New Aggie News Transfer Edition Spring 2011
New Aggie News |
Welcome
HOWDY! Congratulations! We are excited to welcome you to the Aggie family and help you understand what it means to be a part of our community. Texas A&M University is a campus rich in history and tradition, traditions you will become familiar with during your New Student Conference and Gig ‘Em Week. We hope you are excited about all the opportunities Texas A&M University has to offer. Many things may change for you over the next few months; we hope that this issue of New Aggie News will help answer some of the questions you might have. In this issue of New Aggie News you can learn more about what to expect while you’re on campus for your New Student Conference, available campus services, course selection information, as well as involvement opportunities. Our office is committed to assisting you prior to and during your first year at Texas A&M University. By now you should have received the Now that You’re Admitted Booklet and, later this month, the New Student Conference Brochure. These publications, along with the http:// newaggie.tamu.edu web site, provide you with important information and help prepare you for your transition to Aggieland. New Student Programs hosts your New Student Conference, and after that we invite you to join us at Gig ‘Em Week: Aggieland’s Week of Welcome. Gig ‘Em Week events begin on move-in day, August 21st, and ends on August 28th. Gig ‘Em Week is a great way to meet tons of new and returning students in a relaxed and entertaining atmosphere. We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome you to your New Student Conference. We encourage you to make the most of your experience by participating to the fullest extent in all of the conference programs. There are numerous programs that provide a greater awareness of the University’s academic requirements and resources, as well as an opportunity to meet new and current Aggies. For a detailed listing of the New Student Conference programs, please refer to page 12 of your New Student Conference Handbook. New Student Programs is with you every step of the way to ensure your success as a student. We look forward to finally meeting you at your New Student Conference. Until then if you have any questions please feel free to call our office at (979) 845-5826 or visit our web site at http://studentlife.tamu.edu/nsp
New Student Programs Staff
| New Aggie News
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS A&M Orientation Programs 4 5
What to Expect at your New Student Conference Extended Orientation
er
Rememb
your starting in p e t s ept t The firs is to acc e c n ie r e d xp ission an Aggie e m d a f o er ew your off r your N o f r e t is nce. to reg Confere Student du t.tamu.e applican
Campus Services 6 7 8 8 9 10
Paying for College Technology @ Texas A&M Honors Housing University Dining Transportation Services
Getting Involved 11 11 11 12 13 13
Joining the Corps of Cadets Gig ‘Em Week Becoming Greek Get Involved! New Student Conference Checklist Calendar of Upcoming Events
New Aggie News |
Texas A&M Orientation Programs
What to expect at your New Student Conference...
For a detailed listing of the New Student Conference programs, please visit newaggie.tamu.edu
Your New Student Conference begins once you check in. At Check-In you will receive all of your orientation materials. You will also have the opportunity to turn in any transcripts of previous work and clear any holds you may have on your account. Next, Joining a Community of Learners gives you a brief overview of the conference and its programs. After this program you will have the opportunity to attend several educational sessions. During the Keys to Financial Matters and Resources session, staff from the departments of Student Business Services and Scholarships and Financial Aid will discuss financial education/resources, tuition and fees, payment deadlines, financial aid programs, and other related services available for you. In the Off-Campus Housing session you will learn about special services for off-campus students including roommate referrals, apartment searches, general rental information, budgeting, transportation options and how to get involved as an off-campus student. If you are not the “typical” transfer student, we invite you to join us as we review the common needs and roadblocks for adult students returning to Texas A&M or experiencing new challenges by transferring to a large, public university during the Non-Traditional Student Resources program. Also, if you are interested in joining or finding out more about the Corps of Cadets you are welcome to attend the Corps of Cadets Registration and Orientation session. This informative session will include an overview of the Corps of Cadets and the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band including ROTC selection, unit assignment, Corps of Cadets housing, academic support and career services for cadets, uniform fittings, meal plan options, parent/family orientation and a question and answer period.
