Bobcat Welcome is Texas State University's program designed to officially welcome new students to the university community. Building on New Student Orientation, this week allows new students to further explore opportunities, services, and resources helpful in their transition.

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BOBCAT LIFE DIGITAL ONBOARDING

Bobcat Life Digital Onboarding is your first step in Bobcat Welcome to help facilitate a successful transition to Texas State. Incoming students will receive access to this onboarding via Canvas prior to the start of their first semester. Each module is filled with information and resources that will help students navigate their time in college. 

  • Bobcat Life Digital Onboarding is a transition program and the initial experience of Bobcat Welcome for Spring 2026. It consists of five, educational video modules housed in Canvas - Texas State's learning management system. These modules provide you with important information about a variety of resources you'll use in your first year as a Bobcat! If you are an incoming student, you should have access to the Canvas site beginning Thursday, January 8th at 12:00pm. Completion of all modules is due Saturday, January 31st at 11:59pm.

  • Incoming students will gain access to the Canvas site starting Thursday, January 8th at 12:00pm. Completion of all modules is due Saturday, January 31st at 11:59pm. We encourage you to complete them as soon as possible as these modules provide important information and resources from campus that you can begin using right away. These resources are provided to you with the intent to provide knowledge and access to services that will assist you with navigating Texas State throughout your first semester. 

  • Incoming students should receive an email from Canvas informing them that they've been added to a new site, and the “Bobcat Life Digital Onboarding (Spring 2026)" site should be available in the Canvas dashboard. There, students can view the modules and take the associated quizzes attached to the modules to receive credit for the section. Students are unable to receive credit for the Bobcat Welcome Week components if the modules are incomplete after January 8th.

  • Technology at TXST 

    As a Texas State student, you have access to a vast array of free technology services. The majority of your communication, research, information, and creativity will be connected to technology tools on campus, In this module, you'll view a top ten countdown of key tools and services you'll need to rock your first semester. All of this will mesh into your college life and make your Texas State experience smoother than ever.

    Stand Up, Speak Up 

    This module will encourage you through video instruction on how to make safe, informed, and responsible decisions about alcohol and drugs at Texas State. You will also learn how to navigate moving from being a bystander to an upstander in alcohol, drug, and interpersonal violence situations.     

    Healthy Minds 

    There are many adjustments to be made in the first year of college that can be stressful and interfere with achieving goals. With awareness about mental health and by using prevention skills, college stress can be turned into a success! 

    Title IX and Consent at TXST

    Every Texas State Student is protected under Title IX which prohibits sex-based discrimination in education. Students will learn what Title IX means for all students and the responsibility Texas State University has under the law. This module will discuss multiple ways a Title IX policy could be violated, who the student could report to if a Title IX violation has occurred, and what to expect from the process. Students will also recognize the role alcohol can have and the importance of understanding enthusiastic consent in every situation. 

    Every Texas State student has the right to learn and live free from experiencing sexual violence. This module will also discuss how consent can sometimes be complex but should never be blurry. Students will discuss the importance of understanding enthusiastic consent in every situation, and what to do if you or someone you know experiences violence or harms another person. Students will be able to recognize how the role of alcohol and our environment can inform our college experiences and what we can do to prevent violence from happening.

    Alkek Library 

    Librarians from Texas State's Albert B. Alkek Library will share with you the wealth of resources and support offered at Alkek. From assistance with research, support in your academic courses, and the ability to borrow books, DVDs, and other equipment - Alkek is full of resources to help you during your time at Texas State! 

  • Completing quizzes will be how your attendance is recorded for each module of Bobcat Life Digital Onboarding. Some Bobcat Life Digital Onboarding quizzes will test your content mastery, and some will ask for feedback and assessment data on the module's effectiveness. If the quiz says (Content Check) beside it, it will be over mastery of the module's content. You must score 100% to advance to the next module. If it says (Feedback) beside it, it will be for gathering information about this module to help make Bobcat Welcome Week better in the future. 

  • Yes! They are both required to advance to next module - however, only the Content Checks are graded. You must receive 100% on the Content Check to advance to the next module. The Feedback quizzes are implemented to receive feedback on the effectiveness of each Bobcat Life Digital Onboarding module so that we can continue to improve them for each new class of Bobcats. You must submit the Feedback quiz to advance to the next module. 

  • If you are experiencing a technological problem with Canvas - we encourage you to utilize ITAC's Canvas Support resources. You can also contact ITAC for additional support. 

