Happy Halloween! Enjoy this Disney 1929 blast from the past.
Howdy!
It has been a busy start to the semester, but thankfully it has been a successful start, and life at Aggieland appears to be much more “normal” than last year. Of course, that is a real tribute to the efforts everyone is taking to protect themselves and their fellow Aggies in a still present COVID-19 environment – efforts that we hope will continue for the remainder of the school year. Thanks to all of you for your tireless efforts to protect yourselves, your fellow employees, and our students.
As we wrap up Suicide Awareness Month, I ask all of you to continue to work toward utilizing the resources the Suicide Awareness and Prevention Office provides for all of us. Every one of us has the power to seek out knowledge on suicide prevention, listen to our family and friends who are experiencing stress and anxiety, and to take action. The action you take may simply be spending extra time with someone who needs help, or connecting them with medical professionals who can provide them the professional help they need. The SAPO website says:
“Knowing the signs of suicide is important in helping someone who may be at risk. By offering your understanding, reassurance, and support, you can help your loved one or a friend seek the help they need.”
Again, as one who dealt with the death by suicide of two cadets last year, I ask all of you to do your part to help those who are in crisis and need help. We have all the resources our students need right here on campus:
- Aggies Reaching Aggies, a new suicide prevention peer educator program for students.
- Training such as QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), Campus Connect, Gatekeeper 2.0 and Kognito.
- Support through HelpLine or our Counseling & Psychological Services
Please learn all you can about suicide awareness and prevention so “Not Another Aggie” is lost to suicide.
I also want to acknowledge that Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. During this time, we pay tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched the United States of America and our society as a whole. Take time to enjoy the many events planned on campus to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!
Finally, thanks to all of you for your hard work, diligence, and can-do attitude that has helped us get this semester off to a strong start. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work with all of you, and look forward to a successful school year ahead. Thanks for all you do!
Thanks and Gig ’em!
BG Joe E. Ramirez, Jr. ’79 USA (Ret.)
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs
OCTOBER NEWS FROM OUR DEPARTMENTS
SECC UPDATE
Congratulations to the winners of Friday afternoon DSA BINGO to benefit the Aggieland Humane Society as part of the State Employee Charitable Campaign Texas! Thanks to all the Texas A&M University/DSA staff who played and to the Texas A&M Memorial Student Center - MSC Programs team for hosting the event, and to our Bingo Emcees Luke Altendorf and Tom Reber!
Bingo cards sold were for the Aggieland Humane Society: $460.00
Popcorn sold were for the Voices for Children: $87.75
SECC fundraising will continue on through the end of October. We have already raised more than $20,000 toward our $36,000 goal.
Don’t forget to get those bowling teams together for the 4th Annual DSA SECC Bowling Tournament. We will see you on Friday, Oct. 15 from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. at Grand Station!
SAVE THE DATE
You are invited to attend the Senator Matthew Gaines statue unveiling and dedication event on Friday, Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. The statue will be installed on the Yolanda and Jimmy '65 Janacek Plaza, in between the Student Services Building and Rudder Tower.
BECKY GATES CHILDREN'S CENTER
Texas A&M University architecture students helped design the new $750,000 playground at the Becky Gates Children’s Center (BGCC). The outdoor activity area will allow the children of Texas A&M students, faculty and staff to explore nature and learn through play. The center celebrated its new playground Sept. 3 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Read more about the new structure and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
UNIVERSITY ART GALLERIES
“A Garden of Earthly Delights” – This collaborative exhibition explores how nature inspires art by pairing specimens from Texas A&M’s Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences, the S.M. Tracy Herbarium, and the TAMU Insect Collection, with a range of items from the University Art collections. Visit Forsyth Galleries from Oct. 5 through Dec. 17, 2021. For more information, go to tx.ag/Delights.
“Strokes of Genius: Texas Impressionism” – This exhibition highlights exemplary impressionist works from award-winning Texas artists from the late 1800s through the 1930s. See sweeping brushstrokes of Texas landscapes, fields of wildflowers, and people going about their daily lives in this homage to color, light, and atmosphere. Visit Stark Galleries from Oct. 7 through Dec. 17, 2021. For more information, go to tx.ag/Strokes.
“Strokes of Genius: Gallery Talk & Reception” – Join us for this exhibition opening with a gallery talk by Michael Grauer, McCasland Chair of Cowboy Culture and curator of Cowboy Collections and Western Art at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Reception to follow. Free and open to the public. RSVPs are appreciated. Visit Stark Galleries on Oct. 7, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. For more information, go to tx.ag/Strokes.