DAY 1
Perhaps the most important meeting during your New Student Conference will be the College Meetings and Preliminary Advising sessions. These meetings will give you the opportunity to meet with representatives from your specific college. The representatives will discuss requirements for each college as well as answer questions you have about your major. You will also be given the opportunity to develop a trial semester schedule and receive your assigned registration time.
DAY 2
{ • • •
On the second day of your conference, you will meet with your academic advisor to get your schedule approved and register for optional services and courses. Please be prepared to remain on campus until 6 p.m., if necessary, to complete registration.
Things to do at your NSC... Visit the Resource tables during Day 1 Check-In located in G. Rollie White Coliseum Have your Student ID card made Register for Optional Campus Services including: -Sports Pass -Meal Plan -Parking Pass
| New Aggie News
• •
•
}
Set up your official TAMU computer account at the Student Computing Center (SCC) Pick up your Sports Pass at the Athletic Ticket office in The Zone at Kyle Field after you registered for classes. If you’re a Veteran or Military Student, check in with Veteran Services
Texas A&M Orientation Programs
T-Camp It has been said by many that when an Aggie graduates, the most important thing they walk away with is not their diploma or Aggie Ring. Often times, what most Aggies find important is their connection to the Aggie Family. Transfer Camp, or T-Camp for short, is your introduction to the Aggie Family. T-Camp is a student-run optional extended orientation program that is composed of over 100 current students that serve the role of staff, co-chairs, and counselors. These students are a resource for you to use, not only at camp, but for your time here in Aggieland! At T-Camp, you will be welcomed by hundreds of other Aggies. During a 3-day/2 -night event in Trinity, Texas, you will be given the opportunity to learn more about the university, become more familiar with the Aggie life, and make many lasting Aggie friendships. Texas A&M is an institution founded on tradition, spirit, and pride. T-Camp staff will explain the history of our traditions, help you participate in them, and help you to walk away with an appreciation of what makes our university unique. More than anything, T-Camp is an exciting way to kick off your first semester in Aggieland. There is no better experience for an incoming transfer student than what we have at T-Camp, so come celebrate your accomplishment with us! Be a part of T-Camp - A Transfer’s First Tradition.
Who: What:
All Incoming Transfer Students
When:
Session I is August 8-10; Session II is August 12-14
Where: Why:
Trinity, TX
How:
For more information and to register visit
An orientation program designed to provide transfer students with an opportunity to meet other transfer students and smooth their transition into Texas A&M.
To meet with counselors who can answer questions and present information about being a student at Texas A&M.
http://t-camp.tamu.edu
New Aggie News |
Campus Services
Paying for College The office of Scholarships & Financial Aid offers many financial solutions to help students pay for their college education. We recommend completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. The FAFSA can be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Once you complete this application you may be eligible to receive grants, loans, and/or work-study. For more information about these programs, please visit us online at financialaid.tamu.edu. Once you have applied for financial aid you may monitor your record at howdy.tamu.edu; go to My Finances then to the Financial Aid portal where you can check your status, accept or reject aid, obtain complete forms, and calculate your loan payment.
Scholarships
You may apply for a number of scholarships online at scholarships.tamu.edu. Also, contact your college/ department for scholarships related to your major. Scholarship deadlines are listed below. Aggie Transfer Scholarship Application Spring 2012 Opening Date: August 1, 2011 Deadline: October 15, 2011 Continuing Student Scholarship Application Opening Date: August 1 Deadline: December 1
Short Term and Emergency Tuition & Fees Loans
We offer Short-Term Loans of up to $1,500, available to currently enrolled Texas A&M University students who are enrolled at least half time. Loans for tuition and fees are also available to continuing students, incoming freshmen and transfer students. For more information regarding these loans, please visit us online at financialaid.tamu.edu/stlapp.
