Aggie Quick Connection April 2010
Welcome Family Members,
Message from the Director of the Offices of the Dean of Student Life Renewed from Spring Break, students are in high gear to finish the semester and the stress is on. April is a busy month at Texas A&M! Students are enjoying the warmer weather as they study for exams, preparing to meet deadlines, and making summer arrangements. We hope that you will make it to Parents’ Weekend, and wish you the best as you provide support and guidance to your student as the year winds down. Don’t forget to visit the Aggie Parent web site for other updates and helpful resources. You can visit us at: http://parents.tamu.edu. Please feel free to contact Student Life at (979) 845-3111, or email us at studentlife@tamu.edu if you have any questions. Dr. Carol Binzer Director of Student Life
Inside... 2-3 4-5 6 7
New Student Programs Upcoming Events General Resources The 2010 Census
Family Edition
Parents’ Weekend 2010 Parents’ Weekend is a special time each spring when students have the opportunity to express their gratitude for all of the support their parents have given throughout the year. This year, Parents’ Weekend will be April 16-18, 2010 and includes such events as the Aggie Moms’ Boutique, Bevo Burn BBQ and the All-University Awards Ceremony. While there are great opportunities to visit campus year-round, this is an extra special chance for parents to see their impact on their student and the University.
Events include:
April 16: Midnight Yell April 16: MSC Variety Show April 17: Bevo Burn BBQ April 17: Singing Cadets Concert April 16 & 17: Aggie Moms’ Boutique April 18: All University Awards Ceremony
...On the Calendar Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr.
2 6 15 16-18 21
Reading day, no classes Last day to Q-drop/withdraw Course preregistration Parents’ Weekend Muster
1
Aggie Quick Connection New Student Programs
Stay Connected with the latest Campus News
AMPLIFY: THE SUCCESS SERIES FOR STUDENTS 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 workshops A 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 AMPLIFY April 2, 2010 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM April 5, 2010 11:20 AM - 12:20 PM 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM 6:30 - 8:00 PM 7:00 - 9:00 PM April 6, 2010 11:10 AM - 12:10 PM 2:20 - 3:20 PM 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Documentary Film Series - Forgotten Lives Career Assessment Workshop: Using the Strong Interest Inventory to Help Identify Career Interests CommUnity Conversations - Sand, camels and terrorists? The Coming Out Monologues Evening of the Arts Career Assessment Workshop: Using the MBTI to Help Identify Personality Characteristics Time Management & Procrastination The Coming Out Monologues
April 2010
(Continued on page 3)
Family Edition
The Battalion“The independent student voice of Texas A&M since 1893.” www.thebatt.com Texas A&M News and InformationAggie Hotline The 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 listserv@tamu. edu. Leave the subject line blank and type the message: SUB Aggie-Hotline your-real-name.
2
Aggie Quick Connection THIS MONTH IN AMPLIFY (CONTINUED) April 7, 2010 4:00 - 5:00 PM 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) Interpretation True Colors: Follow Your True Colors To the Work You Love
April 8, 2010 2:20 - 3:20 PM 3:00 - 5:00 PM 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Study Success Strategies Healthy Relationships Workshop Don’t Ask Don’t Tell: Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender people in the Military
April 9, 2010 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Perfectly Imperfect Workshop
April 11, 2010 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Aggie Allies Advance
April 12, 2010 9:00 - 11:00 AM 12:15 - 1:15 PM 12:30 - 1:30 PM 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Managing Your Anger 101 Workshop Identity Theft Maintaining Focus Leadership Speaker Series- Blake Mycoskie, TOMS Shoes, Inc.