“North and South: Berenice Abbott’s U.S. Route 1” – In 1954, Berenice Abbott drove along U.S. Route 1 from New York to Key West and then retraced the route up to Maine. See historical photographs Abbott took along the way as she sought to capture the U.S.’s character, beauty, and incongruities. Visit Stark Galleries from Oct. 12 through Dec. 17, 2021. For more information, go to tx.ag/North.
Resident members of the Sustainable Aggies Living Learning Community visited the Downtown Bryan Farmers Market.
RESIDENCE LIFE
Residence Life managed $22 million in renovations, upgrades, repairs, and maintenance to residential community housing this past summer. Included in the renovations were a complete HVAC system replacement in Wells and Lechner Halls, as well as new interior finishes in Clements, Davis-Gary, and Moses Halls.
We are grateful to our campus partners, SSC Custodial & Maintenance, Utilities & Energy Services, Transportation Services, and others, who worked diligently to complete an extensive list of renovation, cleaning, and maintenance projects prior to fall move in.
The ResLife Software Solutions Team is pleased to welcome new graduate assistants, Tanvi Sharma and Ameya Saptarshi. Working with Mike Krenz and Miriam Lee, they will handle projects related to StarRez (the housing application and assignments software) and Quickbase. Tanvi and Ameya are both first year graduate students pursuing their masters of science in Management Information Systems at Mays Business School.
Resident members of the Sustainable Aggies Living Learning Community visited the Downtown Bryan Farmers Market. Members connected with local vendors and learned about the importance of supporting local businesses, all while building community. They were joined by their Hullabaloo U instructor, Dean Jorge Vanegas, of the College of Architecture.
This year’s Academic Peer Mentor team is the largest in the history of the program, with 25 students living in residence halls & apartments, and helping students succeed academically. The APM Program is certified by the College Reading & Learning Association and trains its mentors to offer a variety of academic support services including: academic check-Ups, office hours, REV Talk, and collaborative programs.
RECREATIONAL SPORTS
Congratulations to Drew McMillen on his promotion to senior associate director! Drew began his Rec Sports career his freshman year as a flag football official. He has served the last 15 years as an associate director working with multiple program areas and many division committees. Drew serves on the DSA IT Governance committee and was one of the first co-chairs of the Staff Wellbeing and Appreciation Committee.
Do you enjoy exercising with others and want extra guidance? If yes, join our small group training program starting Oct. 18. Sign up at Rec Sports members services or online at recconnect.tamu.edu.
Join us on Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. for EmPOWER Hour - a FREE kickboxing workshop facilitated by Rec Sports in partnership with Health Promotions. During this full-body cardio class you will learn the basics of boxing, kickboxing, and relieve a ton of stress! You can attend in person or through Zoom; your privacy will be protected in both formats. Registration is required so sign up at tx.ag/empowerhour.
The lights go down and the music turns UP! Join Rec Sports and Health Promotions as we use noise cancelling light-up headphones to create the ultimate FREE cardio dance party experience on Oct. 20. This SILENT disco is one you will NOT want to miss so wear your favorite neon and get ready to move. Registration is required; you can sign up at tx.ag/fitnessprograms.
Check out our outdoor and boxing bootcamps for FREE from Oct. 18-22! Register for these and other fitness and wellness classes at tx.ag/fitnessprograms.
Aggieland Mariachi performs during the Hispanic Heritage kick-off event on Sept. 15.
MULTICULTURAL SERVICES
Join us in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month from now until October 15. The month opened with a kickoff event hosted by the Hispanic Presidents' Council on September 15. Learn more about the numerous events happening on campus this month.
The Aggie Black Male Connection (ABMC) held its first Barbershop Talk of the semester. Attendees participated in networking activities and discussed different identity-based topics.
Asian Presidents' Council hosted over 550 attendees at its annual Boba Social event in which first-year students were introduced to the numerous APIDA-affiliated student organizations on campus.
The Let's Talk Program now offers on-site counselors at the Department of Multicultural Services (DMS) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The continued partnership with DMS and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) gives students more options to meet with mental health professionals. Visit the CAPS Let’s Talk page for more info.
COUNSELING & PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
For National Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, we hosted our annual ‘Not Another Aggie’ Suicide Awareness campaign. We began with our Suicide Awareness Walk, hosted an art therapy session, Coffee with a Counselor, Aggies Reaching Aggies training, and a faculty/staff Talk Saves Lives presented by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. For more info, visit https://uhs.tamu.edu/mental-health/index.html.
