February 2022 Division Update

Howdy and Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a joyful and restful holiday and quality time with family and friends.

Our students are back in the classroom and maintaining a healthy and safe environment for the spring semester remains a top priority. I urge you to stay informed about the latest information on the newly updated covid.tamu.edu website. There, you will find reminders and information on free testing, vaccines, and university COVID-19 protocols. Let’s continue to do our part to keep Aggieland safe and open.

Much change is still afloat with university restructuring. I’m aware that many of you will be active participants in working groups as you manage your other duties within our division. Thank you for your involvement and leadership in this process, which will help ensure that Texas A&M and the Division of Student Affairs will improve the way it serves students.

I’d like to also draw attention to a new service provided by Counseling and Psychological Services. In addition to its in-house services, CAPS now offers mental health support 24/7 through My SSP @ TAMU — professional counseling, self-care resources and virtual fitness at your fingertips. You can learn more at caps.tamu.edu/myssp. Please encourage all students affiliated with your departments to take a look at the new My SSP mental health app, which includes chats, calls, and conversations with mental health professionals, all of which are confidential. This app is also FREE to students.

Finally, we’ve embarked on a search for a new Commandant of the Corps of Cadets, which as you know is a significant part of Texas A&M and the Division of Student Affairs. As most of you know, I came back to Texas A&M to serve as the 45th Commandant of Cadets for almost 11 years before accepting the position as Vice President for Student Affairs. I thank Col. Byron Stebbins, Interim Commandant, for his diligence and unwavering leadership, especially during the past several months of transition.

As the new semester gets underway, I want to thank you for all that you do to help our students – something that impresses me about the Division of Student Affairs every day. The work you are doing is truly making a difference. Let’s continue to support our students in a critical time for Texas A&M and our world. I am honored to work with all of you and look forward to a great spring semester. Stay safe, and Beat the Hell Outta COVID!

BG Joe E. Ramirez, Jr. ’79 USA (Ret.)
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs

SILVER TAPS

Texas A&M University’s Silver Taps will be held Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 10:30 p.m. to honor three Aggies who recently passed away.

Students honored will be:

Chance McKay Gibson, a freshman sport management major from The Woodlands, Texas, who died Dec. 18.

Miranda Elizabeth Meckel, a graduate student in the family nurse practitioner program from Caldwell, Texas, who died Dec. 13.

Devin Joe Sebastian, a senior construction science major from Bryan, Texas, who died Nov. 12.

The Silver Taps ceremony will be held in person at the Academic Plaza. To honor the memory of these students, the campus will be darkened at 10:20 p.m. Students, family and friends will gather in the plaza in front of the Academic Building in silence. At 10:30 p.m., an honor guard from the Ross Volunteer Company will march to the plaza where its members will fire three rifle volleys to honor the memory of these students.

For those who cannot attend in person, the Division of Student Affairs will broadcast a special premiere of Silver Taps on its YouTube channel at 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 1. Visit tx.ag/SilverTapsPremiere for the virtual Silver Taps experience.

All DSA staff are encouraged to attend our monthly division program:

Inclusive Environments: How Embracing the Diversity of Diversity can Create Better Leaders

Featured speaker: Dr. Frank Ashley (pictured left)

Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022MSC Bethancourt Ballroom (Room 2300)

8 a.m.- 8:30 a.m. – Refreshments and Networking8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. – Program

The Division of Student Affairs strives to create a climate of belonging in which students feel welcomed and valued. In our efforts to “develop leaders of character dedicated to serving the greater good,” we provide students with opportunities to engage with people different from themselves to prepare them for an increasingly diverse and global society; challenge and support students as they expand their horizons; and build on existing and develop new leadership skills and competencies.

Dr. Ashley will provide a program on the diversity of diversity, discussing the lenses we all have as individuals and key phrases we use when having diversity conversations.

Please join us for the first DSA monthly event of 2022 to understand why the diversity of diversity matters in creating an inclusive environment that will inevitably create stronger leaders for an increasingly diverse society!

Following the scheduled monthly program, Dr. Ashley will host two breakout sessions. Please click here to sign up for either or both breakout sessions.