Student Employment
Student Employment is one more option for financing your education and gaining valuable work experience at the same time. More than one-third of Texas A&M students are employed on campus. Students seeking part-time employment on or off campus can search and apply for jobs at jobsforaggies.tamu.edu.
Special Tips for Transfer Students
Transfer students attending Texas A&M University beginning Summer/Fall semesters for the first time should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible. If you have completed the FAFSA at your previous institution you need to add the Texas A&M school code (003632) to your application and once you have been accepted, notify your current school that you will not be attending that institution in the following semester.
| New Aggie News
Campus Services
Technology @ Texas A&M Texas A&M is a place like no other. With our close-knit sense of community, Aggies are committed to supporting you as you adjust to college life. Information Technology Resources is no different. As you adapt to a new environment, make new friends, and explore new freedom, tap into a vast array of IT tools and services to help you connect, communicate, and collaborate on campus. Here’s a taste of what is offered: Texas A&M University Email is the campus email system used by all students and many faculty and staff. It uses a state-ofthe-art webmail application that includes a global campus address book, calendar, mobile access, and advanced search. Within two weeks of your NSC you will be eligible to activate your email, visit http://email.tamu.edu TAMULink wireless provides internet and network access in classrooms, libraries, eateries, and meeting areas. Go to http://tamulink.tamu.edu/ to view a map of wireless locations and learn how to connect your laptop. Discounted software is available for purchase after class registration, including Windows Vista Ultimate upgrade for $20, and no charge antivirus software. Find out more at http://software.tamu.edu/. The Howdy Web Portal connects you to Aggieland. Access your records, email, classes, news and other important information, all with one login. Visit http://howdy.tamu.edu to get started. Open Access Labs let you use computers, printers, and specialized software at labs across campus. Some labs are open 24 hours a day when classes are in session. Visit http://oal.tamu.edu/ for locations, hours, and equipment and software lists. To get the complete picture of your IT services, visit http://it.tamu.edu
New Aggie News |
Campus Services
The Honors Program As a transfer student, your eligibility for participation in the Honors Program will be determined on a case-by-case basis (continuing students must maintain at least a 3.5 GPR). Honors courses offered throughout the University average twenty students per class and emphasize participatory learning; you will contribute to the learning environment yourself. The Honors Program also provides benefits outside the classroom such as undergraduate research, honors residence halls, and honor student organizations. To participate in the Honors Program during your first semester, contact an Honors Advisor during your Transfer Student Conference (Henderson Hall, 979.845.1957). For additional information about the University Honors Program go to http://honors.tamu.edu
Undergraduate Research Any student can do undergraduate research! You can reach out to a faculty member who is studying interesting things or whom you “connect with” in class, attend a workshop on summer or international opportunities or attend an Expo held in the fall where faculty interested in undergraduates have tables explaining their projects. Being part of the scholarly community allows you to learn how to create something new, to solve a problem or improve a design under the guidance of experts in the field. For more information go to http://ugr.tamu.edu
Living Off Campus Thinking about living off campus? If so, Adult, Graduate & Off Campus Student Services (AGOSS) in the Offices of the Dean of Student Life serves as a resource center for the over 38,000 off campus students at Texas A&M. One of the office’s services is AggieSearch, a web database to search for roommates and housing options. AggieSearch is available online at http://aggiesearch.tamu. edu The office also publishes the “Off Campus Housing Survival Manual” which lists apartments, amenities, and tips for a successful off campus living experience. Staff members are also available to help students with leasing questions or issues that arise with off campus living, such as roommate conflicts, landlord conflicts or a roommate who moves out early. For more information, plan to attend the Off Campus Housing Session during your New Student Conference and visit http://studentlife.tamu.edu/agoss AGOSS | C106 Cain Hall, College Station, TX 77843-1257 | (979) 845-1741 | email at agoss@tamu.edu | New Aggie News
Campus Services
University Dining
Feeding the Aggie Spirit Since 1876 We are happy that you have chosen Texas A&M to nourish your mind – now Texas A&M University Dining wants to help you nourish your body! Dining on campus is an essential part of the Aggie experience, and with over 30 locations around campus each venue showcases our commitment to the highest standards of quality.