Workshop registration has opened for the fall semester, inviting students to hone mental health-related skills and wellness habits for improved wellbeing in one-, two- or three-session virtual programs. Students can self-enroll through the student portal on the CAPS website for workshops focused on topics such as emotional regulation, personal motivation and self-awareness.
CAPS has new partnerships for students in their home college space! Dr. Esther Wright at Nagle Hall for graduate and professional students, Dr. Kari Becker with Transition Academic Programs, Thrive students, and Dr. Kanesha Moore at the Byrne Student Success Center in College of Education. The Colleges of Engineering and Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences continue to house CAPS counselors. We’re delighted to bring services directly to the students!
STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES
Over 12,000 Aggies have received a COVID-19 vaccines through Student Health Services.
SHS staff administered over 20,000 Curative COVID-19 tests during the three-week mandatory testing period.
COVID-19 vaccines are available for TAMU students, faculty and staff. You may access vaccine information and appointment scheduling online at tx.ag/vaccineinfo. Appointments are available Monday - Friday at the student health clinic (A.P. Beutel Health Center).
Flu vaccines are now available for TAMU students! Schedule your appointment to receive a flu vaccine at tx.ag/fluvaccine. Bring your TAMU ID and any health insurance information to your appointment.
MUSIC ACTIVITIES
The University Bands will once again be performing live, in-person concerts the weekend of the Alabama Game. All four bands will perform on Sunday, 10/10 at Rudder Theatre. For ticket information and times, see our full calendar.
The Singing Cadets are continuing to take their open rehearsals on the road.
- Oct. 8 - Century Square Front Porch
- Oct. 22 - The Music Activities Center Choral Rehearsal Hall
- Nov. 5 - Brookshire Brothers Stage 12
Can't make it? The Oct. 22 rehearsal will be streamed. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
The University Orchestras are opening their fall concert series on October 8 at Rudder Theatre. The philharmonic will play at 7 p.m. followed immediately by the chamber orchestra. Join us for some great music before Midnight Yell Practice!
The University Jazz Ensembles are in concert on Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. in Rudder Theatre. They will play old classics and new favorites, including charts by Miles Davis, Neal Hefti, and Gordon Goodwin. Find ticket information online
Can't make it to College Station? Stream the performances at tx.ag/MUSALive
DISABILITY RESOURCES
The Spectrum Living Learning Community hosted an Ask an Aggie panel discussion Sept. 22. Alexis Paredes, Chris O'Brien and Kyle Mcclenagan, all student employees with our department, shared their advice and experiences as students and Aggies.
Justin Romack presented on identity, language and models of disability for 150 students in Dr. Melissa Fogarty's INST 210 class.
STUDENT LIFE STUDIES
Student Life Studies is hosting two webinars through StudentAffairs.com: "40+ Tips to Increase Survey Responses" on October 12 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in Koldus 144 and "Assessing Social Events: Student Programming by the Numbers" on October 14 from noon to 1 p.m. in 1500 MSC (Veteran Resource and Support Center). Please RSVP online.
If you are thinking about using a survey for data collection, check out a couple of SLS resources to get you started: On-demand video and blog:
Several new reports about student and staff experiences with DSA programs and services are on our website.
UNIVERSITY CENTER & SPECIAL EVENTS (UCEN)
Welcome Jillian Poe to the Event Services unit as an event coordinator III and congratulates Kirby Talesky and Jonathan Gilbert of the Rudder Theatre Complex on their recent promotions.
UCEN has created virtual event rooms, which are free for students to use for hybrid or Zoom events with their own devices that utilize the cameras, speakers and microphones inside the rooms. These rooms are Rudder 301, 401, 501, 601 and MSC 2300C, 2400, and 2406.
Amanda Rogers of the Rudder Theatre Complex has completed the Leading Others Program within the Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness.
MEMORIAL STUDENT CENTER
MSC Open House hosted more than 21,000 students at it's in-person event September 5. Virtual MSC Open House reached more than 16,000 accounts over a five-day period.
Afro-Latinx Festival hosted by MSC CAMAC and MSC WBAC, is a creative and exciting way to celebrate and highlight the culture of the Afro-Latinx community. We will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with education through dance, cuisine, music, and poetry. Bring your blankets as this event will have a park festival vibe on Oct. 16. Tickets are available for purchase at $5.
