University Policies

Texas State University wishes to make every reasonable effort to assure that abandoned and unclaimed property is safely secured and returned in a timely manner. Any person who discovers abandoned and unclaimed personal property on campus should turn it over to the University Police Department (UPD) or the Materials Management and Logistics Department in accordance with UPPS 05.01.20. Property shall be considered abandoned if it appears from the circumstances under which the university comes into possession of the property that the owner has thrown it away or has voluntarily left or lost it without any intent or expectation to regain it. The university shall hold possession of abandoned and unclaimed personal property for a minimum of 60 days from the time it acquires the property. In order to facilitate the return of found and abandoned property to its owner, the University Police Department utilizes a program called "Crowdfind." This program and instructions are available on the UPD webpage under Programs and Services. When property is received, a picture of the property is posted on the Crowdfind page. The Crowdfind program also allows persons who have lost property to enter the property description so they may receive notification should the property be turned over to UPD. After 60 days UPD will dispose of the property in accordance with the Texas State Code of Criminal Procedure and University policy.

Students who are confined for an extended period of time may report the absence to the Dean of Students Office. Upon written verification from a doctor, hospital or clinic, the Dean of Students will notify the students’ instructors of the confinement. Absences caused by such illnesses are excused only at the instructors’ discretion. While instructors have the discretion to excuse students’ absences, most choose to do so because the absence notification service requires students to provide documentation.

In accordance with Texas Education Code Section §51.911(2b), Texas State University shall excuse a student from attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose. Texas State’s University Policy and Procedure Statement 02.06.01 (Student Absences for Religious Holy Days) is available in its entirety online for review.  In summary, the policy outlines the procedures governing student absences on religious holy days, including:

• the student's responsibility to notify their faculty;
• student's ability to take an examination or complete coursework within a reasonable time after the absence; and
• the recourse when a student and faculty member disagree about the nature of the absence being for the observance of a religious holy day or about whether the student has been given reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations.

The academic dean of each college serves as the president’s designee to hear requests for decisions on these matters from either the faculty member or the student.

Institutional policy with regard to students with AIDS follows the general guidelines of the American College Health Association and Texas State UPPS 07.09.01 (Management of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome [AIDS] on Campus). Students with HIV infection are encouraged to take advantage of medical, counseling and support services on campus. All information will be handled in a strictly confidential manner in accordance with the procedures and requirements in effect at Texas State.

The university policy concerning alcoholic beverages on campus is established in UPPS No. 05.03.03.

The divisional vice president, or designee, with oversight for the venue in which alcohol is to be served reserves the option to disapprove any request to serve or sell alcoholic beverages at an event if that disapproval is deemed to be in the best interest of the university community. The sponsor must obtain the written approval on the Alcoholic Beverage Activity form from the following persons at least 10 working days before the event.

Texas State considers email to be a significant information resource and an appropriate mechanism for official university communication. The university provides official university email addresses and services to its students, faculty, staff, and organizational units for this purpose and to enhance the efficiency of educational and administrative processes. In providing these services, the university anticipates that email recipients will access and read university communications in a timely fashion. 

Subject to applicable policies and statutes, students who have registered and paid fees can use Texas State’s information resources for school-related and personal purposes. Personal use must not result in any additional expense to the university or violate restrictions detailed in Section 05 of UPPS 04.01.07.

The Clery Act was signed into law in 1990. The law requires institutions that participate in federal student financial aid programs to prepare and distribute an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) annually. The ASFSR must include crime statistics for the past three years, campus policies about safety and security, campus crime prevention programs, law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, and procedures to be followed in the investigation and prosecution of alleged sex offenses. To be in full compliance, institutions must provide students and employees with timely warnings and emergency notifications of crimes that represent a threat to the campus community, keep and make available a log of crimes and fires reported to the University Police Department for the past 60 days, disclose missing student notification procedures that pertain to students residing in on-campus student housing, and disclose fire safety information and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years for on-campus student housing facilities. In addition, the ASFSR addresses the Violence Against Women Act amendments to the Clery Act which include the rights afforded to campus survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

The Texas State Annual Security Report section applies to both the San Marcos and Round Rock campuses, and the Fire Safety Report section applies only to the San Marcos Campus as Round Rock does not have on-campus student housing facilities.

The Texas State ASFSR is available online. You may request a paper copy of the ASFSR by contacting Institutional Compliance and Ethics at Elliot Hall A (201 Talbot Street, San Marcos, TX 78666) or at 512-245-4961.