April 13, 2010 11:30AM-12:30PM 12:15 -1:15 PM 1:30 - 2:30 PM 2:20 - 3:20 PM 2:20 - 3:20 PM
Smart Reading Strategies Saving and Investing Money Management for College Students Talking with Professors Career Assessment Workshop: Using the MBTI to Help Identify Personality Characteristics
April 14, 2010 12:30 - 1:30 PM 2:00 - 3:00 PM 3:00 - 5:00 PM 5:00 - 6:15 PM
Buying Big Ticket Items (Homes and Cars) Cooking on a Budget Journal Writing Workshop Non-Profit Employment Panel
April 15, 2010 11:00AM-12:00PM 12:30 - 1:30 PM 2:00 - 3:00 PM 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Career Assessment Workshop: Using the Strong Interest Inventory to Help Identify Career Interests Financing Your Study Abroad Understanding Credit Cards and Credit Scores Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) Interpretation
April 16, 2010 8:00AM-5:45PM 1:00 - 2:00 PM
TAMU Day of Silence Buying Big Ticket Items (Homes and Cars)
April 19, 2010 11:30AM-12:30PM
Study Success Strategies (Continued on page 4)
April 2010
Family Edition
3
Aggie Quick Connection THIS MONTH IN AMPLIFY (CONTINUED) April 20, 2010 3:30 - 5:30 PM
True Colors: Follow Your True Colors To the Work You Love
April 21, 2010 12:45 - 1:45 PM
Time Management & Procrastination
April 22, 2010 12:30 - 1:30 PM 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Money Management for College Students Stress Management & Test Anxiety
April 23, 2010 10:30 - 11:30 AM
Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) Interpretation
April 27, 2010 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) Interpretation
April 29, 2010 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Conquering Finals
April 30, 2010 11:30AM-1:00PM
Documentary Film Series - Trashed
Upcoming Events & Programs SILVER TAPS Silver Taps is the final tribute paid to an Aggie who, at the time of his/her death, was enrolled in graduate or undergraduate courses at Texas A&M. We encourage all students to participate in this time-honored Aggie Tradition; it is a powerful and moving tribute to fellow students. During the academic year, it is a monthly event when needed. The next Silver Taps ceremony will be conducted Tuesday, April 6, 2010, in memory of John Kinkead Stiles and Clinton William Dickey. 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.
MUSTER Aggie Muster is one of Texas A&M’s oldest and most revered traditions. Officially started on April 21, 1922 as a day for remembrance of fellow Aggies, more than 300 Muster ceremonies are held on this date every year throughout Texas, the United States, and around the world. The largest ceremony is held on campus with an estimated 12,000 people gathering at Reed Arena. All members of the Aggie Family are encouraged to participate in this time-honored tradition. This year Aggie Muster is on Wednesday, April 21, 2010. There will be on campus activities throughout the day. For more information, please visit http://muster.tamu.edu/.
April 2010
Family Edition
4
Aggie Quick Connection More Upcoming Events & Programs TIPS FOR PARENTS’ WEEKEND FROM THE PARENTS’ WEEKEND COMMITTEE • Remember to buy your Bevo Burn BBQ tickets online at: http://parentsweekend.tamu.edu to save time the day of! • Hotels book up quickly for Parents’ Weekend, so look in advance! • C h e c k a r o u n d c ampus for official “Schedule of Events” which lists all the activities during Parents’ Weekend. • Don’t forget to visit http://parentsweekend.tamu.edu for more information on Parents’ Weekend. The events for the weekend include: - Midnight Yell: April 16, Midnight, Kyle Field - MSC Variety Show: April 16, 7:30 pm, Rudder Auditorium - Bevo Burn BBQ: April 17, 11 am-2 pm, Duncan Field - Singing Cadets Concert: April 17, 7:30 pm, Rudder Auditorium - Aggie Moms’ Boutique: April 16, 10 am- 4:30 pm, Reed Arena & April 17, 9 am- 5 pm, Reed Arena - All University Awards Ceremony: April 18, 9:30 am, Rudder Auditorium For a more detailed list of events and times, check out our website, http://parentsweekend.tamu.edu. For general information about visiting Aggieland please visit http://www.tamu.edu/home/visitors/.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS Whether coming in for a visit, to attend a football game or for Parents’ Weekend, hotel rooms often need to be reserved well in advance. An on-line listing of local hotels can be found at the Convention and Visitors Bureau website. Look under ‘accommodations’ at http://visitaggieland.com/.
FIRST-YEAR PHOTO PROJECT SPRING SHOW Join us Parents’ Weekend for the second First-Year Photo Project Spring Show! Friday, April 16, 2010 Rudder Exhibit Hall 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. First-year students from the F1: Photo Project will display their final show, which focuses on their transitions during the first year at Texas A&M. Still photos and a slideshow will be on display. The First-Year Photo Project serves as a way for first-year students to intentionally document their personal transition to Texas A&M University through guided photography, internal reflection and communication with others. This project challenges its participants to examine personal identity, their future hopes and dreams, their uncertainties, and what Texas A&M means to them.
