A&M International's Freshmen Orientation Saturday, July 26

New freshmen students at Texas A&M International University will have a chance to meet University faculty and administrators, make new friends, and explore University life during A&M International's popular Freshmen Orientation on Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. in the Kinesiology/Convocation Building, room 102.

Event organizer Gabriela Mendoza, Associate Director of Student Development, said Orientation is designed to help new students make the transition into University life. Mendoza explained that 10 A&M International student leaders who understand what it is like to be a new student, who "have walked in their shoes," will conduct Orientation activities.

"By seeing the University through their peers' eyes, new students can more rapidly get a handle on how they can succeed in their effort to secure a four-year University education," she said.

Orientation, themed "Mission is Possible: Orientation 1997,"includes presentations on getting around campus, identifying a student skills formula that works, previewing the University's student service areas and representatives, insider tips for success, an opportunity for advisement and registration and a tour of the University's new University Village student housing community.

Orientation participants will have lunch with University faculty and administration in the Great Room of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library Administration Building (room 319).

"This has always been an immensely popular portion of the Orientation with students really enjoying an advance opportunity to sit down and meet with their faculty, discuss the course work, what will be expected of them, and how best they can approach their semester," Mendoza explained.

The University first initiated its Orientation program two years ago, and Mendoza said student reaction has been overwhelmingly high.

"It's really a fun time, students enjoy skits, go on tours, meet new people and get to sit down with people who will share their on-campus community. The reactions we get from students are very positive," she noted.

An additional freshmen orientation is scheduled for Tuesday, August 5.

An Orientation for new transfer and new graduate students and parents and guests of new students will be offered Tuesday, August 26, from 5:30 - 8 p.m. in Bullock Hall room 101. Portions of the program will be offered both in English and in Spanish.

For more information on A&M International's new student orientation, contact Mendoza at (956) 326-2280 or visit her in offices the Kinesiology/Convocation Building, room 107. University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Orientation information may also be secured by email at orientation@tamiu.edu.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu