February 2014

Quick Connection

What’s Inside: Page 2: Housing Page 3: Academic Resources Page 4-5: Upcoming Events Page 6: Announcements

February 2014

Howdy!

The spring semester is in full swing and our Aggies are busy! Students are gearing up for their first round of tests for the semester, and some of Aggielands largest activities are just around the corner. In this edition of the Quick Connection you will find information regarding upcoming programs and events, as well as several academic resources. We hope you will take a moment to contact your Aggie to start a conversation about everything happening this spring!

We encourage you to visit the Aggie Family web site for additional updates and helpful information. You can visit us at http://parents.tamu.edu. If you have suggestions for other topics you would like covered in this newsletter, please let us know! Feel free to contact the Office of New Student & Family Programs at (979) 845-5826, or email us at AggieFamilies@tamu. edu if you have any questions.

Thanks and Gig `Em!

Like our page at: https://www.facebook.com/AggieParentsAndFamily to receive campus information and connect with other Aggie Families.

Housing Decision 2014

Housing Options for 2014-2015 On Campus Housing

Housing Decision 2014 is your student’s chance as a returning student to designate where they want to live on campus for Fall 2014 - Spring 2015. This is also how they can tell the Office of Residence Life if they do not plan on living on-campus next year.

Housing Decision 2014 is for all returning students who lived on-campus for the 2013-2014 academic year and runs from January 24th to February 23rd. This is an online process only and ends at 11:59pm on Sunday, February 23rd. To complete the on-campus housing process go to: http://reslife.tamu.edu/how/ and click on Housing Decision 2014.

Off-Campus Housing Fair

Housing Fair is an event each spring in which off campus properties present information about their amenities to Texas A&M students, faculty and staff. Attendees can walk around and visit various properties’ tables and gather informational materials, as well as pick up the latest copy of the Off Campus Survival Manual. Local community resources, such as the Bryan and College Station police departments, also sponsor booths to provide additional information pertinent to students living off campus.

February19th 10:00 am-2:00 pm.

2nd floor Bethancourt Ballroom in the MSC For more information, visit: http://studentlife.tamu.edu/agoss.housingfair

Offices of the Dean of Student Life Spotlight: Did you know… AGOSS advises Off Campus Aggies a student organization designed to connect off campus students with the community and each other?

Adult, Graduate and Off-Campus Student Services (AGOSS) is dedicated to providing educational services, outreach, information, involvement opportunities, and programs to all students who live off campus and for students identifying as adult (non-traditional) students and/or graduate students attending Texas A&M University. This includes coordinating programs such as Aggieland Market, the Off-Campus Housing Fair, and Aggie Up. Off Campus Aggies and the Graduate Student Council are advised through this office. To learn more, visit studentlife.tamu.edu/agoss.

For more information about services provided by the Offices of the Dean of Student Life visit: studentlife.tamu.edu and “like” the Offices of the Dean of Student Life on Facebook!

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Academic Resources Reminders Helpful Hints As students near the second month of the semester, academics begin to pick up. Your student may begin to feel stressed as they face a number of exams and projects. This is a great time to reach out to your student to support them and remind them of the academic resources available on campus.

Some suggestions for supporting your student include encouraging them to do the following: • Plan a study schedule. Studying for an hour each day until the exam is more effective than studying several hours the night before.

• Take breaks when studying.

• Take care of themselves: nutrition and rest are essential for mental functioning!

• Utilize academic support resources such as their professor’s office hours, Supplemental Instruction (SI) classes, the Writing Center, the Academic Success Center, and Peer Academic Services.

Academic Success Center

A truly great university provides the means for its students to graduate in a reasonable amount of time and without a mountain of debt.

The Academic Success Center’s mission is to help all Aggies enhance their academic performance. The Academic Success Center is a collaboration between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs. The Center’s holistic approach helps students identify roadblocks to academic success and ensures that all students have access to comprehensive resources.

Students admitted to Texas A&M are among the best in Texas, the United States, and the world. Still, talented students sometimes find college-level academics challenging and stressful. The Academic Success Center strives to help each student achieve their highest possible academic potential.

For more information about the Academic Success Center visit, http://us.tamu.edu/academic-success-center.

Peer Academic Services

If your student’s grades do not seem to reflect their academic ability, you might want to discuss their study habits and maybe even remind them of services on campus designed to help students improve their academic proficiency. A resource available to your student is Peer Academic Services located in the YMCA Building. Peer Academic Services offers a variety of programs and services such as Supplemental Instruction (SI) and tutoring. These services are free of charge to Texas A&M students and available for traditionally difficult core curriculum courses. To find out more information about Peer Academic Services visit, http://pas.tamu.edu/.

Writing Center

The mission of the University Writing Center is to support writing and public speaking for graduate and undergraduate students across the university, with particular emphasis on supporting W and C courses in the undergraduate curriculum. They provide students with one-toone consulting sessions and other resources such as online handouts and workshops on writing and speaking. For more information about the writing center visit, http://writingcenter.tamu.edu.

Off Campus Tutoring

Many students choose to utilize off campus tutoring services in the Bryan College Station area to help them prepare for exams. There are several places off campus that offer assistance to students including: A+ Tutoring, Tutor John, 99 tutors, Aggieland Tutoring, 4.0 and Go, and many others. These off campus tutoring services provide additional resources for students and often have evening hours to fit into students’ busy schedules.

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Campus Events February 2014 Aggie Health Hut

The Aggie Health Hut is back and ready to kick-off their first event in the Spring semester! Students can learn about the health services available at Texas A&M University, and learn how to BTHO the flu! FREE SWAG and fun!

Tuesday, February 11 from 10:45am-12:45pm and Wednesday, February 12 from 12pm-2pm in Rudder Plaza.

