october 2010 family newsletter

Inside...2-3 New Student Programs4-5 Upcoming Events6 General TAMU Resources

Welcome Family Members, Message from the Office of New Student and Family Programs

Aggie Quick Connection

A Publication for Aggie Oc

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by the Office of New Student and Family Programs

Howdy! The fall semester is in full swing and our campus is bustling with activities. Our hope is that students are settling into a healthy routine. It can be difficult to find the proper balance between academics and the other important areas of life, such as social and physical activities. Many students start to wonder at this point if they ‘fit in’ here. Please remember that this is a common concern, and if you encourage them to find ways to be involved, they will feel more at ease by the end of the semester. Additionally, most students have received back at least one exam by now and have midterm exams in the next two weeks.

Don’t forget 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!

October 15-16, 2010Texas A&M University v. University of

Missouri Football Weekend

For the family members who have purchased the ticket for New Family Welcome:

Please complete a brief registration form at http://studentlife.tamu.edu/nfw/registration before Monday, October 11th at 5 pm. While visiting the website, you can also check out the schedule, view our FAQs and gather information regarding parking, accommodations, etc. to help you get the most out of your weekend with your student in Aggieland!

For family members who have not purchased a ticket for New Family Welcome:

A family pack of tickets for the weekend is $40 and includes materials for the weekend, the Friday night dessert reception, and the Saturday tailgate BBQ for a student’s immediate family. Purchase tickets before Monday, October 11th at 5 pm from the MSC Box Office at http://boxoffice.tamu.edu/ or http://studentlife.tamu.edu/NFW, or call (979) 845-5826 for more information. Football tickets are sold separately. With your student’s Sports Pass, you can purchase up to 4 half price tickets. Visit: http://MySportsPass.tamu.edu.

Make your hotel reservations & reserve game tickets now!

LAST CALL for New Family Welcome Registration!

October 2010 Aggie Quick Connection 1

New Student Programs

Stay Connected with the latestCampus News

The Battalion- “The independent student voice of

Texas A&M since 1893.”

www.thebatt.com

Texas A&M News and Information-

Aggie HotlineThe Division

of Marketing & Communications produces Aggie

Hotline, an email news brief

service that is distributed to

subscribers each weekday. News

briefs may also be found online at:

tamunews.tamu.edu.

Subscribe to Aggie Hotline: Send an email message to [email protected]. Leave the

subject line blank and type the

message: SUB Aggie-Hotline

your-real-name.

Encourage your student to attend Amplify, a year-long series of programs and workshops designed to assist freshmen, transfer and sophomore Aggies develop skills and make them aware of resources that will enhance their Texas A&M experience. Some example sessions offered this semester include: Cooking on a Budget, Time Management and Procrastination, and Career Assessment Workshop: Using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to Help Identify Personality Characteristics. To view a complete listing of this semester’s workshops, please visit: http://amplify.tamu.edu/workshop.

Every program offered through Amplify is completely FREE so we hope your student will take advantage!

Registering for Amplify workshopsA reservation is required so that presenters can prepare the appropriate amount of materials and also to help track the programs students are most interested in so that we can refine our offerings in the future. Remind your student to go to http://amplify.tamu.edu, click on a workshop, and select “View Details to Register”. At any time students can view, manage or change the list of programs they are registered for by clicking on “My Profile.”

THIS MONTH IN AMPLIFYOctober 5, 2010 12:45 - 1:45 PM Time Management & Procrastination

October 5, 20103 - 4 PM Using the Career Liftoff to Identify Potential Occupations3:30 - 4:30 PM Study Abroad Informational6 - 7 PM Outdoor Fun In & Around the Brazos Valley

October 6, 20105:15 - 6:15 PM Study Abroad Informational

October 7, 20109:30 - 10:30 PM Controlling Anger and Angry People in the Workplace

October 11, 201012 - 3 PM Aggie Allies Advance Workshop

October 12, 20104:15 - 5:15 PM Stress Management & Test Anxiety

October 13, 20101:50 - 2:50 PM Study Success Strategies2 - 3 PM Preventing Sexual Harassment4 - 5 PM Creating an Effective Resume

October 14, 201010 - 11 AM Finding a Balance4 - 5 PM Who Wants to be a Millionaire and How Writing Can Get You There!

October 17, 20102 - 5 PM Aggie Allies Advance Workshop

October 18, 20103 - 4 PM Telephone Courtesy

(Continued on Page 3)

2 Aggie Quick Connection October 2010

AMPLIFY: THE SUCCESS SERIES FOR STUDENTS


THIS MONTH IN AMPLIFY (CONTINUED)October 19, 201011:10 AM - 12:10 PM Smart Reading Strategies7 - 8 PM Leadership Speaker Series

October 20, 20103 - 4 PM Strong Interest Inventory to Help Identify Career Interest4 - 4:30 PM Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI)

October 21, 20102:20 - 3:20 PM Stress Management & Test Anxiety

October 25, 201011:45 AM - 12:45 PM Strong Interest Inventory to Help Identify Career Interests 3 - 4 PM Business Communication Skills