Texas State provides each of its authorized users with a computer account, known as a NetID, which provides access to the university’s information resources. In accepting a NetID or any other access ID, the recipient agrees to abide by applicable Texas State policies and legal statues, including all federal, state, and local laws. Texas State reserves the right at any time to limit, restrict, or deny access to its information resources and to take disciplinary or legal action against anyone in violation of these policies or statutes.

One such policy, UPPS 04.01.07 – Appropriate Use of Information Resources, clearly outlines the university’s expectations regarding the use of Texas State computing, network, and other information resources and specifies prohibited behavior. Examples of prohibited behavior include harassment of other users, intentional virus infusion, bandwidth monopolization, use of university resources for personal gain, and spam generation. Students should be particularly mindful of federal legislation targeting the illegal distribution of music and video files using peer-to-peer file sharing software. The university’s Notice to Students about P2P and File Sharing describes this legislation and possible university sanctions, civil liabilities, and criminal penalties that may result from unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials.

The university is also proactive when addressing information security issues. Please refer to UPPS 04.01.01, Security of Texas State Information Resources, for responsibilities related to security requirements.

Students with questions about the acceptability of various computing-related activities are encouraged to contact the IT Assistance Center (ITAC) at 512.245.ITAC (4822) or itac@txstate.edu.

Computer software should be used in accordance with license agreement and software copyright law. Unauthorized use or duplication of software is contrary to Texas State standards of conduct. Users do not own software they purchase or register; instead, they are licensed users with rights to use the software (in many cases on a single computer).

Software users are responsible for discerning and complying with the owner’s copyright restrictions, regardless of how that software is obtained.

Any university student who makes, acquires, distributes, or uses unauthorized copies of software may be subject to loss of network privileges or other disciplinary action.

Computer Software Responsibilities for Users

• Accept the responsibility to prevent illegal software usage and abide by university policy on the use of copyrighted materials, UPPS 01.04.27, Intellectual Property: Ownership and Use of Copyrighted Works, which requires all members of the university community to respect copyright law.
• Do not illegally distribute or share software with anyone.
• Do not consider a university license as a legal right for personal gain or freedom to duplicate and distribute.
• Do not download unauthorized copies. 
• Do not buy counterfeit, unbundled, rental, or promo product for full use. 
• Comply with UPPS 04.01.07 — Appropriate Use of Information Resources.
• Adhere to the license agreement that comes with the software. 
• Remove or update any outdated or illegal software. 
• Report any illegal software practice to the IT Assistance Center (ITAC) at 512.245.ITAC (4822) or itac@txstate.edu.

Effective August 1, 2016, as authorized by Texas Government Code Section 411.2031, an individual who holds a valid License to Carry (“license holder”) is allowed to carry a concealed handgun on or about their person on the campuses and certain other locations associated with public institutions of higher education. Open carry is not permitted on campus. The law allows the University President to establish reasonable rules, regulations, or other provisions regarding the carrying of concealed handguns by license holders on the campus of the institution or on premises located on the campus of the institution.

For information specific to Texas State University, including the full list of locations where the concealed carrying of a handgun is PROHIBITED on Texas State University Campuses, please visit the campus carry website at or refer to UPPS 01.04.45.

The university has established policies and parameters to engage in free expression and lawful demonstration on university-owned or leased property located on the San Marcos or Round Rock campuses or surrounding areas. These policies and parameters are codified in University Policy and Procedure Statement (UPPS) 07.04.07, Demonstrations on University Property.

Dining Hall Policies

The dining halls include Commons and Harris Dining Hall, which offer an "all-you-care-to-eat" menu. All food must be consumed within the dining area and not taken out of the dining hall unless you have paid or swiped for a to-go box. Students may go back to the line as often as they wish with a clean plate each time. Students are encouraged to take only the amount of food they will eat to reduce food waste and contribute to the Stop Food Waste initiative.

Students are not allowed to bring outside food or drink or refillable drink containers into the dining hall. Removal of plates, glasses, silverware, utensils, and other equipment from the dining halls is prohibited. Theft of such items and/or food will result in disciplinary action in accordance with Texas State University policy. Students are expected to return their dishes to the dish-return rack before leaving the dining halls. University policy is inclusive of all dining locations. Meal plan holders may not share meal swipes with others. Only the meal plan holder can redeem an "all-you-care-to-eat" dining experience using their meal swipe, unless they are using a Guest Pass.

