November 2011 Family Newsletter

Aggie Quick Connection November 2011 - Family Edition Message from the Office of New Student and Family Programs Howdy!

November is a time of mixed emotions on campus, especially for first-year students. Many exams and papers are due before Thanksgiving, and students have a feel for their standing in their classes after mid-terms. With Thanksgiving break soon to arrive (November 24th and 25th), students are feeling both excited and anxious about their trip home. Thanksgiving is the last break students have before final exams kick into gear, so it is important to encourage them and stay active with their college life. Use the time at home for family bonding while also checking on your student’s status at A&M, both emotionally and academically.

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) 8455826, or email us at AggieFamilies@tamu.edu if you have any questions.

Thanks and Gig `Em!

Important Dates November 4th - Last day for all students to drop courses with no penalty (Q-drop).

- Last day to change Kinesiology 198/199 grade type.

- Last day to officially withdraw from the University.

November 17th – December 6th - Preregistration for 2012 spring semester.

November 18th - Bonfire 1999 Remembrance Day.

What’s Inside...

Page 2 & 3 - Hazing Awareness Page 4 - Career Center: Resumes Page 5 - Bonfire Remembrance Page 6 & 7 - Upcoming Events

November 24th - 25th - Thanksgiving Holiday December 9th, 12th - 14th - Fall semester final examinations for all students.

December 16th - 17th - Commencement and Commissioning

November 2011 Aggie Quick Connection

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Campus Awareness: Hazing One of largest growing concerns on collegiate campuses today is hazing and its impact on student life. Hazing is “any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that has potential to humiliate, degrade, abuse, or endanger a person regardless of that person’s willingness to participate” (Allan and Madden, 2010). Dr. Elizabeth Allan and Dr. Mary Madden have conducted extensive research on hazing as part of the National Collaborative for Hazing Research and Prevention (NCHRP). The National Collaborative for Hazing Research and Prevention promotes safer school and campus climates through research, information-sharing, and the development and dissemination of evidence-based hazing prevention and intervention strategies. Allan and Madden’s research shows that students are most inclined to talk with peers or family about their hazing experiences. As parents of current students, it is imperative to know about hazing and be able to identify warning signs from your student.

Allan and Madden’s (2010) research has shown that conflicting motives and emotions work against reporting hazing through appropriate channels. Many students state they disapprove of hazing, however, accept it as part of joining an organization.

It is imperative students realize these actions are not simply harmless antics and pranks, but an abusive behavior which can threaten the health and safety of all involved.

Ten major findings came from the research of Allan and Madden (2008), of which seven are summarized below: Finding 1: More than half of college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing.

Finding 2: Hazing occurs across a range of student groups. Research reveals the presence of hazing in other student groups including varsity athletics, club sports, intramural teams, military groups, recreation clubs, service fraternities and sororities, performing arts organizations (e.g., Most Frequently Reported Hazing Behaviors: marching bands and theater groups), honor societies, All Respondents’ Membership Experiences and academic clubs.

Participate in a drinking game 26% Finding 3: Alcohol consumption, humiliation, Sing or chant by self or with select others of 17% isolation, sleep-deprivation, and sex acts groups in public in asituation that is not a related are hazing practices common across student event, game, or practice groups. The table to the right documents the most Associate with specific people and not others 12% frequently reported hazing behaviors across all types of Drink large amounts of alcohol to the point of 12% student groups. getting sick or passing out Finding 4: Knowledge of hazing extends beyond Deprive yourself of sleep 11% the student groups engaging in the behavior.

Be screamed, yelled, or cursed at by other 10% Secrecy and silence commonly characterize the dynamics members of hazing but there are a multitude of public occurrences Drink large amounts of a non-alcoholic beverage 10% of hazing. Some examples are public locations for hazing activities, posting photos of the activities on the internet Be awakened during the night by other members 9% (e.g., Facebook) and knowledge of hazing by advisors, Attend a skit or roast where other members of the 6% friends, and most importantly, family. A large majority group are humiliated (57%) of hazing takes place off campus while nearly half Endure harsh weather conditions without 6% of the population indicated hazing occurred during the appropriate clothing day.