Stick around for two breakout sessions with Dr. Ashley immediately following the monthly program taking place from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.- 12:15 p.m., both in Bethancourt Ballroom. During the first session, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about navigating difficult dialogues, resolving conflict, and managing your own emotions all while serving in a leadership role with your respective positions. During the second session, Dr. Ashley will share more about the DEIA initiatives he’s working on through President Banks’ project and how you can get involved.

RESIDENCE LIFE

Residence Life is welcoming three new graduate hall directors: Gladys Pedraza for Mosher, Aletch Osamba for Haas, and BrieAnn Harris for Eppright, along with 240 new residents (freshmen and transfer students) to campus housing this spring. They join approximately 11,000 returning residents.

Congratulations to Alana Campbell for being recognized by the Southwestern Association of College & University Housing Officers for the Student Behavior Spotlight Award! Alana, the Residential Student Support Coordinator for the Department of Residence Life, has worked diligently with students through the challenges of the pandemic and a host of other issues.

Residence Life was selected as the recipient for the NASPA Sustainability Knowledge Community’s (SKC) inaugural award for Outstanding Sustainability Office. This award is presented to the team (e.g., institution/office) that has the best overall contribution to the field and best represents the mission of SKC in advancing sustainability programs and initiatives within higher education.

Congratulations to Active Program Spotlight winners Payton Burke ’23 and Ashlyn Mashburn ’24, resident advisors (RA) from Underwood/Harrington/White for Red Secret Session, celebrating Taylor Swift’s album release, and Resident Advisor Spotlight winner Zada Blackshear ’22 from Hullabaloo Hall for coordinating floor programs for the RA team.

RECREATIONAL SPORTS

Rec Sports welcomes DJ Scott as our new personal and small group training coordinator! DJ earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and health promotion from Florida Atlantic University and a master’s degree in sport management at Texas A&M, where he worked as a graduate assistant with our department. He is passionate about fitness and nutrition and is excited to help anyone achieve their wellness goals. Email DJ Scott to connect with him.

Congratulations to Jason Kurten on his promotion to associate director of programs! Jason earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Texas A&M and has worked full time for Rec Sports since July of 2000; first as the coordinator for rock climbing and since 2013 as the director of Outdoor Adventures. In his free time you will find Jason and his family enjoying the great outdoors climbing, paddling, hunting and fishing.

Rec Sports & Health Promotion are partnering to host "Healing with Friends," a trauma informed yoga workshop on Feb. 2. This is a space for self-care, healing, confidential conversation, and resources for anyone who has been impacted by abuse or who identifies as an ally or advocate for ending abuse of all kinds. ALL are welcome to attend this free event. Registration is required. Visit our website for details.

On February 26 Rec Sports will host the 25th annual TexFit Conference, an event that provides 250-plus student fitness professionals from over 25 different colleges and universities with the opportunity to present and learn about trends in the industry.

If you want to take an outdoor trip and need a bit of help, connect with the Rec Sports Outdoor Adventures team, which will create a custom trip for you! All supplies, equipment, and transportation will be provided. Contact Abbey Arends or Jason Kurten for details.

COUNSELING & PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES (CAPS)

As mentioned by Gen. Ramirez in this newsletter, CAPS now offers on-demand mental health support through My SSP @ TAMU, a self-care resource with clinical features. By downloading the MySSP app, Texas A&M students gain access to professional counseling, mental health assessments, self-care resources and virtual fitness sessions — all free and confidential and available 24/7. Visit our website for more information.

HelpLine began its 55-hour interview and training process in January to induct a new cohort of students onto "the Line" this semester. Trainees learned to field calls from fellow Aggies seeking assistance from the after-hours mental health service. January marked the completion of HelpLine's 27th year providing support to Texas A&M students. To learn more about HelpLine, visit our website.

The Suicide Awareness & Prevention Office (SAPO) has trained eight new Aggies Reaching Aggies Peer Educators to facilitate suicide awareness and prevention Gatekeeper trainings for fellow students. Last semester, SAPO trained more than 300 Gatekeepers to recognize signs of at-risk individuals and to raise awareness of suicide prevention resources. Visit our website for more information.

