Rules

Official Rules

Graduate Hotel Sweepstakes

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.  A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES

OF WINNING.

VOID IN HI, AK AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  BY ENTERING THIS SWEEPSTAKES, YOU CONSENT

TO BE BOUND BY THESE OFFICIAL RULES.

ELIGIBILITY: You must be a legal resident of the continental United States of America who is

eighteen (18) years of age or older at time of entry. Void in HI, AK, and where prohibited by

law.

This Tecovas Graduate Hotel Sweepstakes (this “Sweepstakes”) is being administered

and sponsored by Tecovas, Inc. (hereinafter “Sweepstakes Provider”), who reserves the right

to verify the eligibility qualifications of any winner, and further reserves the right to conduct a

background check on any potential winners.  Sweepstakes Provider may, in its sole discretion,

disqualify any person if it is determined that awarding a prize to such a winner might reflect

negatively on Sweepstakes Provider.

Employees, temporary employees, independent contractors, and interns of Sweepstakes

Provider, and each of its respective affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, agents,

employees or partners, including without limitation other Sweepstakes sponsors, advertising

and promotional agencies, and the immediate family members of each, and any persons

living with, any such employees are not eligible to enter or to win. The term “immediate family

members” includes spouses, parents, grandparents, siblings, children, and grandchildren.

PRIVACY: BY ENTERING THIS SWEEPSTAKES, YOU AGREE TO THE SWEEPSTAKES PROVIDER’S

 PRIVACY POLICY, LOCATED AT: Tecovas Privacy Policy.  

YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE WILL BE USED FOR

MARKETING PURPOSES BY THE SWEEPSTAKES PROVIDER.  IN ADDITION TO ANY USES OF YOUR

INFORMATION MENTIONED IN THESE RULES, THE PRIVACY POLICY REFERENCED IN THE PARAGRAPH

ABOVE WILL GOVERN USE OF YOUR INFORMATION.  YOU SHOULD REVIEW THAT PRIVACY POLICY.

HOW TO ENTER: No purchase necessary to enter or win. To enter the Sweepstakes, visit the

following Tecovas webpage: https://www.tecovas.com/p/smu-weekend-graduate-hotel during the

Sweepstakes Period, and follow instructions to complete registration for e-mail or text

message communications (an “Entry”). There is no requirement to register for text messaging

communications to enter. Text messaging communications are subject to terms.

LIMIT ONE ENTRY PER PERSON.  No individual may submit more than one Entry.  Any individual

submitting more than one Entry may be disqualified from the Sweepstakes in Sweepstakes

Provider’s sole discretion.

Entries have no value and an Entry does not entitle a Participant to any compensation of any

type or kind.  If a Participant chooses to use a mobile device to submit an Entry, then

depending on the carrier, charges may apply.  If a Participant submits an Entry via mobile

device, then the Participant agrees to receive messages via mobile device relating to the

Sweepstakes, which may also result in charges. 

SWEEPSTAKES PERIOD: The Sweepstakes Period starts on May 13, 2025, at 12:00 AM CST and

ends on May 18, 2025, at  11:59 PM CST (the “Deadline”).  

The sole determinant of time for the purposes of the Sweepstakes will be when the Entry is

received by the applicable server.  Entries submitted close to the Deadline may not be timely

received.

No responsibility is assumed by Sweepstakes Provider for lost, late, misdirected, or illegible

Entries or for any computer, online, telephone or technical malfunctions that may occur.

Entries will be declared made by the authorized account holder submitted at the time of

entry. “Authorized account holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned to email

address submitted in connection with the Entry.  All Entries become the property of

Sweepstakes Provider and will not be acknowledged or returned to the Participant. 

All Entries must be identifiable with a natural person by appropriate independent means.

Potential winners may be requested to provide the Sweepstakes Provider with proof that the

potential winner is the individual associated with the winning Entry.  

PRIZES:  There will be 1 winner(s), who will each receive the bovine leather boot of choice

(subject to availability).  The estimated market value of the prize is $350.

Prizes are non-transferable and may not be redeemed for another prize by the winner.  The

Sweepstakes Provider reserves the right to award a substitute prize of equal or greater value,

at its discretion.  Winner is responsible for all applicable federal, state, and local income and

any other taxes, fees and surcharges. An IRS Form 1099 may be issued for all prizes with a

retail value of $600 or above (winners of prizes valued at $600 or more must provide their

social security number on IRS Form W-9 as a condition to receipt of the prize). 

