Student Handbook

Welcome

Dear Student:

Congratulations on being admitted to Texas State University and welcome to our Bobcat Community.  Your admission to Texas State communicates our belief in you and your success.  We are committed, as a university community, to provide you with the assistance, encouragement, and support necessary for you to become a successful graduate of Texas State.

Our university is guided by a shared collection of values that are important as we interact with each other. These shared values include:

• Learning. Teaching and learning based on research, student involvement, and the free exchange of ideas in a supportive environment.

• Discovery. Research and creative activities that encompass the full range of academic disciplines—research with relevance, from the sciences to the arts, from the theoretical to the applied;
• Character. The cultivation of character, integrity, honesty, civility, compassion, fairness, respect, and ethical behavior in all members of our university community;
• Inclusion. A diversity of people and ideas, a spirit of inclusiveness, a global perspective, and a sense of community as essential conditions for campus life;
• Service. A commitment to service and leadership for the public good;
• Accountability. Responsible stewardship of our resources and environment; and continued reflection and evaluation to ensure that our strengths as a community always benefit those we serve.

Engagement in your academic studies and campus activities will provide you with the skills and competencies to be highly sought-after graduates and leaders in your communities. Your success will be dependent on your interactions both in and out of the classroom.

As a Bobcat community, we look out for and take care of each other. Please reach out for help and assistance when  you need it. Connect and engage with our faculty, staff and fellow Bobcats. Overall, a collective commitment to our community is what makes Texas State special.

Best wishes for a successful year.  Go Bobcats!

Sincerely,

Dr. Cynthia L. Hernandez
Vice President for Student Affairs

Welcome, Bobcat Class of 2025!

It is my pleasure to welcome you to your new home, Texas State University! Congratulations on beginning your journey at a school that will continue to improve your life long after you graduate. Texas State has a quintessential role to play in the improvement of the San Marcos community, and its impacts span across the globe.

Texas Stat University upholds its title as the Rising Star of Texas. As an Emerging Research University, Texas State is eligible to tap into specially allocated state funds designed to bolster research within institutions of higher education. With 98 undergraduate majors and a clear path toward becoming a notable research institution, your academic options here are unrivaled. Not to mention, one of the most iconic features at Texas State is its unique ecosystem featuring Sewell Park and the river; so, be sure to float!

In order to gain the full college experience, you must get involved with the university. I would encourage any Bobcat to take advantage of every opportunity that Texas State so excellently provides. Being active on campus will allow you to enjoy many rewards, from making new friends to growing as a leader. Located on the fourth floor of the LBJ Student Center, the Student Involvement Office oversees more than 400 registered student organizations. There is truly a place for everyone on our campus and we take a keen sense of pride in that.  Personally, getting involved in student organizations has allowed me to meet some amazing individuals and find my voice at this university.

In addition to Student Involvement, it is worth taking the time to get involved in the Leadership Institute. The institute provides a safe place to develop leadership skills and surround yourself with a team of diverse people all working toward a similar goal. Though college can be an extremely exciting and eventful time in one's life, it is also important to keep the purpose of personal growth in the forefront of your mind.  Remember, as with most things, you will get what you put into this school. Texas State University will undoubtably provide the tools and support for your success, but will you utilize them to their fullest extent?.

Your Student Government is always here to help you and hear the voices of each and every Bobcat. Our office is located on the fourth floor of the LBJ Student Center in Room 4-5.1. Please feel free to stop by and introduce yourself. The Senate meets every Monday night in the LBJ Student Center Teaching Theater at 7 p.m. I encourage all of you to attend so you can hear about what is going on at our university and play a key role in helping to bring positive change and make a lasting impact on our campus.

Cherish your time here at Texas State and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. I could not be more thrilled to welcome you to our Bobcat family! Students today, Bobcats for Life.

Eat ’Em Up, Cats!
Andrew Gryce
Student Body President

Meeting Students Where They Are!

Besides the safety and well-being of our Bobcats, there is nothing more important than "meeting students where they are!" What does that even mean? In the Dean of Students Office (DOS), it means taking the time to listen to the personal and educational goals conveyed to us by students and determining what resources we can provide through the DOS, the university, or externally to help students accomplish their goals.

We are committed to helping with the holistic well-being of our students - the mental, physical, emotional, and financial well-being of our students is paramount.  That's a lot to be concerned about because the university will not be able to meet all of the needs that students will encounter during their tenure, but we will try!

Fortunately, the DOS has staff with decades of experience assisting students, including students who are unsure or have not thought in-depth about their personal or educational goals.  We are here to help students through the different phases of discovery, learning, and maturation to reach whatever goals they set for themselves.  We will "meet them where they are" and help them get to where they want to go.

Finally, the DOS seeks to serve as a clearinghouse of information. So, if you have a question and are unsure what office, department, or person to contact, please call the DOS at 512-245-2124. We will help direct you to the appropriate office to assist you.

Respectfully,

Vincent E. Morton, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

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