Retail Policies

Retail dining locations include LBJ Marketplace, The Den Food Company, Jones Dining Center, and Market convenience stores that offer Jack & Olive product. Dining Dollars are accepted at all Chartwells-operated dining locations on the Texas State University San Marcos campus, Round Rock campus, and athletic concessions. Students can pay for any item in our retail locations with Dining Dollars. Students will have the flexibility to pay for their meal in our food courts and any Jack and Olive product in the Markets by using a Meal Swipe with the equivalency value of $7. To use a Meal Swipe to pay, the meal must cost less than $7. Any purchase over the $7 equivalency value can be paid with your Dining Dollars, cash, credit/debit, or Bobcat Buck$. Meal plan holders may not share meal swipes with others. Only the meal plan holder can use meal equivalencies in the retail location.

A student who, by a preponderance of the evidence, is found to have illegally possessed, used, sold or distributed any quantity, whether usable or not of any drug, narcotic or controlled substance, whether the infraction is found to have occurred on or off campus, shall be subject to discipline ranging from mandatory, university-approved counseling to expulsion. A student who has been suspended, dismissed or expelled from any system component shall be ineligible to enroll at any other system component during the applicable period of discipline. A list of all institutions that form the Texas State University System is included on their website.

Texas State is committed to providing a healthy and safe learning environment for all students and employees.

The institution has established procedures to advise members of the university community on the consequences of alcohol and/or drug use, possession and distribution.

Additionally, Texas State is dedicated to providing important and available information regarding substance abuse counseling, educational courses, treatment, rehabilitation and re-entry programs. The Alcohol and drug Complinace Services, Health Promotion Services, Student Health Center, and Human Resources provide services on alcohol and drug prevention, training, and educational programs fro students or employees.

Significant sections of this handbook and other university publications clearly indicate Texas State’s commitment to comply with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act. For additional information, see UPPS No. 04.04.48 on Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act.

(Buckley Amendment, 1974)

Notification of Rights Under FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records.
These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s own education records (with certain limited exceptions) within 45 days of the day Texas State receives the student's request for access. A student should submit to the Registrar, Academic Dean, Department Chair or other appropriate official, a written request identifying the records they wish to inspect. Texas State will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the university official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. The process for requesting an amendment is contained in Section 08 of UPPS No. 01.04.31.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to "school officials" with "legitimate educational interests". A “school official” is a person employed by the university or the Texas State University System in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the university has contracted to provide a service to or on behalf of the university (such as an attorney, auditor, information processor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Regents of the Texas State University System; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing their tasks. A school official has a “legitimate educational interest” if the official needs to review or maintain an education record in order to fulfill their professional or contractual responsibility. Another such exception permits Texas State to disclose a student's "directory information" without consent. Texas State has designated the following information as directory information: 
   1. name;
   2. fields of study, including major and minor;
   3. enrollment status (actual hours enrolled, undergraduate, graduate, etc.);
   4. degrees, certificates and awards;
   5. type of award received (academic, technical, continuing education, etc.);
   6. dates of attendance;
   7. student classification;
   8. name of the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended;
   9. telephone number;
   10. current and permanent addresses, excluding email addresses;
   11. weight and height of athletes;
   12. participation in officially recognized activities and sports;
   13. names of prospective graduates;
   14. names of parents;
   15. photographs of students; and
   16. any other records that could be treated as directory information under FERPA.

Upon request, the university also discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll where the student is already enrolled so long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student's enrollment or transfer.

4. The right to have the student’s directory information withheld. To do so, the student should complete and submit a Privacy Hold Form that is available in the Office of the University Registrar. Texas State will apply the request to the student’s records until the student notifies the Registrar’s Office otherwise.
5. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Texas State to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Student Privacy Policy Office, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20202-8520.
6. Texas State may release the results of campus disciplinary proceedings concerning alleged perpetrators of violent crimes to the victims of those violent crimes.

