TCU :: Division of Student Affairs ::

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About Getting Individual/Personal Assistance

Questions About International Students and Study Abroad

Questions About Living on Campus

When will I find out my room and roommate assignment?
How is my roommate assigned?
Are pets permitted in residence halls?
Will my room be furnished?

Question: When will I find out my room and roommate assignment?
Answer: Students will receive the hall, room number, and roommate assignment in mid to late July. back to top

Question: How is my roommate assigned?
Answer: Students are given the opportunity to complete an on-line housing questionnaire, ResLife, at which time they can supply their requested halls, a preferred roommate, and some information which will aid roommate matching. There is no guarantee, however, that all requests can be honored. back to top

Question: Are pets permitted in residence halls?
Answer: Yes, but only if your pet happens to be a fish. back to top

Question: Will my room be furnished?
Answer: Each room is equipped with two beds, dressers, desks, and chairs. Milton Daniel's floor plan includes some triple rooms which are equipped with three of each piece of furniture. back to top

For other questions about living on campus, visit the Residential Services FAQ.

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Questions About International Students and Study Abroad

Where do I go to find out how to study abroad?
Is the International Student Association just for international students?

Question: Where do I go to find out how to study abroad?
Answer: To the International Education office in Sadler 16.

Question: Is the International Student Association just for international students?
Answer: The International Student Association is open to all students regardless of nationality. The ISA mission is "To provide opportunities to learn about cultures, and to foster an understanding of different ways of living in a safe and welcoming environment" ISA meetings are Thursdays at 5pm in Student Center 205-206. The meetings feature activities, cultural presentations, food, fun, and more! Check out the website for more information at www.isa.tcu.edu

Questions About Class and Academics

This is college, so I don't have to attend class if I don't want to, right?
How do I get an excuse when I miss class for personal reasons?

Question: This is college, so I don't have to attend class if I don't want to, right?
Answer: The university's policy on class attendance is clear and straightforward: students are expected to attend classes except under extraordinary circumstances.

Question: How do I get an excuse when I miss class for personal reasons?
Answer: Unless you are participating in a university-sponsored event that requires you to miss class, excuses are not available. From time to time, illness, family obligations, or other personal circumstances may prevent you from attending class. These are unexcused absences. If you have missed a class, or know in advance that you will be missing a class, the first thing you should do is speak to your professor and find out what you should do to make up for the absences. Remember that the professor's policy on class attendance applies to unexcused absences.

Questions About Campus Recreation

When will the new building be open?
Why the name change to Campus Recreation?
Where is the temporary weight room and when is it open?
Can I bring a guest to the temporary facility?
Where can I play basketball before the new facility opens?
Can I get a job this semester with Campus Recreation?
What types of aerobics will be offered?
Will I have to pay to use the new facility?

Question: When will the new building be open?
Answer: The University Recreation Center is scheduled to open in January 2003.

Question: Why the name change to Campus Recreation?
Answer: We decided to change our name to reflect a new era on campus. The name change incorporates expanded programming efforts on our part, including the addition of fitness, aquatics, and experiential education. We believe the University Recreation Center will be a focal point on the TCU campus and as a result the need to be more than intramurals and “The Rickel” was seen as necessary.

Question: Where is the temporary weight room and when is it open?
Answer: The temporary weight room is located at 2720 W. Berry Street, next to the Worth Repeating clothing store. There is a TCU parking lot on Merida Ave., across the street from the Secrest-Wible Building. The Campus Recreation office is at 3025-A Lubbock Ave., directly behind the TCU Police Station and adjacent to the weight room. The temporary facility contains all the fitness and strength equipment that was in the Rickel Building.

Question: Can I bring a guest to the temporary facility?
Answer: No. Due to the size of the facility, we cannot allow non-TCU affiliates access to the temporary weight room. In January, guests will be allowed to use the University Recreation Center, however a daily guest fee will be charged.

Question: Where can I play basketball before the new facility opens?
Answer: Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts with TCU athletic teams, we are not capable of having free time inside Daniel-Meyer Coliseum this semester.

Question: Can I get a job this semester with Campus Recreation?
Answer: YES. Campus Recreation is always accepting applications for employment, especially for Intramural Officials. If you wish to work inside the weight room this semester, your application will be kept on file. Interviews for positions at the University Recreation Center will take place following Fall Break with employment starting in January.

Question: What types of aerobics will be offered?
Answer: The types of Group Fitness classes (formerly Frog Fit) offered once the University Recreation Center opens will include the following: Kickboxing, Athletic Conditioning, “Boot Camp”, Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Resist-a-Ball, Sculpting, Step, Double Step, Hi-Low, Water, Funk, Indoor Cycling, and more. Group Fitness classes that will use the pool will be offered through the Aquatics Program.

Question: Will I have to pay to use the new facility?
Answer: No. Your TCU ID card will be required for entry. If you do not have your card, you will not be allowed to enter the University Recreation Center.