April 2010
Family Edition
5
Aggie Quick Connection More Upcoming Events & Programs AGGIES ABROAD
The Study Abroad Programs Office invites you to attend our annual Aggies Abroad Breakfast. The event will be from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 17th at the Ramada Inn (1502 Texas Ave South, College Station, TX). We will provide a free breakfast plus information on all the international education opportunities available through Texas A&M University. The event will also focus on planning and financing your Aggies’ study abroad experience, health and safety overseas, and the rewards of study abroad. In addition to Study Abroad personnel, representatives from Financial Aid and the Career Center will be attending to provide their expertise. Please RSVP at studyabroad@tamu.edu by April 13th and join us for a very special event. For general information please feel free to come by our office in Bizzell Hall West or visit the web site at http://studyabroad.tamu.edu.
General TAMU Resources AGGIE SEARCH The search for off campus housing and roommates can be a daunting process. To help, Adult, Graduate, and Off Campus Student Services (AGOSS) has created Aggie Search-- a free online housing information and roommate search tool. Through Aggie Search, members of the Aggie Family can read information and leave feedback about housing communities, see housing listed for rent, and search for roommates. Students can also create a profile and be notified about new postings that match their search criteria. To view Aggie Search, please visit http://aggiesearch.tamu.edu/. AGOSS also has an Off Campus Living Resources web page. This page provides links to sites that give specific information for off campus living concerns as well as useful information about the Bryan/College Station Community. This page can be found at http://studentlife.tamu.edu/agoss.
STUDENT COUNSELING SERVICE Is your student struggling with homesickness? Worried about finals? Stressed over relationships or finances? Student Counseling Service provides many free resources to enhance your student’s college experience and to help in times of stress. They are prepared to assist in times of crisis or emergency with outreach and counseling. SCS also has various academic and career services. For more information, please visit http://www.scs.tamu.edu/selfhelp/elibrary/parentips.asp.
AGGIELAND YEARBOOK Aggieland 2009/2010 Yearbooks are now for sale and will be available to pickup during the fall 2010 semester. Documenting various Texas A&M activities since 1895, the Aggieland Yearbook is one of the largest college yearbooks in the country (both in terms of size and number of copies sold). For more information please visit http://aggieland.tamu.edu/ or call (979) 845-2613.
April 2010
Family Edition
6
Aggie Quick Connection Family Members: Please share this information about The 2010 Census with your student! BE A PART OF HISTORY: THE 2010 CENSUS Texas A&M University students can make history this academic year by participating in the 2010 Census, and in turn, helping define and improve the quality of life in our community and our nation. Conducted every 10 years, the census is more than a population count. Census data inform critical political and funding decisions on the national, state and local level.
WHY THE 2010 CENSUS IS IMPORTANT Census data will provide state population counts and determine representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Every year, the federal government distributes more than $400 billion to state, local and tribal governments based on census data. Data also will guide local decision-makers on where to build new schools, roads, hospitals and develop community programs that affect quality of life.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE Depending on living situations, students will participate differently. Living on campus: If a student lives in a dormitory, residence hall, sorority or fraternity house, he or she will receive a 2010 Census form in April or May 2010. Students should complete the form and turn it in to a designated site on campus. It’s that easy. • Living off campus: If a student lives off campus, 2010 Census forms will be delivered or mailed to his/her house or apartment in March 2010. All students living at the address are considered one household, so only one form should be completed with information about all the people living at that address. Mail the completed form in the U.S. mail envelope provided. • Living with parents or guardians: If a student commutes to school and resides full-time at his/her parents’ or guardians’ household, the student should be accounted for on his/her parents’ or guardians’ household form. • An international student or not a U.S. citizen: Everyone in the United States must be counted. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and noncitizens.
EASY. IMPORTANT. CONFIDENTIAL. One of the shortest in history, the 2010 Census form takes about 10 minutes to complete. By law, the U.S. Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. All Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both. For more information, visit: 2010.census.gov.
April 2010
Family Edition
7