Perform sex acts with the opposite gender 6% Wear clothing that is embarrassing and not part of 6% a uniform

Allan, E., Madden, M. (2008). Hazing in view: College

students at risk. Initial findings from the national study

of student hazing, p.17.

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Campus Awareness: Hazing (cont.)

Finding 5: More students perceive positive rather than negative outcomes of hazing. Be cautious if your student talks about behaviors they describe as initiations or traditions but which could be hazing. They are also likely to say that they “willingly” participated in the behaviors. Students often fail to see the power of the group and coercion as issues involved in hazing.

Finding 6: Students are not likely to report hazing to campus officials. Over 95% of students do not report potential hazing events to campus officials. When investigating why so many students fail to report hazing activities, the research found that students tended to: minimize hazing (“no big deal”), claim that it was a choice (“I didn’t have to participate”), rationalize the actions (“made me a better person”), normalize the actions (“It’s tradition”), misinterpret hazing (“I didn’t know it was hazing”), or disagree with the definition of hazing (“no problems with actions”).

Finding 7: Students recognize hazing as part of the campus culture. Seven out of ten students claim that they are aware of hazing behaviors that occur on their campus and nearly 25% claim to have seen specific acts of hazing. This act of toleration is something university staff are working to address but family members also play an integral role in showing that hazing is not acceptable.

With an extensive look at hazing, it is imperative you recognize warning signs that your student might be experiencing hazing, even if they do not realize or deny it. Some of these warning signs include:

• Changes in behavior that may correspond with the timing of a student becoming involved with an organization.

For instance, your child becomes difficult to reach or patterns of communication change or diminish.

• Describes activities that would meet the definition of hazing, but refers to them as “traditions” or “initiations.”

• Chronic fatigue.

• Symptoms of depression.

• Friends and/or siblings express concerns about change in behavior.

• Unusual photos posted in Facebook.

If you or your student feel hazing may be taking place, we encourage you to contact: Dr. Anne Reber, Dean Offices of the Dean of Student Life Texas A&M University (979) 845-3111

Ms. Kristen Harrell, Associate Director Offices of the Dean of Student Life Texas A&M University (979) 847-7272

You also have the option of reporting concerning behavior by going to our Tell Somebody website at http://tellsomebody.tamu.edu. The submitter may provide detailed information on the online reporting form and has the option to fill in the contact information or submit the report anonymously.

For more information about this study and the National Collaborative for Hazing Research and Prevention, please visit the website http://www.hazingstudy.org/

The Offices of the Dean of Student Life are located in Cain Hall

Allan, E., Madden, M. (2008). Hazing in view: College students at risk. Initial findings from the

national study of student hazing, 1-52.

Allan, E., Madden, M. (2010). National agenda for hazing prevention in education. National

collaborative for hazing research and prevention: Research to practice, 1-12.

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Texas A&M University Career Center

Developing Self-Marketing Skills: The Resume The resume serves as a marketing tool to highlight relevant experience and skills, as well as accomplishments. One of the major functions of The Career Center is to help your student organize these ideas and produce an effective resume for internship and job searches. The goal of a resume is to illustrate achievements, attributes, and expertise to the best possible advantage. Your student wants to highlight their transferable skills to show they are an appropriate match for the desired position.

The Career Center staff is available to review resumes on a walk-in or appointment basis.

There are ten key steps in writing the resume which The Career Center has developed to aid your student. These steps are: 1. Identify knowledge, skills, abilities, and strengths.

2. Specify objective or purpose for writing a resume.

3. Compile extensive data for your resume including dates of all employment.

4. Prepare a first draft incorporating all the pertinent sections and data.

5. Have an expert review your resume for accuracy and edit the initial draft thoroughly.

6. Finalize the resume data.

7. Produce a final draft of your resume and save it to a flash drive.

8. Develop a plan for distributing your resume.

9. Write a cover letter for each resume distributed by mail, fax, or e-mail.

10. Maintain a “ME” file of all the data you gathered to prepare your initial draft; continue to add to this file for future reference. Update your resume every 6-12 months, or whenever significant changes occur.