The university reserves the right to take disciplinary action against individual students and/or groups who are involved in hazing activities. Such disciplinary action may be taken independently of state or local prosecutorial actions, regardless of the outcome of such prosecutorial actions. Hazing on the part of students, faculty or staff is strictly forbidden, whether on or off campus. The Texas Education Code (TEC, available online at www.statutes.capitol.texas.gov), Title 2, Subtitle G, Chapter 37, Subchapter F (Hazing), sections 37.151 to 37.157 and Title 3, Subtitle A, Chapter 51, Subchapter Z, section 51.936 (Hazing), provides penal sanctions in the event of a conviction of hazing and sets requirements for institutions of higher education to publish a summary of these provisions to students. TEC provides in part, as it pertains to students:

1. Hazing
   Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in or maintaining membership in an organization. The term includes but is not limited to:
   1. any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body or similar activity;
   2. any type of physical activity, such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics or other activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student;
   3. any activity involving consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug or other substance which subjects the student to an unreasonable risk or harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student;
   4. any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects the student to extreme mental stress, shame or humiliation, that adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student or discourages the student from entering or remaining registered in an educational institution, or that may reasonably be expected to cause a student to leave the organization or the institution rather than submit to such acts;
   5. any activity that induces, causes or requires the student to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the Penal Code or Code of Student Conduct; and
   6. coercing a student to consume a drug, alcoholic beverage, or liquor in an amount that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student is intoxicated.
2. Personal Hazing Offense
   A person commits an offense if the person:
   1. engages in hazing
   2. solicits, encourages, directs, aids or attempts to aid another in engaging in hazing
   3. intentionally, knowingly or recklessly permits hazing to occur or
   4. has firsthand knowledge of the planning of a specific hazing incident involving a student in an educational institution, or firsthand knowledge that a specific hazing incident has occurred and knowingly fails to report said knowledge in writing to the Dean of Students or other appropriate official of the institution
3. Penalties for Hazing
   In addition to penalties imposed by the university for violating this hazing policy or the Code of Student Conduct and to the state's enforcement of other penal provisions, TEC section 37.152 establishes that:
   1. The offense of failing to report hazing violations is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000, confinement in jail for not more than 180 days, or both such fine and confinement.
   2. Any other hazing offense that does not cause serious bodily injury to another is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000, confinement in jail for not more than 180 days, or both such fine and confinement.
   3. Any other hazing offense that causes serious bodily injury to another is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000, confinement in a jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both such fine and confinement.
   4. Any other hazing offense that causes the death of another is a state jail felony punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000, confinement in state jail for no less than 180 days and not more than two years, or both such fine and confinement. The punishment of a state jail felony shall be that of a third degree felony in cases where a deadly weapon is used or exhibited during the commission of the offense or during immediate flight following the commission of the offense or a person knew that a deadly weapon would be used or exhibited.
   5. Except if a hazing offense causes the death of a student, in sentencing a person convicted of an offense under the provisions of TEC section 37.152, a court may require a person to perform community service, subject to the same conditions imposed on a person placed on community supervision under Chapter 42A, Code of Criminal Procedure, for an appropriate period of time in lieu of confinement in county jail or in lieu of a part of the time the person is sentenced to confinement in county jail.
4. Organization Hazing offense
   1. An organization commits an offense if the organization condones or encourages hazing or if an officer or any combination of members, pledges or alumni of the organization commits or assists in the commission of hazing.
   2. Such an offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $10,000 or if a court finds that the offense caused personal injury, property damage or other loss, a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than double the amount lost or expenses incurred because of the injury, damage or loss.
5. Consent not a defense
   It is not a defense to prosecution of an offense that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.
6. Immunity from prosecution Available
   In the prosecution of an offense, the court may grant immunity from prosecution for the offense to each person who is subpoenaed to testify for the prosecution and who does testify for the prosecution. Any person reporting a specific hazing incident involving a student in an educational institution to the Dean of Students or other appropriate official of the institution is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed as a result of the report. Immunity extends to participation in any judicial proceeding resulting from the report. A person reporting in bad faith or with malice is not protected.
7. Notification of Hazing Policy and Disciplined Organizations
   TEC section 51.936(c) requires the university to:
   1. Distribute to each student during the first three weeks of each semester a summary of the provisions of TEC Subchapter F, Chapter 37 (i.e., this Hazing Policy) and a list of organization(s) that have been disciplined for hazing or convicted for hazing on or off campus during the preceding three years.; and,
   2. Publish a summary of the provisions of TEC Subchapter F, Chapter 37, in each edition of any a general catalogue, student handbook, or similar publication it publishes.
      The Dean of Students Office will publish the list of organizations on its website and will include it in a campus-wide email sent out at the beginning of each long semester, along with the Hazing Memorandum reminding students of Texas State’s Hazing Policy.

