Trinity University (Texas)

Trinity University is an independent, primarily undergraduate, liberal arts and sciences university in San Antonio, Texas.

Student Life

Student Organizations

Trinity hosts several local, but no national, social fraternities and sororities. Fraternities include Alpha Theta Chi, Bengal Lancers, Chi Delta Tau, Iota Chi Rho, Kappa Kappa Delta, Omega Phi, Phi Sigma Chi, and the Triniteers. Sororities include Alpha Chi Lambda, Chi Beta Epsilon, Gamma Chi Delta, Sigma Theta Tau, Spurs, and Zeta Chi. There is one "underground" fraternity, Alpha Psi Omega, that is no longer recongized by the university but still exists unofficially and recruits through word of mouth. Additionally, the school hosts chapters of several academic honor organizations, including Blue Key, Mortar Board, and Phi Beta Kappa.

Related Topics:
Fraternities and sororities - Phi Beta Kappa

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Service opportunities can be found through the largest single student organization, the Trinity University Voluntary Action Center, or TUVAC, which provides opportunities for students to give back to the surrounding community. The national co-ed service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega is also represented. Student government takes the form of the Association of Student Representatives, the Trinity University Honor Council, TIGER Council, the Trinity Multicultural Network, and a Student Court. The Ambassadors coordinate campus visitors and inter-university relations.

Related Topics:
Co-ed - Alpha Phi Omega

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In addition, a number of interest groups attract students. Religious organizations include The Well, Lighthouse (an InterVarsity Christian Fellowship group), the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Jewish Student Association, Catholic Student Group, the Hindu Student Union, the Muslim Student Association, and Students Creating Awareness of the Sikh Faith. Cultural and ethnic groups include the Asian Sub-Continental Association, Black Student Union, Filipino Student Association, Latino Exchange, Lesbian, Gay, Straight and Bisexual alliance, and the Vietnamese Student Association. Political interests can be pursued in College Republicans, College Democrats, and the Coalition for Peace and Justice. Trinity's radio station, KRTU 91.7 FM, broadcasts jazz during the day, the only station in San Antonio to do so. At night, student volunteers play indie rock.

Related Topics:
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship - Fellowship of Christian Athletes - Jewish - Catholic - Hindu - Muslim - Sikh - Jazz - Indie rock

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Intervarsity sports are also popular at Trinity. Students may participate in swimming, flag football, raquetball, table tennis, cross country, indoor and outdoor soccer, the homerun derby, track and field, wrestling, tennis, volleyball, basketball, checkers, chess and spades.

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Traditions

Organized traditions at Trinity over the years have included the Tower Party, the Last Great Reception, TigerFest, Rites of Spring, Senior Disorientation, Spotlight, and Christmas Vespers. Traditions that students perpetuate through word of mouth include being thrown into the Miller fountain on one's birthday, sorority candelights to announce engagements and the accompaning fraternity "Bud light," and trips to Taco Cabana, a local Mexican chain restaurant, for tortillas and queso. Another popular tradition, "The Ghosts of Calvert 3rd," involves the residents the third floor of Calvert Hall (which was traditionally male until recent years) covering themselves in nothing but flour and streaking through the first-year quad the night of Halloween. In recent years, the tradition has involved women as well as men.

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In early 2005, Student Body President Bryan Henderson wrote an editorial in The Trinitonian, Trinity's campus newspaper, remarking that he felt that the campus was lacking in campus tradition. In response, two new traditions have been introduced (albeit to a somewhat lukewarm reception) ? stepping around the University seal in front of Northrop Hall, and a procession from Laurie Auditorium to the Esplanade following graduation ceremonies. However, some students prefer to retain the Trinity tradition of "not having traditions."

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