August 2013

Like our page at: https://www.facebook.com/AggieParentsAndFamily to receive campus information and connect with other Aggie Families.

Quick Connection

What’s Inside:

Page 2: Commencement

Page 3: Move-In

Page 4: Gig ‘Em Week

Page 5: Gig ‘Em Week Highlights

Page 6: Announcements

Page 7: Important Dates

Howdy!As the Fall 2013 semester quickly approaches we are looking forward to what is sure to be another great year. At the conclusion of New Student Conferences we will have welcomed over 12,800 new Aggies and their families to Texas A&M! We are anxious for campus to be filled with excitement as 50,000 students gear up for the new school year.

Throughout the year, we will be updating you on important information and campus events and look forward to keeping you connected with the Spirit of Aggieland. 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) 845-5826, or email us at AggieFamilies@tamu.edu if you have any questions.

Thanks and Gig ’Em!

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The Offices of the Dean of Student Life would like to congratulate all our August graduates and their families. Make sure to have your student visit the career center website (http://careercenter.tamu.edu/) for helpful information about making the transition to a professional career, searching for a job, or looking at graduate programs.

Ceremony ScheduleCommencement ConvocationThursday, August 15, 5:30 p.m. - Rudder AuditoriumSpeaker: Ms. Jo Evans, Head Women’s Softball Coach for Texas A&M UniversityCommencement ceremonies are expected to begin with a convocation that features one notable speaker. The commencement exercises at which degrees will be conferred will follow in subsequent ceremonies on August 16. Students will not be required to wear academic regalia at the Commencement Convocation, but will need to do so at the subsequent actual degree-granting exercises.

Friday, August 16, 9 a.m. – Reed ArenaGraduates and Undergraduates in Education and Human DevelopmentGraduates and Undergraduates in GeosciencesGraduates and Undergraduates in Liberal ArtsGraduates and Undergraduates in ScienceGraduates and Undergraduates in Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Friday, August 16, 2 p.m. – Reed ArenaGraduates in Bush School of Government and Public ServiceGraduates and Undergraduates in Agriculture and Life SciencesGraduates and Undergraduates in ArchitectureGraduates and Undergraduates in Mays Business SchoolGraduates and Undergraduates in Dwight Look College of Engineering

Please join us as you celebrate becoming a former student... The Next Tradition!

Thursday, August 15, 20131:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Drive Thru & Get Your Decal at the Alumni Center

Friday, August 16, 2013Time: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Come & Go Open House

The Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center

CommencementSummer 2013

More graduation details can be found at graduation.tamu.edu.

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Please join us as you celebrate becoming a former student... The Next Tradition!

Thursday, August 15, 20131:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Drive Thru & Get Your Decal at the Alumni Center

Friday, August 16, 2013Time: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Come & Go Open House

The Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center

Living in Aggieland can be a very exciting and memorable experience. Whether your student is moving into a residence hall on campus, or living in an off campus apartment or house there are a number of ways you can ensure a successful move-in and a safe living environment. Be sure to look over these tips before departing!

Safety is a major concern for both on and off campus students. Here are some safety tips to share with your students:• Never leave doors unlocked or propped open.• For buildings with keycard access, do not open the door unless you know that person lives in your building.• Consider engraving valuable items with your name/contact information.

Space in residence halls and apartments is often limited, which makes it important to pack thoughtfully. Consider the following while your student is packing:• Pack all necessary items first.• Is your student planning on returning home for a visit? If yes, are there belongings that could be left home and brought to campus at a later time?• Know residence hall policies as to what items are prohibited.

Move-in day can be exciting yet stressful. Here are some tips to help it go smoothly:• Bring a dolly/cart to transport belongings.• Bring tools (screwdriver, hammer, etc.) for assembling furniture.• Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water.

Finally, as your student settles into their home, you will want to make sure they know the importance of filling out move-in condition/inventory reports. These forms are provided by leasing agents and Residence Life and require the student to do a thorough inspection of their living space. The more details your student can provide on this form, the better. A report will also be filled out upon move-out and compared to the initial form in order to assess charges and determine security deposit returns.

Important Dates: Residence Halls Open:

Sunday, August 18 8:00am

Classes Start:Monday, August 26

Moving to AggielandHelpful Hints For Move In

For More Information: Residence Life (http://reslife.tamu.edu/)Adult, Graduate, and Off Campus Student Services (http://studentlife.tamu.edu/agoss).

