog
becomes a part of a small "Frog Group" of no more than 15 students. Along with
upper class students and a member of the faculty or staff, Frog Group members
will find out what it means to be Horned Frogs and along the way, forge lasting
bonds and friendships!
While each of the camps offers a different emphasis, all of the camps will
afford campers the same set of core experiences. These common activities are
what make Frog Camp a powerful event. The camps differ in scheduled dates, location
of camp, and the type of challenge each Frog Group will face. For example, our
"Alpine" camp groups encounter some high-adventure activities in the Rocky Mountains.
"Resolana" camp groups will experience community service and the great outdoors
of the Southwest United States. Our "Challenge" camp groups participate in a
team building challenge course, and our "Quest" camp groups work on a community
outreach project. And for those students interested in investigating their new
home away from home, Frog Camp "Casa Nueva" explores all the history, culture,
and excitement that Fort Worth has to offer. A variety of activities including
the Frog Camp Luau, Spirit Sessions, Frog Group Discussions, and even a campfire
(complete with marshmallow roasting) all ensure that students will have the
know-how and friendships they need to make the most of their college years.
Regardless of the camp a student chooses to attend, he or she will leave with
a sense of what it means to be a "Horned Frog" and a new set of close
friends.
For more information, please call (817) 257-7855, e-mail Carrie Zimmerman at c.zimmerman2@tcu.edu
or visit the Student Development Services office in SC 220.
New Student Orientation
The New Student Orientation program is designed
to assist students with the transition to university life by providing essential
information to help students meet new and continuing students, faculty, and
staff. While at Orientation, students meet with an academic advisor and register
for the first semester of classes. Each summer there are several sessions from
which to choose, with a special session designed for transfer students. There
is also a one-and-a-half-day session in January for all new students. New Student
Orientation is required for all freshmen. Though orientation is optional for
transfer students, it is strongly encouraged.
Transfer Student Services
Upon admission to the University, transfer
students are invited to special sessions of Frog Camp and New Student Orientation.
Once they arrive, transfers are provided special support services and programs
to meet their individual needs.
In addition to these programs, there are other
co-curricular opportunities to help new students connect to the TCU community.
These include upper-class student "Vanguards" providing a welcome
to campus during the traditional Howdy Week, and a unique Bridging the Gap summer
program designed to provide special support for the transition to college. In
addition, many programs for freshmen are carried out in the residence halls,
while the office of Commuter Student Services provides a centralized information
and resource center for students who plan to live off campus. Because TCU has
an institutional commitment to new students both in and out of the classroom,
curricular programs and services such as personal advising and the Adams Writing
Center are highlighted in the Academic Services section of this catalog.
TCU Leadership Center
The TCU Leadership Center offers two outstanding
co-curricular leadership programs. These programs are flexible enough to meet
the diverse needs of today's students as well as comprehensive enough to
ensure a thorough exposure to contemporary leadership topics.
Campus Leadership Forum is designed for students
who have a tight personal schedule but would still like to be involved in a
quality student leadership program. Organizational involvement, nationally recognized
speakers, a community leader dinner, and a student leadership development conference
are the highlights of Campus Leadership Forum.
Leadership development classes are designed
for students who are interested in dedicating more time and energy to their
growth as a leader. The classes offered include: the Chancellor's Leadership
Program, Foundations of Leadership, Responsible Citizenship, Community Action,
Global Leadership, Ethical Leadership and the Senior Seminar. The leadership
classes integrate leadership skills classes, campus and community service opportunities,
international experiences, and an annual leadership conference into a comprehensive
leadership development program.
Students who complete all components of either
Campus Leadership Forum or leadership development classes qualify for the TCU
Leadership Center Record. The Record is a co-curricular transcript that
verifies a student's leadership development activities to potential employers
or graduate schools. This is a valuable service available only to students involved
in Leadership Center programs.
The TCU Leadership Center acts as a clearinghouse
for programs, information and resources related to leadership development and
training. Students may take advantage of an extensive leadership library and
video collection, or inquire as to campus training resources. The Center also
participates in various campus scholarship and leadership award programs designed
to support leadership development at TCU.
Additionally, the TCU Leadership Center participates
in offering students both for-credit and co-curricular international experiences
including Leadership London, a summer international leadership experience through
which students may earn academic credit, The Mexico Leadership Exchange Program,
through which student leaders at TCU are paired with student leaders at Universidad
de las Americas in Puebla, Mexico, and the TCU Study Abroad Program.
