Student Affairs

Week of August 29, 2005
Summaries of recent past and upcoming events within the Division of Student Affairs at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

OVER 200 FILL STUDENT SECTION FOR HOG CALL

Members of the Javelina band, cheerleaders, orientation leaders, resident assistants, fraternity and sorority members, staff, administrators, and new students attended Hog Call Thursday evening at 9:00 p.m. The local media, including and the Kingsville Journal were there to capture it.

Hog Call was first initiated by student government in 2000. It was brought back Thursday for school spirit and to teach students, faculty, staff, and the community Javelina traditions. Students learned to stand, with caps removed, for the alma mater, to stand and clap during Jalisco, and several chants that are often heard in the student section during games. Even the "Toilet Seat" chant was re-introduced, this time by a sorority. Students were also taught the Javelina sign. The Javelina sign is made by 1) using ones left hand, palm away from you, 2) using the index finger and thumb to make an L, then rolling the thumb up to make a reverse J, and 3) raising ones arm and waving it slowly during the alma mater. To those looking at you, you have made a J using your left hand.

The next Hog Call will be Thursday, September 1 at 9:00 p.m. in Javelina Stadium. More chants will be taught. The campus and Kingsville community are invited.

JAVELINA HAPPENINGS PAMPHLET AVAILABLE IN UNION

Stop by the Information Center in the Memorial Student Union for your free copy of Javelina Happenings. This pamphlet will list many of the activities scheduled to take place on campus during the fall semester. If you would like to add your event to the list for spring semester, contact Stephanie Clark Box at x2795 and she will be delighted to include your event in our next brochure.

MENINGITIS GROWING CONCERN ON UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES

College freshman who live in residence halls are at higher risk for meningococcal disease compared to other people the same age. Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria that infects the bloodstream and the linings of the brain and spinal cord, causing serious illness. Every year in the United States, 1,400 to 2,800 people get meningococcal disease, in which about 300 die. There currently is a backorder for the new vaccine, Menactra, but Health Services should have this vaccine available after September 21. However, if anyone wants to be vaccinated with Menomune, please email Health Services or call 593-2904. The main difference between the two vaccines is that Menactra is supposed to have extended immunity, however more research is needed before final conclusions can be made.

SORORITIES SEEK NEW MEMBERS

All women who are interested in learning more about the benefits of sorority membership are invited to attend the “Meet the Chapters” events hosted by the Inter-Sorority Council. These events are held Wednesday, August 31 at 12:30 p.m. in MSUB 219B, Thursday, September 1 at 5:00 p.m. in Lynch Hall, and Wednesday, September 7 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in MSUB 219A. Also join members of the Inter-Sorority Council as they write letters to soldiers serving overseas.

The deadline to register for sorority recruitment weekend is Thursday, September 15. Recruitment weekend is September 16-18 and is required for all potential members. For more information, please contact Student Activities at 593-2760, visit MSUB 301, or email Stephanie Clark Box.

DON'T CANCEL CLASS

The Wellness program can provide presentations to promote responsible decision making in choosing healthy lifestyles. The department has several categories to choose from: Academic Enhancement, Alcohol and Other Drugs, Health Issues, Healthy Relationships, Wellness, and Sexual Health. A complete list of topics can be found on the website (www.tamuk.edu/sass/LifeServices). If you need to cancel class, don't! Call Life Services & Wellness and we will teach one of these subjects during your class period. For more information contact JoElda Castillo-Alaniz at x3991.

HOP

Get into the HOP at LSW. Healthy Options Program (HOP) will help you bounce into a healthy start for the fall! Every Thursday, come on over during your lunch hour and weigh in and get some "healthful advice" from our on-site nutritionist. Come solo or bring your department. We will show you creative ways to buddy up, or get competitive to make getting healthy FUN!!! If you are participating in the Biggest Loser Contest with Recreational Sports this is a great way to supplement your efforts! Deadline to sign up for the fall semester is September 1! For more information call 593-3991.