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Gig ‘Em WeekGig ‘Em Week is Aggieland’s official Week of Welcome. This week is full of events and opportunities for new and returning students to become familiar or reacquainted with the TAMU campus, fellow Aggies, and the Bryan/College Station community. Gig ‘Em Week is coordinated by the Office of New Student & Family Programs and occurs before the start of the Fall Semester.

Gig ‘Em Week provides students the opportunity to learn more about campus, each other, and college life through a series of educational and social events sponsored by university departments, colleges, student organizations, residence halls, and community members. Currently enrolled students who participate become eligible for prizes, free food, and gain valuable knowledge, insight, and connections.

Visit: http://gigemweek.tamu.edu for the complete schedule of events and locations for the week!

Gig ‘Em WeekAugust 18-25

Events in Maroon are Gig ‘Em Week

Signature Events!

Monday, 8/19Sunday, 8/18 Tuesday, 8/20

Wednesday, 8/21 Thursday, 8/22

Saturday, 8/24 Sunday, 8/25

Friday, 8/23

• Financing Your Study Abroad

• T-Camp Backyard Bash• Connect 2013 • Self Defense Class

• Jobs for Aggies• Tour the A&M Nuclear

Reactor• Howdy Cookout• Self-Defense Class

• Aggie Fest• Gig ‘Em Week

GatheRing• Stop Hunger Now• Canoe/Kayak Day Trips

• Ice Cream Carnival • Library Open House • Engineering New Student

Welcome• MSC Aggie Cinema: Gig Em

Week Movie• Ice Cream Bash

• Pizza Taste Off• Student Activities Open

House• Party on the Plaza• Gig ‘Em Week Quidditch• Pie Party

• Karaoke night with Choral Activities

• Freudian Slip Improv Show• GeosFest

• Undergraduate Convocation

Schedule of Events:

• Aggieland Market• Sledding at Mt. Aggie• ExCEL Conference• Coffeehouse

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Help your Texas A&M student get familiar with Bryan/College Station-tell them to attend Aggieland Market! Aggieland Market (also known as FREE STUFF FRIDAY) is a vendor fair where local businesses and organizations distribute information about the products and services they offer. Vendors come from several fields including health and medical, auto, retail, religious, financial, and many more. There will be giveaways, coupons, and plenty of free items, including drinks and food. Tell your student to join us at Aggieland Market on Friday, August 23rd from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Academic Plaza as we wrap up Gig ‘Em Week. This event is sponsored by Adult, Graduate and Off Campus Student Services. For more information about the event, visit: http://studentlife.tamu.edu/agoss/community/AggielandMarket.

Gig ‘Em Week Highlight:

Gig ‘Em Week HighlightsStop Hunger Now and Aggieland Market

Stop Hunger Now: Tuesday, August 20th 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.MSC 2500Sponsored by Aggie Orientation Leader Program

Be a part of the first service project for the Class of 2017! At this event you will package meals that will be distributed worldwide to people in need. Register for this event at aolp.tamu.edu/stophungernow.

Stop Hunger Now is an international hunger relief organization that coordinates the distribution of food and other life-saving aid around the world. The organization is driven by a vision of a world without hunger and a mission to end hunger in our lifetime by providing food and life-saving aid to the world’s most vulnerable and by creating a global commitment to mobilize the necessary resources.More information can be found at stophungernow.org

Gig ‘Em Week Highlight:

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2013 Family CalendarWe are pleased to let you know we have 2013-2014 Family Calendars available for purchase for $10 (includes tax) plus applicable shipping. These calendars are a great resource for you as a family member! They include important deadlines such as tuition due dates, helpful campus phone numbers, university holidays, final exam dates, and information about several campus resources available to your student.

To purchase the 2013-2014 Aggie Family Calendar please go to http://parents.tamu.edu. If you need assistance ordering please contact our office at 979.845.5826.

Code MaroonCode Maroon is Texas A&M University’s emergency notification system available to all Texas A&M University students. Code Maroon uses multiple notification methods in a best effort to reach campus members in an emergency – by SMS text message, Texas A&M Email (Neo), KAMU-FM radio, campus cable television, Emergency Alert System radios, computer alerts, classroom alerts, Twitter and RSS. Please encourage your student to sign up to receive Code Maroon updates at: http://codemaroon.tamu.edu. For information on how you can sign up for Public Access to Code Maroon please visit: https://codemaroon.tamu.edu/publicaccess.html.