For more information call (817) 257-7855
or come by the Leadership Center in SC 220.
Wellness Programs
Alcohol and Drug Education
The TCU Alcohol and Drug Education (ADE) Center
is based on a philosophy of student development incorporating personal and community
wellness. The Center promotes healthy life-styles and responsible decisions
through programs, training and alternative activities. Through the organization
Students Reaching Out, the Center encourages students to develop a sense of
responsibility for selves, for others, and for their university by assuming
leadership in setting behavioral norms for the campus community.
The staff includes a Licensed Professional
Counselor, who provides confidential assessments and short-term counseling,
as well as experts in programming and training. Programs that are available
for academic classes, residence halls, and other student groups include Adult
Children of Alcoholics, Women and Alcohol, Drinking and Driving, The Campus
Social Scene, Dating Under the Influence, Drugs and Athletic Performance, and
How to Help a Friend. An extensive Wellness Resource Library containing books,
journals and videotapes is maintained in the ADE Center, 230 Rickel Building.
Students who violate the University's
alcohol policy are required to attend an initial one-on-one interview with a
professionally trained counselor followed by an educational session administered
through the Alcohol and Drug Education Center. The content of the sessions focuses
on accurate information on alcohol and other drugs, guidelines for responsible
decision-making with regard to alcohol use, and strategies for helping others
who may have problems. Students who receive a second violation attend a more
comprehensive educational program.
Anyone interested in services available through
the Alcohol and Drug Education Center is encouraged to visit the office or call
(817) 257-7100.
Recreational Sports and the Rickel Building
The purpose of the Recreational Sports Program
is to provide a comprehensive array of competitive and recreational sport and
fitness activities designed to meet the diverse needs of TCU students, faculty,
staff, and other members of the University community. Through the programs,
facilities, and activities listed here, recreational sports provide opportunities
for individuals to participate in self-directed recreational activities and
team sports, to develop lifetime sports skills, and to develop and maintain
a measure of physical fitness. Recreational sports also promote healthy life-styles,
contribute to developing participant organization and leadership skills, social
and emotional fitness, and assist in creating a desirable campus environment
designed to stimulate, promote, and enhance the academic mission of the University.
The Rickel Building for Health, Physical Education,
and Recreation is an all-purpose recreation center. It includes three gymnasiums,
a swimming pool, a diving well, ten racquetball courts, three aerobic dance
studios, a cardio center, complete weight training facilities, and locker rooms.
Adjacent to the building are two sand volleyball courts and nine tennis courts
for student, faculty, and staff use. For building hours, call (817) 257-7947.
The Intramural Sports Program offers a variety
of structured tournaments ranging from traditional activities such as flag football,
softball, basketball, and soccer to nontraditional events such as floor hockey,
putt-putt golf, inner-tube waterpolo, and ultimate frisbee. Open to all students,
faculty, and staff, most sports offer men's, women's and coed divisions.
The Frog Fit Program offers a wide variety
of fitness opportunities for everyone in the University community. Over twenty
classes per week, including aerobics, step aerobics, water aerobics, personal
training, swim conditioning, and adult fitness, are available.
Sports clubs at TCU are recognized student
organizations that are created and administered by students for the purpose
of furthering a common interest in a specific sport or sports-related activity.
Sports clubs may have a competitive, recreational, instructional, or social
focus. Participation is strictly voluntary. Clubs that are currently active
on the TCU campus include men's and women's lacrosse, men's volleyball,
High Adventure (outdoor recreation), rugby, Tae Kwon Do, roller hockey, rifle,
water polo, and ultimate frisbee.
The TCU Challenge Course is an innovative facility
that uses high and low elements to create an outdoor adventure experience. Programs
are designed to combine risk, challenge, physical activity, cognitive stimulation,
courage, support, decision making, and fun into a unique experience that promotes
group development and individual growth.
University Ministries
University Ministries is the visible focus
for an ecumenical and inclusive ministry with students, faculty and staff. These
ministries of worship, care for persons, social justice, fellowship, nurture
and other dimensions seek to integrate matters of faith into the routine life
and work of the University. The offices are on the first floor of the Student
Center and are a gathering place for a full range of programs, services and
ministries that enable respect for diverse beliefs.
