SEPTEMBER NEWS FROM DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS
Save the date for the following events:
5th Annual Division of Student Affairs SECC Bowling Tournament
Please contact Barb Schumacher at bschumacher@tamu.edu or 979-862-5624 should you have any questions…and Let’s. Get. Bowling!
Active Shooter Training
Sept. 28, 2022
Bethancourt Ballroom, MSC 2300
8:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Breakfast served between 8:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Active shooter incidents are often unpredictable and evolve quickly. In the midst of chaos, anyone can play an integral role in mitigating the impacts of an active shooter incident. To best equip our division for responding to these incidents, BG Joe Ramirez, Vice President for Student Affairs, would like for all DSA staff to attend this active shooter training presented by the Texas A&M University Police Department.
State Employee Charitable Campaign
The State Employee Charitable Campaign, “We Give...What’s Your Why?” runs from Sept. 1 through Oct.31, 2022, with a goal to raise $300,000 for charity and 12% participation. You can choose from more than 400 charitable organizations, and you can make one-time or recurring gifts and give online, by cash or check or through a unit fundraiser (like our bowling tournament).
Visit the campus SECC website for details on how to give.
State of the University Address
All Texas A&M University staff are invited to attend the
State of the University an address by President M. Katherine Banks
Sept. 28, 2022 | 3 P.M.
Annenberg Presidential Conference Center
Frymire Auditorium
1002 George Bush Drive West
Watch by livestream at tx.ag/SOTU2022
CAREER CENTER
Sixteen members of the Career Center staff were selected to present at the 2022 Southern Association of Colleges and Employers annual conference this fall in Charlotte, NC. Topics include career readiness for an emerging Hispanic serving institution, graduate school advising services, career development for first-year students, career programming for s student athletes, and using major grouping to assist employers.
During the past two weeks, the Career Center has hosted nearly 900 interviews on campus with hundreds more scheduled in the weeks ahead. We are supporting more than 20 career fairs this semester. You may find career fair dates and more information here. Career Center team members are supporting multiple-employer events including Dell Night on Sept. 14, attended by more than 200 students, and the NASA Johnson Space Center Informational on Sept. 15 attended by nearly 350 students.
Since the beginning of the fall semester, Career Center team members have presented to more than 7,000 attendees during more than 130 programs on topics including career fair preparation, writing a professional resume, resources for international students, graduate student job and internship searches, professional networking, preparing for interviews, and offer evaluation- negotiation.
CORPS OF CADETS
On Sept. 30, 1992, the Sam Houston Sanders Corps of Cadets Center opened its doors with a simple but strong mission statement: “Promote the past, preserve the present, and protect the future of the Corps of Cadets.” Thirty years later, the Corps Center continues to serve as a welcome hub for all Aggies and guests of Texas A&M. To read more about the Corps Center, view planned renovations and its goals for the future visit tx.ag/CorpsCenter30.
During the season's first march-in, cadet Jake Worrell ‘23 had the incredible opportunity to wear former Gov. Rick Perry’s ‘72 senior boots. An idea that originated through a special bond between Jake and the former governor, this unique experience created lifelong memories for everyone involved. Jake’s story is one that illuminates the strength of the Aggie family, and the bond that every Aggie shares with one another. Read the story at tx.ag/JakeWorrell.
At the start of this semester, 47 members of the Class of 2024 received their coveted Parsons Mounted Cavalry (PMC) cords at the annual Cord Ceremony. This ceremony represents the culmination of a nearly year-long process to become a member of Parsons Mounted Cavalry. Cadets begin the lengthy membership process in the fall of their sophomore year, where they learn horse care and basic equine skills and are tested on their proficiency at the end of the semester. Participating cadets returned to campus in August, as juniors, before the start of classes to take part in PMC Work Week. At the end of Work Week, all cadets are required to pass a riding skills test. The final event of the week is a mock-game day operation where the troop rides to campus and the juniors ride around Kyle Field for the first time. Congratulations to the newest members of Parsons Mounted Cavalry!
