The mission of academic advising at Texas Lutheran University emanates from ideas and values about student learning that appear in TLU’s Mission Statement. The University, as a community of learning, stresses the liberating potential of the disciplined pursuit of academic excellence within the context of academic freedom. Its faculty and staff seek to engage each student in a process of self-education which will assist him or her to develop as an informed and resourceful person in today’s rapidly changing world. It provides an academic program based upon the tradition of the liberal arts and designed to serve a diversified community.

 

The mission statement is delineated further in the Texas Lutheran University Institutional Goals for Graduates. It is here where one can find the concrete manifestations of the mission regarding what will be accomplished through the partnership of student and university during the educational journey. Given this foundation, academic advising at Texas Lutheran University has the following mission:

 

The Office of Academic Support Services provides learning and study skills resources for all students who wish to enhance their academic abilities to better meet the standards of the university as well as their own educational goals. Academic Support works to strengthen students' responsibility and accountability for their own learning and serves as a resource for the faculty and staff of the TLU community. Students of all abilities, including successful students who want to polish their academic skills and students who are struggling, are welcome to use Academic Support services. All services are available to registered TLU students.

Academic Support provides Peer Tutoring in many subjects, Supplemental Instruction (SI) in certain courses and study skills workshops at various times. Additionally, the office coordinates the Three- and Six-Week Warning Program and the Developing Scholars Program and provides walk-in assistance as well as appointments for individual students who may want further academic assistance.

Academic Support staff is available to confer with individual students about particular difficulties, such as low motivation, inability to concentrate, poor study skills, lack of time management skills or any other academic concerns. After initial assessments, staff will work with the student to develop a plan to address the problem and improve the student’s success in the classroom. Call 830-372-6305 to make an appointment or drop by Alumni Student Center 102 (Meadows Center) during office hours Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tutors are recommended by their professors based on good academic achievement in the courses they tutor. They are then trained and supervised by the Academic Support Center staff. All tutors are familiar with course content as well as with study skills strategies, so they can help students understand not only what to learn but how to learn. Both the scheduled tutoring and tutoring by appointment are funded through university fees. Visit MY.TLU.EDU for tutoring schedules.

 

If the options above are not adequate, another possibility for peer tutoring is our list of private tutors, who are available by appointment. Fees for private tutoring, which are set by the tutor, must be paid by the user at the time of use. Members of Seguin and surrounding communities may also use our private tutor list. Please call 830-372-6305.

A student admitted to Texas Lutheran University is assumed to have the ability, the preparation, and the motivation to make satisfactory progress toward a degree. Some students, however, do not make the progress expected of them for various reasons. Students not achieving the minimum standards or progress are placed on academic probation. The Developing Scholars program was established to support students on academic probation, to work with students in their effort to return to good academic standing, and to aid students in the development of positive academic skills.

 

The Developing Scholars program is a voluntary program. Students placed on academic probation are informed of the program and have the choice to participate or not. If students choose to participate, they sign a contract which states program expectations including bi-weekly meetings during the semester with a TLU Academic Support staff member in regards to any issues that might affect academic performance. The staff member will support and assist them in learning better study strategies, time management skills and use of TLU resources, as well as in making the transition from struggling student to independent, stronger student.

Research shows that various factors can influence the academic success of specific populations of university students, including first year students, students who transfer from another university, and students on academic probation. In an effort to identify individual students who may be at risk of academic failure, TLU has developed the 3-week and 6-week Early Academic Warning System. TLU also has a Student Alert System in place for ALL TLU students.

Three weeks into each semester, instructors receive rosters of students who are in their first year at TLU, are new transfers, athletes or are on academic probation. The instructors are then asked to identify behaviors that might influence each student's academic progress including attendance, participation, quality of homework, whether tutoring or counseling might be beneficial, or if the student is no longer attending classes.

Information from the 3-week check is collected and students who are identified as having any at-risk behaviors are reminded of campus resources, encouraged to seek out assistance, and asked to meet with a school official if warranted. This information is also shared with students’ academic advisors and first year faculty mentors.

Six weeks into each semester, instructors are asked to submit course averages for students who are in their first year at TLU, are new transfers, athletes, or are on academic probation. These grades are used to provide progress reports to students, academic advisors, and first year faculty mentors.

These grades are also used to identify students who are at risk of losing credit in any of their courses (D or F in any course). These students are reminded of campus resources, encouraged to seek out assistance, and asked to meet with a school official if warranted.

The Student Alert System is provided for faculty and staff members who have concerns about any student with whom they come in contact. Faculty and staff can contact the Division of Student Life and Learning and a campus official will contact the student to provide encouragement, information on campus resources, and information on campus policy regarding academics.

In order to comply with state law, TLU requires that as of 1/1/2012 all new students, including transfer and readmissions, be immunized against bacterial meningitis (MCV4). The vaccination must have been given during the 5 year period preceding and at least 10 days prior to the first day of the first semester enrolled. Students age 30 and over are exempt from this law. Students applying for on-campus housing should check with the Office of Residence Life regarding the need to have proof of immunization before making a housing reservation. 

Acceptable evidence of vaccination includes an official record from a state or local health authority, or school record, or physician’s office; including signature or stamp of practitioner and month/day/year of vaccination. Documentation should be sent to TLU Enrollment Services, 1000 W Court, Seguin, Tx, 78155 or faxed to 830-372-8096.

A student has the right to claim exemption if the student submits (1) an affidavit or certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States, in which it is stated that, in the physician's opinion, the vaccination would be injurious to the health of the student; or (2) an affidavit signed by the student stating that the student declines the vaccination for reasons of conscience, including religious belief. A conscientious exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services must be used for on campus students. A version of the form for off-campus students only may be downloaded here. This form must be notarized.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that meningococcal disease strikes up to 3,000 Americans, killing 300 people a year. Up to 15 percent of those with the disease may suffer long-term permanent disabilities including hearing loss, limb amputations and brain damage.