Aggie Quick Connection
February 2013
Howdy! The spring semester has started and campus is buzzing with excitement. Throughout the semester Texas A&M will host some great programming and activities for both you and your student. We hope you find this newsletter informative and helpful. If you have suggestions for other topics you would like covered, please let us know! 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. Feel free to contact the Office of New Student and Family Programs at (979) 845-5826, or email us at AggieFamilies@tamu.edu if you have any questions. Thanks and Gig `Em!
What’s Inside: Page 2: Campus Spotlight: The MSC Page 3: Staying Healthy Baseball & Softball Page 4: Housing Decisions Page 5: Art on Campus Page 6: Ivolvement Opportunities Page 7: Calendar of Events
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Campus Spotlight
The MSC
See and be Seen in the “Living Room” of Campus! Since its beginning, the Memorial Student Center (MSC) has been the University’s student union, welcoming generations of Aggies and serving as their home away from home. Rededicated on April 21, 2012, on the 61st anniversary of Aggie Muster, the MSC serves to honor all Aggies, which have given or will give their lives in wartime. Students show respect by removing their hats upon entering the building and not stepping on the surrounding grass. As the “living room” of campus, the MSC is a place where students and others often gather to study, relax, grab a quick bite, meet up with friends, or attend meetings. The building is also home to a number of programming organizations that promote student leadership, service, and other professional skills. Be sure to check out these areas when visiting the Memorial Student Center: • 12th Man Hall—representative of the “12th Man”, this corridor serves as the gateway to campus. The University Center Information Desk is located at the south end of the hall to assist students and visitors with questions, directions and information about the happenings in the building. • The Flag Room—coined the “living room” of campus; this student lounge is a great place to study, relax, or listen to others play the piano. • Hall of Honor—a tribute to Aggies who gave their lives in wars past or future. •Rev’s—a fun, casual dining area where you can grab a bite to eat or catch the game. Invite your friends and relax on the outside patio. • Barnes and Noble at Texas A&M University —the official on-campus bookstore! Selling Aggie merchandise, textbooks, gifts, memorabilia and school supplies.
*The University Center Complex manages the Memorial Student Center, Rudder Tower, Koldus Student Services Building, and All Faiths Chapel—attractive facilities that enhance the educational, business, social, and cultural experiences of students, faculty, staff, and visitors. For more information about the MSC or to reserve an event or meeting space, please visit http://uc.tamu.edu.
Aggie Quick Connection
February 2013
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Staying Healthy
Health and Wellness
Healthy Tips from Student Health Services If your student is worried about getting sick now that classes are back in session, here are some tips to stay well so they can do well: - Avoid close contact with people who are sick. - Stay home when you are sick. Your professors will appreciate it. - Get enough sleep: 6-8 hours every night. - Exercise and eat right - Wash your hands For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/flu. The Doctor’s Office on Campus Did you know that Student Health Services is more than just a medical clinic? Here are some of the services we provide at SHS to help Aggies stay well and do well: Emergency Medical Services, Health Education, Laboratory, Nutrition Services, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Preventive Medicine, Radiology, Specialty Clinic, and Women’s Clinic. Visit shs.tamu.edu for more information on Student Health Services.
February 2013 Events Grocery Store Tour: Taking Nutrition to Heart – Promoting heart health through food 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 doesn’t know what to choose they can learn a lot! Meghan Windham, MPH, RD, LD will walk students through the local HEB on Holleman Drive, and show them 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! Visit shs.tamu.edu/events to sign up and reserve your spot today!
Baseball and Softball Season Home Openers! Baseball:
Friday, February 15th vs. UIC 6:35 p.m. Saturday, February 16th vs. UIC 2:05 p.m. Sunday, February 17th vs. UIC 1:05 p.m.