Variety and Convenience
With convenient locations near residence halls and classrooms, there are many diverse eateries available in a variety of formats – food courts, snack bars, coffee shops, buffet-style dining centers and convenience stores. We strive to help students feel like they are at home.
Value and Flexibility
For increased value and flexibility in dining on campus, students are encouraged to purchase a meal plan. University Dining offers a variety of plan options that include individual meals and “Dining Dollar” options. By purchasing a meal plan, students pay the lowest possible price for their meals and receive a 10% discount on all campus dining purchases! For a complete listing of meal plan options available, please visit http://dining.tamu.edu. In addition to meal plans, all Dining locations accept cash and major debit and credit cards; however, there are no discounts offered with these forms of payment.
Here for YOU!
University Dining is here to meet the needs of our students. We are happy to cater to your special needs, whether it is health and nutrition information, organic or vegetarian options, even kosher and gluten-free diets. Contact us at (979) 845-3005 for any questions you may have or special requests. For more information regarding University Dining or to register for a meal plan, please call (979) 845-3005 or visit http://dining.tamu.edu. New Aggie News |
Campus Services
Transportation Services The university offers a variety of parking options to meet the needs of students and visitors. It is important to remember that all vehicles parked on the Texas A&M University Campus are required to have a parking permit, unless they are parked in a pay visitor area. Once you have accepted your offer of admission and registered for a New Student Conference you will be able to purchase a parking permit. Parking requests are prioritized based on class standing and registration takes place from April 6, 2011 through July 12, 2011. The permit is ordered online at http://transport.tamu. edu and charged to your student fee account. Permits are mailed prior to the fall semester to the address which you designate when ordering your permit. Transportation Services provides fare-free shuttle service throughout the campus community. An extensive on-campus shuttle service is provided Monday through Friday, and a reduced service is offered on weekends. The off campus shuttle service provides access to most of the major apartment complexes and housing areas in Bryan/College Station and to the Blinn College Campus. Those who use the off campus transit system may be required to present a valid TAMU ID for access.
For more information concerning the services provided by Transportation Services, please call (979) 862-PARK (7275) or visit http://transport.tamu.edu 10 | New Aggie News
Getting Involved
Joining the Corps The Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets is in its 135th year of training leaders within the framework of a military organization. The over 1900-member Corps provides a balanced and structured lifestyle that helps them achieve academic excellence, providing cadets the opportunity to master management and organizational skills and become leaders—now and throughout their lives and careers. The Corps of Cadets has been a part of Texas A&M since 1876 with a purpose to develop well-educated leaders of character prepared to answer the call for valuesbased leadership and service in the public and private sectors. The Corps remains one of the largest uniformed body of students in the nation, consistently producing more officers for the Armed Forces each year than any other school in the country, outside the service academies. With Army, Air Force, and Navy/Marine ROTC instruction available, Texas A&M is one of the few schools to offer military commissions in all branches of service. Though nearly half of the students in the Corps are preparing for a military career, participation in the Corps does not carry any military obligation. Cadets may also participate in the Academic Certificate in Leadership Studies Program, which in turn, is added to the official unveristy transcript. Degree+Commission and Degree+Academic Cerification in Leadership Certificate, two paths toward preparing to “Answer the Call.” For more information please go to www. aggiecorps.org or call 800-TAMU-AGS.
