august 2011 family newsletter
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August 2011 Family NewsletterTRANSCRIPT
Aggie Quick Connection
August 2011 - Family Edition
Welcome Family Members:
Message from the Office of New Student and Family Programs
Howdy! Campus is filled to the brim with new Aggies as the Fall 2011 semester is right around the corner. This fall the University will welcome its largest freshman class ever and have an enrollment of over 49,000! We are looking forward to the upcoming year and keeping you connected with the Spirit of Aggieland.
We encourage you to visit the Aggie Family web site for additional updates and helpful resources. You can visit us at http://parents.tamu.edu. Please feel free to contact the Office of New Student and Family Programs at (979) 845-5826, or email us at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Thanks and Gig `Em!
August 2011 Aggie Quick Connection 1
What’s Inside...
Page 2 - Multicultural Services - Student Checklist
Page 3 & 4 - Upcomming Events and Programs
Page 5 - Important Dates
Gig ‘Em WeekAugust 21st-28th, 2011
Gig ‘Em Week is Aggieland’s official Week of Welcome. This week is full of events and opportunities for new and returning students to become familiar or reacquainted with the TAMU campus, fellow Aggies, and the Bryan/College Station community. Gig ‘Em Week is coordinated by the Office of New Student Programs and takes place just before the Fall Semester.
Gig ‘Em Week provides students an opportunity to learn more about the campus, each other, and college life in general through a series of educational and social events sponsored by university departments, colleges, student organizations, residence halls, and community members. Currently enrolled students who participate become eligible for prizes, free food, and gain valuable knowledge, insight, and connections. Some of the events your student can find at Gig ‘Em Week are included below:
August 21-28: Student Family Fun Days at the RecAugust 21: All Day - Residence Hall Move-In Assistance DayAugust 23: 10 PM-1 AM - Target Late Night Busing and After-Hours ShoppingAugust 23: 7 PM-8:30PM - Gig ‘em Week GatheRingAugust 23: 8 PM-9 PM - Yell PracticeAugust 24: 11 AM-1 PM - Ice Cream CarnivalAugust 24: 8:30PM-10:30PM - Gig ’Em Week Movie NightAugust 25: 11:00AM-1:00PM - Cards for SeniorsAugust 25: 11:00AM-1:00PM - Pizza Taste-OffAugust 25: 1:30PM-5 PM - Department of Student Activities Open HouseAugust 25: 2 PM-3:30PM - Multicultural Services Welcome SocialAugust 25: 9 AM-6 PM - International Student ConferenceAugust 25: 9 PM-11:30PM – Brandon Rhyder Concert at the Administration BuildingAugust 26: 11 AM-2 PM - Aggieland MarketAugust 26: 6 PM-9 PM - ExCEL Expo & ExtravaganzaAugust 27: All day - Free 1-Time ClimbsAugust 28: 2:30PM-3:30PM - Freshman Convocation*August 28: 6 PM-7:30PM - Class Schedule Tours* Please note the Convocation date is August 28th and was misprinted in the e-mailed text.Visit http://studentlife.tamu.edu/nsp/GEW for the complete schedule of events for the week!
2 Aggie Quick Connection August 2011
Featured Services: Multicultural ServicesYearly Student Checklist
The Department of Multicultural Services offers a wide variety of services such as diversity education programs that foster inclusive learning environments for all students and support services for current and prospective students from underrepresented populations. Below is a checklist for you to assist your student during their college years.
Don’t let your student be a couch potato! Tell them to get out and meet new people.
ExCEL, a freshman orientation program, is a great way for freshmen to get connected. ExCEL will help your Aggie find academic, social, and personal balance throughout his or her freshman year. The ExCEL Conference is on August 26-27, 2011 during Gig ‘Em Week and this kicks-off the fall program. Register online at http://excel.tamu.edu/registration. Cost is $40, but for the first 85 freshmen who attended Fish Camp, they (or you) don’t have to pay the registration fee!
Encourage your students to find a niche where they can share experiences in Aggieland together and, at the same time, build their leadership skills.
• We offer many opportunities for your student to feel a part of the Aggie family. Wanting to do community service projects, learn different cultures, be a mentor for high school kids, or have a hands-on leadership experience to boost their resume? Your Aggies can check out our website at http://dms.tamu.edu/ and click on the leadership section for a list of student organizations in our department.
