[May 28-29, 2015]
Freshman New Student Conference Schedule
What should you expect?
Howdy!
Pre-Conference Day occurs the day before official programs begin.
Welcome to Texas A&M and your New Student Conference!
If you have questions or need directions, please feel free to
visit our Help Desk located in the Rudder Lobby. We also
provide a complimentary electronics charging station for your
convenience!
All activities during the pre-conference day are optional.
Day 1 kicks off with informative sessions regarding academics, services,
opportunities and responsibilites as an Aggie. Optional night programs
help students and families understand what it means to be an Aggie.
Day 2 begins with students meeting with their college to learn about
the requirements and expectations of their specific discipline. Class
registration takes place in the afternoon.
New Student Conference Help Desk Hours:
Day one: 8:00a.m. - 5:30p.m.
Day two: 7:45a.m. - 9:30a.m.
You can also Tweet Us with questions @NSFPtamu or call (979)
845-5826. Have a great conference and welcome to Aggieland!
Attendance at your conference is mandatory and it is the University’s
expectation that you attend all sessions. This schedule will serve as your
reference for all sessions taking place during your conference.
Pre-Conference Day (optional): Wednesday, May 27
Time
Event
Description
8:00a.m.5:00p.m.
Veteran Services Are you or your dependent ready to use your military educational benefits? If so, please visit
Office Open
the Veteran Services Office to learn how to get the most out of your benefits at Texas A&M.
6:00a.m.8:00p.m.
Open
Recreation
Utilize the Rec Center at your leisure. Simply check in with the Member Services Desk at
the Rec Center to gain passes. Equipment fees may apply. Proper attire is required. Family
members under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Student
Recreation
Center
Times
Vary
Language
Placement
Exam
The Spanish Language Placement Test is administered by Hispanic Studies. All other
Language Placement Tests are administered by International Studies. There is a $30.00 fee
due at the time of registration. To register, visit newaggie.tamu.edu/languageplacementexam.
For questions, call: Spanish Exam: (979) 458-0672 | All other languages: (979) 845-5144
Location
given upon
exam
registration
Times
Vary
TSI Assessment
Test
Students not exempt from the Texas Success Initiative and who have not taken the TSI
Assessment Test prior to the NSC must do so at this time or they will not be able to register
for classes. Register in Suite 1101, General Services Complex or call (979) 845-0532.
1101 General
Services
Complex
2:00p.m.4:00p.m.
Residence Hall
Tours
Residence Hall Tours provide the opportunity to see a furnished room in Hullabaloo Hall,
Modular, Corridor, Balcony and Ramp building styles only. Please visit reslife.tamu.edu/
conferencesTours/reshallTours for specific times or call (979) 845-0557 or (979) 845-1279.
Hullabaloo
Hall
2:304:30p.m.
Students and families who have arrived early may check in to the conference. Students
Student &
needing to clear any holds, turn in transcripts, or change their major should do so. Howdy
Family Check-In
Lunch tickets as well as Class of 2019 and Aggie Family T-shirts are available for purchase.
2:304:30p.m.
Campus Tours
Get acquainted with the campus, history and traditions of Texas A&M. Orientation Leaders
conduct 45-60 minute walking tours of central campus. Tours depart every 10-15 minutes.
Northeast
Entrance of
Kyle Field,
1st Floor
2:304:30p.m.
Alternative
Campus Tours
Available for those who prefer a virtual tour experience. Video loops every 40 minutes.
Rudder
Tower 501
6:007:00p.m.
Corps of Cadets Joining the Corps or seeking more information? Stop by the Corps of Cadets Open House to
Open House
meet with outfit representatives.
5:306:30p.m.
Greek Life
Session
Fraternities and sororities strive to form support networks for students. Members are
committed to academics, strengthening leadership skills, and volunteering in the community. MSC 2406
Come receive information about how you can make an impact as an Aggie Greek!
5:306:30p.m.
Singing Cadets
Audition
If you’re interested in being part of Texas A&M’s premier all-male chorus, please stop by for a
MSC L110
brief audition! Please note: Membership in the Corps of Cadets is not required.
6:308:00p.m.
Evening Social
The Orientation Leaders and The Association of Former Students invite new students and
families to join them for dessert as you explore the exhibits of the Alumni Center, enjoy
various activities, try on a Class of 2019 Aggie Ring and ask any questions you may have.
Do you want to change your major?
If you want to change your major, you must visit the
“Change your Major” table at check-in. This is your only
opportunity to change your major at the conference.
Be advised that certain colleges/departments have
enrollment restrictions and a change of major into
these programs will not be an option.