DISABILITY RESOURCES
Disability Resources was excited to collaborate in the launch of the SEC Disability Coalition this summer. Comprised of directors from disability resource offices at all 14 SEC schools, the group collaborates across universities to share best practices, educate campus communities and support disabled students throughout the SEC.
The SEC Disability Coalition will host monthly webinars, which launched with September's session, "Everyday Ableism: Unpacking Disability Bias and Stereotypes," presented by Dr. Amanda Kraus, assistant vice president for campus life and executive director for disability resources at the University of Arizona. The session explored models of disability, the institutionalization of ableism in higher education and how these impact disabled and non-disabled individuals. More than 260 faculty, staff and students attended from across the SEC.
During the spring semester, Disability Resources worked closely with the Department of Mathematics to produce braille versions of all materials for its foundational course on business calculus. Read more about the project and student employees behind the work.
MULTICULTURAL SERVICES
Our freshman transition programs, in collaboration with student organizations, launched during Howdy week and continued into the first week of classes with the following three events:
- First-Year Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Mixer, known as FAM
- Excellence uniting Culture Education & Leadership (ExCEL) Conference
- Latino Logradores (LatiLo) La Gran Casita
With more than 400 engaged students, FAM is a free interactive and educational mixer facilitated by student leaders from APIDA affiliated student organizations to welcome incoming first-year Aggies who are interested in connecting with the APIDA community.
ExCEL launched its 34th year of assisting students interested in engaging with the Black or African American community in making a smooth transition through the ExCEL Conference, where relationships were cultivated with peers and mentors, social belonging was nurtured, and a wealth of resources were provided to over 130 freshmen.
La Gran Casita, the launch of LatiLo, hosted over 300 first-year students in gaining insight into professional, academic, and social resources on campus, creating lasting relationships through their peer-mentorship program, and exploring Hispanic/Latinx cultures.
The Culture Leadership Understanding and Exploration for Scholars (CLUES) courses and learning community, in collaboration with Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications launched for the with its foci on multiculturalism, cultural sensitivity, and inclusive leadership. The learning community, divided into two fall and spring courses, clues students in on knowledge and skills to positively impact their capacities to grow in self-awareness and respectfully interact with all people.
The Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) calendar and kickoff, coordinated by the Hispanic Presidents’ Council, launched on Sept. 15 in celebration of HHM, showcasing and examining many facets of Hispanic life through cultural displays and reenactments, dance performances, music, panel discussions, lectures, films, and more. HHM is an opportunity for all community members at Texas A&M and in Bryan/College Station to come together and celebrate the rich and varied customs that stem from this tradition.
MEMORIAL STUDENT CENTER
Can’t seem to find your phone charger? In need of a good pair of goggles? Don't worry, MSC Hospitality has you covered. Visit Rudder Plaza on Oct. 5 for the Lost & Found Sale. The 9 a.m.–noon sale has everything you need at low, low prices.
Love free movies and popcorn? MSC Aggie Cinema is hosting screenings of Thor: Love and Thunder, Parasite, Nope and more! Visit cinema.tamu.edu for locations and time.
The 12th Jam is back on Oct. 22! This year, the day-long music festival will host three student bands and headlining act at the amphitheater in Aggie Park. Tickets will soon be available for purchase. Check out townhall.tamu.edu for details.
Love food and traveling? Join MSC FLI as they search the globe for the best in international cuisine from the safety of your couch. Cooking Around the World teaches you how to prepare different food from different regions of the world. This Oct. 21 virtual event is not to be missed so be sure to register online at fli.tamu.edu.
Join MSC Hospitality for the annual Halloween Party on Oct. 28! Be prepared for a night of family-friendly fun, exciting games and good food. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. in MSC 2400.
