Galveston County Aggie Moms Summer 2015

HOWDY! And Welcome Aggie Moms, It’s a Howdy Party! Dads, Grandparents, Families & Friends! You’re invited… A HOWDY Welcome Party is planned What is an Aggie Mom? We are a group of moms for your family on Monday, August 24th at 6:30pm on the with a common bond - our kids and Texas A&M University. Galveston Campus OCSB Room 142. With a tailgate We have chapters all over the country that make up a fed- theme, we will serve light refreshments and share all our eration with a common goal of supporting the University's club and campus has to offer. Some wonderful door prizes many organizations and needs. Our main goal is to provide include gift certificates to Moody Gardens, Island Bicycle, support throughout the year to our Aggies. However, we go Galveston Country Club-Round of 4 Golf, Yeti Cooler, Is- beyond that. We share the same hopes and dreams for our land Paddle Boarding, Painting with a Twist, and local res- kids, the same fears and worries. We share the same de- taurants. We look forward to meeting and welcoming all of sire to see them through their four (or five...or six) years as our new Aggies and their families, as well as our returning successfully as possible. We are married, divorced, wid- Aggies and their families. DON'T MISS IT! owed, comforting an empty nest, or we still have kids at home. Since we are mothers first and last, we sometimes What is an Aggie? An Aggie is a student at Texas need the help of each other to get us through the rough A&M University. In the early 1900s A&M students were times……when we need information and numbers to call. referred to as Farmers. The term Aggie began to be used Yes, we share it all. Becoming a member of our Aggie in the 1920s and in 1949, when the yearbook changed its Moms Club is a good way to network with other Moms who name to Aggieland. Aggie became the official student body have similar interests and to keep informed of what is hap- nickname. pening on the campuses of College Station and Galveston. A&M is rich in tradition and in history. The “Spirit of Aggie- land” is unmatched by any other university in the world. This spirit can be seen on campus and off campus, before SALT Camp 2015 graduation and after graduation, in students and their fami- lies, faculty, alumni, and in our very own Galveston County SALT stands for Sea Aggies Learning Traditions. In the Aggie Moms Club. The success of our Aggie Moms club fall of 1994, a group of 30 TAMUG students took 90 new truly depends on your help, support and encouragement. Aggies to a camp in Trinity, TX. Their goal was to ease the Whether you have a current student or a former student, tough transition into college, but more importantly, to teach we hope that you will join our local chapter. them what it means to be an Aggie. Neither group knew Galveston County Aggie Mom President, Connie Marquez what to expect from the two days in the woods, but the re- sults speak for themselves. Many lifetime friendships and strong Aggie traditions have since found a place here at TAMUG. SALT Camp is a student organization for stu- GCAM Monthly Meetings for 2015-2016 Year dents, run entirely by students who are devoted to helping Aug 24 HOWDY Party [TAMUG OCSB 142] ease the transition to a new college. SALT Camp is Gal- Speaker Rick Kline veston’s equivalent of College Station’s FISH Camp. Sep 14 Tour of The MV Trident [TAMUG] Oct 23 Parents Weekend - Speaker TBA [TAMUG] There are two sessions for SALT Camp 2015. Please read Nov 9 Survival Kits [TAMUG Flag Room] the information below to determine which camp is the best Dec 14 Christmas Party [location TBA] for you. SALT Camp is limited to 200 students per ses- sion and does typically fill up, so please don't delay in reg- Jan 11 Meeting & Football Viewing Party – istering for camp. CHAMPIONSHIP [location TBA] Feb 8 Big Event Student Director [TAMUG] Camp Crouse: August 21-23, 2015 Mar 7 Monthly Meeting Camp Lawhon: August 28-30, 2015 Apr 11 Survival Kits & Elections (TAMUG) May 9 Meeting and Installations Dinner Students participating in Checkin' Crew the week of August 24-28 and students in the Texas Maritime Academy who will be attending Orientation Week August 24-28 should attend Session 1. Howdy! The official greeting of Texas A&M, the friendli- est campus in the world. The A&M students extend a warm Any students not involved in university-sponsored ac- “Howdy!” to friends and visitors alike. tivities the week of August 24-28 are highly encour- aged to register for Session 2. more detail:http://www.tamug.edu/saltcamp/index.html