WINNER SELECTION: The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible Entries.  The

winners will be selected by a random drawing from all qualified Entries received by the

Deadline.  Winner selection shall take place after the Deadline at Tecovas HQ (901 East 6th St.,

Suite 300, Austin, TX 78702.) or an authorized Tecovas’ remote workspace. Winner selection

will be made by Sweepstakes Provider or its designated representative, whose decision shall

be final. The winners will be notified by Email or text message, depending on Entry on or

before May 23, 2025. Sweepstakes Provider reserves the right to determine the method

of notification and alternative methods, if any.  If a winner does not respond with the required

response to such direct message (e.g., full name, mailing address, email address, etc.) within

two (2) business days, an alternate winner will be selected by a random drawing from the

remaining qualified Entries.  In order to be named a winner, potential winners may be

required to execute and return an Affidavit or Declaration and W-9, if required, before being

awarded a prize.  Noncompliance will result in disqualification and an alternate winner will be

selected.  Sweepstakes Provider reserves the right to delay the notification of the winner for

technical reasons or for any other reason it deems necessary.

USE / LICENSE OF PARTICIPANTS’ INFORMATION AND SUBMITTED CONTENT: Notwithstanding any

contrary provision in any of Sweepstakes Provider’s privacy policies, Participant grants to

Sweepstakes Provider, and Sweepstakes Provider reserves, the right to use any and all

information related to the Sweepstakes, including information and content submitted by

Participant in connection with the Sweepstakes, as follows:

    (a) Marketing – Participant agrees Sweepstakes Provider may use Participant information

for marketing purposes or any other purpose, unless prohibited by law.  By submitting your

contact information, you agree to allow the Sweepstakes Provider to send you promotional

materials and/or offers.

(b) Right of Publicity License – Except for Tennessee residents or where otherwise prohibited

by law, participant grants Sweepstakes Provider permission to use his/her name, voice,

likeness and biographical information for advertising and promotional purposes without

compensation.  

(c) Intellectual Property License – Participant grants Sweepstakes Provider the non-exclusive,

irrevocable, royalty-free, fully-paid, unencumbered, transferable, sub-licensable, perpetual,

and universe-wide right, but not the obligation, to reproduce, prepare derivative works based

upon, distribute, transmit, publicly perform, publicly display, compile, archive, syndicate and

otherwise use and exploit the Entry and any content submitted to Sweepstakes Provider

(including without limitation copyrights), as well as any and all derivatives thereof, in any and

all languages, and in any and all manners, mediums, and forms now known or hereinafter

devised.  

(d) Warranty – Participant represents and warrants to Sweepstakes Provider that s/he has

full legal right, power, and authority to grant the foregoing licenses, and, if applicable, has

secured all necessary rights from any subjects depicted in, and/or individuals who

contributed to, the Entry and content submitted in order to grant such license.

GENERAL CONDITIONS:

    (a) The winner may be required to execute and provide to Sweepstakes Provider an

Affidavit or Declaration: (1) attesting to the winner’s Eligibility and compliance with the Official

Rules; (2) providing a Liability Release that releases the Sweepstakes Provider from any

liability arising out of the Sweepstakes; (3) a Publicity Release, allowing Sweepstakes Provider

to use the winner’s name, likeness, voice and biographical information for publicity purposes

(except where prohibited by law); and/or (4) a license to certain intellectual property.  At

Sweepstakes Provider’s sole discretion, non-compliance may result in disqualification and

selection of an alternate winner.  The winner also may be required to provide any other

information needed by Sweepstakes Provider to comply with applicable laws and regulations,

including those relating to the payment of income taxes.  

    (b) Sweepstakes Provider reserves the right, exercisable upon its sole discretion, to

disqualify any individual found to have (1) violated these Official Rules; (2) interfered with the

entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes; (3) altered or attempted to alter the

random outcome of the Sweepstakes; (4) violated any law or regulation by participating in

the Sweepstakes; or (5) fraudulently completed the Entry or provided other false or infringing

information to Sweepstakes Provider.  

    (c) Sweepstakes Provider is under no obligation to use or return any Entry or submitted

content.