MUSIC ACTIVITIES
The University Orchestras have the highest string student participation ever in their history, with the Philharmonic Orchestra having almost 120 players. The Chamber Orchestra is preparing for what should be a terrific performance of Beethoven’s famous and monumental Symphony #5 to take place Oct. 15 in Rudder Auditorium.
The University Jazz Ensembles continue to attract some of the best high school jazz students from across the state. This summer brought in some of the highest-level talent from auditioning freshman on record. The two jazz ensembles are preparing for their first concert in Rudder Theatre on Oct. 14, featuring works by Count Basie, Henry Mancini, and Quincy Jones.
The choirs at Texas A&M are off to a great start with record numbers in each ensemble. The Singing Cadets kicked off the year with three concerts in the MSC Flag Room before each home game on Friday at 5 p.m. as well as closing for The Association of Former Students Distinguished Alumni Gala. Upcoming events include a joint tour with Women’s Chorus and Singing Cadets to Texas A&M Galveston on Oct. 7 to celebrate Family Weekend with a concert. The following weekend there will be a joint concert in College Station for both Women’s Chorus and Century Singers. The November calendar includes an outdoor concert at the Bush Library on Nov. 18 at 7:45 p.m. followed by fireworks. The semester closes with The Holiday Spirit of Aggieland concert with all three choirs on Sunday, Dec. 4. Tickets for all events are available at the MSC Box Office.
The four University Concert Bands enjoyed a record 200 incoming freshmen auditions for the fall semester in conjunction with an impressive retention rate among returning members. The Wind Symphony will perform at 7 p.m. in Rudder Theatre on Friday, Sept. 30. The Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band & Concert will give its first concert performance on Sunday, Oct. 2. Tickets and more information are available through the MSC Box Office.
RESIDENCE LIFE
Residence Life’s Aggie Eco-Reps started ots bi-weekly Campus Clean-Ups for the fall semester on Sept. 10. The Eco-Reps gather beside the Student Services Building on Saturdays at 10 a.m. to collect litter from across campus and socialize. Gloves and trash bags are provided, and all are welcome to attend. The dates for Campus Clean-Up are Oct 8 and 22.
Residence Life hosted welcome socials for First Gen, AFAM, Aggie Familia, and APIDA students to ease their transition to college and on-campus living. Heavy hors d'oeuvres were provided while students connected with various campus resources, faculty, staff, and peers. A record 200 students attended the department’s First-Gen welcome social!
Currently, 11,100 students have moved in on campus, including Residence Life and the Corps of Cadets, with an occupancy rate over 98% again for the fall semester. The fall 2023/2024 application for campus housing went live on Sept. 15 as we anticipate we will have over 10,000 new to housing/freshmen applications for the next school year. Aggies Live On!
RECREATIONAL SPORTS
This year’s Rec-A-Palooza, which took place Aug. 22, was officially our largest Rec-A-Palooza ever, with over 5,000 students in attendance. The night’s downpour didn’t stop Rec-A-Palooza 2022 from becoming our most successful one yet!
On Aug. 26, Rec Sports welcomed the newest member to the Rec Sports family: the Southside Rec Center! Located across Bizzell Street from the Commons residence halls, this new facility makes recreation more accessible to students on campus by placing a state-of-the-art recreation facility in their backyard. Read the story, watch the videos and view images from the ribbon-cutting event.
After much feedback from students this semester, Rec Sports expanded the hours of operation for the Polo Road Rec Center. The new Polo Road Rec Center hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Our hours of operation are being adjusted for home games! Stay tuned to Rec Sports on social media and our website to stay up to date on game day hours throughout the semester!
STUDENT LIFE
Health Promotion hosted programs during September for National Recovery Month, including Sober Yoga, and it will host the Sober Tailgate Watch Party on Sept. 24 at the Star Cinema Grill, starting one hour prior to kickoff.
