Bulldog Beginnings
Transitioning into university life is challenging. Bulldog Beginnings is designed to help students meet that challenge.
Bulldog Beginnings
Bulldog Beginnings is a two-part program designed to orient students to life at ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼ and provide the best possible start to a successful education. Most of all, it's an opportunity to meet new people, adjust to a new environment, develop friendships, and become involved in a new community. Bulldog Beginnings: Part I will take place on June 7 and July 26 and Part II will take place during the check-in/move-in weekend in August.
Bulldog Beginnings is ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼'s Orientation program and is required for all incoming freshmen and transfer students.
Bulldog Beginnings: Part I
Students will attend Bulldog Beginnings: Part I in either June or July.
Bulldog Beginnings: Part II
Students will attend Bulldog Beginnings: Part II during the check-in/move-in weekend in August. Both dates below are required for incoming students and no registration is required.
- Saturday, August 24, 2024, and Sunday, August 25, 2024
Schedule of Events
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Saturday, August 24
Students & Families/Supporters
8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Move-In for Residential Students -Residence Halls
8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Student Health & Wellness Center -Hahn Hall
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Bookstore Open for Textbook Purchase & Pickup -Alumni Student Center
Take a moment to buy your textbooks, grab some ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼ Gear, and take care of any housekeeping items!
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Check-In for Commuter Students -Alumni Student Center
11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch (Student Meal Plan starts, Hein Dining Lunch $8. Cash, check, or credit card accepted.)-Hein Dining Hall
1 p.m - 2 p.m.
Commuter Student Welcome Session -Dunne Conference Center, Tschoepe Hall
The welcome session is a wonderful opportunity to meet other first-year commuter students! Our student leaders will also highlight the monthly events that are specifically designed for commuters, how to stay connected, available resources, and ways you can get involved with the new commuter student advisory board!
2 p.m.- 3 p.m.
Transfer Student Social -Tschoepe Hall 131
The Transfer Student Social is a time to get to know other transfer students, learn about upcoming transfer events, and get any last-minute questions or concerns answered.
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
New Student & Family Matriculation Ceremony -Jackson Auditorium
The purpose of the Matriculation Ceremony is to formally welcome the incoming class into the ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼ community. You are welcome to take pictures for this will be a moment to remember!Matriculation Ceremony Unity Attire Expectations
This new tradition establishes a uniformed appearance and a sense of unity among the freshman class while also highlighting the significance of the occasion.
In the spirit of this new tradition, all first-year students are expected to wear some combination of black, white, or gold professional business attire. Examples include white blouses, collared shirts, or button-down shirts and black skirts, slacks, or pants.
4:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Parent & Family Cheer Tunnel
Immediately after the Matriculation Ceremony, join us outside of Jackson Auditorium as we congratulate and cheer on the newest members of the Bulldog community!
4:50 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Walk to Chapel for Class Photo
5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Parent & Family Send Off-Alumni Student Center
Parents and families are welcome to visit the Affirmation Station inside the Alumni Student Center to write a word of encouragement for their students and/ or leave a note of encouragement for our other Bulldogs. Students and families are welcome to take pictures with Tallulah or outside at the ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼ backdrop to honor saying goodbye and starting a new chapter as a ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼ student.
5:15 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Dinner (Student Meal Plan available. Hein Dining Dinner $15.16. Cash, check, or credit card accepted.)-Hein Dining Hall
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Campus Housing Meeting -Residence Halls
Mandatory meeting for all on-campus residents
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Sunday, August 25
Students Only
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Breakfast -Hein Dining Hall
9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Student Check-in -Jackson Auditorium
9:30 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.
Welcome & Title IX -Jackson Auditorium, Weston Center
We’ll kick off the morning with a welcome and introduction of the ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼ community values that will guide how we engage with each other as the Texas Lutheran community.
The Title IX presentation will review definitions of prohibited conduct, important policies, resources, and support services that pertain to Title IX. In addition, it engages students in fostering healthy relationships and preparing them to recognize and respond to sexual assault and harassment when it occurs.
10:15 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.
FREX & Transfer Connections -Various Locations
Students will break out into their FREX 134 sections to begin building relationships with their classmates and Peer Mentor. Transfer students not enrolled in a FREX section will join a group specifically for Transfer students to connect with fellow transfers. Groups will stay together for the remainder of the day.
11:00 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. & 11:50 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Class Tour & Campus Resources Rotations -Various Locations
In small groups, students will take a tour of campus to find where each of their fall classes are being held to support a less stressful first day of class. When not on the class tour, students will test their knowledge of resources available on campus to support their success.