The Department of Housing and Residential Life at Texas State University supports the academic mission of the university by providing on-campus housing. In support of the educational mission of the university and the value of on-campus residential experience to students, the department provides students with a safe, comfortable and convenient living environment, while offering opportunities for increased campus involvement, social interaction and academic assistance. For these reasons, the university requires that certain students live on campus.

Therefore, new freshmen under the age of 20 (by September 1 for fall admission or January 1 for spring admission) with fewer than 30 credit hours are required to live in on-campus university housing. All students who graduated from high school within the preceding 12 months of the semester of their admission are also required to live on campus.

In other words, new students who graduate high school in the year prior to enrolling must live on campus, regardless of age and hours. New freshmen who will not be 20 by September 1 (or January 1 for spring admission) AND will have completed less than 30 credit hours will be required to live on campus. 

Current Texas State on-campus residents are not required to live on campus for a second year; however some limited space is available for students who wish to reside on campus past the first year.

If a student is under the age of 21, and it is determined that the student is responsible for a disciplinary violation regarding the use, sale, possession or distribution of alcohol or a controlled substance, the university reserves the right to disclose to a parent or legal guardian such student information regarding the violation, regardless of whether that information is contained in the student’s records. This practice is compliant with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).

UPPS 07.04.02 

Texas State maintains rules and regulations regarding distributing literature, posting signs and banners, and maintaining information booths on the San Marcos and Round Rock campuses. Student Involvement can assist with activities related to this policy. 

For the most updated posting policy please read Posting/Distribution of Literature, Information Booths & Banners on Campus Policy 07.04.02.

Texas State University is committed to an inclusive educational and work environment that provides equal opportunity and access to all qualified persons. Texas State, to the extent not in conflict with federal or state law, prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

For questions regarding prohibition of discrimination, please contact the office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX at 512.245.2539, by email at equalopportunity@txstate.edu or in person at Elliott A, third floor.

For questions regarding sexual misconduct, please contact the university’s Title IX Coordinator at 512.245.2539, by email at TitleIX@txstate.edu or in person at Elliott A, third floor. A report of sexual misconduct can be submitted online through the Title IX reporting tool.

Texas State University has specific policies prohibiting discrimination and sexual misconduct, including:

• UPPS No. 04.04.46 Prohibition of Discrimination policy
• Texas State University System Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures

The Title IX Coordinator for Texas State University is responsible for compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits sex discrimination in university activities and programs. The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for the oversight of the complaint procedures related to Title IX compliance including sexual assault, sexual harassment, admissions and recruitment, educational programs and activities, athletics, housing, financial aid, counseling and employment. The Title IX Coordinator also serves as Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX and is housed in the Elliott A Building.

Title IX Coordinator
Texas State University
601 University Drive
Elliott A, Third Floor
San Marcos, Texas 78666
Phone: 512.245.2539
Fax: 512.245.7616
TitleIX@txstate.edu

Texas State University is committed to creating and maintaining educational communities in which each individual is respected, appreciated and valued. Texas State University diligently strives to foster an environment that permits and encourages everyone to perform at their highest level.

Our focus on tolerance, openness and respect is key in providing every member of the Texas State University community with basic human dignity free from harassment, exploitation, intimidation or other sexual misconduct. Any report of behavior that threatens our institutional values and breaches the Texas State University Sexual Misconduct Policy shall be promptly investigated and remediated in accordance with university policy.

Texas State is committed to an inclusive education and work environment that provides equal opportunity and access to all qualified persons. Texas State, in accordance with applicable federal and state law and institutional values, prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or veterans’ status. Pursuant to university policy, Texas State University also prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

Faculty, staff, students and guests of the university who are aware of instances of possible sexual misconduct have the right, and are encouraged, to report the incident promptly.

The report can be made to any of the following:

• The Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX, Elliott A, Third Floor, 512.245.2539, TitleIX@txstate.edu 
• Online Reporting Form

For further information, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX or review the Texas State University System Sexual Misconduct policy.

UPPS 07.04.03

Solicitation means 1) the sale or offer for sale of any property, goods, products or services, including the distribution of literature to promote a commercial message; or 2) the receipt of or request for any gift or contribution.

Solicitation on campus is prohibited, except for activities approved by the Dean of Students, or designee, which includes Student Involvement @ LBJSC.

The process for obtaining approval for solicitation on campus can be found on the Student Involvement @ LBJSC website.