The Intersection of the Local and the Global in Environmental Grassroots Activism hosted by MSC L.T. Jordan Institute will consist of a week-long residency with a speaker from a grassroots nongovernmental organization, a collaborative round-table discussion with several speakers, and a beach clean up at Galveston Island State Park for students from Texas A&M in collaboration with students from Galveston. Oct. 18-23.
Other upcoming MSC events:
- Halloween Party (MSC Hospitality)
- October 26 (5 p.m. to 10 p.m.) in Bethancourt Ballroom (MSC)
- An annual fall festival celebration hosted by MSC Hospitality for families in the Bryan/College Station community. This event is a long night of family-friendly fun with food, games, and Halloween-themed activities.
- Cultural Simulation: Visit to a Far Away Land (International Student Association)
- October 26 (7 p.m. to 8 p.m.) in Memorial Student Center 2406
- This is an engaging cultural simulation in which attendees experience a new culture and dissect its parts with other participants. In addition to developing your intercultural communication skills, this will be a fun evening and a great opportunity to meet people from around the world in a relaxing environment.
OFFICES OF THE DEAN OF STUDENT LIFE
October is nationally observed as Domestic Violence Prevention & Awareness Month. Health Promotion is hosting prevention programs and educational events throughout the month that are free to our entire Aggie community, with emphasis on mental health and resilience. For a complete calendar of events, visit tx.ag/DVPAM.
The Women’s Resource Center invites you to nominate a student for the Elect Her: Aggie Women Win Conference on Oct. 17. The conference trains women to run for elected office and develop leadership skills that are applicable in a variety of situations including leading organizations and in the workplace. Learn more and nominate a student at https://studentlife.tamu.edu/wss/. Students of all genders are welcome.
The LGBTQ+ Pride Center invites you to attend Pride Live: LGBTQ+ History Month on Oct. 5 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Facebook, or you can watch it afterward on the center’s YouTube or Instagram channels. This discussion will focus on LGBTQ+ history at Texas A&M University and our speakers will be Kevin Bailey, Thane Miles and Kade Higgins.
National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week is Oct. 17–23. This week is dedicated to educating students on how to avoid excessive drinking, driving after drinking and how alcohol can impact other areas of life. Health Promotion will be hosting programs and educational tables throughout the week for the Aggie community.
The Battalion's Myranda Campanella took over as editor-in-chief for the 2021-22 school year. The senior international studies major spent the spring as managing editor. Kylie Sledge is starting her second year as editor-in-chief of the Aggieland yearbook after producing the 2021 Aggieland in time for just the second summer delivery of the book in the past 32 years.
The Battalion is an Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) Pacemaker finalist, college journalism's top honor, for the seventh time for work in 2020-21. Brady Stone was editor for the year. The Battalion and the Aggieland teamed up to finish ninth nationally in the ACP’s inaugural Clips & Clicks contest for work in 2020-21. First-place winners were designs by The Batt's Cori Eckert and a photo by the Aggieland's Kylie Sledge.
Elect Her is a one-day conference offered in a hybrid format. Participants can participate virtually or in-person and practice hands-on campaign skills, hear from inspiring local speakers and discuss research on women in government.
VETERAN RESOURCE & SUPPORT CENTER
The VRSC has partnered with The Albers Group to bring the VET+MAP program to student veterans. VET+MAP uses a strengths assessment to identify student veterans' strengths and create personal impact plans to guide them in achieving their career and life goals. Students interested in VET+MAP can email jason.walker@thealbersgroup.com.
The 13th Annual Texas Veterans Higher Education Symposium is October 5-6 in Corpus Christi. Hosted by the Texas A&M University System, this professional development opportunity focuses on aiding Texas institutions in supporting military-affiliated students. Find more information or register here.
The Troops to College (T2C) Committee is back in-person! This year we plan to meet in October, February, March and April, with socials in December and May. This committee provides advice and support for the development, improvement, and implementation of services and programs that will facilitate military-affiliated student success from “application to vocation.” Interested in joining the committee? Email gsmith@tamu.edu.
CORPS OF CADETS
The Corps of Cadets conducted a march-in through downtown Fort Worth ahead of this year’s Southwest Classic game. This is the first march-in the Corps has conducted since 2016, making this year’s Corps trip especially exciting. The Aggie spirit was alive and well in downtown Fort Worth! View photos from the Southwest Classic game here.