    (d) PARTICIPANT FULLY RELEASES THE SWEEPSTAKES PROVIDER FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY,

AND WAIVE ALL SUCH LIABILITY, CAUSED BY OR RESULTING FROM THE USE OR POSSESSION OF ANY

PRIZE AWARDED OR CAUSED BY OR RESULTING FROM PARTICIPATION IN THE SWEEPSTAKES OR ANY

RELATED PROMOTION. PARTICIPANT UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT IN NO EVENT WILL THE

SWEEPSTAKES PROVIDER BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING

DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, STATUTORY OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ASSOCIATED

WITH PARTICIPATION IN THE SWEEPSTAKES OR USE OF ANY PRIZE.  PARTICIPANT FURTHER

UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT ANY PRIZE AWARDED IS RECEIVED “AS IS,” WITHOUT ANY

WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION OF ANY KIND FROM SWEEPSTAKES PROVIDER, AND THAT ALL SUCH

WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND

FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED.

     (e) All taxes, fees, assessments, title and registration fees, insurance, and like charges,

associated with the receipt or use of a prize are the sole responsibility of the winner.  

    (f) The value of the prize is based upon good faith estimates by Sweepstakes Provider as of

the date the Sweepstakes was commenced.  The Sweepstakes Provider assumes no

responsibility for changes in market conditions that may impact the value of a prize.  There is

no guaranty that the IRS, or its counterpart in any state’s jurisdiction, will accept the

estimated value of any prize for purposes of determining any tax that may be due by the

winner.  

    (g) Participants agree to be bound by the decisions of the Sweepstakes Provider, which

shall be final and binding in all respects. Sweepstakes Provider reserves the right at its sole

discretion to disqualify any individual they find to be tampering with the entry process or the

operation of the Web site; or to be acting in violation of the Official Rules. You agree that in

your participation in the Sweepstakes you will not use content that is obscene, libelous or

slanderous, or that infringes upon a third party’s trademark, trade name, copyright, publicity

or other intellectual property right or right of privacy. You further agree to not knowingly

damage or cause interruption of the Sweepstakes or to prevent others’ participation in the

Sweepstakes.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER: THE SWEEPSTAKES, THESE OFFICIAL RULES, THE

ENTIRE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARTICIPANTS AND THE SWEEPSTAKES PROVIDER, AND ANY LEGAL

PROCEEDING RELATING TO OR ARISING THEREFROM, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, LAW,

OR EQUITY, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, AND ENFORCED

PURSUANT TO THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAWS

PRINCIPLES.  EACH PARTY AGREES THAT VENUE FOR ANY LEGAL ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR

RELATING TO THE SWEEPSTAKES SHALL BE IN TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS, AND SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT

TO TRANSFER TO ANOTHER VENUE OR LOCALE, AND EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE

EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS IN ANY SUCH LEGAL PROCEEDING. THE PARTIES

IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE ANY OBJECTION TO VENUE OF ANY SUIT, ACTION, OR

PROCEEDING IN SUCH COURTS AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE AND AGREE NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN

ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT

HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.  

REGARDLESS OF WHETHER A PARTICULAR DISPUTE IS SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION OR LITIGATION,

EACH PARTY DOES HEREBY WAIVE HIS/HER/ITS RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY, TO PARTICIPATE AS THE

MEMBER OF A CLASS IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING, OR TO NAME

UNNAMED MEMBERS IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDINGS.

EXTENSION OF SWEEPSTAKES:  At Sweepstakes Provider’s sole discretion and option, the dates

for the Sweepstakes may be extended by no more than thirty days. 

AMENDMENT OF RULES: If, for any reason, the administration, security, fairness, or integrity of

the Sweepstakes has been compromised, Sweepstakes Provider reserves the right,

exercisable at its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes.

The Official Rules may be amended by Sweepstakes Provider in its sole discretion.

Amendments will be updated on the Post.  Unless otherwise specified, any amendments will

become effective at 12:00:01 a.m. CST on the day after they are posted.  

RULES / WINNERS LIST: Official Rules and the name of the winners may be obtained by sending

a self- addressed, stamped envelope to: Tecovas, Inc., 901 East 6th St., Suite 300 ,

Austin, TX 78702. Indicate “Graduate Hotel Sweepstakes" on the outside of the envelope as applicable. Limit one

(1) request per envelope. The request must include the name of the Sweepstakes.

 Participants may also submit questions or request the Official Rules and/or winners list by

sending an email detailing their request to howdy@tecovas.com.  The Official Rules will be

posted at: 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: The Sweepstakes and all of the related pages, contents and code are

copyright protected. Copying or unauthorized use of any copyrighted material or trademarks

without the express written consent of its owner is strictly prohibited.