CAPS Group Counseling and Workshop registration has opened for the spring 2022 semester. Participating students may engage in growth-encouraging discussion and activities via telehealth on a wide range of topics, including stress, anxiety, relationships, and exploring individual identity. For information on available groups and workshops, visit our group counseling page and workshop page.

Let's Talk resumed outreach for students at International Student Services, the Department of Multicultural Services and LGBTQ+ Pride Center for the spring semester. Let's Talk engages with students in a safe, empowering environment, seeking to positively contribute to the wellbeing of Texas A&M's diverse student population. Visit our website for more info.

STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES (SHS)

SHS has provided over 3,000 flu vaccines to Aggies! Free flu vaccines are still available for TAMU students. Schedule your appointment to receive a flu vaccine. Bring your TAMU ID and any health insurance information to your appointment. Help protect Aggieland and get vaxxed.

Students, faculty and staff may schedule an appointment for the COVID-19 booster shot online at https://tx.ag/COVIDvaccine. SHS follows CDC guidance on booster vaccine eligibility.

COVID-19 spike antibody testing is available for students, faculty and staff. This test is available via self-referral in the SHS lab. Spike antibody testing determines if antibodies were created in response to a COVID-19 vaccine and/or previous infection. Contact our lab at (979) 458-8333 to learn more.

MULTICULTURAL SERVICES

This year's Black History Month will include both in-person and virtual events throughout the month of February. The national theme for 2022 is Black Health and Wellness, outlined by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Visit the Black History Month page for details.

Nominations for the 2022 Accountability, Climate, and Equity (ACE) Awards open Feb. 1. Any member of the university community may submit a nomination online through the ACE Awards nomination page. For awards information and nomination details, visit the ACE Awards page.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

We would like to congratulate Josh Brown (pictured right) on being named the interim director of Student Activities! Josh joined the department as an associate director and Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life Director in fall 2019 and is sure to provide excellent leadership for the department in his new role.

The Big Event will take place on March 26. Job site requests from residents within a 25-mile radius of the Texas A&M campus are now being accepted online. Submissions must be submitted by Feb. 20.

Student Body Elections will take place March 3-4. The spring elections include races for student body president, class presidents, Student Senate, and Yell Leaders among others.

MUSIC ACTIVITIES

After taking off nearly two years because of COVID, the Singing Cadets toured Texas Jan. 7–15. Concert tour stops included Coppell, Midland, Tyler, Pearland, Clifton and Cypress. The Singing Cadets have five more concert tours this semester, which include 11 additional concert stops as well as their Spring Concert. Get all the details online.

Mark your calendar! The Wind Symphony will perform Friday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. at Rudder Theatre. The Jazz Ensembles will take the stage at Rudder Theatre on Friday, March 4, at 7 p.m. The Orchestras will perform at Rudder Auditorium on Saturday, March 5, at 3 p.m. and the Concert Bands will follow on Sunday, March 6 at 3 p.m.

The Century Singers, Texas A&M’s mixed voice concert choir, will celebrate its 50th Anniversary on Saturday, April 23, with a homecoming concert at A&M United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. Events will include guest former directors as well as a reunion choir and reception. If you would like more information please contact Travis Angel.

DISABILITY RESOURCES

This spring, Disability Resources and the Center on Disability and Development will co-host the Accessibility in Aggieland webinar series, during which participants will gain knowledge and guidance on promoting accessibility and universal design with their resources, programming, and events. Visit the website for more information.

On Feb. 16 at 1:30p.m., Justin Romack will share tips for making your events, virtual meetings, and presentations accessible to disabled attendees. Register online here.

STUDENT LIFE STUDIES

Student Life Studies has posted new assessment reports from Health Promotion/Hullabaloo U, T-Camp, Amplify, LGBTQ+ Pride Center, and STAND Up online. Check them out here. This is a great way to find out more about division programs and units, as well as know what quality assessment is going on!

Dr. Darby Roberts was one of the featured speakers in a “Leading Improvements in Higher Education” podcast through Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. You can catch the episode "A Conversation with Three Leaders Representing the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education" (season 2, episode 2) here.