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch -Hein Dining Hall
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
First Year Fiesta -Library Lawn & Library
It’s time to celebrate being a ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼ Bulldog! Join us for a fun afternoon where we come together to celebrate and have fun enjoying music from our DJ, bounce around on inflatables, compete in yard games, savor a sweet treat, and unwind with quieter crafts and board games in the library.5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Dinner -Hein Dining Hall
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Campus Congregation & ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼ Community Tailgate -Chapel of the Abiding Presence & Tschoepe Hall
Join our campus ministry team for an evening of worship in chapel with communion. Afterwards, everyone is invited to a ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼ community-wide tailgate dinner outside of Tschoepe Hall, provided by St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
Hotel Accommodations
TownePlace Suites in Seguin - 2732 Jay Road Seguin, Texas 78155
We are thrilled to offer an exclusive ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼ Homecoming 2024 rate of just $105 per night at TownePlace Suites in Seguin from Friday, August 23 - Sunday, August 25.
This special offer is available for a limited time, and rooms are filling up fast. Don't miss your chance to stay at a comfortable and convenient location.
Book now to secure your room:
Check-In & Move-In
Beginning Wednesday, August 21, commuter and residential students can check in through My¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼. All holds must be cleared by this time to be eligible to check-in online. Please remember you must check-in online before moving into the residence halls on Saturday, August 24.
New student check-in will begin on August 21 and close on August 23. Access to the check-in link can be found on the and instructions will be sent to students via their ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼ email prior to the opening of their check-in window.
Residential Students
Move-in times for residential students are based on which residence hall they will be living in. Times will be posted on the . Once you arrive on campus on Saturday, August 24, we are asking everyone to enter campus at W. Kingsbury St. (Highway 90) and Fritz St. You will see Bulldog Stadium on your right and the baseball and softball fields on your left. Student Affairs staff will be at the arrival tent to provide directions on unloading and moving into the residence halls.
Watch Our Move-In Video
2024 Summer Webinar Series
¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼’s Student Affairs team has prepared four summer webinars for incoming students and families to learn more about specific on-campus resources. There is no registration required; just join using the Zoom link provided below.
Wednesday, June 12, 12-1 PM
Resources for Parents & Families
¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼ understands the important role parents and families play in student success. We want to ensure you are equipped with the resources available to continue to support your student as they transition into their first year of college. Join us to learn more about the variety of resources available for parents and family members, including ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼'s web resources, events, monthly parent emails, the parent handbook, as well as Bulldog Beginnings.
Passcode: aDY&Rz8z
Wednesday, June 26, 12-1 PM
Resources for Parents & Families of First-Generation College Students
With more than 50% of the ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼ student body composed of first-generation college students, we understand many common challenges students may face throughout their college experience. Join us to learn how parents can play a supportive role in their student's life by working with ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼ staff members. The session will also highlight the resources available to our first-generation students, including the Living and Learning Community (LLC), First-Gen mixers to network with faculty, staff, and alumni, the pinning ceremony, and specific study sessions.
Passcode: 19*AmDsF
Wednesday, July 10, 12-1 PM
Exploring Interests & Careers
Join our Student Affairs staff as they showcase opportunities for students to explore interests and how to use those experiences to inform and enhance their career choices. We will highlight online resources like Connect@¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼, Give Pulse, Big Interview, and Handshake that students can begin exploring over the summer.
Passcode: fBW3V?e4
Wednesday, July 31, 12-1 PM
Living On Campus & Fall Move-In
Join our Campus Living staff for a discussion on what you need to know about living on campus and what to expect on move-in day, Saturday, August 24. We will also review resident policies and take questions from attendees.
Passcode: +y7lTkX4
Don't Forget: Summer FREX 134 Project
All incoming freshmen are required to read during summer as part of their Freshmen Experience (FREX 134) course. A few weeks prior to the beginning of the semester, we ask that you think about your life experiences so far and how your own story might appear in #¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼Bulldogs. Choose what you would consider a defining moment. Tell this story and then explain what you learned and/or how it made an impact on you. Choose a defining moment you can be truthful about and one that you are willing to share with others.
Look for parallels between your defining moment and the educational stories in #¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼Bulldogs. In your essay, explore and explain how at least one or two of the stories in #¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼Bulldogs mirror your own experiences. Resist using a typical anecdote you might write for a standardized test or college entrance essay.
Essays should be 500 or more words (12-point, Times New Roman font, double-spaced) and will be shared early in the semester in your Frex 134 course. This project should take you several hours of active reading, thinking, writing, and revising. Please email FREX 134 Director Mike Ruane with any questions.
Watch the FREX 134 summer project video to learn more about your summer project.