Walk-in Resume Review (Advising) Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 11:00 am or 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm Graduate Walkin Resume Review (Advising) Hours: Tuesday - Friday: 8:30 am - 11:00 am To schedule an appointment with an advisor, call (979) 845-5139.

Many concerns arise when students begin constructing or revamping their resume. The Career Center has addressed a few of these concerns and offered advice on how to approach them: Length – Try to keep the resume to one page. Arrange categories/sections in order of relevance, unless there is a truly unique, relevant, or significant experience.

High School Information – During their freshman and sophomore years it is appropriate to include high school achievements because they are still recent. By their senior year, all high school information should be omitted.

Grade Point Ratio – GPR is an indicator of abilities and showcases your academic achievements. Companies typically want to know a student’s GPR so make sure it is included on the resume. You always need to display the overall GPR, but if the last 60 hours/major GPR is higher they may wish to include that as well.

Format/Layout – there are multiple format styles for creating a resume. A comprehensive list of these styles as well as sample resumes can be found by visiting www.HireAggies.com and under Important Links click ‘Resumes/Cover Letters.’

Critique/Proofread – Have your student distribute their resume to at least four people to review their final draft. It is highly encouraged to diversify your selection in readers to include staff, faculty, and career center advisors.

Cover Letter – Resumes should never be sent without a cover letter addressing an application for a position. Whether the job listing is through an online system or not, it is imperative for students to provide a cover letter to recruiters directly.

For more information about the Career Center and the services they provide, you may visit their website at www.HireAggies.com.

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Bonfire Remembrance November 18th

From its inception as a scrap heap to the more familiar and impressive stack of vertical logs, the Texas Aggie Bonfire symbolized every Aggie’s “burning desire” to beat t.u. (the University of Texas) in football. Attracting between 30,000 and 70,000 people each year to watch it burn, Bonfire became a symbol of the deep and unique camaraderie that is the Aggie Spirit.

In preparation for the much-anticipated annual football game against “t.u.”, as Aggies refer to their rival, the student-built Texas Aggie Bonfire would burn after Yell Practice. The lighting ceremony included the playing of “The Spirit of Aggieland” by the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band and the traditional reading of “The Last Corps Trip” poem. An outhouse, known as the “t.u. tea room” or “t.u. frat house” was built by sophomores in the Aggie band and sat atop the completed Bonfire. Aggie lore has it that if the Bonfire stood until after midnight, the Aggies would win the game.

On November 18th, 1999 at 2:42 a.m., Texas Aggie Bonfire collapsed. The collapse killed 12 Aggies and injured 27 others. The 12 Aggies that were lost are remembered through the memories of Aggies everywhere and the construction of the Bonfire Memorial. These 12 Aggies are: Miranda Denise Adams ‘02, Christopher D. Breen ‘96, Michael Stephen Ebanks ‘03, Jeremy Richard Frampton ‘99, Jamie Lynn Hand ‘03, Christopher Lee Heard ‘03, Timothy Doran Kerlee, Jr ‘03, Lucas John Kimmel ‘03, Bryan A. McClain ‘02, Chad A. Powell ‘03, Jerry Don Self ‘01, Nathan Scott West ‘02.

The Bonfire Memorial

The Bonfire Memorial embodies many layers of meaning associated with the Aggie Spirit—a deep sense of belonging, a strong spirit of teamwork and leadership and an enduring sense of tradition that unites thousands. The Bonfire Memorial celebrates the tradition, history and spirit of Texas A&M, and the dedication of those involved in the tragic collapse of the 1999 Bonfire.