Location
The Pavilion
Room 205
Zone Club at
Kyle Field,
3rd Floor
Rudder
Exhibit Hall
Williams
Alumni
Center
Are you an international student?
Have you taken the Math Placement Exam?
Al students who are neither U.S. Citizens nor
All
U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents must check in
U.
with International Student Services (ISS) in order
w
to have their course registration hold removed.
Detailed information is available at iss.tamu.edu.
De
All freshman students are required to take the
math placement exam before class registration. If
you have not taken the math placement exam,
please visit the NSC Help Desk. To take the math
placement exam, visit: mathplacement.tamu.edu.
Key to reading the schedule:
F For Family Members
Day One: Thursday, May 28
Time
Students Only
Mandatory Session
Spanish translation for Family Members offered at these sessions. A Spanish
translator will provide details about checking out a listening device during
Family Check-In. Additionally, you can visit the help desk in Rudder Tower to
receive a listening device. Proudly supported by The Association of Former Students.
Event
Description
Student & Family
Check-In
Students and family members/guests must check in to the conference. You will
receive orientation materials, an official conference schedule and students must 3rd Floor, Kyle
clear any holds, turn in transcripts, or change their major, if desired. Howdy Field Zone Club
Lunch tickets, Class of 2019 and Aggie Family T-shirts are available for purchase.
8:009:30a.m.
Campus Tours
Northeast
Orientation Leaders conduct 45-60 minute walking tours of the inner campus. Entrance of
Groups depart about every 10 minutes. The last group will leave at 8:45a.m.
Kyle Field - 1st
Floor
8:009:30a.m.
Alternative Campus Tours
Available for students or family members who prefer a virtual tour experience.
Video loops every 40 minutes.
Rudder Tower
501
8:00a.m.4:30p.m.
Student ID Cards
Get your student ID card made. Lines to make IDs are longest on the morning
of Day 1. Not available during mandatory sessions. Check the back page of this
schedule for more detailed times and availability.
Rudder
Exhibit Hall
Veteran Services Session
Learn how to get the most out of your military educational benefits. Get
connected with the Aggie veteran community and both campus veteran offices.
Mandatory for veterans; highly suggested for military dependents.
Koldus 110-111
8:009:30a.m.
Location
For students of any major planning to pursue professional school credentials.
8:459:30a.m.
Medicine, Dentistry, Allied Health, Veterinary Medicine Rudder Theatre
Professional School
Advising Sessions
Law Rudder Forum
Secondary Teacher Certification Rudder 510
From Backpack to
Briefcase
Designed to help students make a successful transition to A&M and plan activities
MSC 2400
that will improve future employment options.
9:4510:05a.m.
Welcome Session
(Mandatory Session)
This opening session is your formal welcome to the Aggie Family from
New Student & Family Programs!
Rudder
Auditorium
10:0510:35a.m.
Joining a Community
of Scholars
(Mandatory Session)
This session will provide you with important information about the
opportunities, rights and responsibilities as a new member of Texas A&M’s
Community of Scholars.
Rudder
Auditorium
10:3511:20a.m.
Campus Services Sessionn
(Mandatory Session)
Information will be shared regarding services you may select during registration
and information regarding safety and emergency preparedness.
Rudder
Auditorium
11:2011:50a.m.
rs
Keys to Financial Matters
(Mandatory Session)
Staff will discuss tuition and fees, how to pay your bill, deadlines, and financial Rudder
resources including scholarships, grants and loans.
Auditorium
12:00FOCUS Learning
12:30p.m. Community Briefing
12:001:45p.m.
12:302:45p.m.
Required for students admitted to FOCUS Learning Community and their
guests. Students will learn more about FOCUS, meet staff and advisors, complete
FOCUS course preference sheet, and ask questions regarding the program.
Koldus 110-111
Howdy Lunch is a wonderful way to experience dining on campus. Tickets will be
sold at NSC Check-In or can be purchased at the door. Vegetarian dishes will be
available. Before or after you dine, be sure to check out the Resource Tables where
various offices from the University community are represented. Gather materials
and ask questions at your leisure. Get your passport punched and entered into the
drawing for a $100 Barnes & Noble or University Dining gift card!
Sbisa Dining
Center
Lunch on your own
See handout in your Check-In bag for campus dining locations.
Various
Corps Orientation &
Registration
Register for the Corps of Cadets and participate in an orientation session for students
Sanders Corps
and families. Session includes information on Corps housing, uniforms, meal plans,
of Cadets
unit assignments, ROTC enrollment and Cadet Scholarships. In order to arrive on time,
Center
students & families attending this session should eat lunch in the MSC.
