The Jag Family Connection Keeping you in the know
Updates from the University & the Office of Family Engagement ●
Jaguar Lift Student Emergency Relief Fund: Across the nation and close to home, students are facing uncertainty and increased need. For many, the impact of COVID-19 is immediate and significant. A&M-SA students are experiencing unprecedented loss of income as well as unexpected expenses. Please consider making a gift to the Jaguar Lift Student Emergency Relief Fund or General's Store to help our students and their families during this crisis. In the future, your student will be able to apply to receive these funds. Donate using the following link Make a Gift: Giving
Texas A&M University-San Antonio is conducting a brief survey to help capture student, faculty, and staff feedback on the changes to the academic environment and University operations necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Students can access the link through JagWire. It will show up once they log in. Click here for the survey.
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Additionally, the end of the semester is coming up. Please be sure to let your student know so that they can contact their professors about their final exams.
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Credit/No Credit deadline is May 5, 2020, at 5:00pm. Remind your students to make an appointment with their advisor if they would like to make this decision. Their advisor can assist with understanding how Credit/No Credit can impact them in the future. For more information on credit/no credit, click here
For more live updates from the University, click here.
THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES
Festival de Cascarones Goes Virtual! Join Texas A&M-SA in celebrating Festival de Cascarones on April 26th. The university is holding an egg smashing contest for all students who are returning in Fall 2020. The top 3 grand prizes include free tuition for a semester, a Fiesta prize pack, and a Jaguar Swag pack. For more information, please visit Virtual Festival de Cascarones.
Nourish to Flourish with Student Counseling and Wellness Student Counseling and Wellness Services created a short YouTube video series (3 weeks long) with tips on anxiety management and healthy relationships during COVID-19. Here is the link for the weekly videos!
Jaguar Day One Program Helping students battle the cost of books The University is pleased to announce the start of the Jaguar Day One program, which Texas A&M University- San Antonio has developed to help students pay for books and required course materials. Jaguar Day One is a new program this semester that allows students to pay a flat $25 per credit hour fee instead of paying for books and required course materials in one lump sum at the beginning of the semester. The program is voluntary and students can opt-out of the program if they want to purchase books another way. "The Jaguar Day One is a great option for many students to cover their book costs without getting one big bill," said Brandy McLelland, Vice President for Enrollment Management. "We're committed to doing whatever we can to make Texas A&M- San Antonio both affordable and attainable." In addition, A&M-San Antonio has partnered with Follett Higher Education Group to provide students with up to seven free eBooks from participating publishers, as part of the University's ongoing efforts to ensure students have what they need to continue their learning despite the COVID-19 outbreak.
Family Association Member Spotlight Family Association is an organization run by family members of jaguar students with the Coordinator of Family Engagement as their advisor. The Executive Board meets monthly and aims to assist in staying connected with the university while serving A&M-SA students. The Office of Family Engagement established the Family Association January 2020 and held its first meeting on February 15 at the Cove in San Antonio. The current Executive Board consists of five family members holding various positions. Below you will meet one of the five. Mission Family Association at Texas A&M University-San Antonio is designated to empower family members to connect with Jaguar students on and off-campus, promote a sense of home in the A&M-SA community, and provide opportunities for local cultural learning.
Meet Greg Flores ▪ Position: Vice President ▪ What brought you to Family Association? ●
Support for my daughter while she is a student at TAMU-SA
▪ What do you enjoy about being in Family Association? ●
Being involved in an organization that supports my daughter's and other student's well being and education
▪ Your student’s classification? ●
Bella is a freshman.
▪ Advice for other family members? ●
Don't be afraid to get involved, you are not only helping your family but other families as well
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Additionally, I look forward to the upcoming years to see the impact that this organization will have on my family and families of future students.
Family Association Member Spotlight Continued… Meet Jacinta Flores ▪
Position: Secretary/Treasurer
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What brought you to Family Association? ●
I want to support my daughter and other students that are away from their families for an extended amount of time. I want to bring a piece of home to all students that may need extra support.
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What do you enjoy about being in Family Association? ●
I enjoy brainstorming with a great group of families on how we can support students. I am excited for the coming months to roll out and see the positive impact.
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Your student’s classification? ●
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Bella is a freshmen, and majoring in Communications
Advice for other family members? ●
This is definitely an organization you want to be a part of if you want to make a positive impact on students and the community.
If you are interested in joining the Family Association as a general member or serve on the Executive Board, please contact Reba Fuggs, Coordinator for Family Engagement at family@tamusa.edu.
Highlights of the Week How can family members support their student’s online education? “My family can best support my online education by helping ensure that I have a peaceful environment to work in.” ~Xavier Stephenson: Sophomore majoring in Psychology
“My family members can best support my online education by giving me space and time to do my homework. A working environment that is quiet. “ ~Allison Alonzo: Sophomore majoring in Criminal Justice
Comedy Corner: Encouraging Lightheartedness and Laughter The Office of Family Engagement recognizes the difficulty faced locally and globally. Remember that there’s a rainbow after a storm and that laughter is good for the soul.
Here is a link to our Facebook.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at family@tamusa.edu. You can also submit questions to President Matson here.
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