Through direct involvement in campus organizations,
residence halls, campus-wide events, or through personal interaction, University
Ministries seeks to provide opportunities for ethical choice and to assist members
of the TCU community to examine the implications of faith in our lives. University
Chapel, held each Wednesday at noon during the regular University session, is
a weekly opportunity to celebrate the ecumenical spirit of the Christian faith.
Roman Catholic Mass is held weekly on Sunday evenings. A wide variety of study,
retreats, fellowship, service, and care of persons is available through several
denominational ministries as well as through the ecumenical expression of the
Uniting Campus Ministries.
Many people find themselves in need of temporary
or on-going pastoral care assistance to resolve personal, interpersonal, family,
or other concerns. Strict confidentiality is maintained for these services and
provided without charge.
Students, faculty and staff are urged to discover
a local congregation for the important aspects of life in a gathered community
of faith. Students of all creeds and faiths are welcome at TCU and in the programs
of University Ministries. Direct assistance is provided in expressing individual
traditions as well as making contact with community churches, temples, synagogues,
mosques and congregations.
Community Service
Resting at the foundation of well-planned responses
to the needs and problems in any community is the good will of individuals who
are asked to offer their time and talent in a voluntary manner. TCU faculty,
staff, and students are involved in doing community service and have a variety
of support programs and resources to enhance the quality of that work. Doing
service is important, but only half of the experience; there remains the necessity
to assess the meaning and the result of the work. A workbook is available for
all groups and individuals at TCU to help in planning, doing, and reflecting
upon their service opportunities. Information is available for over 300 service
delivery agencies in Tarrant County. Assistance is provided in identifying appropriate
community service for short-term as well as long-term service (for a summer,
a semester, or several years). Long-term service experiences are provided through
governmental, private, and church related agencies. Resources and a Community
Service Coordinator are available to assist individuals and organizations interested
in the variety of service opportunities in the office of University Ministries,
(817) 257-7830.
Whether done on a one time or regular basis,
students at TCU are annually performing more than 50,000 hours of service in
the community. Additionally, students serve on a committee to provide coordination,
training, developing, tracking, and evaluation of community service on behalf
of the entire TCU community. This is the charge of TCU CAN (Community Action
Network). This group of students works with all student organizations with
a national network (Campus Outreach Opportunity League) of similar organizations
on other campuses to improve the quality of community service at TCU. An annual
service event, seeks to provide students with an introductory encounter with
community service and an annual "Spill the Beans" campaign seeks to
secure information on service accomplished across the campus. Each spring an
award is given for the most outstanding example of community service by an organization
and by an individual. Several student organizations make service their primary
purpose. Some of those include: Alpha Phi Omega, Amnesty International, Best
Buddies, Circle K, Habitat for Humanity, Hunger Week, TCU AIDS Care Team. Organizations
and individuals are welcome to join or work with each of these TCU organizations.
Health Services
Located west of Colby Hall, the Brown-Lupton
Health Center consists of an outpatient clinic providing ambulatory care for
the various needs of TCU students.
During the fall and spring semesters emergency
care is provided 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday. Outpatient clinic
hours are 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
A dedicated, well-qualified staff of physicians,
nurses and ancillary personnel provides convenient and economical medical services.
Health Center facilities and services are available to undergraduate students
taking 6 or more semester hours and to full time graduate students. Other students,
spouses, and dependents of students are not eligible for care at the Health
Center.
Medical History/Immunizations. Students
attending TCU for the first time must complete a Medical History form including
a record of immunizations before registration can be completed. All entering
students born after 1957 are required to have had two doses of measles (Rubeola)
vaccine after 12 months of age or provide proper verification that they have
had the disease. The immunization must have been received after January 1, 1968,
to be effective. In addition, within the 12 months prior to entering
TCU, a Mantoux/TB Skin Test is required of all entering students.
Required Health Insurance
All undergraduate students carrying nine or more semester hours are REQUIRED to
have health and accident insurance coverage. Each undergraduate student registered
in the University will be enrolled in the plan offered by TCU and will be billed
for that plan. If a student has adequate health insurance through another plan,
the student may request a waiver from participation in the plan offered by TCU.
If the waiver is granted, the student will be disenrolled from the plan offered
by TCU. Students majoring in nursing must have health and accident insurance coverage
at any time they are enrolled in a clinical course regardless of the number of
semester hours carried.