Health Promotion and Intramural Sports (Rec Sports) will host the second annual Run for Recovery on Oct. 22 at 8:30 a.m. Register here! The 5K is open to students, faculty, staff, and members of the community ($10 for students, $15 for non-students). Visit the FAQ page for more information.
October is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness month. Health Promotion will host a few STAND Up and Green Dot Bystander Intervention workshops and informationals. Visit the Health Promotion calendar for details.
The LGBTQ+ Pride Center successfully hosted the Rainbow Resource Fair Sept. 8. This event provides an opportunity for LGBTQ+ students to find organizations and resources for them to utilize on- and off-campus.
The Pride Center will host Pride Late Night on Oct. 18 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be a variety of games, lots of food, and an opportunity to meet new friends. Attendees will meet on the first floor of the Student Services Building, and staff will begin letting people on to the second floor at 5:45 p.m.
UNIVERSITY CENTER & SPECIAL EVENTS
Rudder Auditorium received a new state-of-the-art orchestra pit. This equipment is manufactured in only two places in the world and has significantly improved operations for staff and enhanced the experience for guests.
We have completed renovations to meeting rooms, restrooms, and the seventh floor foyer of Rudder Tower.
UCEN hosted its bi-annual Student Training Day in which 90 student employees gathered for active shooter and safety training presentation by the University Police Department.
Aggie Park opened on Friday, Sept. 2, with a kick-off concert featuring Robert Earl Keen. UCEN staff were instrumental in helping set this event and will continue to provide event and tailgating services in Aggie Park. We will also manage Aggie Park social media channels.
STUDENT AFFAIRS PLANNING, RESEARCH, & ASSESSMENT
Student Life Studies changed its name to Student Affairs Planning, Assessment & Research (SAPAR). Don’t worry, we are still meeting your assessment needs!
Need a Qualtrics account? The first step is to contact us! If you attempt to set up an account without going through SAPAR, you will not be able to log into the account you create, and we will need to contact the university administrator to resolve it, which takes more time. Send an email to bschumacher@tamu.edu to get started.
Our team is hosting assessment basic courses” this academic year focusing on the assessment cycle: planning (Oct. 4), collecting quantitative data (Nov. 1), analyzing quantitative data (Feb. 7), collecting and analyzing qualitative data (March 28), and using and sharing results (June 6). Check your email for registration information.
Congratulations to Kelly Cox for being reclassified to associate director!
Check out the resources on the SAPAR website, including podcasts, blogs, and videos. The blogs for August and September address how to coordinate focus groups.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Fall elections (Sept. 29-30) will include openings for freshman class president and vacant Student Senate positions. Election information can be found here.
The SGA suite is now home to the “Koldus Pocket Pantry” in partnership with the 12th Can Food Pantry. Located in Koldus 127D, the Pocket Pantry provides temporary relief through non-perishable food, small toiletry items, and water to TAMU students who are experiencing food insecurity. Feel free to advertise this Pocket Pantry through your channels and organizations.
Congratulations to Amy Loyd, who was named the SEC’s 2021-22 SGA Advisor of the Year at the University of South Carolina this summer.
Student Activities recently merged two of its functional areas to create a new unit that will provide enhanced services and training for our recognized student organizations. Formally Student Organization Development & Administration and the Leadership & Service Center, this new area has been named Student Organization Leadership and Development.
VETERAN RESOURCE & SUPPORT CENTER
Texas A&M welcomed more than 100 new student veterans for fall 2022! Many attended our Vet Camp Welcome Dinner on Aug. 25, where they connected with key campus resources and fellow student veterans dedicated to their successful transition.
The VRSC, in partnership with Student Veterans of America at Texas A&M and the Aggie Veteran Memorial Committee, are working to establish a website dedicated to the awareness and information on the nine War Memorials at Texas A&M.
On Oct. 24-25, Texas A&M will host the 14th Annual Texas A&M University System Higher Education Symposium on Military-Affiliated Students. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and resources to assist our military affiliated students! Register today!
