The week before the start of the fall semester at Texas A&M University – the first week back on campus for many students – is traditionally call Gig ‘Em Week. It begins with Residence Hall Move-In Assistance Day on Sunday (Aug. 21) and continues through the following Sunday (Aug. 28) with Freshman Convocation. Fall semester classes start on Aug. 29.
The week is filled with fun events geared toward welcoming students, introducing them to the many student organizations and activities and offering many fun opportunities to get to know their classmates before things get down to more serious business with the start of the new academic year.
Students also will have an opportunity to attend workshops on topics such as “Money Management for College Students,” “Credit Cards & Credit Scores,” “Make the Grades You Want,” “Using jobsforaggies.tamu.edu,” “Alcohol 101” and more.
The university has designated Sunday as Residence Hall Move-In Assistance Day and teams of volunteers, including administrators, faculty, staff and students, will be on hand to help students unload their belongings and move into their residence halls. President R. Bowen Loftin also will lend a helping hand.
Also on Sunday, Freshman (or “Fish”) Orientation Week begins for the Corps of Cadets. For more information on corps events, go to http://www.aggiecorps.org/.
Beyond the workshops and seminars, other events are scheduled such as a pizza taste-off, live music, movies, cookouts, free golf games, family fun at the Student Recreation Center, library tours and gatherings planned by student organizations and various campus services and ministries. A list of events can be found at http://studentlife.tamu.edu/nsp/GEW
Rounding out Gig ‘Em Week will be Freshman Convocation, when Texas A&M will officially welcome its Class of 2015 at a formal ceremony scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 28) in Reed Arena. Members of the Class of 2015 and their families are invited to attend a Freshman Convocation luncheon at Sbisa Dining Center.
Service will be available from 10:45 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. University representatives will be on hand for informal conversation with new students and their families. Tickets for the luncheon are required. Complimentary shuttle service will also be available between Reed and Sbisa prior to the ceremony. For complete details, go to http://freshmanconvocation.tamu.edu
Parents and students can RSVP for Freshman Convocation on the Texas A&M Facebook page at http://tx.ag/fc2015.
Being unfamiliar with campus, students can also get information by downloading free mobile apps for their cell phones that will give them access to campus maps, directories and on campus dining information, as well as a calendar of events and sports information.
Free downloads and updates are available through the Texas A&M web site at http://www.tamu.edu/mobile/apps/.
During Move In and Gig ‘Em Week, University Dining has announced the hours of operation of various dining facilities. The list of facilities is available online at http://dining.tamu.edu/facilities/movein11.stm.