The plan offered by TCU provides major medical
coverage at a reasonable cost. Detailed information about the University offered
plan is available at the Health Center.
If adequate coverage is provided by a family/individual plan and the studen tchooses
to request a waiver from the University's-offered plan, a waiver form must
be filed by the due date at the beginning of EACH FALL semester. Students entering
in the spring semester must file a waiver prior to the start of that semester.
The due date is published in the Student Calendar/Handbook, the student newspaper
and in direct mailings to students. Once filed the waiver remains in effect for
that academic year. Failure to file a waiver by the due date will result in the
student being automatically enrolled in and billed for the University-offered
student health insurance.
The student health insurance offered by the
University is also available on an enrollment basis to undergraduates carrying
less than nine hours and to graduate students. Information and enrollment forms
can be obtained at the Health Center.
Non-immigrant international students, graduate and undergraduate, are required
to have health insurance. These students must make requests for waiver consideration
through the International Student Services.
The Counseling Center
The Counseling Center provides psychological
and psychiatric evaluation services for students on a short-term basis. Students
requiring long-term services will be referred to professionals off campus. The
staff includes a full time psychiatric medical director, 2 clinical psychologists,
and 2 licensed professional counselors. Services are provided confidentially.
Services provided focus on helping students
cope with personal concerns as they engage in their academic, social and personal
activities. Typical student needs and concerns include learning to study more
effectively, resolving interpersonal conflicts, managing stress, coping with
loneliness, and handling feelings of depression, anxiety and other emotional
crises.
Psychiatric medication management, individual,
and group counseling services are available to assist students. In addition,
presentations are made to residence halls, classes, and campus organizations
on a wide variety of topics in mental health.
The Assessment Program of the Counseling Center
helps students learn more about their aptitudes, achievements, interests, values,
and personality. In cooperation with other campus departments, services are
also available to students related to learning disabilities. The College-Level
Examination Program (CLEP) and national tests for admission to graduate schools
are administered by the Counseling Center.
Career Services
Career Exploration and Job Search Advising
Career Services helps students and alumni identify
and attain career goals. While students may use the services anytime during
their academic experience, the freshman year is an excellent time to begin exploring
career options. Individual counseling sessions and inventories evaluate interests,
skills, experiences and values and match those to potential occupations. Computer
resources and printed material in the career library provide opportunities to
explore the identified occupations.
As students approach their job or internship search,
the Career Services staff teaches them effective job search strategies and techniques
through individual advising sessions, videotaped mock interviews, resume critiques
and workshops.
Job Search Assistance
Job Listings. Over
50,000 summer, part-time, internship and full-time professional job vacancies
are listed with Career Services each year and are available on a password-protected
site on the World Wide Web.
Resume Database. TCU uses on-line technology
that allows students to register with Career Services while producing high quality
professional resumes. The resumes are included in a searchable database and
on password-protected Web Resume Books that can be accessed by employers via
the WWW. Thousands of resumes are electronically transmitted to employers who
request this service annually.
On-campus Interviews. Each fall and spring
semester, employers come to TCU to interview graduating seniors in all majors
for full-time positions after graduation and sophomores and juniors for internship
positions. Students must be registered with Career Services in order to participate
in these interviews that are scheduled using the WWW.
On-Campus Student Employment
TCU employs thousands of students in almost every department on campus. Career
Services assists students in locating on-campus jobs that match their class schedules
and skills. All on-campus jobs are listed on the web page, and students who are
seeking a position on campus should come to Career Services to learn about openings
and to process required paperwork.
Transitional Programs
Making the transition from TCU to the world of
work or graduate school is challenging to students. Career Services presents
programming for juniors and seniors to help them prepare for this transition.
Junior Jumpstart, a one-day retreat held each spring offers advice to
juniors to help them prepare for the job search or graduate school applications
during their senior year. Topics include resume preparation, the job or graduate
school interview, the graduate school application process, job search strategies
and the etiquette of a business lunch. Seniors are offered the opportunity to
spend a weekend at an area hotel during Senior Conference in January.
Workshops and general sessions focus on succeeding in life after TCU with sessions
on surviving the first year on the job or in graduate school, budgeting an entry-level
salary, wardrobe planning, teamwork in the workplace, peer advice from recent
graduates and training in the etiquette of a formal dining experience.