Howdy Lunch & Resource
Tables
{or}
your
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a
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• Gig ‘Em Week: August 23-30
• Undergraduate Convocation: August 30
• First day of Fall Classes: August 31
(Resource
Tables - Sbisa
Underground)
The Undergraduate Course Catalog is now online!
To view academic information such as course
descriptions, degree plans, and core curriculum
requirements, visit: catalog.tamu.edu
Day One: Afternoon - Thursday, May 28
Time
2:003:00pm
3:103:30p.m.
3:404:30p.m.
4:405:15p.m.
Event
Description
On-Campus Housing Session
{or}
Students learn about on-campus living arrangements, residence life policies, what
to expect as on-campus residents, and move-in details. This session is mandatory Rudder Theatre
for students who have been confirmed with an on-campus residence hall space.
F
Family On-Campus
Housing and Services {or}
Learn about on-campus living arrangements and find out more information about Rudder
housing related support services including parking, food, and computing.
Auditorium
Off-Campus Housing
Session
Learn about off-campus living, including how to find housing, important rental/
MSC 2400
leasing information, roommate relations and transportation.
Stand In/Step Up in
Aggieland
(Mandatory Session)
This mandatory session will provide information about the federal guidance and
mandates regarding our students’ rights and available resources as they pertain
to the prevention of and response to sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating
and domestic violence and stalking. Students will learn how each one of us can
commit to a safe and welcoming campus community.
Aggieland: A
Community of Respect
Centered around our Core Values, current students will talk about being part of
Rudder Theatre
the Aggie Family and how you contribute our Community of Respect.
Partners in Success
F
Rudder
Auditorium
Explore challenges facing new students during their transition to college and how
Rudder
the university and families can partner to provide support to increase student
Auditorium
success.
Students will receive critical information regarding academic policies and
receive instructions on class registration.
Academic Meeting
(Mandatory Session)
Location
Rudder
Auditorium
Day One Evening:
There are separate programs planned for students and families from 5:15 until 8:30p.m. At 8:30p.m.,
students and families will reunite for the last program of the evening, Being an Aggie.
Student Track:
Time
Event
Description
Location
5:156:00p.m.
Freshman Dinner
Freshman students will relax and dine with your fellow classmates! It is a great
time to meet other Aggies and chat with Orientation Leaders. The dinner is
free for new students participating in the conference. Please wear your nametag
received at Check-In as it will be your ticket for dinner.
MSC
Bethancourt
Ballroom
6:007:15p.m.
Aggie Insights
Want to find out everything about Aggieland but not sure who to ask? Here
you’ll get to meet in small, informal groups with Orientation Leaders to ask
questions and learn more about campus life. Groups form at dinner.
Groups form
at Freshman
Dinner
7:157:45p.m.
Aggie Energizer
Have fun and meet other Aggies by participating in a variety of games and
activities that will energize you.
Rudder
Fountain Area
7:458:30p.m.
CSI:
Aggieland
An entertaining performance focusing on “Campus Safety Issues.” Get
informed on the tough social issues many students face and the resources
available at A&M for support.
Rudder
Auditorium
Family Track:
Time
Event
5:156:30p.m.
Ask an Aggie
6:458:25p.m.
Description
F
Family Dinner and Being an
Aggie Family Member
F
Location
A panel of current students will provide an expanded Q&A session to address
Rudder Theatre
any questions or concerns and give their perspective on life at Texas A&M.
This relaxed dinner is a great way to meet other family members and interact with
Orientation Leaders. You’ll also hear how the Office of New Student & Family MSC
Programs supports family members and a representative from the Federation Bethancourt
of Aggie Moms will speak about local Aggie Moms club. Serving lines close at Ballroom
7:30p.m. Please wear your nametag received at Check-In as it will be your ticket for dinner.
Students & Families:
Time
Event
Description
Location
8:309:30p.m.
Being an Aggie & Yell
Practice
Learn about being an Aggie and attend a Fightin’ Texas Aggie Yell Practice with Rudder
the Yell Leaders. You will also sing the Aggie War Hymn with the Class of 2019! Auditorium
Instructions for connecting to the TAMU Link Wireless Network:
Open available wireless networks and select tamulink-wpa. Enter your NetID for the “Username” field and your NetID
password for the “Password” field. If you have questions or need assistance contact Help Desk Central at 979.845.8300.
Day Two: Friday, May 29
Students Only
Mandatory Session
F For Family Members
Time
Event
Description
Location
7:458:10a.m.
Conference Shuttles
Beginning at 7:45a.m., shuttles are available to transport you to West Campus.
Rudder Fountain
7:45a.m.