• Any solicitation activity planned for a residence hall must also be approved by the director of Housing and Residential Life, or designee. Door-to-door solicitation in any residence hall or campus apartment complex of any kind is prohibited; and
• Any solicitation activity planned for an athletic event, including tailgating, must also be approved by the director of Athletics, or designee.

For the most updated solicitation policies and procedures please visit UPPS 07.04.03 and the Student Involvement website.

It is the policy of the university to provide student employee termination and grievance procedures for Texas State student employees per UPPS 07.07.04. University students who have an employment related grievance may contact Career Services at 512.245.2645 or the Dean of Students Office at 512.245.2124 for assistance.

Please note this is a summarized version of the policy. The full UPPS 04.05.02 can be referenced online.

1. Policy
   1. Texas State is committed to maintaining healthy and safe campuses in San Marcos and Round Rock.
   2. The policy provides guidelines prohibiting smoking and the use of all tobacco products including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes, vaporizers, pipes and hookahs at the Texas State campuses.
   3. The university expects all faculty, staff, students, employees of contractors and subcontractors, and visitors to comply with this policy’s spirit and intent.
2. Prohibition
   1. The university prohibits smoking and the use of all tobacco products on all university property including:
      1. all buildings and vehicles owned, leased or under the supervision of the university
      2. all outdoor grounds including athletic and recreational fields, parking garages and lots, Sewell Park, University Camp and Freeman Center
      3. all outdoor stadia and grandstands for athletic and recreational fields
      4. personal or other vehicles parked on university property
3. Reporting and Compliance
   1. Employees or students who observe tobacco policy violations should inform the person that the university prohibits the use of all tobacco products on university property. If the violator refuses to adhere to this policy, the observer should then report the violation.
   2. Persons that repeatedly violate the tobacco policy should be reported to the appropriate administrative official:
      1. Student violations should be reported to the Dean of Students Office via their online reporting form.
      2. Faculty violations should be reported to the Office of the Provost.
      3. Staff violations should be reported to the appropriate vice president’s office.
      4. Contractor and subcontractor violations should be reported to the department administering the contract.
      5. Visitor violations should be reported to the University Police Department.
   3. The university expects voluntary compliance with this policy’s spirit and intent.
   4. The university will deal with tobacco policy violations on a case by case basis in accordance with the university’s established disciplinary policies.
4. Smoking Cessation Resources
   1. Faculty, staff and students interested in assistance with smoking cessation may contact the Texas State Student Health Center at 512.245.2161 for information. The Student Health Center provides a smoking cessation program that is available to faculty, staff and students. 
   2. Faculty and staff may contact the Work Life coordinator in Human Resources at 512.245.2557 to request information on any employee assistance programs available to university or state employees interested in smoking cessation.

Parking

parking@txstate.edu
512.245.2887

The purpose of the university’s parking resources is to provide students, faculty and staff safe and efficient access to classrooms, auxiliary buildings and facilities. Parking areas on Central Campus are dedicated for use by faculty, staff and on-campus residents. Commuter parking is located on the perimeter of the campus. The university’s shuttle bus system provides transportation service to and from these lots. The Texas Education Code gives Texas State the authority to regulate parking on campus, and the Transportation Services Advisory Council (TSAC) reviews the parking rules and regulations on a regular basis. Parking Services has the authority to enforce these rules. Suggestions to improve the parking rules or policies can be made in writing to the (TSAC) c/o the Transportation Services Office.

With the exception of the LBJ Student Center and Edward Gary Street garages and vehicles displaying a pay-and-display temporary permit, every vehicle parked on campus must display a valid Texas State parking permit. Texas State University uses License Plate Recognition. Virtual permits are connected to the license plate registered to the parking account. Every student, faculty, staff or frequent user of a university facility must:

• Register the vehicle with Parking Services online and purchase a permit.
• Properly display the license plate/permit when the vehicle is parked on campus.
• Become familiar with the Traffic and Parking Rules.

The rules are enforced at all times. The purchase of a permit and registration of your vehicle does not guarantee a parking space, and the lack of space never justifies parking illegally.

Updates and changes to the rules and policies and current parking permit fees can be found on the Parking Services website.