Fall 2015 Move-in Info – TAMUG New and returning students can begin moving in at O-Week Info: 8AM on Friday, August 28. Check in at the Resi- Fall Check-in is at the Sea Aggie Center between dence Life Office, located in Pacific Hall. Students 1200 hours (12 Noon) and 1400 hours (2:00 PM) on may not check into their room prior to this designated Sunday, August 23. There will be drinks and snacks day without written permission from Neil Golemo, available, but no lunch, so feel free to have lunch in Assistant Director for Residence Life. Please contact Galveston before you report for check-in. our office with any questions by emailing res- http://www.tamug.edu/corps/Oweek.html [email protected] or calling 409-740-4445.

ONLY students participating in events sponsored by Fall 2015 Move-in Info – TAMU TAMUG prior to the start of the Fall semester are Since there are so many different options on the Col- permitted to move in early and will have their rooms lege Station campus, check this link for specifics. ready for their arrival. These students are still respon- https://reslife.tamu.edu/openingClosingDates sible for completing the move-in process, which in- cludes checking in at the Residence Life Office and TAMU Times completing the Room Condition Report. Subscribe to the TAMU Times… very informative newsletter Participants in the following activities are allowed to http://tamutimes.tamu.edu/subscribe/ move in on the following dates: *Each student must check in at Residence Life in Pacific Hall between 8AM-5PM, prior to move-in. TAMUG’s recommended check-list for items to bring to campus. This list is not exhaustive, but is NOTE: Only students who have official University- meant as a tool to help new students. scheduled events (other than SALT Camp) between Check specific dorm assignment; some dorms have the 24th and 28th are allowed to move in early. microwave/fridge/stove. Please see the SALT Camp website for more details.  Sheets (Standard twin, deep pockets recommended)  Mattress Pad  SALT CAMP SESSION I PARTICIPANTS:  Pillows and extra blankets Thursday, August 20, 2015  Trash cans  O-WEEK CADETS ATTENDING SALT CAMP I:  Fans Thursday, August 20, 2015  Toiletries  CADETS NOT ATTENDING SALT CAMP I:  Shower Curtain (1 per bathroom), bath mat Sunday, August 23, 2015  Cleaning Supplies (Students clean own rooms)  CHECKIN CREW:  Laundry Supplies Thursday, August 20, 2015  Clothing (hangers or other organizing needs)  Television (Except Battalion Fish)  CREW TEAM:  Alarm Clock Sunday, August 23, 2015  Computer  AUGUST 25-26TH NEW STUDENT CONF:  Microwave (Up to 700 watts) Monday, August 24, 2015  Desk lamp  SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTORS & TUTORS:  Refrigerator (up to 1.6 amps) Tuesday, August 25, 2015  Dehumidifier (HIGHLY recommended for residents  SALT CAMP SESSION II PARTICIPANTS: in Mariner Hall) Thursday, August 27, 2015  Microwave dishes  Manual can opener All other students may not move in until Friday, Au-  Paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex, paper plates gust 28, 2015.  Power Strip http://www.tamug.edu/reslife/Housing/MovingIn.html  Some rooms have tile floors, small rug is helpful  Towels  Mosquito repellent

What items are NOT allowed? A&M Texas Maritime Academy Parents Assoc.  NO Duct tape anywhere!!!! If you have a TMA Cadet this is a group established to help  Do not mount a TV on the wall relay information from the school to the parents regarding all that is happening in the TMA. Along with Aggie Moms,  Waterbeds this is a great group to be part of. E-mail address TMAPar-  Hotplates or any item with an exposed heating el- [email protected] or Facebook ement, No George Foreman Grills or similar  Pets (except fish) http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Texas-Maritime-  Candles or any device that heats wax Academy-Parents-Association/122633727795351  Wireless internet routers Even if you do not have a Facebook account, you can still  Any weapon, firearm, or illegal items view the page.  Toaster oven Website: http://tmaparents.wix.com/tma-parents  Alcohol  Nails/screws  Oil lamps ** Howdy Maritime Academy parents! **  Kayaks or surfboards Here’s a website for all the important links for summer cruises and other information. You will find links to the itin- 2015-2016 Important Fall Semester Dates eraries for the 2015 Cal and SUNY cruises. The General http://www.tamug.edu/catalog/calendar.html Rudder Itinerary will be updated when available. http://registrar.tamu.edu//General/Calendar.aspx http://tmaparents.wix.com/tma-parents Class schedule, drop deadlines, etc, are same for both campuses. Double-check calendars. Maritime Academy - March-Ins Fall 2015 Aug 24 GCAM Howdy Party and Meeting 03 Oct vs Mississippi State Aug 21-23 Salt Camp - Session 1 TAMUG 31 Oct vs South Carolina Gamecocks Aug 23 O Week TAMUG Aug 28-30 Salt Camp - Session 2 TAMUG Gig ‘em Week is the official Welcome Week for Aug 19 Graduation application opens for all Dec grads 2015. TAMUG. This week is full of events and opportunities for Aug 28 Last day to register for fall semester new and returning students to become familiar or reac- http://sbs.tamu.edu/ for tuition/ fee due dates. Aug 30 Aggie Mom District Meeting – C-Stat quainted with the TAMUG campus, fellow Aggies, and the Aug 31 First day of fall semester classes. Galveston community. Gig 'em Week is coordinated by the Sep 4 Last day for adding/dropping fall courses Office of Student Life and takes place during the first two Sep 14 GCAM Meeting/MVTrident Tour weeks of the Fall Semester at Texas A&M University at Sep 30 Undergrad degree plan approval deadline. Galveston. Oct 2 Last day to apply for December grad without a late fee. Oct 9-11 Aggie Mom Fish Camp – C-Stat Oct 19 Mid-semester grades due ****Corner Store: Adjacent to the University Apartments Oct 23 GCAM Special Parents Weekend Meeting Galveston, is Pelican Island Grocery (PIG) with a Valero Oct 24 TAMUG Parents’ Weekend Nov 6 TAMUG Craft Fair / GCAM Craft Booth Gasoline Station that gives added convenience for grocery, Nov 9 GCAM Meeting / Survival Boxes cash from the ATM, and gasoline (corner of Seawolf Pkwy Nov 12- Dec 1 Preregistration for 2015 spring semester and Texas Clipper Road) Nov 18 Bonfire 1999 Remembrance Day. Nov 20 Last day to drop courses with no penalty (Q-drop). Last day to change Kines 198/199 grade type Last day to officially withdraw from University Nov 25 Reading day, no classes Nov 26-27 Thanksgiving holiday. Nov 29 GCAM Midnight Munchies-Library Dec 7 Redefined day: students attend Friday classes. Dec 8 Redefined day: students attend Thursday classes. Dec 9 Last day of fall semester classes. Last day to apply for all December degrees Dec 10 Reading days, no classes. Dec 11, 14–16 Fall semester final examinations Dec 14 GCAM Christmas Party Dec 17 Grades for degree candidates due Dec 19 Commencement / Commissioning TAMUG Dec 18 Last day for Dec undergraduate degree candidates to apply for Tuition Rebate Dec 21 Final grades due Dec 23–Jan 1 Faculty and staff holiday How to sign up for Sea Aggie Alert: * All dates and times are subject to change. https://www.getrave.com/login/tamug

Tips for Freshman Year you’d thought. Being fully prepared for a test two nights (Authored by an Aggie student) before it will really make you feel secure. Freshman year can be one of the most difficult times of 10) Have fun! A&M is full of amazing events that are all your college career, but after you get all of the key things part of the tradition of going there. If you miss out on this down you can actually take a breather and have a blast! stuff you won’t have a chance to go back and be a part of From finding out where to eat to finding your best teacher it again. Have fun!!! College can be a blast if you just take there are many things to cover. it easy and learn how to prioritize. Don’t get too caught up with grades but don’t slack as well. Too much of one thing 1) When you choose classes your first semester, don’t put is never good. Have a blast and study hard! Gig ‘Em!! too much pressure on yourself. Don’t choose the most hours with the most difficult classes, because you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into! After your first se- Living on Campus mester, you’ll get an idea of all that will be on your plate At Texas A&M University at Galveston, the friendly, and you’ll have a better idea how much you can handle. casual lifestyle is coupled with ocean-related activ- 2) Talk to as many people as possible; you’ll realize that ities to keep you enjoying the Sea Aggie Life! once you open up to others they open up to you and you Make sure you check out these great things about can make some really good friends this way. This is the living on campus! You are sure to have a blast! only year that you’re going to have orientation and SALT  SALT Camp- Sea Aggies Learning Traditions camp so you can really connect with new students who are  Aggie Traditions keep the spirit alive! Sea Aggies in the same situations. When school starts, clubs will also participate in many Aggie Traditions like Big help. Event and the Aggie Ring! 3) Always carry a water bottle with you around campus and  Organizations Night - come to this event to join maybe a snack. Campus is really big and with Texas’ clubs and organizations. Student organizations weather you’ll never know just how hot it will be. You might fair held the first Thursday of each semester. All of get super busy one day and have to skip lunch so bring TAMUG’s student organizations set up a table at the something that will calm your hunger. event so students can come and talk to club officers 4) Speak up in class. If you have something important to about their club. say your classmates will respect you for saying it and hav-  The Recreational Sports program features four ing your own opinion. Your teachers will appreciate it and programmatic areas: Intramural Sports, Club see that you stand out. Sports, Aggie Adventures, & Aquatics.Intramural 5) Build study groups for tests; you never realize how dis- Sports include the basics of softball, soccer and tracted you can become if you’re alone. If you have multi- basketball but also some that are unique like in- ple people wanting to study and help you learn you’ll find that it’s much easier to stay focused. And you won’t be up nertube water polo. Not surprising that many of at 2 am on the morning of the exam while panicking…. our sports are water oriented. been there, done that.  Competitive teams include Sailing, and Rowing 6) If you share a dorm with someone make sure that you (Crew), Lacrosse and others. both make rules that you both have to follow - just so that you won’t accidentally go over some boundaries. Keeping your room organized can help you study, but usually study- ing is more helpful when done at the library or in a study Encourage the kids to get involved in Campus area. activities, learn Aggie Traditions, make time and 7) Keep your favorite snacks with you! Sometimes you go to football games and other sporting activi- won’t want to eat what the cafeteria is serving so your fa- ties. Participate in yell practice. Become Aggies vorite snack will be perfect for when you want something in their heart. Learn the Aggie Network. Visit light. the Association of Former Student building. It’s a 8) Make sure that you keep in contact with your family. true experience. Make Aggie traditions part of They’ll understand that you probably have a lot on your your life. plate, but they also want you to make some time for them, especially since they have to adjust to not seeing you on a daily basis. Just a phone call or Skype chat will probably suffice . 9) Prioritize! If you have a major test on Friday, but you’re friends are all hanging out tonight, you should really focus on preparing for that test. If you tell yourself that you’ll study later on you might not be able to get to it as soon as

Aggie Mom Vocabulary Aggie Brags Aggie Brags: During each meeting we have a chance to “Brag” I would just like to brag that our son Corbin Hoffmann about our Aggie and ourselves. We are all interested in what is has been named Athlete of the Year at TAMUG for the going on in your Aggie’s life and yours. Be sure to let us know so rd we can put it in the newsletter. Photographs are welcomed. 3 year in a row! He loves all his sport teams and Big Event: Aggies help serve the community every year in the TAMUG ! We are so very proud of him! Big Event. This is the largest service project in the nation. Ag- Glenn, Bo, Chris, and Gabby Hoffmann gies come together in the spring to do various jobs in the Bry- an/College Station and Galveston communities. Cookie Swap: During the December meeting, we have Cookie Happy Almost June! So many things to be thankful for Swap. To prepare for cookie swap, you need to make 6 dozen at this busy time of year! cookies. Put one dozen in each of six festive containers and la- bel it with the name of the cookie and the recipe. At the meeting, SHOUT OUTS: those participating in the swap get to pick 6 packets of cookies; taking home 6 different dozen than you prepared. So proud of my two cadets, Sara Ballard ('15), and Scott Muster: Muster was first help on June 26, 1883. The date for Ballard ('17) for completing their year successfully! Scott Muster has been set for APRIL 21st each year. It is a time to pay is on his commercial cruise and Sara will be getting in the homage to students and former students who have passed away 2nd Cal Maritime training cruise (and her final cruise!) during the past year. Living comrades answer “here” to the roll leaving from Boston June 25th! Whoop!!! call to symbolize that while departing Aggies are no longer with us in body, they will remain in us forever in spirit. During WWI, Also...so proud of my 'adoptee's' who graduated in May!! Aggies held Muster in the trenches in Europe. In 1923, former Nina Roma...you are amazing in all areas! Roommate, students began holding Muster throughout Texas, the nation, and scholar, cadet, Naval Officer!!! Rutger Dukes, Vann the world. Each year the Galveston County Aggie Moms’ Club Groseclos, John Erb, Lindsay Breedlove and Phillip helps with Muster on the Galveston campus by furnishing cookies or snacks and punch at a special reception to those attending Critides...love you all and blessings as you start this new Muster. chapter in your lives!!! Thank you for your friendship to Parents Weekend: Parents Weekend is held each year in Col- my kiddos and allowing me to adopt you!!! ~Mom B. lege Station in April and in Galveston in October. It is imperative to call EARLY if you will need a hotel room in College Station. Shout out to my daughter, Jessica Bortner, Loudest & Usually they book up MONTHS in advance. If you want a hotel room for football games, or any other IMPORTANT event, it is Proudest Member of the Texas Fighting Aggie Class of suggested that you call now for your reservations. Important 2017. Jessica took an online Technical Writing class last Events: Parents Weekend, : held the night summer through Lee College to get some hours in to- before home games, The Singing Cadets, Variety Shows, Bou- tique, ALL athletic events, etc. wards her ring. Not only did she make an A in the class, : The official mascot of Texas A&M University. She is a but she did so well on the final Formal Report, her pro- full bred American Collie whose history goes back to 1931. fessor nominated her to enter into an Honors Writing Silver Taps: This is a solemn ceremony to pay final tribute and Competition. The report had to be a minimum of 15 honor to a current Aggie student who has died. The ceremony is held in front of the Academic Building on the A&M Campus on the pages, including a Title Page, Bibliography and tech- first Tuesday of every month (if needed) during the Fall and nical specs/appendices. The report ended up being a Spring semesters at 10:30pm. The flags on campus fly at half total of 91 pages. I'd like to congratulate Jessica for Mast, campus lights are dimmed and a detachment from the Ross Volunteers fires three volleys and buglers from the Aggie winning the Presidential Honors Writing Competition in Band play Silver Taps three times. the area of Technical Writing!! WHOOP!!! Congrats Twelfth Man: On January 1922, the Aggies were playing in the Jess!!! Keep up the good work!!! Dixie Classic in Dallas. E. King Gill was a member of the football Janice Bortner team at the time, but was also a valuable member of the basket- ball team. He did not suit up for the Classic, but was in attend- ance at the game. He was up in the press box in civilian clothes Congratulations to Cadet Duncan Cooke (Class of 2017 when he got a call from Coach Dana X. Bible from the field. Marine Engineering Technology), who earned a "4.0" There had been a number of injuries and Coach Bible asked Gill for Spring Semester 2015. Keep up the good work & to suit up just in case his services were needed. The Twelfth Man is the reason A&M students stand for the entire football Gig'em! Elizabeth Cooke game! It is a showing of the Aggie spirit and loyalty – they stand ready in case they are needed to go into the game. From Mom Kathy Bass: Congratulations Patrick Scopel Survival Kits: Twice a year (November and April) we prepare on his 4.0 this semester!! survival kits for our Aggies at final exam time. Each mom brings 70 items/snacks (or designated number) and one container for each survival kit that she would like to prepare. We take orders Lynn Mack says: Congratulations to my son, Alex Mack for kits for out-of-town parents. Your student will REALLY want (Class of '18) for receiving a 4.0 (again) this semester! So one of our special kits! proud of him!

