Campus Life 1 and intercultural competence initiatives to contribute to preparing all CAMPUS LIFE students for an increasingly diverse world. DMS supports, advocates for and challenges students as they transition and persist at Texas A&M, as The Corps Experience (p. 1) well as provides opportunities for students to examine and communicate Department of Multicultural Services (p. 1) ways to contribute to an inclusive and respectful campus community, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life (OFSL) (p. 1) develop cultural knowledge and competence and build cross-cultural Intercollegiate Athletics (p. 1) communication skills. Memorial Student Center (MSC) (p. 2) Music Activities (MUSA) (p. 2) DMS is home to a number of student organizations and programs that Recreational Sports (p. 3) provide academic, social, cultural, and personal development, as well as Speech and Debate Team (p. 3) intentional interaction and engagement. DMS assists students with their Student Activities (p. 3) transition to and persistence through Texas A&M University and educates Student Government (SGA) (p. 3) students about individual differences, cultural competence, and how to Student Life (p. 4) contribute to a respectful campus. The department strives to maintain a Student Life Studies (p. 4) welcoming and inclusive environment for all students. Student Media (p. 4) University Art Galleries (p. 4) Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life University Center and Special Events (UCEN) (p. 4) Vice President for Student Affairs (p. 4) (OFSL) http://aggiegreeks.tamu.edu The Corps Experience • Housed in the Department of Student Activities, the Office of http://corps.tamu.edu Fraternity and Sorority Life's mission is to provide diverse educational and developmental services that fosters an inclusive learning The Corps of Cadets is the largest and most visible student organization community. We aim to enhance the collegiate experience by at Texas A&M. Known as the Keepers of the Spirit and the Guardians of supporting opportunities for leadership, academic integration, civic Tradition, many of Texas A&M’s most cherished traditions grew out of engagement and the creation of fraternal bonds. Our office serves the Corps, including Midnight Yell Practice, Aggie Muster and Silver Taps. as a liaison between the collegiate chapters, parents, alumni, inter/ Currently, over 2,300 young men and women are Corps members. national organizations, and Texas A&M University. We provide Most cadet graduates pursue a career in the public and private sector; organizational guidance, educational programs, and resources while however, the Corps of Cadets consistently commissions more officers challenging members to live their fraternal values. than any institution other than the service academies. • Fraternities and Sororities are a fundamental part of Texas A&M Academic excellence is the top priority of the Corps of Cadets offering University. We are home to 55+ internationally affiliated or local scholastic advising and cadet-led support programs as well as access to Greek-letter organizations governed by one of four councils: state-of-the-art academic facilities. Collegiate Panhellenic Council (CPC), the Interfraternity Council (IFC), the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), and the National Pan- Cadets who pursue non-military careers continue to hone their leadership Hellenic Council (NPHC). Our fraternities and sororities collectively skills through a rigorous progression of academic leadership courses, constitute the largest membership-based and multi-faceted applied leadership experiences within the Corps and broader Texas community on campus. A&M community, and personal development of an Individual Leadership • Representing 11 percent of the undergraduate student population, Development Plan. Additional emphasis is given to the development fraternity and sorority members are committed to their academics, of career readiness competencies of critical thinking, teamwork, developing and strengthening their leadership skills, volunteering professionalism, oral/written communication, career management, digital time in the community and continually forming a campus and cultural technology, leadership, and global/intercultural fluency. support network for current and incoming Aggies. The Corps of Cadets offers cadet organizations (The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, a precision military band; the Ross Volunteers, the official honor guard for the governor of the state of Texas; the Fish Drill Team, Intercollegiate Athletics a precision drill unit; and Parsons Mounted Cavalry, the only mounted www.aggieathletics.com ROTC unit in the United States), ROTC special units (Army’s Ranger Challenge Team and Rudder’s Rangers, Navy SEAL Platoon, Marine Recon • Texas A&M is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Platoon and the Air Force’s Arnold Air Society) and advanced course Association (NCAA) and the prestigious Southeastern Conference ROTC contracts. (SEC), which also includes the University of Alabama, University of Arkansas, Auburn University, University of Florida, University of Department of Multicultural Services Georgia, University of Kentucky, Louisiana State University, University http://dms.tamu.edu of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, University of Missouri, University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee and Vanderbilt The Department of Multicultural Services (DMS) contributes to steady University. progress toward institutional diversity goals of greater inclusion and • Texas A&M sponsors 20 intercollegiate athletics teams. The nine academic excellence by positively impacting the campus climate. The men’s programs are football, basketball, baseball, golf, indoor track department has a mission to provide multiple developmental initiatives and field, outdoor track and field, cross country, swimming and diving, for underrepresented and underserved racial and ethnic populations 2 Campus Life and tennis. The 11 women’s programs are basketball, cross country, golf, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, softball, swimming Music Activities (MUSA) and diving, tennis, volleyball, soccer and equestrian. http://musa.tamu.edu (http://musa.tamu.edu/) • Texas A&M brought home four national champion titles in 2011 as Band Opportunities the women’s basketball team, the men’s and women’s outdoor track and field squads and the women’s western equestrian all won their • Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band – The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band is respective national championships. The track and field program nationally known for its precision military marching formations accomplished the double national titles for the third straight year, a on the football gridiron and is the largest military marching band historic accomplishment in NCAA history. in the nation. This 400+ member, Corps of Cadets unit is the official marching band of Texas A&M University. Corps of Cadets • Aggie athletes have earned more than 800 All-American citations and membership is required as well as an audition with the directors. hundreds have gone on to successful professional careers in their Please refer to our website (http://musa.tamu.edu/) for more respective sports. In addition, Texas A&M has produced a number of information. Olympic athletes, including a record number of Aggies who competed in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. • University Concert Bands – Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band and Concert Band. These ensembles consist of • The mission of Texas A&M athletics is “Building Champions” and it outstanding wind and percussion players from all areas of the Texas at the heart of the athletic department’s Mission Statement: “Texas A&M campus. Literature performed by the bands is chosen from the A&M Athletics commits to Building Champions through academic best of traditional and contemporary band works. The bands perform achievement, athletic excellence and national recognition of our at least two concerts per semester and occasionally participate in off- student-athletes, teams and programs. We provide our student- campus concerts and tours. Students from all majors are welcome athletes with all the necessary tools for them to be Champions in in the band, and Corps of Cadets membership is not required. An their sport and in life. The integrity of our program takes root in the audition is required to participate in the bands. Please refer to tradition and spirit of Texas A&M, bringing honor and distinction to our website (http://musa.tamu.edu/) for more information. our University.” • University Jazz Ensembles – These two groups utilize standard 17-piece, large jazz ensemble instrumentation for 13 winds and 4 Memorial Student Center (MSC) rhythm section instruments. The bands perform select literature from http://msc.tamu.edu the best traditional and contemporary big band jazz repertoire. The ensembles perform at least two concerts each semester, including • The Memorial Student Center provides the local and campus campus and community performances. An audition is required to community with academic, entertainment, arts, political and cultural participate in the jazz ensembles. Please refer to our website (http:// awareness programs through experiential learning opportunities. musa.tamu.edu/) for more information. The MSC’s student-driven committees, supported by full-time staff, foster leadership development and excellence through campus • Hullabaloo Band – The Hullabaloo Band is housed in the Athletic programming designed to enhance and enrich the Aggie experience. Department and is a sponsored student organization,