Gig ‘Em Week August 21-28, 2010 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 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 at Texas A&M University. *In August, visit: http://studentlife.tamu.edu/nsp/gew, to view a complete Schedule of Events and Brochure
Becoming Greek Members of the Aggie Greek Community are excited about the opportunity to welcome you to Texas A&M University. Nearly 3,700 Aggies are part of the Greek experience at Texas A&M and find it a rewarding and fulfilling opportunity to get involved on campus. 34 fraternities and 24 sororities offer lifelong bonds and bring opportunities for growth and development. MGC Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) is made up of 17 culturally based fraternities and sororities, several of which were founded on the Texas A&M campus! MGC does not host a formal recruitment, but individual chapters host recruitment/intake at various times throughout the academic year. Get more information at http://mgc.tamu.edu. CPC Collegiate Panhellenic Council (CPC) is made up of 12 international sororities and one affiliate sorority. CPC hosts a formal recruitment in August, the week prior to classes beginning. It is required that you register with the CPC to participate in formal recruitment. CPC sororities, who wish to do so, hold informal recruitment through out the year. Get more information at http://cpc.tamu.edu. IFC Interfraternity Council (IFC) is made up of 21 fraternities. IFC hosts a week of recruitment events during the second week of classes each semester. Registration is mandatory and more information is available at http://ifc.tamu.edu. NPHC National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is made up of seven historically African-American fraternities and sororities. These nationally affiliated chapters provide a unique opportunity for involvement. Each organization seeks to provide students with an enriching college experience and leadership opportunities within each organization and within the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Get more information at http://nphc.tamu.edu.
Contact us or learn more about Greek Life via
Phone: (979) 862-5636 Website: http://greeklife.tamu.edu Email: greeklife@tamu.edu Facebook: Texas A&M Greek Life Blog: http://aggiegreeks.tumblr.com Twitter: AggieGreek New Aggie News | 11
Getting Involved
Get Involved! There are many reasons for you to get involved while you are here at Texas A&M. Involvement can help you challenge yourself and grow in ways you never before imagined. For example, joining one of the more than 800 student organizations on campus could be what starts you on a journey to mature personally, culturally, socially, spiritually, and academically. By now you are probably asking exactly what “involvement” means. Being involved simply means being engaged with campus or the surrounding community. That engagement can occur in a number of ways, such as joining an organization, holding a job, or serving the community. No matter how you choose to become engaged, there are many benefits to being involved while at Texas A&M. Involvement can help you to: • • • • • •
Learn leadership skills Maximize your natural strengths and abilities Learn time management skills Develop public speaking abilities Create relationships with others Practice professional writing
With so many opportunities and benefits to being involved, things can get a little overwhelming. Luckily, there are some great resources, such as OrgSearch and OrgMatch, available at getinvolved.tamu.edu. OrgSearch allows you to browse all of the recognized student organizations by title or category. OrgMatch offers you the chance to input your own interests, which it then uses to produce a list of organizations on campus that may be the perfect fit for you. Texas A&M has limitless opportunities for getting involved, so get started today by visiting getinvolved.tamu.edu and leave your mark in Aggieland!
New Aggie News | 12
12 | New Aggie News
Getting Ready for the Fall Semester
New Student Conference Checklist Confirm and accept your admission offer and register for your New Student Conference (NSC) Go online to http://applicant.tamu.edu to register Purchase your NSC parking pass Go online to http://transport.tamu.edu/specialevents/nsc.aspx to purchase your parking pass Send your final high school and previous institution transcripts to the Office of Admissions Book lodging for your NSC For more information go online to http://newaggie.tamu.edu/nsc/logistics/housing
Upcoming Events * August 21 August 21 - 28 August 29 November 18 November 24 - 25 December 6 December 9, 12 - 14 December 15 - January 16 January 16 January 17 March 12- 16 March 30 - April 1 April 21 May 1 May 4, 7 - 9
Move-In Day Gig ‘Em Week First Day of Fall Classes Bonfire Remembrance Day Thanksgiving Holiday Last Day of Fall Classes Final Exams Winter Break Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday First Day of Spring Classes Spring Break Parents’ Weekend Muster Last Day of Spring Classes Spring Final Exams *All dates are subject to change
New Aggie News | 13