A&M International's Orientation for New Students Tues., Jan. 12

Students who will enter Texas A&M International University for the first time this Spring can preview the University's services, faculty, course work, and more during new student Orientation on Tuesday, January 12, from 5:30 - 8 p.m. in the Great Room of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library (room 319).

Organizer Gabriela Mendoza, Associate Director of Student Development at A&M International, said "Get Into Action: Orientation '99" gives entering students an opportunity to get a great start on their first semester at the University.

"Entering a university is a major lifestyle change that can leave some students feeling overwhelmed. We want every student to become a positive part of campus life so we've developed an Orientation program to answer questions, provide information, and ensure students have a successful start at A&M International," explained Mendoza.

Orientation also includes a special session for family and friends of new students.

"Because entering university life can greatly impact a student's family and friends, we've incorporated a special session which enables parents, spouses, and friends of entering students to discover how to help students make their transition to A&M International. The session also provides family and friends with an insider's look at campus and student life," she added.

Orientation will begin with a welcome and introduction from Dr. Stephen Brown, Dean of Student Affairs, and David VerMilyea, Director of Student Development.

Participants will then attend a session titled "Frankly Speaking." During this session, freshmen, transfer students, and graduate students will hear from A&M International students who discuss what University life is really like. Family and guests of new students will meet with Dr. Miroslava Vargas, Assistant Professor of Bilingual Education, who will talk about the transition students and their family members face and offer insight on coping with the changes and impact University life has on students and their families.

Concurrent sessions for freshmen, transfer students, graduate students, and family/guests will follow. The concurrent sessions include "Career Planning for Your Future;" "AEC Powerama '99," a presentation on free services offered by the University's Academic Enrichment Center; "Campus Tour," and "Graduate Students in Business," a dialogue for graduate business students presented by Dr. Stephen Lunce, Associate Professor of Information Systems, and Imelda Lopez, Graduate Admissions Counselor.

The event will conclude with "The Texas A&M International University Family Social," where administrators from the Division of Student Affairs and other University offices will invite all Orientation participants to join the A&M International family. The Social will also provide participants with an opportunity to meet with and gather information from representatives of the University's Financial Aid, Student Development, Career Planning, and Student Health Services offices.

For more information on Orientation for new A&M International students Jan. 12, please call the University's Office of Student Development, 326-2280 or visit offices in the Kinesiology/Convocation Building Room 107. University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

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