The Texas A&M versus Kent State game commemorated the 20th anniversary of the original red, white and blue game that followed the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The Corps of Cadets proudly waved custom blue 12th Man towels in show of support. Proceeds from towel sales generated over $10,000 to be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project and the Semper Fi & America’s Fund.
Forty-eight members of the Class of 2023 received their coveted Parsons Mounted Cavalry (PMC) cords in August. The cord ceremony represents the culmination of a nearly year-long process to become a member of PMC. Prior to earning their cords, cadets are continuously evaluated on riding ability, attitude, work ethic and knowledge by the senior class.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Congratulations to Dylan Murray, Dr. Tearney Woodruff, and Dr. Summer Odoms for receiving first place for the Distinguished Practice Poster Award at the Association of Leadership Educators conference. Their poster was titled “Assessing College Students’ Leadership Mindsets as a Way to Facilitate the Leadership Coaching Process.”
Dr. Melissa Shehane completed the 25-week Texas A&M University Systemwide National Association of System Heads and the Association of College and University Educators’ Project, a prestigious program in which only 76 faculty were selected. Dr. Shehane was honored during a pinning ceremony in August.
The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life is excited to welcome 1,636 new members to the Aggie Greek community with the Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Collegiate Panhellenic Council (CPC) both having their largest recruitments to date! IFC welcomed 480 new members, and CPC welcomed 1,156 members. NPHC hosted a successful week of programs during the first week of classes including a meet and greet, their anti-hazing workshop, and an Aggie tailgate.
Our Campus Engagement and Traditions team hosted its Annual Leadership Academy, which included sessions for their top student leaders to interact with President M. Katherine Banks and other campus administrators from TAMU Marketing and Communications, the Office for the Vice President for Student Affairs, and the Department of Student Activities. The two-day program included facilitated discussions covering various topics.
Twenty-two Freshman Leadership Organizations will soon be finalizing new member selections for 2021-22. This fall, there was a drastic 45.8% increase in applications submitted, compared to 2020, which was also a record-setting year. A total of 8,466 applications were submitted across the 22 organizations, representing 2,961 unique applicants. A virtual All-FLO informational was also held on YouTube with more than 3,400 views.
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Take a look at two of the Aggie stories we’ve published and consider nominating a student who you believe might inspire others for this monthly feature.
Thanks to the DSA departments that pitched in and joined the fun for our First Annual DSA Cool Zone event as part of MSC Open House! We saw a steady stream of students engaging with Rec Sports, Art Galleries, Residence Life, Student Health, Disability Resources, CAPS, ODSL, Music Activities, and the Becky Gates Children’s Center. Special thanks to our dunking booth volunteers, Gen. Joe Ramirez, Tom Reber, Dr. Mary Ann Covey, Justin Jeffery, Col. Byron Stebbins, Natalie Parks and Peyton Liebler from Student Government! Check out pics from the event.
Take a peek at some of our latest photos from Von’s Vision, the Texas A&M-t.u. volleyball game, Hispanic Heritage Month kick-off event, Reveille X’s visit to the marcomm office, Suicide Awareness Month event, and Midnight Yell Practices. Large kudos to Olivia Garza and Avery Abernathy, our talented student photographers, for their work in capturing these images for our division.
Feel the spirit! Follow @tamuyell on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Our team, including a few of our student employees, are honored to have the opportunity to assist the Yell Leaders with marketing this year.
DSA RISK MANAGEMENT COORDINATION COMMITTEE (RMCC)
The Continuity of Operations plan is due October 31. See your RMCC representative for details.
DSA DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
The DSA Diversity Committee is supporting and sponsoring the following upcoming program. On Oct. 13, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Forsyth Galleries, watch Texas-based, Mexican American commissioned artists install their “Gardens of Earthly Delight” exhibit.
STAFF WELLBEING AND APPRECIATION COMMITTEE
On Oct. 19, SWAC will host a Lunch-and-Learn Webinar Watch Party in the Student Services Building, Room 308. Bring your own lunch and join us from noon to 1 p.m. to watch "Avoiding Burnout: Self-Care for Student Affairs Professionals in the Age of Covid-19 and Beyond" facilitated by Dr. Aaron Hughey. Watch for an email with the RSVP link for DSA staff.
On Oct. 28, SWAC will host a lunch-and-learn in Koldus 144 regarding legal documents. Attorney Derek Moore will be discussing estate planning; specifically what are the most common legal documents, what these documents do, and how to get started with the process. In-person and virtual viewing options will be available. Watch for an email with the RSVP link for DSA staff.