HOMECOMING 2026 - October 2-3

Homecoming is just around the corner! Join us October 2–3 for a weekend filled with Bulldog traditions, exciting events, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate TLU. From Luckyfest and the Bulldog Tailgate to the football game, alumni reunions, and more, there’s something for everyone. Families are welcome to join in the fun and experience the Bulldog spirit together!

Student Engagement & Activities

Hello Bulldogs! We are so excited to kick off another Homecoming football season here at TLU! We hope to see you at this year’s Homecoming festivities as we celebrate our Bulldog community and make great memories together October 2-3.

We have so much planned for the remainder of the year, and we can’t wait to share it all with you! As you enjoy Homecoming week, don’t forget to mark your calendars for Winter Fest on December 8. It will be a night filled with fun, celebration, and holiday spirit! We can’t wait to see you there! Go Bulldogs! 

Student Affairs Office

October means celebrating Homecoming on October 2-3—the perfect opportunity to come to campus, enjoy the festivities with your student, and talk about their plans for mid-semester break, October 15–16.

Mid-semester break is a two-day holiday for students. There are no classes, and Hein Dining Hall will be running on weekend hours. Many students stick around campus to catch up on coursework, sleep, or to get ahead of homework. This year we do have home football and volleyball games during break. Whatever your student decides to do, know that mid-semester break marks the halfway point of the fall semester.

A Message from Dr. Liz De La Rosa

Hello, TLU Families! I’m Dr. Liz De La Rosa, and I’m excited to join the TLU community as the new Associate Dean for Campus Living & Conduct! 

My goal is to partner with you and your students to help make their transition to campus life a positive one. Over the past two months, our RAs have been busy getting to know residents, building community, and planning fun activities throughout the residence halls. 

As we head into October, encourage your student to get involved! Oksoberfest  is October 8 at 6:30 p.m., and Boo Bash is October 29 at 6 p.m. Both are great opportunities to connect, have fun, and build community. 

Registration and Records

Students needing to withdraw from a class can do so until the deadline, Tuesday, November 3, at 5 p.m. To withdraw from a class, students need to get a schedule change form signed by their advisor and the professor of the class, then bring the completed form to the Registrar's Office. Students in online graduate programs should contact the Registrar's Office (registration@tlu.edu).

Professors are required to submit 6-week grades for certain populations of students (new students, students on probation, and athletes). However, they also often submit midterm grades for the entire class. Those 6-week grades will be available for viewing beginning Tuesday, October 13, by going to MyTLU, navigating to the Student tab, clicking on Transcripts and Grade Reports, and using the View Midterm Grade report option. 

Career Development

Hi parents and families! October is an exciting month in TLU Career Development! Our office is offering a variety of events and opportunities to help students build confidence, develop professional skills, and take the next step toward their future. Students can join us for Resume and LinkedIn Pop-Ups, our Skills That Pay the Bills workshop, and a Lunch & Learn featuring the City of Austin. We’re also excited for our JCPenney Suit Up Event on October 10, open to all TLU students, employees, and their families, and our Graduate & Professional School Fair on October 22. We encourage families to talk with their students about these opportunities and cheer them on as they prepare for life after TLU! 

For any questions, please contact Kelsey Cruz at krcruz@tlu.edu or call at 830-372-6449. 

Service Learning

Parents and families, please remind your Bulldog to record all volunteer and community service hours in GivePulse! The Center for Servant Leadership (CSL) tracks and monitors these hours as part of each student’s TLU Servant Leader Transcript, which highlights their commitment to service, leadership, and community engagement throughout their TLU experience. Why does it matter? A documented record of service can be a valuable resource when students are building résumés, applying for internships, searching for jobs, or preparing for graduate school. Students who meet the service-learning requirements may also earn a service-learning cord to wear at graduation, recognizing their commitment to TLU’s mission of developing servant leaders. 

Every hour counts—Serve. Record. Lead. 

Questions? Contact the Center for Servant Leadership at pray@tlu.edu or call/text 830-372-8162. 

Student Success & Retention

At Texas Lutheran University, student success is a shared commitment. Through the dedication of university leadership, faculty, staff, and our campus community, we continue to strengthen the ways we support and connect with our students. Every day, our village is working together to remove barriers, create meaningful opportunities, and ensure students have the resources and encouragement they need to thrive. This collective effort is making a difference, and we are proud to see student retention trending upward. While there is always more work to do, the progress reflects the power of collaboration, intentional support, and a campus community committed to helping every Bulldog persist, succeed, and graduate. 

Academic Advising

It feels like the semester is just beginning, but students will start planning their next semester shortly after mid-terms finish. Advising and registration for Spring 2026 classes occurs in November. Students will complete their Bulldog Advising Resource for Keeping Students Successful (BARKSS). Our advising model looks at the whole-person concept, encompassing academic and career goals, athletic responsibilities, co-curricular interests, and other personal obligations impacting a student’s life. Student success is a shared journey, and submitting BARKSS each semester helps students connect with important campus resources and staff while balancing all their responsibilities. The Spring 2026 Schedule of Classes will be published by October 23, and students will schedule meetings with their assigned advisors to be ready for registration, which takes place November 16–20. Students can find their advisor and other helpful information on MyTLU’s student portal to remain on track for graduation. They can always email advising@tlu.edu with questions or connect with their assigned advisor.

Student Care Packages!

We’re excited to partner with Giften Market to give families a fun and convenient way to send their students a care package! Whether you want to send a little encouragement, celebrate a special occasion, or simply remind your student you’re thinking of them, Giften Market makes it easy to brighten their day with a special delivery.

Title IX Office

At Texas Lutheran University, creating a safe, respectful, and supportive campus remains a shared responsibility. Our Title IX team continues to lead important efforts to educate, support, and empower our Bulldog community. Training is underway to help students, faculty, and staff feel more comfortable recognizing concerns, responding appropriately, and knowing when and how to report or intervene. Through education, awareness, and proactive support, we are strengthening a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to speak up. Together, our campus community plays an important role in looking out for one another and helping ensure TLU remains a safe place for every Bulldog.

Counseling & Accommodations

Did you know students can work with a counselor to develop their executive functioning skills? Planning, organizing, initiating tasks, managing time, regulating emotions, and completing tasks can each be challenging skills to learn. The Office of Counseling & Accommodation Services is here to help. Students can schedule through the Counseling page of the portal or by emailing swesterfield@tlu.edu.

TLU + TimelyCare

All Texas Lutheran students have access to TimelyCare. This virtual health and well-being platform offers 24/7 virtual care at no cost to students anywhere in the US. They can make diagnoses and even call in prescriptions to a local pharmacy.  Students can download the app in their app store or visit TimelyCare’s website.