Meet Alesandra '24 and Isabella '22 Priest, sisters involved in Aggie Shields, a student organization that helps alleviate the financial burden for student veterans by providing textbooks at no cost through a Textbook Lending Library. Operated by student volunteers, the organization relies solely on donations for operating costs and textbook purchases. Aggie Shields has helped student veterans save over $700,000 in textbook costs during the last several years!
DSA AWARDS COMMITTEE
On behalf of the DSA Awards Committee, we are excited to announce that the 2023 DSA Awards Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023!
DSA Award nominations open Nov. 2, 2022, and will remain open until Feb. 2, 2023. The John J. Koldus III Award nominations will open Jan. 9, 2023, and will remain open until Feb. 9, 2023.
Any DSA employee may nominate a colleague for an award — that includes YOU! We rely on your nominations to sustain this awards program and invite you to nominate someone who you believe deserves recognition.
For information on how to submit a nomination, visit studentaffairs.tamu.edu/awards.
DSA DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
We launched an intentional retention and climate strategy this fall to connect staff with professional networking opportunities. Learn about professional network opportunities here.
We are in the process of developing some best practices for search processes related to position announcements, promotion, and access.
Save the dates for upcoming staff development opportunities related to serving Hispanic and Latinx populations, including:
- Community Conversation - “Studying the Young Lords: An Overview of the Most Significant Organization of the Puerto Rican Diaspora” on Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. in MSC LL 110
- October Division Meeting - Texas A&M’s HSI Status: What Does Support Look Like?
The Diversity & Inclusion Programming (DIP) Grant, which assists departments in achieving strategic plan goals related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, is available. Funding request forms are due by Oct. 1 for October, November, and January 2023 events and Nov. 30 for February, March, and April 2023 events. Visit DIP Funding Guidelines for additional information about the process.
DSA COMMITTEE ON STUDENT LEARNING IN THE CO-CURRICULAR
The Committee on Student Learning (CSL) developed a rubric just in time for the new semester as DSA departments welcome new student workers. Go to the Rubric Resource and check out the new Student Worker Evaluation. Use it to help facilitate conversations and accountability with your student workers as they develop new skills while employed within your departments.
CSL will offer its popular Student Learning Orientation on Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 1p.m. to 4 p.m. Watch for registration opening in October.
Check out the resources on the CSL website including the Student Leader Learning Rubrics for download, and access to reflection resources and learning contracts (leader professional development planning) information
Wondering who are the DSA CSL member? Check out the CSL website for the roster! And welcome 2022-2023 new members Dr. Paul Rainey, Career Center, Dr. Tia Crawford, Student Activities, Judy Marrs, University Center & Special Events and Monteigne Long, Veteran Resource & Support Center!
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
It’s only the end of September, but what a busy month it’s been! Check out our latest Flickr albums for some awesome visual highlights of events that have happened around the division.
Our staff storytelling series, Behind the Scenes with Student Affairs, is still going strong! Check out the latest stories featuring Gunnery Sergeant Desiree Ornelaz with Corps of Cadets, Shannon Wiley with Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and Tom Gerber with Music Activities. More stories to come in October! Have a fellow staff member to nominate? Fill out our nomination form!
Our students’ stories carry the power to change, challenge, and encourage us. Every time you nominate a student for My Aggie Story, you help elevate their stories that open doors to dialogue, connectivity, and inclusivity. Whether it’s a small triumph or a life-changing experience, their stories contribute to the value and legacy of Texas A&M. Nominate a student today!
Twenty full-time marketing and communications professionals working for the Division of Student Affairs are now centralized under Texas A&M University’s Division of Marketing & Communications. We will continue to work closely with liaisons in several of our departments that do not have full-time marketing employees. We are focused on delivering quality service to our internal and external clients as we get through this transition. Thank you for your patience! Please reach out to Sondra if you have any questions or concerns about our DSA marketing and communications program.