Aggie Items of Interest Looking for roommate in CS: $625/month, all-inclusive, Taxi Services – There are several local services on the island that are able to transport students TO the airport. 80mbps internet, backyard, community pool, basketball Contracts with Houston taxi services will NOT permit them court, and walking distance from park. Male preferred. to pick up at Hobby and return to campus. Contact John Thompson 281.979.3587 If the students are NOT able to secure their own trans- Look for other “items of interest” on our Facebook portation – commercially or through other Aggie stu- page; moms often post apartment openings, uniforms dents -- please contact an Aggie Mom officer for help in this area. for sale, books for sale, etc. New Student & Family Programs Galveston Aggie Mom 2015-2016 Officers Offices of the Dean of Student Life | Texas A&M Uni- President Connie Marquez ...... 713-806-7850 versity, Cain Hall C-202 | 1257 TAMU | College Station, [email protected] TX 77843-1257, ph: 979.845.5826 | fax: 979.845.6138 Membership Chris Cargill ...... 281- 772-8061 [email protected] [email protected] http://parents.tamu.edu Programs Carrie Coutorie ...... 409- 256-1539 [email protected] AGGIE MOM RESOURCES Communications Monica Isgren ...... 832-221-4439 1. Federation: www.aggiemoms.org

[email protected] Fundraising/Donations Michelle Goswick. 281-808-2429 2. Current Student information: many item specific resources [email protected] http://www.tamu.edu/current-students/index.html

Social Media/Treasurer Cindy Scott .... 432-230-7683 3. Calendars: http://calendar.tamu.edu [email protected] Historian Elena Bryant ...... 832-677-5936 4. Foundation: supporter of all things Aggie http://www.12thmanfoundation.com [email protected] Secretary Rhonda Davis ...... 713- 203-9759 5. Career Center: great resource BEFORE you graduate: [email protected] http://careercenter.tamu.edu Hospitality Vicki Cantrell ...... 713 302-3925 6. Association of Former Students: terrific resource [email protected] http://www.aggienetwork.com Chaplain Mary Louise Giamfortone ...... 409- 935-9497 Past President Diane Eckols ...... 713 - 591-1709 7. Athletics: http://www.tamu.edu/athletics/index.html [email protected] Welcome to the Aggie Family! Aggie Parent Web Site (TAMU): http://parents.tamu.edu/ Please don’t hesitate to call if you need us! Please feel free to contact Student Life at (979) 845-3111, or by GCAM, P.O. Box 981, Texas City, TX 77592 email at [email protected].

Mailbox Delivery at TAMUG Students who live in on- campus housing have a drop box in the Student Life Building. For more information about our Aggie Mom’s Special mail-outs larger than the usual sized letter should be Club, contact any officer or email us at: mailed using the following address: [email protected] Student’s Name - Drop #, 1001 Texas Clipper Road, Galveston, Texas 77554.

TAMUG Police Dept. WEBSITE: http://galvestonaggiemoms.ch2v.com/ 911 On- and Off-Campus Emergencies (409) 740-4545 Non-Emergency

Aggie Hotline: You can receive a free, e-mail with the latest Like us on Facebook: Galveston County Aggie Moms news from Texas A&M. To subscribe send an e-mail subscrip- tion request to http://today.tamu.edu This is a wonderful way to keep in touch with what is happening on the Texas A&M campus.

TAMUG Transportation Opportunities Code Maroon Alerts Emergency News for TAMU and The Texas A&M School of Law 979-845-8300 Options for off-island transportation: Http://codemaroon.tamu.edu/feed/xml Galveston Limousine Service Offers daily service to/from Houston Hobby Airport. 1-800-640-4826 or 409-744-5466. www.galvestonlimousineservice.com