02-07-11 New Student Orientation

Dear Friends of the College:

Summer at Texas A&M finds the University welcoming new students to campus for New Student and Transfer Student Conferences.  These conferences begin the process of academic advising and introduce newly admitted students to Aggie traditions.  Three days on campus are packed with events and meetings that chart a course for success at the University.  Each conference welcomes about 600 students, and by the end of the summer nearly 6500 freshmen and over 2000 transfer students receive an on-campus welcome.

Since these first few days as Aggies are so important, I wanted to learn more about the New Student Conferences first hand, from a student’s perspective.  So, last week I had the privilege of accompanying a young woman, Tiffany, from Houston and her family through her New Student Conference.  Tiffany was one of approximately 100 students in this conference who declared an interest in a liberal arts major – in this case, psychology.  I should note that increasing numbers of students are declaring their interest in liberal arts majors.  We expect about 1,000 new majors in the Class of 2006.

Tiffany’s excitement about being at Texas A&M University had been encouraged by previous visits to campus and by the high regard she and her family had for Texas A&M – its academic quality and its traditions.  Part of the New Student Conference focused on acquainting new students with the history of Texas A&M University and its traditions.  Presentations by members of the Corps of Cadets, student government, Memorial Student Center, and other student groups underscored the leadership opportunities afforded students attending Texas A&M.  Student groups also staged thoughtful presentations about some of the challenges facing students new to the college scene – choices about drugs and alcohol, about relationships, about encountering different people, opinions, and values, and about time management.  None of these presentations made decisions for students, but they effectively conveyed the message that students will face a variety of new experiences and challenging choices in the next few years.  Importantly, students and staff members also underscored that new students are not alone in facing these challenges, and that fellow students, staff, and faculty are here to help sort through the choices.

Tiffany, like many students accepted at Texas A&M, will bring several college-level credits to campus through advanced placement classes and examinations in high school. New students may also take placement tests during the first full day of the conference, which gives them an idea about the appropriate level of courses in foreign languages, mathematics, and English.  Meetings during the New Student Conference devoted to academics focus on degree requirements, strategies for handling a demanding academic schedule, and opportunities students have in their degree programs. 

The College of Liberal Arts sessions give information about policies, of course, but we emphasize as much as possible the opportunities students should consider.  One of the virtues of degree programs in liberal arts is that students are free to take a large number of electives – courses beyond core curriculum requirements and requirements for their undergraduate major.  In welcoming statements from the Dean’s Office, we urge students to broaden their perspectives by taking courses in areas about which they may now know very little; for example, a course in anthropology about prehistoric civilizations, a course about Asian or African history, a poetry course, a class in music or theater arts, or a course in international economics or the European Union.  Stepping out of the role as observer of the New Student Conference, I gave my traditional welcome and encouraged students to stretch beyond what they now know by undertaking a study abroad experience, enrolling in an honors class, writing a senior honors thesis, or working in a demanding internship in Washington or Austin.  Our Undergraduate Student Services office organizes our part of the New Student Conference and underscores the assistance they provide to help students sort through both the policies and the opportunities they have to excel at Texas A&M.

As a high achieving student, Tiffany qualified as an honors student.  This meant that she could enroll in honors classes, the most important of which was an honors class in psychology.  This course, taught by a nationally acclaimed teacher, will introduce Tiffany and her fellow students to psychology and encourage them to explore other honors experiences in the Department of Psychology.  The College and the University have complementary honors programs for high achieving students that offer opportunities for students to work closely with nationally prominent faculty in organized classes and in independent studies.  I worked with honors students as a faculty member in political science, and I can honestly say that they were exceptionally enriching experiences. 

I emerged from my three days of the New Student Conference experience with an even greater sense of pride about being a member of the Texas A&M University community.  Of course, sometimes the wait in various lines was too long and I shared Tiffany’s frustrations that some courses were unavailable or closed, but overall the experience brought home to me the important role we play in the lives of students and the future of Texas. 

As we continue to attract outstanding students, we will continue our efforts to offer the kinds of exceptional experiences they rightly expect to find at Texas A&M.  Nationally prominent faculty are at the center of those experiences – in classrooms, in laboratories, in study abroad programs, and as advisors.  Many of you have enhanced these efforts by supporting scholarships, endowed professorships, funding special programs, and helping with career counseling.  On behalf of Tiffany and her colleagues in the Class of 2006, thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Charles A. Johnson

Dean