MEMORIAL STUDENT CENTER

The MSC welcomes Valerie Wilson as program advisor to MSC Freshman Leadership International and the International Student Association. Bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, Valerie will focus on leadership development and the continuation of programming excellence.

MSC OPAS presents BEAUTIFUL – The Carole King Musical on Friday, Feb. 4, in Rudder Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Purchase tickets online at boxoffice.tamu.edu.

Registration is open for the MSC Student Conference on Latinx Affairs. Register online here.

MSC CAMAC will host Mis Quince Años on Feb. 19 in Bethancourt Ballroom. Beginning at 7 p.m., the program will focus on a Hispanic girl’s coming of age by celebrating with traditional dances, food and ceremony. The program is open to all members of the local and campus community.

OFFICES OF THE DEAN OF STUDENT LIFE

The Graduate & Professional Student Government (GPSG) serves as the voice of graduate and professional students here at Texas A&M. The election process will open next week for those interested in running for president, speaker of the senate, VP for information, VP for university affairs, and VP for finance. For more information, visit our website or email GPSG Advisor Rob McCaffery.

Step In and Stand Up this semester by attending a Green Dot or STAND Up training. Schedules are located on the Green Dot and STAND Up websites, or you can request a training for your group. Visit stepinstandup.tamu.edu for more information about how our we can all do our part to end sexual violence and abuse in our communities.

The LGBTQ+ Pride Center invites you to attend Pride Live on Feb. 16 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Facebook, or watch it afterward on YouTube or Instagram. This Pride Live will focus on the multiple aspects of gender transitioning with Dr. Matt Hoffman, clinical assistant professor, College of Nursing, and Katy Stewart, executive director, Pride Community Center. For more information visit our Facebook page.

Registration is open for all competitors, judges and volunteers for Student Research Week, scheduled for March 21-25. The event gives hundreds of graduate and undergraduate students the opportunity to present their research through oral or poster presentations. Encourage your students to register or come support us by volunteering or judging! For more information, please visit our website.

New Student and Family Programs welcomed over 1,000 new students and their families during January New Student Conferences and hosted Spring Howdy week during the first week of class. Thank you to all of our division partners and volunteers!

DON & ELLIE KNAUSS VETERAN RESOURCE & SUPPORT CENTER (VRSC)

The VRSC and TAMU Career Center will host "Vet-Connect" events throughout the spring semester. These events bring in representatives from top companies to connect with our student veterans and introduce them to the company, its values, their hiring processes and potential internship or full-time opportunities. These events can be found on the TAMU events calendar and the events page of our website.

The VRSC and Albers Aerospace are offering student veterans the opportunity to participate in VET+MAP, a process that evaluates student veteran talent, determines/solidifies purpose and goals, aligns veterans with that purpose, and develops a path to successful achievement of goals. We encourage all student veterans to participate so please help us spread the word!

On Feb. 17, the VRSC and the Texas A&M Foundation will host our annual Scholarship Donor Dinner. Invitations have been sent out and this year's guest speaker will be BG Joe Ramirez, Jr. '79, USA Retired, Vice President for Student Affairs. We are excited to host this opportunity for our donors and their student veteran recipients to get together and share experiences, stories, and their love for Texas A&M.

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Did you know DoIT provides video security system services? Our video security system with more than 900 cameras is just one of the many technology services offered. Read more about how these cameras work in the latest DoIT Update.
We all know how important receiving emails can be to daily business and student interaction. DoIT manages more than 500 distribution lists for the Division of Student Affairs. Users can be added to distribution lists using our New User Account Request Form, but we know that users often need to be added or removed from Distribution Groups throughout their employment.

CORPS OF CADETS

This past December, the Corps of Cadets had the honor of commissioning 53 young men and women into the armed forces of the United States. Military service is a tradition that has been proudly upheld by the Corps of Cadets since our inception, and we are proud to see it carried on so strongly 145 years later.

Miss Reveille X participated in her first Aggie football season last semester. With a season filled with plenty of fun new experiences, this video documents the First Lady of Aggieland’s journey as she fully stepped into her role.

The Corps of Cadets welcomed 50 new members to its ranks this January during Spring Orientation Week. We are excited to see the progress these cadets will make as they begin their journey with the Corps. While the journey may not always be easy, it will always be worth it.