For more information or to use Career Services
at TCU, come to the Student Center Annex, call 817 257-7860 or visit the Career
Services pages on the TCU web site.
Automobile Regulations
All students, faculty and staff who operate a motor vehicle on University
property must register that vehicle with TCU Police Department. The annual Registration
fees are specified in the University Parking and Regulations brochure. All fees
are payable in the Controller's Office.
Any student who complies with parking and traffic regulations may operate
a motor vehicle on campus. The University does not assume any liability concerning
the protection of the motor vehicle or any responsibility for providing special
parking places near a student's residence hall.
Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed, immobilized, or towed by the
TCU Campus Police Department. Fines are payable at the Controller's Office.
Continued parking offenses may lead to a suspension of campus driving and parking
privileges and may also result in disciplinary action by the University. Whenever
it is necessary to move an illegally parked vehicle, it will be towed by an
independent wrecker operator to the wrecker's storage area. The owner of
the vehicle will be responsible for the wrecker fee and storage plus the fine
for the traffic violation.
Campus Police
TCU Police Officers are commissioned by authority of the Board of Trustees
of Texas Christian University and are certified as peace officers by the State
of Texas to provide protection for personnel and property on campus. The Campus
Police are in service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the Campus Police
dispatcher can be contacted at any time by telephone, Area Code (817) 257-7777.
The office is located at 3025 Lubbock.
TCU Police Programs
Student Escort Program (Froggie Five-O)
The TCU Police Department administers a student escort program,
Froggie Five-O, which operates between the hours of 7:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.
throughout the school year. Froggie Five-O escorts drive golf carts to all areas
of the campus and can offer student transportation between academic buildings
and residence halls. Students may request an escort by using any of the 25 emergency
telephones located on campus or by calling the University Police at (817) 257-7777.
Uniformed security guards are offered 24 hours a day.
Campus Crime Watch
These programs are of a neighborhood watch nature with the TCU campus
being the neighborhood. Meetings for the programs are open to all students,
faculty, staff, and friends. The TCUPD Crime prevention specialist hosts the
meetings and provides speakers on subjects of interest to campus community members.
Crime Prevention
Crime and other services are offered by TCUPD and the Fort Worth
Police Department's Community Service Office and include: Sexual Assault/Acquaintance
Rape Prevention, Personal Awareness/Campus Alcohol Police Information, Campus
Crime Watch Meetings, Crime Prevention Surveys for Home and Business, "Operation
ID: Property Identification System, Auto Theft Prevention (Window Etching) and,
Vehicle "Jump Starts" (Due to possible problems with electric locks,
TCUPD is unable to provide vehicle unlocking services).
RAD Systems
RAD stands for Rape Aggression Defense system. The program has been offered
on the TCU campus for several years. RAD teaches women defensive concepts and
techniques against various types of assault by utilizing easy, effective, and
proven self-defense/martial arts tactics. RAD provides effective options by
teaching women to take an active role in their own self-defense and psychological
well being. The RAD program was developed for and is offered to females.
Lost and Found
The Campus Police is the official lost and found office. Articles lost
or found should be reported as soon as possible to help the office in returning
property to the rightful owner.
Waiver of Responsibility
The University takes reasonable steps to protect people and property
on the campus. However, it is impossible to provide protection that is 100 percent
effective and the University does not accept responsibility for bodily injury,
theft or damage to personal property occurring on the campus. Students are encouraged
to assure that their own insurance coverage is adequate.
Campus Life
The Dean of Campus Life and staff are available
to advise students and make referrals to appropriate campus resources. The Dean's
office processes official university absences for faculty and verifies serious
illness of family emergencies for students. All the Campus Life staff advise
activities and organizations, and consult with student leaders, plan workshops,
retreats, and other campus-wide and organizational events. The Dean is also
the Sexual Harassment Officer of the University and is available to confidentially
resolve any harassment situations. The office is located in Sadler 101 and the
telephone number is (817) 257-7926.
Student Organizations and Activities
One hundred seventy (170) student organizations
are available for student involvement. Academic and honorary groups, special
interest groups, student activities programming, student government, political
organizations, sports clubs, religious and service groups, and national fraternities
and sororities are types of TCU campus organizations. This wide range of organizations
is provided to expand new interests, enhance the academic experience, develop
leadership skills, and meet new friends. All student involvement programs challenge
individuals to practice new skills. It is important to learn to set policy,
make decisions, lead, and follow others. In essence, student organizations are
about leadership that TCU believes can be taught in classes and refined by experience.
