At Trinity University, we strive to have positive and fruitful relationships with the parents of our traditional-age undergraduate students. The following elements underpin our philosophy.

1. We are student-centered. While parents play an integral role in the lives of their children, our mission is the education of our students in and out of the classroom. We prefer to communicate and deal directly with students as much as we possibly can. This allows students to learn to manage their own problems and affairs as they transition from adolescence to adulthood.

2. We strive to communicate in broad ways with parents of our students. All Trinity parents receive an annual calendar/handbook as a resource and three Trinity Parent newsletters per year, which provide information and tips for parents. (Parents of new students receive a special summer edition). Other resources available include this web page, the ParentTalk list serv, and orientation activities in August. The Student Affairs staff also sponsors Fall and Spring Family Weekends.

3. We hope to work with parents as partners in helping students succeed at Trinity University. Though students are expected to manage their own issues, sometimes parents have concerns that need to be checked out with a professional staff member. We will be a sounding board and resource and will help with issues such as family emergencies, sudden lack of contact, student anxiety, and more. Staff will not routinely contact parents about things such as conduct, grades, class attendance, or health and psychological crises unless there are elevated concerns about issues affecting a student's well-being or opportunity for success.