Softball:
Friday, February 15th vs. Pittsburgh 3:00 p.m. Friday, February 15th vs. North Carolina 5:15 p.m. Saturday, February 16th vs. North Carolina 3:00 p.m. Saturday, February 16th vs. Pittsburgh 5:15 p.m. Sunday, February 17th vs. SFA 12:15 p.m.
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Housing Decisions
Spring 2013
Housing Fair 2013 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. Students can visit various properties’ tables and gather informational materials, as well as pick up the latest copy of the Off Campus Survival Manual, a guide to all things involved in living off campus. 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. Housing Fair 2013 will take place on February 20th from 10:00 am2:00 pm in the Bethancourt Ballroom in the MSC. For more information, visit: http://studentlife.tamu.edu/ agoss/housingfair.
On Campus Housing Housing Decision 2013 is for all retuning students who lived on campus for the Fall 2012-Spring 2013 academic year and want to stay on campus for Fall 2013-Spring 2014. Housing Decision 2013 runs from January 25th to February 22nd; this is an online process. To apply students will go to http://reslife.tamu. edu/how/ and click on Housing Decision 2013. Housing Decision 2013 ends on Friday, February 22nd at 11:59 pm. It does not matter what day your student submits Housing Decision as it is NOT a first come, first served process. All housing assignments are based on a student’s housing priority date (the date originally applied for housing). Students just need to have the form completed by February 22nd. Since housing for the *New Northside Hall (name to be determined) and the University Apartments (Gardens 1 & 2) are limited if your student wants to live in either of these properties, they will need to list this as their 1st choice. As a reminder, only upperclassmen students can live in the Gardens apartments. (*TAMU reserves the option to limit the number of returning students wanting to live in the New Northside Hall for Fall 2013). Students going through Housing Decision 2013 will be notified by their TAMU e-mail account BEFORE April 1st of their fall assignment and roommate (if applicable) for next year.
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Art on Campus
University Galleries
The Forsyth Galleries proudly invites you to join us for Art Menagerie. From the earliest records of humankind, people have been moved to study, sketch, paint and sculpt living forms. Artists have been inspired not only by human models, but also by wildlife, domestic pets, exotic animals, insects, birds and reptiles. The Forsyth Galleries’ latest exhibition, Art Menagerie, provides a whimsical artistic perspective on the living creatures who share our lives. The exhibition will continue through Wednesday, February 13, 2013. The Forsyth Galleries are located in the Memorial Student Center on the Texas A&M University Campus. All of exhibitions are free to the public. Hours: Tues - Fri: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm, Sat - Sun: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Absolute Truth/Nothing But Lies (Jan 17 – Mar 3) Absolute Truth/Nothing But Lies, explores the underlying ethical implications that result when an art form, previously unchanged for generations, is suddenly redefined through technology and shifting social attitudes, through the work of two photographers from similar backgrounds that took their craft to very different places. David Einsel and Robert Sebree are both from military families. Both attended Texas A&M where they worked together on the Aggieland and Battalion, honing their photographic skills and developing unique personal vision. Both enjoy successful careers as visual storytellers, albeit from different perspectives. This show will be open at the J. Wayne Stark Galleries at Texas A&M University through March 3rd. The artists David Einsel and Robert Sebree will be at the galleries for a Gallery Talk followed by a reception on Feb 21, 2013 at 5:30 pm. For more details visit: http://uart.tamu.edu/node/273 Fate and Friendship: An Extraordinary Exhibit Displaying the Paybacks of Mentoring Mentoring in the arts is a chief factor in the career of artists. The famous ones have always had living influences on their work. The artist John Delulio, protégé of mentor John Hansegger, reaped the benefits of Hansegger’s support, skills, wisdom, and coaching in midlife. In their case, mentoring developed into a profound friendship. Delulio and Hansegger lived in the beautiful Berkshires of Massachusetts. Delulio had been a commercial artist in New York City and Chicago, but the lure of the countryside was too much for him to resist. The bond began in 1974 when Delulio asked Hansegger if he would like to see his art gallery. The master artist noticed the younger artist’s triangle series, Delulio’s new form of art. “Let me see them; you have something very unique here.” Their relationship developed into an exceptional camaraderie. Nearly 60 paintings will be on display at the Stark Galleries by both Hansegger and Delulio. The gallery is open weekdays: Tuesday - Friday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm and Saturday - Sunday: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Parking is located across the street from the Memorial Student Center on Houston Street. The J. Wayne Stark Galleries invites the public to a free painting exhibition. Hansegger and Delulio Fate and Friendship will go on display in the newly remodeled J. Wayne Stark Galleries of Texas A&M University in the Memorial Student Center, opening Thursday, January 24, and closing Thursday, March 13.