Types of Standard Student Permits

• Residence Hall (Green Zone) permits are available to students living in on-campus residence halls. Residence Hall permits allow parking in all Green residence hall spaces and all Perimeter (P) Lots at any time.
• Mill Street/Residence Hall (Gold Zone) permits are available to on-campus residents preferring a less expensive parking option and allows the vehicle to be parked in the Mill Street Lot.
• Bobcat Village Resident Permits (Silver Zone) permits are available to residents of Bobcat Village. Bobcat Village Residents are not eligible for a Residence Hall, or Mill Street/Residence Hall Permit or a Commuter/Perimeter permit. Silver permits allow parking in the Bobcat Village spaces and all Perimeter (P) Lots.
• Commuter/Perimeter (Purple Zone) permits are available to commuting students. Commuter/Perimeter permits allow parking in Perimeter (P) and Commuter (C) lots at any time.

Chronic Offender Policy

Anyone who has parked a vehicle or vehicles on university property who has been issued five or more tickets within a continuous 12-month period, regardless of whether the tickets are paid or on appeal, will be considered a chronic offender of the university’s parking rules. 

Chronic offenders may continue to park legally on campus; however, when a vehicle assigned to a chronic offender is found illegally parked, it is subject to: 1) immediate impound and 2) a $150 chronic offender fee. Texas State students, faculty and staff, visitors, guests and any non-Texas State affiliates are subject to the chronic offender provisions and are not affected by either a temporary or permanent change in one’s position or status with the university. 

Additional Information

Parking Services is located at 202 Student Center Drive in the Matthews Street Parking Garage behind the LBJ Student Center. Further information may be obtained by visiting the Parking Services website or by calling 512.245.2887.

The complete rules and regulations are available online.

Transportation

transportation@txstate.edu 
512.245.5555

Texas State University is committed to alternative modes of transportation to promote a pedestrian-oriented campus and to reduce the demand for parking on campus and alleviate traffic.

Bicycles, Skateboards and Non-motorized Vehicles

Bicyclists are to operate their bicycles in a responsible and courteous manner and observe the following operating regulations. Texas Law guarantees bicycle riders on roadways the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. Bicycle parking is permitted only in designated bicycle parking areas (storage elsewhere is an impound violation). For security purposes, students may register bicycles with Transportation Services at no cost.

The use of non-motorized vehicles is not allowed in any campus building including any Housing and Residential Life building. If roommates agree, certain non-motorized vehicles, as outlined in the Resident Guide to Rights and Responsibilities, may be stored in a room or apartment. 

The Bike Cave

The Bike Cave is the university-owned bike shop and workspace. It is located in Room 100, Colorado Building on Pleasant Street.  Email bikecave@txstate.edu for more information. The Bike Cave has self-serve work stations and tools, parts and trained mechanics to help students maintain or repair their bikes. The Cave offer parts, safety accessories, affordable bikes and services for sale.

Additional Information

Transportation Services is located in 228 Commons Hall; more information is available at the Transportation Services website or by calling 512.245.5555.

Bobcat Shuttle

shuttle@txstate.edu
512.245.5555

The Bobcat Shuttle is a bus service operated for all Texas State students, faculty, staff and the general public. The system is in operation during class days.

How to Ride the Bus

• Check the map or the Texas State app to find the stop closest to you.
• Make sure to be at the bus stop before the bus gets there. Use the Doublemap Real-Time GPS Tracking on the TXST Smartphone App to help plan your trip.
• When the bus arrives, check the route name and number on the bus to make sure it’s the bus you want. Not sure? Ask the driver; they are happy to help.
• Let people off the bus before you get on the bus.
• Get on! You do not need to show your TXST ID or pay a fare.
• When your stop is about a block away, pull the hanging cord to let the driver know that you want the bus to stop.
• When the bus stops, check where you were sitting to make sure you left nothing behind. Be sure to watch your step as you get off the bus.

Additional Information

The Bobcat Shuttle office is located in 228 Commons Hall; more information is available at the Bobcat Shuttle website or by calling 512.245.5555.

The university prohibits others from using its registered logos and symbols without its written consent. Although recognized student organizations are eligible to use these symbols, they must first obtain written permission from either the university’s Department of Athletics or the Office of University Marketing. The Director of Athletics or the Director of University Marketing will consider requests to use these symbols. UPPS 01.04.10 (Registration, Control, and Marketing University Symbols) contains a more detailed statement of the university’s policies. The university does not permit student organizations to alter any of its registered symbols. 

Campus organizations may not use university symbols in connection with political or commercial activities that would imply university ownership or endorsement. The Director of Athletics or the Director of University Marketing may waive the payment of royalty fees in certain circumstances.