In January five cadets from Company H-1 conducted the outfit’s annual Project Atlas Ruck. This yearly ruck is conducted as a fundraiser for the Special Operations Warrior Fund. The team marched a cumulative 1,000 miles from Yosemite National Park to Petrified Forest National Park in just 10 days. To date, they've raised more than $13,000 of their $25,000 goal. To learn more or donate, visit our website.

BECKY GATES CHILDREN'S CENTER

The Becky Gates Children's Center is excited to pilot the AgriLife Junior Master Gardener Early Childhood Learn, Grow, Eat & Go! curriculum with our pre-K classrooms. All classrooms will be competing in Walk Across Texas from February-April to earn new classroom materials!

We are excited to launch the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Strengthening Families toolkit focusing on positive parenting promoting positive outcomes! We will share weekly themes with families focusing on parental resilience, social connections, concrete supports, knowledge of parenting and child development, and social and emotional competence of children.

The teaching staff and student workers will attend professional development Feb. 18-19. Topics include curating loose parts, team planning, engaging linguistically diverse children and families, group times, interaction strategies, and sessions on how young children learn and obtain knowledge presented by experts in the field.

UNIVERSITY ART GALLERIES

Creative Corner – Join the Forsyth Galleries this semester for Creative Corner, an online break that will engage the creative corners of your mind to help you heal, think, and unwind…even if it’s only for five minutes. Each session will be live on Zoom (link sent upon registration) and recorded for future viewing.

Forsyth Galleries | Jan. 26, Feb. 9 and 23, March 9 and 23, April 6 and 20 | 2 p.m. | For more information visit: TX.AG/CreativeRSVP

Galentine’s Day – Bring a friend to the Forsyth Galleries and indulge in sweet treats while creating a set of handmade coasters using a photo transfer method. After craftin’, we’ll take a tour of Forsyth's art exhibition featuring works of photography from the early 20th century.

Forsyth Galleries | Feb. 13 | 2–4 p.m. | For more information visit: TX.AG/Galentine22.

In Actuality: Social Realism and Its Legacy from the Robert B. Menschel Collection - This photography exhibition features the art movement of Social Realism through the 1920s and ’30s of working-class life and industrialized spaces.

Forsyth Galleries | Through April 10 | For more information, visit: TX.AG/InActuality.

Taking Shape: Geometry in Art – This exhibition features works by artists who expressed themselves and the world around them through artistic reflections in geometric forms, optical illusions, and abstraction.

J. Wayne Stark Galleries | Through March 9 | For more information, visit: TX.AG/Geometry.

Pulped Under Pressure: The Art of Handmade Paper – With traditional hand papermaking at its core, this exhibition underscores important contemporary issues steeped in history and craft.

J. Wayne Stark Galleries | Through March 20 | For more information, visit: TX.AG/Pulped

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

We’re excited about the return of our Division of Student Affairs graphic designer, Audrey Peña, who is the proud mother of her first child, a baby girl, Evelyn!

Ever wondered what’s inside the Albritton Bell Tower? Our team wondered just that, so they found use the name of the guy who took them inside, who gave us a tour! Read the photo essay by Avery Abernathy ’21 and watch the video by Garrett Goad and Shadoe Bourn ‘21.

This week we’re launching a new series of stories about YOU, the employees of the Division of Student Affairs. “Behind the Scenes With Student Affairs” will be featured on the DSA website and on our social media channels. In the first profile, you will learn more about Chris Hollar (Music Activities), and in the near future Bruce Brown (Student Activities) and Ashley Ramirez (CAPS). We encourage you to share these stories with your audiences on your own social media channels so we can spread the good news with others about our colleagues. Thanks to all of you who nominated DSA staff from your departments. Please keep those nominations coming in! Fill out the nomination form.

Read the latest Aggie story about a Texas A&M student who found his calling to serve his fellow Aggies through being a HelpLine student volunteer. This signature DSA campaign will continue this spring as we profile Texas A&M students affiliated with our programs, services, and student organizations. This spring we are bringing back video stories along with our new narrative format. Please email Sondra White if you would like to nominate an amazing student for a profile.