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Involvement Opportunities Social Justice Week
Spring 2013
Social Justice Week is February 11-15, 2013 What is your piece in this game of LIFE? The purpose of Social Justice Week is to raise the Texas A&M University 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 contact: Kathleen Duffy at kduffy@stuact.tamu.edu or Mandi Schweitzer at mschweitzer@stuact. tamu.edu.
Volunteer Opportunities Fair The Volunteer Opportunities Fair (VOF) offers students the opportunity to meet with many different community agencies who are looking for volunteers. The VOF is held on campus once during the fall semester and once during the spring semester. The next VOF will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 from 10:00am - 2:00pm in the Memorial Student Center. For further information, please contact Kathleen Duffy at kduffy@stuact.tamu.edu.
Have a Future Aggie? Aggie Recruitment Committee, an SGA organization, is putting on their annual Whoopin’ Weekend Conference. This conference will take place on March 1-3 and gives high school juniors and seniors a chance to experience Texas A&M from a student’s perspective. Participants will attend a class, tour campus, and attend a basketball game while learning about all of the rich traditions behind Texas A&M. Whoopin’ Weekend is a great opportunity for juniors to get a taste of the college experience and for seniors to look toward their future as Aggies!
Leadershape The LeaderShape Institute is an intensive and energizing six-day student program that teaches key leadership issues. The 10th annual LeaderShape will be held May 13-18, 2013, at Camp Tejas in Giddings, TX. Students can be nominated to attend the LeaderShape Institute through their academic departments or through various departments within the Division of Student Affairs. Interested students can also apply independently. Participant applications will be posted on January 30, 2013. For more information, email Kathleen Duffy at kduffy@stuact.tamu.edu.
Aggie Quick Connection
February 2013
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Aggie Quick Connection
February 2013
Silver Taps: February 4th 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 is held in honor of: Cameron Lindsay, Biological and Ag Engineering Chandler Small, General Studies
Graduation Application February 15th Off-Campus Student Appreciation Week Is your student living off campus? Encourage them to take advantage of Off Campus Aggies’ Off-Campus Student Appreciation Week February 25th - 28th. For more details visit oca.tamu.edu. Monday February 25th - Free Cookies! Tuesday February 26th - Helping out with Groceries at H.E.B. Wednesday February 27th - Rock Climbing at the Rec.
Academic Calendar The official university calendar can be located at:
http://registrar.tamu.edu/General/Calendar.aspx
BreakShuttle If your student is in need of a ride to the Houston, Austin, San Antonio, or Dallas area for Spring Break, have them check out BreakShuttle. The Texas A&M BreakShuttle is the official provider of break transportation for Texas A&M and the easiest and most efficient way for students to get to and from campus for major academic breaks. The TAMU BreakShuttle departs from the University Apartments and travels to destinations throughout Texas. At the end of break, the shuttles pickup students in their home cities and brings them back to Campus on the day before classes begin. Shuttles are expected to sell out, so it is recommended to purchase tickets as soon as possible at: http://www. breakshuttle.com/.
Do you know other members of the Aggie Family who might want to receive this newsletter? Please feel free to forward it to them, or tell them how to sign up for the listserv. Visit: http://parents.tamu.edu/listserv for instructions to subscribe/unsubscribe
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