International Student Services
Approximately 350 international students from
70 countries attend TCU. The International Student Association includes U.S.
students who are interested in social and cultural programs to broaden understanding
of global views while making friends with students from around the world. The
international student staff advises international student programming and provides
support for individual international students. A special international student
orientation is provided both fall and spring semesters in addition to regular
TCU orientation. The International Friendship Program involving Fort Worth community
participants is coordinated through the International Student Services Office.
The office is located in Student Center 111. The telephone number is (817) 257-7292.
Fraternity and Sorority Affairs
Eleven national sororities and eleven national
fraternities are recognized on the campus. The Panhellenic and Interfraternity
Council (IFC) are the governing councils for sororities and fraternities. Membership
in fraternities and sororities is a mutually selective process and a Rush Book
is published each June and mailed to all new TCU students. Additional rush and
intake information is available in the director's office. This office is
located in the Student Center, room 111. The telephone number is (817) 257-7281.
Brown-Lupton Student Center
The Brown-Lupton Student Center is the hub
of student activities on campus. The food services areas (main cafeteria, Pizza
Hut Express and snack bar), ballroom and meeting rooms, and several university
student affairs offices are located here. A reading room, programming and lounge
space are also available for student use. Many entertainment and educational
program events and conferences are held in the Student Center throughout the
year. As a service to the TCU community, a variety of ticket discounts to Fort
Worth/Dallas area attractions and theaters are available at the Information
Desk from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office telephone number is (817) 257-7927.
Judicial Affairs
Students who enroll in TCU are obliged to conduct
themselves in a manner that is compatible with the University's function
as an educational institution. Each student is expected to be fully acquainted
with all published policies, rules, and regulations of the University and will
be held responsible for compliance with them. Students are also expected to
comply with all federal, state, and local laws. This principle extends to conduct
off campus that is likely to have an adverse effect on the University or on
the educational process of any student. Students may be held accountable by
TCU and by police agencies for the same instance of misconduct.
Reported violations of the Code of Student
Conduct are investigated and resolved by staff members in the Division of Student
Affairs under the general supervision and direction of the Office of Campus
Life. Violations of the Code are subject to a wide range of disciplinary action.
Specific examples of misconduct for which students
may be subject to disciplinary action include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Infliction of bodily or emotional
harm.
2. Hazing.
3. Destruction of property.
4. Use, storage, or possession of weapons
or dangerous devices.
5. Tampering with safety equipment and
arson.
6. Dishonest conduct.
7. Theft/unauthorized use of property.
8. Unauthorized or abusive use of computer
equipment, programs, or data.
9. Failure to comply with University
authority.
10.The use, production, distribution,
sale or possession of drugs in a manner contrary to university policy
or prohibited under Texas law. (See Drug Abuse Policy for complete
details.)
11. The use, production, distribution, sale
or possession of alcohol in a manner contrary to university policy
or prohibited under Texas law. (See Alcohol Policy for details.)
12.Unauthorized entrance to or presence in
or on University premises.
13. Disorderly conduct that interferes with
or obstructs University-authorized activities.
14. Commission of local, state, or federal
criminal offenses.
15. Violation of other published or announced
university rules or regulations.
16. Activities that jeopardize building security
for any or all residents/students.
17. Behaviors that endanger the well being
of any or all residents/students.
18. Causing excessive noise, having guests
of the opposite sex in a student room during non-visitation hours, keeping
or bringing pets or other animals inside a residence hall, and smoking in
any residence hall other than a student room are prohibited.
19. Acts that harm or otherwise negatively
affect the appearance of residence hall building exteriors, interiors, or
furnishings by failing to exercise reasonable care or in specific acts of
vandalism are prohibited.
20. Any act that violates the academic integrity
of the institution is considered academic misconduct. (See Academic Conduct
Policy)
A complete Code of Student Conduct, including
judicial process is available in the Student Handbook and the office of the
Dean of Campus Life.
The Bill of Student Rights and the Code of
Student Conduct are printed in the Student Handbook. These documents guide the
student discipline and grievance processes.