The Bonfire Memorial was dedicated in 2004 and is located on the university polo fields. Uniting Aggies past, present and future, the Memorial is comprised of three design elements:

The Tradition Plaza marks the entrance to the memorial and reflects on the activities that bring Aggies together.

Spirit Wall separates the outer world from the intimate experience of the memorial, while the Last Corps Trip Wall recites the poem traditionally read prior to the lighting of Bonfire each year.

The History Walk portrays the 90 years of Bonfire preceding the 1999 collapse. The granite timeline is comprised of 89 stones arranged in a north-south line and begins with 1909, the first year Bonfire was built on campus. The amber light and notch in each stone recalls the fire glow of Bonfire each November. A break in the time line in 1963 signifies the year John F. Kennedy was assassinated and the only year that Bonfire did not burn. Three previous Bonfire-related deaths are remembered on the time line in the years they occurred.

The Spirit Ring surrounds the site of the 1999 Bonfire and represents the Aggie Spirit that unites individuals into something greater than themselves. The twelve portals are oriented toward the hometowns of those who perished in the collapse. From different backgrounds, communities and beliefs, these students converged on this field, along with many of their fellow Aggies to celebrate the Aggie Spirit. Twenty-seven stones with bronze inlays representing the injured students connect these portals to complete the circle, recalling the Aggie Ring and the ring of Aggies who reunited to celebrate the Bonfire tradition year after year. Each bronze element symbolizes an Aggie, the ring itself represents the common bond connecting each one to the Aggie Spirit. Stepping into one of the oversized gateways on the circle, the visitor symbolically fills the void left by one of the twelve Aggies, embodying the spirit of the 12th Man. For Aggies who participated in Bonfire, the meaning and power of the Aggie Spirit is understood. The Bonfire Memorial seeks to share that understanding with respect, remembrance and spirit. For more information about The Bonfire Memorial visit http://bonfire.tamu.edu/memorial

Every year on November 18th, Aggies gather at the Bonfire Memorial at 2:42a.m. to pay their respect to the 12 Aggies we lost that day.

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Upcoming Events and Programs What’s Happening at Texas A&M

Silver Taps Silver Taps is that final tribute paid to an Aggie who, at the time of their death, was enrolled in graduate or undergraduate courses at Texas A&M. We encourage students to attend to pay their respects to their fellow Aggies and their family members. The next Silver Taps will take place at 10:30PM on Tuesday, November 1st, 2011 in memory of Jacob Brent Hughes.

Bonfire Rememberance Day Tours MSC Hospitality members will be at the Bonfire Memorial from 9am - 5pm on Bonfire Remembrance Day (November 18th) to provide free tours of the memorial and answer questions to those who come to remember the tragedy of 1999.

Aggie Ring Day Aggie Ring Day will take place on November 18th, 2011 at the Clayton W. Williams Jr. Alumni Center. The Aggie Ring is one of Texas A&M’s most sacred traditions and is received once a student has earned 90 undergraduate cumulative hours with 45 being resident hours. Ring Day will kick off with a yell practice (at the Alumni Center) at 2:45PM and then rings will be distributed starting at 3:00PM (these times are correct; our prior email stated these times incorrectly). The time to get the ring will correspond with your students ring ticket which they will get starting on November 14th. Professional photographers will be available to capture all the memories but we encourage you to bring your own camera as well. For more information about Ring Day, visit their website at: http://www.aggienetwork.com/ring/ringDay.aspx **Photo Caption** This picture shows an X-ray of a student who swallowed her Aggie Ring while participating in an activity known as “ring dunk,” which is not a recognized tradition at A&M. Rapid consumption of alcohol such as chugging a pitcher of beer is not a safe activity and meets the definition of binge drinking, which is defined as consuming four or more standard drinks in two hours for females and five or more standard drinks in two hours for males. For more information on alcohol and defining a “standard” drink, please visit http://studentlife.tamu.edu/adep/alcoholandyou Elephant Walk/Junior E-Walk – November 22nd Elephant Walk is one of the oldest standing traditions at A&M and has a rich history that begins with the class of 1926. After losing the first two games of their football season in 1922, the freshman class marched around Kyle Field together, led by a piccolo player and a brass horn to the tune of a mournful funeral march, trying to break the “curse” of the team. When they became seniors three years later, they decided to take one final walk around the campus together, this time to remember their time spent in Aggieland and the friends and memories they had made. As they walked single file, each man with his hand on the shoulder of his friend before him, an observer noted that they “looked like elephants, about to die.” Thus the tradition of Elephant Walk was born.