Questions About Getting Individual/Personal Assistance

What services are available from Mental Health Services/Counseling and Testing?
Where do I go if I need to speak with a counselor or psychiatrist?
What if I have a friend or roommate with a problem?
Are there support groups available for students on the TCU campus?
What kinds of self-help aids are available for academic, relationship, medications and mental health problems?
What kinds of individual or group testing are available through Mental Health Services?
How much is charged for any of the services available?
Do records generated by the use of Mental Health Services become a part of the student's permanent educational records at TCU?
What do I do first if I happen upon a situation on campus that appears to me to be a medical emergency?
Do Mental Health Services include outreach programs?

Question: What services are available from Mental Health Services/Counseling and Testing?
Answer: We offer Individual and Group Counseling, Ongoing Psychiatric Treatment, Personality Assessment, Career Assessment, ACT, CLEP, LSAT Testing, GRE Subject Tests, LD/ADHD Screening, and Outreach Presentations.

Question: Where do I go if I need to speak with a counselor or psychiatrist?
Answer: Contact Mental Health Services/Counseling and Testing Center, located in the Brown Lupton Health Center, West entrance for an appointment at 817-257-7863, -7864.

Question: What if I have a friend or roommate with a problem?
Answer: Contact Mental Health Services/Counseling and Testing Center and arrange for an appointment to consult a Clinical Psychologist or Licensed Professional Counselor about your concerns.

Question: Are there support groups available for students on the TCU campus?
Answer: Yes, personal growth and various support groups are formed to meet specific needs shared by students on campus. Contact Mental Health Services regarding which of these groups may be meeting during a particular semester.

Question: What kinds of self-help aids are available for academic, relationship, medications and mental health problems?
Answer: A collection of self-help aids is available on our website at www.counseling.tcu.edu

Question: What kinds of individual or group testing are available through Mental Health Services?
Answer: Testing includes personality, career, interests, and aptitude assessment. Screening is available for
learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Also College-Level
Examination Program (CLEP) tests and national tests for admission to graduate schools are
administered.

Question: How much is charged for any of the services available?
Answer: For full-time students currently enrolled in a degree program mental health services are available at no extra charge, excluding national tests such as CLEP or ACT.

Question: Do records generated by the use of Mental Health Services become a part of the student's permanent educational records at TCU?
Answer: No.

Question: What do I do first if I happen upon a situation on campus that appears to me to be a medical emergency?
Answer: To request emergency assistance contact TCU Police at x7777.

Question: Do Mental Health Services include outreach programs?
Answer: Yes, Licensed Professional Counselors and Clinical Psychologists, as well as Peer Counselors who have received training are available for group presentations and can provide support and organized activities for groups dealing with special issues common in the college community.

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Questions Parents Ask

Who do I contact if I become concerned about my son or daughter's well being while he or she is living on or near campus while at college?
What services are available from Mental Health Services/Counseling and Testing?
What are some signs of depression?
What are some signs of anxiety?
What are some signs of Eating Disorders?
Who can I contact if I would like for my son or daughter to meet with a psychiatrist in the community on an ongoing basis?
If my son or daughter needs to see a Mental Health Services professional, will I be notified?

Question: Who do I contact if I become concerned about my son or daughter's well being while he or she is living on or near campus while at college?
Answer: The Office of Campus Life at 817-257-7926.

Question: What are some signs of depression?
Answer: Low motivation, weight loss, weight gain, insomnia, fatigue, low energy, low self-esteem, feeling hopeless, poor concentration, guilt, indecisiveness, mood swings, thoughts and/or attempts of self harm, abrupt changes in normal behavior.

Question: What are some signs of anxiety?
Answer: Apprehensions, obsessions, worries, fear of losing control, fear of dying, disassociative responses, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, chills, chest pains or discomfort, smothering sensations, trembling or shaking, nausea or abdominal distresses, numbness, agoraphobia.

Question: What are some signs of Eating Disorders?
Answer: Has eating behaviors different from friends and family, panics about gaining weight, feels fat even though thin, menstrual periods do not occur regularly, obsesses about food daily, losing 15% or more of ideal body weight, has uncontrollable binges of eating large amounts of food, has a habit of vomiting after eating, uses laxatives to control weight, plays games with food and has food rituals, believes diet books and calorie counting are important, feels guilty about eating food, fasts to control weight, wants to be the thinnest person among friends, takes diet pills to control weight, lies about eating

Question: Who can I contact if I would like for my son or daughter to meet with a psychiatrist in the community on an ongoing basis?
Answer: Mental Health Services can provide names of physicians or other healthcare professionals whose offices are near TCU.

Question: If my son or daughter needs to see a Mental Health Services professional, will I be notified?
Answer: Students must sign a release of information before professionals can discuss confidential information; however, parents and other responsible parties will be contacted by someone from the Campus Life Office whenever a student appears in danger of harm to self or others.

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