Grocery Store Tour: “Healthy Bites: Eating Healthy on the Go”

If your student has ever wandered the aisles of the grocery store wondering what to pick or is trying to plan healthy meals and snacks but don’t know what to choose, they can join Meghan Windham, MPH, RD, LD as she walks through the local HEB on Holleman Drive, and shows students how to shop efficiently, healthy, and smart! A small fee of $5 gets students a reusable grocery tote, lots of coupons, and the opportunity to sample tasty recipes! Students can visit shs.tamu.edu/events to sign-up and reserve their spot today!

Black History Month at Texas A&M

Americans have recognized black history annually since 1926, first as “Negro History Week” and later as “Black History Month.” The celebration of Black History Month, and more importantly, the study of Black history, is owed to Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Dr. Woodson decided to take on the challenge of writing Black Americans into the nation’s history when he learned history was void of representation. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History continues to promote, preserve and research Black history and culture year-round.

At Texas A&M, the MSC Carter G. Woodson Black Awareness Committee’s (WBAC) focus is educational programming including the culture, concerns, history and heritage of Black people. Dr. Woodson was a scholar and a teacher who believed in the power of knowledge. It is WBAC’s goal to live up to his legacy and educate the entire campus and surrounding communities, explore opportunities to develop and cultivate informed leaders, and enhance the student experience at Texas A&M University.

In partnership with WBAC, the Black Student Alliance Council (BSAC), the Memorial Student Center, the Department of Multicultural Services, and other campus and community entities host events for the annual campus recognition and celebration of Black History Month. Campus and community attendees experience the importance and impact of Black history and leave with the idea that Black history is American history.

For more information about events taking place during Black History Month, visit http://wbac.tamu.edu/BHM.html

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Student Involvement Social Justice Week

STUDENT ACTIVITIES TEXAS

A&M UNIVERSITY

CALENDAR OF EVENTS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH

PROVIDING CULTURALLY COMPETENT TRANSGENDER HEALTH CARE Presented by: School o f Rural and Public Health 10:00-11:30 am School o f Rural and Public Health Rm. 111

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FAIR Presented by: Student Activities-Leadership and Service Center 10:30 am- 2:30 pm MSC Respect Lounge

EAST LOS HIGH ENTERTAINMENT EDUCATION IN ACTION Presented by: Population Media Center 1:00 - 2:30 pm MSC 2 4 0 4

BROWN BAG LUNCH - ONE SIZE SHOULD NOT FIT ALL: BODY IMAGE AND POP CULTURE Presented by: Women's Resource Center 12:00- 1:30 pm MSC 240 4

“WHO HATES THE “D” WORD?” Presented by: Department o f Multicultural Services Discussion & Dinner 5:30 - 7:00 pm MSC 2401

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH BEYOND HIV: MEETING THE HEALTH NEEDS OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY Presented by: School o f Rural and Public Health 10:00 am - 12:00 pm School o f Rural and Public Health Rm. 111

SHANE WHALLEY "NO THANK YOU, I DON'T NEED YOUR GENDER RULEBOOK, I BROUGHT MY OWN.” Presented by: GLBT Resource Center 7:00 pm Rudder 301

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH STUDENT PANEL & DINNER Presented by: Disability Services 5 :0 0 - 6:30 pm Rudder 601

AWARD WINNING DOCUMENTARY “BLESSED FRUIT OF THE WOMB.” Presented by: Population Media Center 1:00- 2:30 pm MSC 2401 “BORN INTO BROTHELS” Presented by: MSC FLI and MSC Aggie Cinema 6:00-8:00 pm Hullabaloo Hall 117B

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#TAMUSJW STUDENTACTIVITIES.TAMU.EDU/SJW

The purpose of Social Justice Week is to raise Texas A&M University’s campus awareness of social justice issues in the local, national and global communities. This is accomplished by featuring different social issues during the week in an effort to motivate students to form their own opinions about some of the major, and often most important, issues facing society.

For more information about Social Justice Week please contact: Waylon Hastings WHastings@stuact.tamu. edu or Melanie Smith MSmith@stuact.tamu.edu.

Connect with Social Justice Week on Facebook and Twitter

Upcoming Dates and Announcements February 2014

February 4th: Silver Taps

Silver Taps is a final tribute paid to an Aggie who, at the time of their death, was enrolled in graduate or undergraduate courses at Texas A&M. It is held at 10:30 pm on the first Tuesday of the month in the Academic Plaza. We encourage students to attend to pay their respects to their fellow Aggies and their family members.

This month’s Silver Taps was held in honor of: Jinhoon Lee – Architecture

February 14th: Last day to apply for all degrees to be awarded in May without a late fee.

February Athletics Highlights: Aggie Softball home opener: February 14th 3:00 pm vs. Oregon State Aggie Baseball home opener: February 14th 6:35 pm vs. Northeastern SEC Swimming and Diving Championship: February 18th- February 22nd in Athens, GA Aggie Women’s Tennis: February 16th 1:00 pm vs. Sam Houston State and February 20th 4:00 pm vs Baylor Equestrian: February 1st 10:00 am vs. Georgia More information about all Aggie Athletic events can be found at http://www.aggieathletics.com/.

2013-2014 Family Calendar SALE!

We are pleased to let you know we have 2013-2014 Family Calendars available for purchase for a discounted price of $5 (includes tax) plus applicable shipping. These calendars are a great resource for you as a family member! They include important deadlines, helpful campus phone numbers, university holidays, final exam dates, and information about several campus resources available to your student.

To purchase the 2013-2014 Aggie Family Calendar please go to http://parents.tamu.edu. If you need assistance ordering please contact our office at 979.845.5826.

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