Jr. E-Walk gives junior students an opportunity to celebrate their rise to their new found rank on campus: seniors. The juniors have their own walk and speaker while also participating with the senior class in the games, pictures with elephants, food and other festivities.

The Elephant Walk line has been known to stretch a mile as 3,000 seniors sprawl across campus.

Sales from merchandise with the logos of these events annually earn the junior and senior classes $20,000 that goes to the purchase of a class gift after graduation. Elephant Walk will begin with live entertainment, games, t-shirt sales, and free food at the Association of Former Students from 10am to 2pm. Senior Step-Off is scheduled for 2:12pm from the 12th Man Statue and Junior Step-Off at 2:13pm from the Corps Arches. A special program in Kyle Field will follow right afterwards which will include a Keynote Speaker, a headlining performer, and the announcement of the Senior Class Gift. For more information about Elephant Walk or Junior E-Walk visit: http://elephantwalk.tamu.edu

Flu Shots Flu season is here! Seasonal flu shots are available at Student Health Services for $15. To schedule an appointment, have your student call (979) 458-8316.

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Upcoming Events and Programs What’s Happening at Texas A&M

AggiExternship 2012 AggieExternship is a one-day visit to a company in a student’s field of study. It’s open to all majors as students can see firsthand what professionals in their major do on a daily basis. The program takes place over the winter break that allows students to visit a company during the month of January in areas such as Austin, Bryan/College Station, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.

Student online registration and AggiExternship Information sessions begin this month so encourage your student to visit the Career Center’s website www.HireAggies.com to learn more about this fantastic opportunity.

Aggie Football With a 5-2 record the Aggies finished the month of October ranked in the top 25 for the 8th week in a row and will host two home games at Kyle Field this November! Come out and support the Ags as they look to continue their march to a Big XII title.

11/19/11 vs. Kansas - 2:30 PM - College Station, TX 11/24/11 vs. Texas - 7:00 PM - College Station, TX** Times subject to change. For up-to-date information about the schedule, game times, or ticket information, please visit http://aggieathletics.com **Maroon Out Game - Maroon Out began in 1998 as a way to build unity among the Aggie community. It has become a highly anticipated tradition each year in which everyone shows his or her Aggie Spirit by wearing a maroon to the chosen football game.

Maroon Out was founded by Class of 2000 Junior President, Kyle Valentine in the summer of 1998.

He was concerned about Texas A&M having to play the University of Nebraska at home during the Fall semester. Nebraska was a top ranked football program that year and their ardent fans showed up to every game wearing red in an effort to intimidate the other team. Kyle wanted to give the Aggies an extra boost of spirit by matching Nebraska’s sea of red with an even bigger sea of maroon. The Aggies beat Nebraska that day and the tradition was born.

Maroon out shirts can be found prior to each football game, 4 hours before kickoff in front of the Koldus building. We encourage you to support this fantastic tradition and wear maroon to Kyle Field as we Beat The Hell Outta t.u.! For more information about Maroon Out visit http://maroonout.tamu.edu/

Stay Connected with Aggieland The Battallion “The independent student voice of Texas A&M since 1893.” http://thebatt.com

Texas A&M News and InformationTAMUtimes: The Division of Marketing & Communications produces TAMUtimes, an email newsletter distributed to subscribers twice a week. News may also be found online at: http://TAMUtimes. tamu.edu

Bryan/College Station News Outlets: KBTX

http://kbtx.com

The Eagle

http://theeagle.com

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