ANNUAL STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE DATE SET

The Student Activities annual leadership conference for recognized organizations will be held on Saturday, September 10 in the Memorial Student Union. All students and organization advisors are invited to attend. The program is free but participants must pre-register and the forms are available in the Student Activities Office. Jack Gotlieb from Collegiate Empowerment, will present a keynote address entitled, “You Can’t Lead Others until You First Lead Yourself.” Mr. Gotlieb will also present a session called “Why Most Student Organizations Don’t Work and How to Fix Them.” Presenters are still needed for the program. If you would like to share your leadership experiences with our students, please email Stephanie Clark Box for information or call x2760.

DON'T SLURP YOUR SOUP

The Career Services Center will sponsor the fall semester business etiquette dinner Thursday, September 22, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Memorial Student Union Building. Tickets went on sale Wednesday, August 23 in the Career Center, located in Eckhardt Hall. Ticket prices still remain at $10 for the four-course meal. Seating is limited to the first 160 students, staff, and faculty.

SODEXHO OFFERS BONUS BUCKS TO CAMPUS COMMUNITY

You can still put money on your card, and the bonus now comes in coupons!! You will always get at least $10 of coupons with your $50 purchase. Until the end of September, get over $25 worth of coupon value, good at Sodexho locations!! A few new rules apply. Come to Room 212 of the MSUB and check out the new and improved Bonus Bucks!

DID YOU KNOW...

• Cynthia "Cyn" Olvera, former TAMUK Resident Advisor, SGA member, Orientation Leader, and incoming Alumni President, has become the Director of Student Involvement at St. Mary's University in San Antonio. Cyn most recently worked at Texas A&M-College Station. She graduated from TAMUK in 1999 and 2001 (Master's).
• Congratulations to Megan Smith who received the Balfour Emerging Leader Scholarship for the 2005-2006 academic year. This scholarship of $1,500 is awarded to a residential sophomore student exemplifying leadership, campus involvement, and community service.
• Fun ID Facts...3,446 cardholders have had more than one Javelina Express Card. 11,268 cardholders have only had one Javelina Express Card (never been replaced).
• Approxiamtly 130 students had their pictures taken and put on t-shirts during the first Wacky Jueves, Thursday, August 25.
• Re-registration forms are available for all student organizations in Student Activities.
• MonsterTrak will be visiting the academic colleges this fall semester. Watch postings in your college buildings on how to register with MonsterTrak. The first registration will be conducted in the College of Engineering on Tuesday, September 6 from 11:00-3:00 p.m. Monster is FREE!
• TAMUK has a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) on campus that functions to help students, faculty, and staff respond to the sexual assault needs of our students. The SART team includes UPD (911), Dean of Student's (3606), Women's Center (2166), Life Services & Wellness (3991), and Residence Life (2418). Contact the Women's Center (2166) for more information.
• To be considered by employers for on-campus interviewing sessions, students need to be registered with Career Services. Stop in and register in Career Services, Eckhardt Hall, Room 104.<
• Stressed out??? Feeling tense??? If this fits you or a student you know, call Life Services & Wellness at x3991 to get your appointment for a massage or other helpful stress reduction tips.
• Life Services & Wellness had over 10,000 contacts with students last year.
• With the help of the March of Dimes grant (Life Services & Wellness) Gonorrhea/Chlamydia screenings increased 70% last year.
• Student Affairs often includes those areas outside of the classroom that support the academic emphasis of a university. At TAMUK, this includes student activities, fraternities and sororities, orientation, student organizations, housing, testing, disabilities, counseling, wellness, health services, career services, student government, student conduct, food services, women's center, bookstore, recreational sports, student union, ID card services, post office, and special (grant) programs.
• Faculty and staff may also participate in all intramural activities. Other than age, and the tenure cycle, there is no reason a faculty flag football team could not be formed. Football, bowling, volleyball, golf, and racquetball leagues are forming. Consider participating.
• Felipe A. Leal conducted training for lenders on "Entrance and Exit Counseling" by the Council on Education Finance at the office of Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation on July 29. Nice job!

ABOUT STUDENT AFFAIRS E-NEWS

Student Affairs E-News is a biweekly electronic newsletter service provided by the Division of Student Affairs at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. This is an effort to further increase the positive communication throughout campus. If you missed the last E-News, look for all past editions online. If you have an item you would like included in this electronic newsletter, please submit it via email to Student Affairs by Thursday of each week.