    If you have questions regarding Bobcat Welcome Week, the Bobcat Life Digital Onboarding content, or any of the specific modules - please contact New Student and Family Experiences at nso@txstate.edu

three students talking and laughing in the student center

WELCOME EVENT

Friday, January 16 • 5:00 - 8:00 PM

a student shooting a basketball into the basket

MEN'S BASKETBALL GAME

Saturday, January 17 • 3:30PM

a student shooting the basketball on the womens basketball team

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL GAME

Saturday, January 17 • 1:00PM

two students sitting at a table playing bingo

GROCERY BINGO

Saturday, January 18  • 7:00 - 9:00 PM

BOBCAT WELCOME SCHEDULE

  • Friday, January 16

    • Time: 5:00PM - 8:00PM
      George's (LBJ Student Center, First Floor)

      Kick off your evening at NSO After Dark! Join us for a fun, relaxed night featuring small bites, trivia games, and karaoke. It's the perfect chance to meet other new students, show off your TXST trivia knowledge or karaoke skills, and unwind while getting connected to campus. 

       

  • Saturday, January 17

    • Time: 1:00PM
      University Events Center (UEC)

      Join your new classmates to cheer on Texas State Women's Basketball team as they take on the Troy Trojans! Show your Bobcat pride and stick around for a chance to win some prizes. Bring your NSO name tag for a meal voucher!

    • Time: 3:30PM
      University Events Center (UEC)

      Join your new classmates to cheer on Texas State Men's Basketball team in their matchup against Southern Miss! Bring the energy, show your Bobcat pride, and take part in opportunities to win prizes throughout the night. Bring your NSO name tag for a meal voucher!

    • Time: 9:00AM – 1:00PM
      San Marcos Downtown Square

      Explore the San Marcos community! San Marcos Farmer's Market provides and outlet for Central Texas farmers to market their crops and a source of fresh, homegrown and homemade products for the local consumer. Held every Saturday!

    • Time: 7:00PM - 9:00PM
      LBJ Ballroom (LBJ Student Center, 3rd Floor)

      Stock up on fun at Grocery Bingo! Play for a chance to win grocery-themed prizes and dorm essentials while connecting with other new students. There will be multiple rounds so come and go as you please. 

  • Sunday, January 18

    • Time: 9:00AM - 2:00PM
      301 A Central Park Loop

      Explore the San Marcos community by checking out the La Cima Farmer's Market! Discover local vendors, fresh finds, and a great way to explore what the area has to offer.

Bobcat Welcome FAQs

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  • Bobcat Welcome is a university transition program designed to officially welcome new students to the university. Building on New Student Orientation, this program allows new students to further explore opportunities, services, and resources helpful in their transition and pursuit of student success! 

    The Bobcat Welcome experience includes: Bobcat Life Digital Onboarding, Signature events, and Community-hosted events. Each component of the Bobcat Welcome experience is designed to provide you with all the information and resources you need to develop your unique place within the Texas State community!

  • The Bobcat Welcome experience is designed for all new and returning Texas State students as they arrive to campus. Certain aspects, such as the Bobcat Life Digital Onboarding, are geared for students who are starting their first year at Texas State. Transfer students are encouraged to attend signature and community-hosted programs to learn more about the programs and services available to them at the university.

  • The Bobcat Welcome experience is primarily designed for undergraduate students to better prepare them for their first year at Texas State. Graduate students are welcome to attend any of the Signature and Community-hosted events as they will provide some exposure to programs and services the university has to offer. 

    The Graduate College has a two-part, optional orientation opportunity for new graduate students through their New Graduate Student Orientation (NGSO) experience: NGSO: Canvas, a self-paced guided resource you have access to throughout your time at Texas State, and their in-person NGSO: Meet & Greet events. 

  • If you have questions about any component of the Bobcat Welcome experience, you can contact the New Student and Family Experiences in the following ways:

    • Phone: 512-245-3655
    • Email: nso@txstate.edu
    • In Person by visiting New Student and Family Experiences on the 2nd floor of the Housing and Residential Life Building
  • If you require accommodations to attend or participate in any of the Bobcat Welcome events, please contact New Student and Family Experiences at nso@txstate.edu. Requests should be submitted at least 72 hours (3 days) prior to the event. 

Bobcat Welcome Program Outcomes

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      By attending Bobcat Welcome programming, students will:

  • Build a network of peers, faculty, and staff and connect to a welcoming community to assist in their social transition to college.
  • Be further exposed to campus and community programs and services designed to assist in their holistic development to student life.
  • Be introduced to the TXST community of scholars and increase knowledge of academic colleges, academic expectations, academic support resources, student success strategies, and curricular offerings to assist in their academic transition to college.  
  • Develop a sense of belonging and connectedness to being a Bobcat. 

Accommodations Requests

If you require accommodations to attend or participate in any Bobcat Welcome Week required or signature events, please complete this form.