Temple parents and families:

This fall semester, Temple University welcomed nearly 4,500 freshmen in Temple's Class of 2018, which is projected to be the university's largest and one of its most academically accomplished cohorts.

"The high quality of this new class demonstrates that Temple is a university on the rise," President Neil D. Theobald said. "Students know that Temple delivers an outstanding education, and our reputation as a leading public research university is spreading."

More than 83 percent of freshmen signed up for Fly in 4, a new initiative for students who are committed to graduating on time and limiting their debt.

First-year students were joined by approximately 2,500 new transfer students this fall semester.

Thank you for joining your student on this journey!

Temple University creates new resource in support of diversity
Temple University continues to support its mission to maintain a campus climate that welcomes diversity with the rollout of a new website. The new site, diversity.temple.edu, highlights events, organizations and academic offerings across campus that celebrate or are related to diversity.

Up and coming: Temple's 'U.S. News' rankings highlight recent growth trend
The release of the 2015 edition of U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges contained plenty of good news for Temple University, which received high marks for its graduation rates, its academic reputation among high school guidance counselors and its undergraduate business programs, as well as recognition as one of the nation's best colleges for veterans.

Temple Option will open more doors to a university education
Starting with applications for fall 2015, students may apply via the Temple Option without submitting a standardized test score, such as the SAT or ACT. The Temple Option is an admissions path for talented students who show great potential for success but don't perform well on standardized tests.

Disability Resources and Services now offers convenient web tool
This fall semester, DRS introduced MyDRS, a web tool that allows students and instructors the flexibility to register for services from their own computers and according to their own schedules. MyDRS makes arranging for test-taking accommodations easier for students and instructors.

Lewis Katz's unforgettable Temple graduation speech named nation's best
Words shared by Lewis Katz in his uplifting address to graduates at Temple's 127th Commencement exercises on May 15, 2014, only 16 days before a plane crash claimed his life, have earned the highest honor a Commencement address can receive.

Career Fair, Oct. 2
12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Howard Gittis Student Center, Room 200
The career fair is open to all majors and provides undergraduate students, graduate students and alumni the opportunity to connect with employers from various industries. See the full list of employers scheduled to attend the fall 2014 career fair. Students are required to wear professional attire and bring resumes. We encourage students to have their resume reviewed prior to the career fair by visiting the Career Center in Mitten Hall, room 220, during drop-in hours, Monday through Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Homecoming 2014: Oct. 10–12
Every fall, alumni and their families and friends are invited to return to Temple to show their Owl pride and celebrate Homecoming. For one fun-filled weekend, students, families and alumni have the opportunity to participate in many events, including spirit competitions, athletic competitions, various reunions and gatherings, and the university's biggest tailgate of the year.

National Coming Out Week: Oct. 13–17
National Coming Out Week (NCOW) includes programs that foster educational dialogue and thinking. The intent of these programs is to target awareness of current societal norms and how they affect the LGBTQIA community. NCOW further provides visibility and ally development for members of the Temple community and creates a safe space for members of the LGBTQIA community.

Graduate and Professional School Fair: Nov. 6
1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Howard Gittis Student Center, Room 200
Students interested in graduate school can attend the second-annual Graduate and Professional School Fair. Meet with many of the region's finest graduate and professional school programs. This event is open to Temple students and alumni and the community.

Encourage your student to try something new at TU!

The start of a new academic year or college career can be overwhelming. In Student Activities, we encourage students to support two of our main themes for the year: trying something new and responsible involvement. Temple University and Philadelphia have so many things to offer—now is the time for students to try something different and discover new interests. Perhaps your student will expand his or her palate to include new ethnic foods on a Memorable Moments trip. At Free Food and Fun Fridays, your student may meet new friends from across the university. These years can be the time to stretch out of a comfort zone while in a supportive and friendly environment.

We also encourage students to join some of the many student organizations at Temple. The Owl Connect database will recommend organizations based on students' interests. Although students may have been involved in all types of groups in high school, we suggest joining two or three to become deeply involved and take advantage of close friendships and leadership opportunities. Student involvement is a great way to develop outside the classroom but shouldn't be something that causes stress because of too many things to do. We think students' future employers will agree with us!

Visit studentactivities.temple.edu for more details.

Red-hot starts for Temple women's sports

View the academic calendar for a full listing of important dates.

Oct. 22: Priority course registration begins for spring 2015

Nov. 24–26: Fall break (no classes held)

Nov. 27–28: Thanksgiving holiday (no classes held; university offices closed)

Dec. 8: Fall-term courses end

Dec. 9–10: Study days

Dec. 11–17: Final exams

Send us your updated contact information to stay in the loop with Temple and your student.
Email TUParents@temple.edu or call 215-926-2543.

Stay connected to Temple.