A&M International Holds Orientation for New Students Wednesday, Jan. 5

Entering a university is a major step but new Texas A&M International University students can make the transition a lot easier by attending New Student Orientation on Wednesday, January 5, from 5:30 - 8 p.m. in the Great Room of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library (room 319).

Orientation organizer Gabriela Mendoza, Associate Director of Student Development at A&M International, said "Get Into Action: Orientation 2000" will give entering students an opportunity to preview the University's services, faculty, course work plus get a great start on their first semester at the University.

"New students--be they first-time freshmen or transfers from a junior college--can feel overwhelmed when they enter a university so we've developed an Orientation program to answer questions, provide information, and help students become a positive part of campus life," explained Mendoza.

New Student Orientation will feature concurrent sessions for freshmen and transfer/graduate students. The sessions will include "Frankly Speaking" in which A&M International students will discuss what university life is really like. Other sessions include "Career Planning for Your Future;" and "AEC Powerama" and a presentation on free services offered by the University's Academic Enrichment Center.

Because entering university life can greatly impact a student's family and friends, New Student Orientation will also include special sessions for family and friends of new students. These sessions will enable 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.

Sessions for family and guests of new students will include one 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. Family and guests will also have an opportunity to take a tour of the campus.

New Student Orientation will conclude with "The Texas A&M International University Family Social," an opportunity for students and their families 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 New Student Orientation for new A&M International students Jan. 5, 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