October 26, 20104:30 - 5 PM Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI)6 - 8 PM Tips on Maintaining Your Bike

October 27, 20103 - 4 PM Using the Career Liftoff to Identify Potential Occupations

October 28, 20101 - 2:30 PM Parenting and College: How to be effective at both4 - 6:15 PM Texas A&M at Qatar: Exploring the Middle East through the branch campus 4:15 - 5:15 PM Time Management & Procrastination

SIGNING UP FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS ACCESS TO HOWDY.TAMU.EDU Students may grant their parents/guardians access to their financial aid, academic records, tax forms, or billing information through Howdy.tamu.edu. After your student logs into HOWDY PORTAL with his or her NetID and password, click on the MyRecord tab. Locate the Parent/Guardian Access window and click on the “+” sign to expand the selection next to the line “Financial Aid, Academic Record, & Tax Forms” or “Billing”.

To preserve account integrity, Texas A&M Information Technology locks NetID accounts when suspicious activity, such as concurrent logins, is detected. Concurrent logins are a sign of account compromise and indicate that multiple people are using the same account. Sharing passwords can cause concurrent logins, and is against the Rules for Responsible Computing (http://rules-saps.tamu.edu/PDFs/29.01.99.M2.pdf).

More detailed instruction can be found at: http://hdc.tamu.edu/reference/documentation/?section_id=930.

THE COLLEGE 101: PARTNERS IN SUCCESS PRESENTATION The PowerPoint presentation is now online at http://parents.tamu.edu/tipsforparents, allowing you to write down any information or websites you may have missed during the New Student Conference presentation.

Upcoming Events and Programs


Attention Dallas/Fort Worth area family members! Want to experience a little of Aggieland closer to home this fall? The Association of Former Students & the 12th Man Foundation invite all of our Aggie Family Members to join us at Cowboys Stadium on October 8th for the All Aggie Hullabaloo & Midnight Yell Practice as part of the Southwest Classic’s weekend activities in Arlington. • Granger Smith ’02 & Grady Skelton ’08 Live in Concert • Doors & Concessions Open at 7pm • 8-11pm inside Cowboys Stadium • Ticket prices are $10 for Adults & $5 for Children. Purchase tickets at: http://www.aggienetwork.com/allaggiehullabaloo/.• Free Admission to Midnight Yell Practice • Gates Open at 11pm • Free Parking

For the latest information, visit: http://www.aggienetwork.com/allaggiehullabaloo/ or contact The Association of Former Students at [email protected] or 979-845-7514. For more information about the Southwest Classic, please visit http://www.12thmanfoundation.com/swclassic2010/.

Game Day at the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center, Presented by State Farm®Family Members… YOU are an important part of the Aggie Network and we welcome your family to join us during home football game weekends at the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center for a taste of Aggie hospitality and interactive history and to view the live feed from Kyle Field before, during and after the game on The Association’s 49-panel video wall, Aggie Network TV.

Our doors open at least three hours prior to each home game and will remain open one hour post-game. Enjoy:• Interactive Exhibits• Adult Beverages (Beer & Wine) & Soft Drinks for Purchase• Hot Dogs, Burgers, BBQ, Nachos & Ice Cream for Purchase• Alpha Phi Omega’s (APO) Ticketmart• Bus 12• 12’ Aggie Ring Replica• Live Feed from Kyle Field of the pregame, march in and post game• Multiple Screens Broadcasting Simultaneous Football Games• State Farm Texas Aggie Tailgate tent, climate controlled with food, beverages, and big screen TVs of all the college games

If your travel plans allow you to arrive Friday evening, stop and listen to Texas A&M’s Singing Cadets at 5 pm as they conduct an open rehearsal in the magnificent Flores Hall!

For the latest information on game days sponsored by State Farm Insurance at the Alumni Center, visit http://www.aggienetwork.com/events/tailgates.aspx or contact The Association of Former Students at [email protected] or 979-845-7514. For more information about Game Day in Aggieland, visit http://tailgating.tamu.edu/.

ALL AGGIE HULLABALOO & MIDNIGHT YELL PRACTICE: SOUTHWEST CLASSIC

UPCOMING DATESOctober 15-16 (Friday-Saturday) New Family Welcome- is an opportunity for the family members of new Aggies to meet and interact with A&M faculty 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.

October 18 (Monday. noon.) Mid-semester grades due.


AGGIE FOOTBALLAggie Football games can be exciting times for the entire family. The Aggies still have four games at Kyle Field this season (game times may change when televised):

- 10/09 vs. Arkansas Southwest Classic 2:30PM @ Arlington, Texas - 10/16 vs. Missouri TBA @ College Station (SAVE THE DATE FOR NEW FAMILY WELCOME! Please visit http://studentlife.tamu.edu/NFW for more information!) - 10/23 vs. Kansas TBA @ Lawrence, Kansas - 10/30 vs. Texas Tech TBA @ College Station - 11/06 vs. Oklahoma TBA @ College Station - 11/13 vs. Baylor TBA @ Waco, Texas - 11/20 vs. Nebraska TBA @ College Station - 11/25 vs. Texas 7:00 p.m. @ Austin, Texas

More information about the football schedule, tickets, and Aggie athletics can be found at http://www.aggieathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/tam-m-footbl-sched.html.

