TAMIU's Parent/Guest Orientation Thursday, Aug. 1

The Texas A&M International University Office of Student Development will host a Parent/Guest Orientation session for parents and guests of new students on Thursday, August 1, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Great Room of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library-Administration Building (Room 319).

Portions of the orientation will be offered both in English and in Spanish.

The Parent/Guest Orientation session will include a welcome from TAMIU administrators, informative presentations on the University and University life, an entertaining skit about campus life featuring members of the TAMIU Drama Club, a tour of the campus, an opportunity to meet with representatives from offices in the Division of Student Affairs, including Financial Aid, Student Development, Career Planning, Student Health Services and other offices, and a presentation designed to help parents understand and cope with the impact their student's University experience will have on them and their entire family.

Orientation session organizer Gabriela Mendoza, Associate Director of the Office of Student Development, said many families do not realize that the parent/child dynamic often changes when students enter the University.

"Parents often find that their children are more self-reliant, more independent after a few weeks at a University. That can sometimes be difficult for parents. They may feel unwanted or lonely during the family transition," Mendoza said.

At the conclusion of the orientation, the video Serving Texas, Shaping the World will be shown. The video introduces viewers to The Texas A&M University System, one of the largest and most renowned systems of higher education in the nation. A diverse group of Texans, including TAMIU student Christina Arellano and her father, share their stories of how the A&M System touches their lives though the service mission of its 10 universities and eight state agencies.

For the convenience of parents who wish to pay their son's or daughter's Fall registration fees, the University's Business Office will remain open through 7:00 p.m.

For more information on the TAMIU Orientation sessions, call the TAMIU Office of Student Development, 326-2280 or visit offices in Killam Library-Administration Building Room 159 West.

TAMIU office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.