Trailblazing
Orientation Leaders walk you to college meetings or direct you to West
Campus shuttles. All groups depart from Rudder Fountain at 8:00a.m.
Rudder Fountain
In this mandatory meeting, students meet with representatives from your specific college who will
discuss requirements and answer questions you have about your major. You will also receive specific
information about course registration.
Locations vary by college(Building abbreviations refer to the campus map alphabetical listing):
Mandatory College Meeting
& Academic Advisement
8:30a.m.
Meeting begins promptly
at 8:30a.m. Students who
do not attend the meeting
for its entirety will be
blocked from course
registration.
Various
Lunch on your own
2:006:00p.m.
Course Registration
• Science (SC)
• Agriculture & Life Sciences (AG)
Heldenfels Bldg. (HELD) - Room 100
*Kleberg Bldg. (KLCT) - Room 115
• Public Health (PH)
• Architecture (AR)
Health Professions Education Bldg. (HPEB)
Architecture Bldg. B (ARCB)
Room LL44
Geren Auditorium Room 101
8447 St. Hwy 47, Bryan, TX 77807
• Business (BA)
• Veterinary Medicine (VM)
*Wehner Bldg. (WCBA) - Lobby
*Veterinary Medical Scicences Bldg. (VMS)
• Education (ED)
Room 201
Chemistry Bldg. (CHEM) - Room 100
• Transition Academic Programs - Blinn TEAM (GS)
• Liberal Arts (LA)
Psychology Bldg. (PSYC) - Room 338
Memorial Student Center (MSC)
Room 2300 A&B
*Denotes building on West campus. We suggest riding the conference shuttles.
Locations above indicate starting locations for the College Meeting portion; following the College
Meeting, participants will be given instructions to travel to a different location (often in a different
building) for departmental/small-group meetings and registration. If you are a guest with mobility
concerns, contact your college in order to make appropriate arrangements.
See handout in your check-in bag for campus dining locations. Time will vary
Various
depending on when you are dismissed from your College Meeting.
Exact time and location announced during College Meetings. Students will register
Location specified
for their fall classes and optional campus services. Please be prepared to
by college
remain until 6p.m. if necessary.
New Student Conference Checklist
Activate your computer resources in the Student Computing
Center (SCC). The SCC hours are:
Pre-Conference Day: 8:00a.m.-7:00p.m.
Day One: 8:00a.m.-7:00p.m.
Day Two: 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
Purchase your official Class of 2019 and Aggie Family T-shirt!
T-shirts can be purchased at afternoon or morning check-ins, at
Howdy Lunch or during Student & Family Dinners on Day One.
Get your student ID card made. Lines to make IDs are longest on
the morning of Day 1.
• Pre-Conference Day: 2:00p.m.-5:00p.m. in Rudder Exhibit Hall
• Day One: 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m. in Rudder Exhibit Hall
• Day Two: 8:00a.m.-5:00 p.m. in General Services Complex, suite
2801
Sign-up for Code Maroon. Code Maroon is an emergency
notification service that gives Texas A&M the ability to
communicate health and safety emergency information quickly
with campus members. Sign up at codemaroon.tamu.edu.
If you are a veteran or military student, check in with the Veteran
Services Office, located in the Pavilion Room 205 (2nd Floor).
You may want to rent a P.O. Box if you are living on campus.
Boxes may be rented for the Southside or Northside of Campus by
visiting Hullabaloo Hall 12:00-2:00pm (tamucms.com). Boxes can
only be rented in person. The Northgate Post Office also offers
P.O. Box Rental and are open 9:30a.m.-4:00p.m.
Add your preferred emergency contact information on the Howdy
Portal, howdy.tamu.edu.
Pick up your 12th Man Sports Pass. If you registered for a sports
pass (beginning May 28th online at mysportspass.tamu.edu), you
may pick it up at the ticket windows on the east side of Kyle Field
near Entrance 8 after you have received your student ID card.
Ticket Office is open from 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
Reserve your textbooks before you leave campus! Texas A&M
and Barnes & Noble have partnered to create a textbook
and materials list that is automatically generated after class
registration so you can order textbooks more easily. Stop by
Barnes & Noble at Texas A&M University to pick up your NEW
STUDENT PACKET and ask any questions. The bookstore is
open 8:00a.m.-6:00p.m. Monday–Friday. Or visit them online
at tamu.bncollege.com.
Please note: TAMU students are not under any obligation to purchase a
textbook from a university-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may
also be available from an independent retailer.
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @NSFPtamu. This is a great way
to stay connected before, during, and after your NSC. If tweeting
about your NSC experience, use the hashtag #TAMUNSC.
Complete your NSC Evaluation which you receive via email 7-10
days after your conference.