• Inform your student about our Welcome Social on August 25th from 2:00 – 3:30 pm at Koldus 110. We will have all of our student leaders from different groups share how to get involved. Plus, FREE finger food will be provided! Please RSVP online to http://dms.tamu.edu/welcomesocial . For more information, contact Kevin Collins at [email protected].
Make sure your Aggie knows who to call when they need help in Math and Science classes.
We offer FREE one-on-one Tutoring Services for all Aggies! Yes, it’s FREE and there is no catch to it! Go online to http://tutor.tamu.edu/ (be sure to have NetID and password handy).
Don’t know where the world’s trend is taking your student? It’s good to encourage your student to be more inclusive and global minded.
Our Diversity team offers several services such as: • An Academic Diversity Certificate in conjunction with the Colleges of Geosciences and Liberal Arts. • CommUnity Conversations and a Documentary Series. Series about interesting global and local issues meant to expand the students’ world view. FREE LUNCH is offered. • Aggies to Aggies: A peer diversity education student organization where your students can not only develop presentation and leadership skills, but also knowledge of diversity and multicultural competence. • Cultural Day Trips: A day of exploration of the different cultures in Texas. We will travel to the Dallas State Fair, Austin, Houston or the Bryan College Station areas. • Alternative Spring Break in New York City. A cultural exploration of the most exciting city in the world. • Contact Dr. Marisa Suhm at [email protected], Dr. Dianne Kraft at [email protected] or Theresa Survillion at [email protected] for more information.
* Information overload and don’t know where to start? Stop by our Office in Koldus suite 227 or call us at 979.862.2000. Tech savvy students can go online to http://dms.tamu.edu
Upcoming Events and ProgramsWhat’s Happening at Texas A&M
August 2011 Aggie Quick Connection 3
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES FOR SUMMER 2011 GRADUATES
The Offices of the Dean of Student Life would like to congratulate all our August graduates and their families. Make sure to have your student visit the career center website (http://careercenter.tamu.edu/) for helpful information about making the transition to a professional career, searching for a job, or looking at graduate programs.
2011 NEW STUDENT CONFERENCE EVALUATION
If your student attended a New Student Conference this summer our evaluation is now online. We value your feedback in helping us improve our conference experience for family members. Thank you for a great summer!
Transfer parents - https://tamusurvey.tamu.edu/Community/se.ashx?s=077144D801CD6D03
Freshmen parents - https://tamusurvey.tamu.edu/Community/se.ashx?s=077144D810DCFD52
TUITION AND FEES
Tuition and fees for the Fall 2011 semester are due in full by 5:00PM on August 24th. If your student is using the installment plan option, the first payment is also due by the deadline above. The remaining installment deadline dates are 5:00PM on September 21st (second payment), 5:00PM on October 21st (third payment), and 5:00PM on November 14th (final payment.) For additional information about tuition payment and installment plans, please visit the Student Business Services website at http://finance.tamu.edu/sbs/
FIRST YELL 2011 FEATURING BRIAN REGAN
First Yell 2011 featuring Brian Regan – Tickets on Sale Now!
The Texas Aggie Yell Leaders are excited to announce that Brian Regan (www.brianregan.com or www.youtube.com/brianregancomic) will be the headline entertainer for First Yell 2011. The 13th annual event will be held on Friday, September 2, 2011 at 8:00 PM in Reed Arena. In keeping with the First Yell tradition, the show will open with performances by some of the top student performers on campus including the Aggie Wranglers, Percussion Studio and the Singing Cadets.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at the 12th Man Ticket Center at Kyle Field, by calling 888-99AGGIE (992-4443), or at http://tickets.12thmanfoundation.com/. For more information regarding First Yell visit our website at http://yell.tamu.edu or call 979-845-3534.
Don’t miss out on participating in this Aggie Tradition!
MSC OPEN HOUSE
MSC Open House will take place this year on September 3rd from 2-6PM at Reed Arena and is a great way for students to find organizations to get involved with. With over 400 student organizations represented, students will have an opportunity to search through both professional and leadership organizations that fit their interests. Have your students start researching organizations early by visiting the Student Activities’ online database at http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/online/search/index
4 Aggie Quick Connection August 2011
Upcoming Events and ProgramsWhat’s Happening at Texas A&M (cont.)