SILVER TAPSSilver Taps is the final tribute paid to an Aggie who, at the time of his/her death, was enrolled in graduateor undergraduate courses at Texas A&M. We encourage all students to participate in this time-honoredAggie Tradition; it is a powerful and moving tribute to fellow students. During the academic year, it is amonthly event when needed.

The next Silver Taps ceremony will be conducted Tuesday, October 5, 2010, in memory of Byungchan Kim. The memorial ceremony will be held at 10:30 p.m. in front of the Academic Building on the Texas A&M campus. For more information visit: http://studentaffairs.tamu.edu/sas/silvertaps.

Student Health Services Flu Shot Campaign - October 6th & 7th, 2010The 8th Annual Seasonal Flu Shot Campaign has been scheduled for October 6th & 7th (Wednesday & Thursday) at multiple locations across campus. Student Health Services is funding the first 5200 flu shots for currently enrolled students. Once the 5200 shots have been given, flu shots will cost $24. Flu shots will be offered to faculty and staff for $24.

Meningitis shots will also be offered to students, faculty, and staff for $135. Payment can be made by CASH, CHECK, VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER and AMERICAN EXPRESS.

Locations for the Flu Shot Campaign include: - Zachary Building: 9am - 5pm - Rec Center Lobby: 11am - 7pm - West Campus Library: 9am - 5pm - Commons Lobby: 9am - 5pm

Students that are under age 18 that wish to receive a flu or meningitis shot at the Flu Shot Campaign will need to complete a consent form and have it signed by their legal guardian.

NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH For National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, Texas A&M Information Technology will be hosting an online contest to teach students about staying safe. Please encourage your student to visit mystery.tamu.edu for more information.

General TAMU Resources


WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT K2? It’s been in the news lately and you may have heard about Bryan/College Station passing city ordinances banning the sale, distribution, or use of K2, but do you know what it is?

K2 is an herbal incense, that was never intended for human consumption. Some of the common names for K2 are “spice”, “legal weed”, or “genie”. The active ingredient in K2 is a result of an organic chemist, who was researching the effects of cannaboinoids on the brain (www.cbsnews.com). This compound created in a laboratory has found its way to the mainstream. Marijuana smokers thought they found the holy grail; a legal substance that mimics marijuana high. The compound is sprayed on dried flowers and incense, much like potpourri. It is smoked much like marijuana, in pipes or joints and gives the user a high similar to marijuana, even reportedly emitting a smell similar to that of marijuana.

K2 is being hailed by students as a “fake” marijuana; a legal high. Bryan and College Station City Councils have passed city ordinance banning the sale, distribution, and/or use. Alcohol & Drug Education Programs (ADEP) in conjunction with UPD, College Station Police Department, and Bryan Police Department will conduct a K2 Education Blitz on October 6&7th. For more information or questions, please email Anna Williams at [email protected].

IS YOUR STUDENT LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?AggieServe is an online outreach project established to bring non-profit organizations and community agencies in the Bryan and College Station area together with your student. Your student may either volunteer for long-term service opportunities (generally one semester-long, 2 to 6 hours per week, per student), or for one-time/short-term projects.

While searching at AggieServe.tamu.edu, your student will find volunteer and service-learning opportunities from a wide range of non-profit organizations, pre-school/day cares, youth serving and youth mentoring organizations, senior citizen facilities, environmental groups, museums and community revitalization and cultural art endeavors. Furthermore, your student may come to the agency/organization through TAMU courses, academic majors/programs, student groups dedicated to service, or as individual service-learning volunteers. If you have any question, please call the Leadership and Service Center within the Department of Student Activities at (979)845-4878.

Q-DROPS (DROP A COURSE WITH NO PENALTY) If approved by the student’s dean or authorized representative, your student may drop a course with no penalty (Q-Drop) beginning the 5th class day through the 50th class day of a fall or spring semester.

November 5, 2010 is the deadline for Q-Drop for Fall 2010.

A full-time undergraduate is defined as one who is enrolled for twelve semester hours during a fall or spring semester. WHEN A STUDENT DROPS A COURSE, THOSE HOURS CANNOT BE USED FOR VERIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT PURPOSES. A student who falls below full-time enrollment may be in jeopardy of not being covered under his/her parent’s insurance, not in compliance with immigration, etc. Additionally, students must contact their individual college concerning “Q” grades currently on their record to determine how the three Q-Drop limitations will impact their eligibility for additional Q-Drops.

Please note that the Texas Legislature has passed a bill which limits the total number of dropped courses a student is allowed to six. This means that courses dropped at other institutions, be they community colleges or universities, all count toward a student’s total number of allowed course drops. Please urge your student to plan accordingly. For more information, please go to: http://admissions.tamu.edu/Registrar/Current/Qdrop.aspx.

october 2010 family newsletter

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