Tuition and FeesTuition and fees for the Fall 2013 semester are due in full by 5:00PM on September 2nd. If your student is using the installment plan option, the first payment is also due by the deadline above. The remaining installment deadline dates are 5:00PM on October 7th (second payment), 5:00PM on November 2nd (third payment), and 5:00PM on November 29th (final payment.) For additional information about tuition payment and installment plans, please visit the Student Business Services website at: http://finance.tamu.edu/sbs/

Announcements and RemindersFall 2013

Follow the Scholarships & Financial Aid Office on Facebook and Twitter!Parents and Students can keep up to date with financial aid information through Scholarships & Financial Aid’s Facebook and Twitter.

The pages will be a resource for the following: • Important reminders and deadlines • Scholarship opportunities • Financial Aid information • Financial Literacy • Veteran Services • And much more

Campus Services Highlight:

www.facebook.com/tamusfaid@TAMU_SFAID.

Do you know other members of the Aggie Family who might want to receive this newsletter? Please feel free to forward it to them, or tell them how to sign up for the listserv.

Visit: http://parents.tamu.edu/listserv for instructions to subscribe/unsubscribe

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Tuition and FeesTuition and fees for the Fall 2013 semester are due in full by 5:00PM on September 2nd. If your student is using the installment plan option, the first payment is also due by the deadline above. The remaining installment deadline dates are 5:00PM on October 7th (second payment), 5:00PM on November 2nd (third payment), and 5:00PM on November 29th (final payment.) For additional information about tuition payment and installment plans, please visit the Student Business Services website at: http://finance.tamu.edu/sbs/

08/31/13 vs. Rice 12:00 PM College Station, TX09/07/13 vs. Sam Houston State 6:00 PM College Station, TX09/14/13 vs. Alabama 2:30 PM College Station, TX09/21/13 vs. SMU TBA College Station, TX09/28/13 at Arkansas TBA Fayetteville, AR10/12/13 at Ole Miss TBA Oxford, MS10/19/13 vs. Auburn TBA College Station, TX10/26/13 vs. Vanderbilt TBA College Station, TX11/02/13 vs. UTEP TBA College Station, TX11/09/13 vs. Mississippi State TBA College Station, TX11/23/13 at LSU TBA Baton Rouge, LA11/30/13 at Missouri TBA Columbia, MO

Aggie FootballTexas A&M Athletics has released the schedule for Fightin’ Texas Aggie Football for the Fall 2013 season. The Aggies have eight games at Kyle Field this year! Times are subject to change. For up-to-date information about the schedule, game times, or ticket information, please visit http://aggieathletics.com.

August 12 Last day of second term and 10-week semester classes.Last day to apply for all degrees to be awarded in August.

August 13-14 Second term and 10-week semester final examinations for all students.

August 15 Grades for degree candidates due.

August 16 Commencement and Commissioning.Last day for August undergraduate degree candidates to apply for Tuition Rebate.

August 19 Final grades for second term and 10-week semester due.

August 21 Graduation application opens for all students planning to graduate in December 2013.

August 23 Last day to register for fall semester classes. Refer to http://finance.tamu.edu/sbs for tuition and fee due dates.

August 26 First day of fall semester classes.

August 30 Last day for adding/dropping courses for the fall semester.

Upcoming Academic Dates:

Upcoming DatesFall 2013

New Family WelcomeNew Family Welcome, held each fall, is an opportunity for family members of new Aggies to return to campus and visit students during their first semester. This year’s New Family Welcome is October 25-26. Tickets for the weekend can be purchased at: http://studentlife.tamu.edu/NFW. A ticket includes materials for the weekend, the Friday night dessert reception, and the Saturday BBQ. Weekend tickets do not include football tickets. The 12th Man Foundation has sold out of tickets for the Texas A&M v. Vanderbilt football game, but encourages you to visit the 12th Man Aggie Marketplace (http://aggies.flashseats.com/. There are also tickets available through third party vendors. Third party ticket vendors, not affiliated with Texas A&M or endorsed by Texas A&M University, include: StubHub.com, TicketStub.com, and TexAgs.com Ticket Exchange. You can also join us for a Gamewatching Party in the MSC, wish Aggie trivia, snacks, prizes, and more!

MSC Open HouseMSC Open House will take place on Sunday, September 2nd from 1-5PM in the Memorial Student Center and is a great way for students to find involvement opportunities within student organizations. With over 400 student organizations represented, students will have an opportunity to search through both professional and leadership organizations that fit their interests. Have your students start researching organizations early by visiting the Student Activities’ online database at: http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/online/search/index.