AGGIELAND MARKET
Help your Texas A&M student get familiar with Bryan/College Station-tell them to attend Aggieland Market! Aggieland Market is a vendor fair where local businesses and organizations distribute information about the products and services they offer. Vendors come from several fields including health and medical, auto, retail, religious, financial, and many more. There will be giveaways, coupons, and plenty of free items, including drinks and food. Tell your student to join us at Aggieland Market on Friday, August 26th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Academic Plaza as we wrap up Gig ‘Em Week. This event is sponsored by the Offices of the Dean of Student Life, Candy 95, Aggie Bills, Wells Fargo, Associated Insurance Plans International, and Hope Pregnancy Center. For more information about the event, visit their website at http://studentlife.tamu.edu/agoss/community/AggielandMarket
AMPLIFY
Amplify is a collaborative, campus-wide effort to help first-year freshman, transfer and sophomore Aggies gain the skills and become aware of resources to help them overcome challenges they may face throughout their time in Aggieland and to make the most of their Texas A&M experience. Programs offered through Amplify include academic success strategies, health and wellness, life skills, and personal development. The programs are FREE to attend so have your student look into these fantastic opportunities. For a full list of workshops throughout the year, please visit: http://amplify.tamu.edu/workshop.
Aggie Football
Texas A&M Athletics has released the schedule for Fightin’ Texas Aggie Football for the Fall 2011 season. The Aggies have seven games at Kyle Field this year and are indicated by an ‘*’ below.
09/04/11 vs. SMU - 6:30 PM - College Station, TX*09/17/11 vs. Idaho - 6:00 PM - College Station, TX*09/24/11 vs. Oklahoma State - 6:00 PM - College Station, TX*10/01/11 vs. Arkansas - TBA - Arlington, Texas (At Cowboys Stadium)10/08/11 at Texas Tech - TBA - Lubbock, Texas10/15/11 vs. Baylor - 2:30 PM - College Station, TX* (New Family Welcome Weekend)10/22/11 at Iowa State - TBA - Ames, Iowa10/29/11 vs. Missouri - 2:30PM - College Station, TX*11/05/11 at Oklahoma – TBA - Norman, Oklahoma11/12/11 at Kansas State – TBA - Manhattan, Kansas11/19/11 vs. Kansas - 2:30PM - College Station, Texas*11/24/11 vs. Texas - 7:00PM - College Station, Texas*
Times subject to change. For up-to-date information about the schedule, game times, or ticket information, please visit http://aggieathletics.com
New Family Welcome Weekend
Texas A&M University’s New Family Welcome is an opportunity for the family members of new Aggies to meet and interact with A&M staff and administrators, learn more about A&M history and services, and provide a chance for families to visit their student in a unique college atmosphere.
You can find more information about the event on the New Family Welcome website: http://studentlife.tamu.edu/nfw
Important DatesMark Your Calendar
August 2011 Aggie Quick Connection 5
Stay Connected with Aggieland
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August 8th Last day of second term and 10-week semester classes.
August 11th Commencement Convocation at 5:30PM with Mike Sherman as keynote speaker.
August 12th Graduation ceremonies on the College Station campus for the summer semester of 2011. Last day for August undergraduate degree candidates to apply for tuition rebate.
August 21st Residence halls open for move-in.
August 26th (5:00PM) Last day to register for fall semester classes and pay fees without penalty.
August 22nd-28th Gig ‘Em Week.
August 28th Freshman Convocation : Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin will lead the ceremony in welcoming the Class of 2015 and their families to campus.
August 29th First day of Fall Semester classes.
September 2nd Last day for adding/dropping courses for the fall semester.
September 9th Last day to apply for all degrees to be awarded in December.
October 14th-15th New Family Welcome Weekend.
2011 Family Calendar
Every year the Office of New Student Programs produces a Family Calendar to provide information to student’s family members about what is happening in Aggieland. The 2011-2012 edition of the Family Calendar is now available online at http://parents.tamu.edu/publications