Temporary Texas Aggie Access Program Website

Our web server expired over the winter holidays.  Until we can purchase and recreate our previous website and Access forum, this page will serve as our online home.  We hope to have our website and forum operational again for you by the beginning of spring semester.

Fall Semester 03C Access Experience Survey

Aggie Access improves only with the input and participation of the learning community members.  Please give us your feedback on your fall semester experience by completing the survey.  Every Access LC respondent will be eligible for a drawing for one of three gift certificates.  Please complete the survey by January 15 to be eligible for the drawing.  The survey can be found at http://FreeOnlineSurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?id=509499 and you will need to use the password "marvin" to enter the site.

Community Service Successes

The Gaines Canned Food Challenge netted the Brazos Food Bank 281 items of needed food.  Aggie Access delivery went to the Food Bank through drop-off at the Food for Families site sponsored by KBTX.  Your donations made a big difference to the hungry in the Brazos Valley!  Because the Cushing Community gathered and donated the most items, Cushing will enjoy a pizza party at the Kyle Field Press Box. 

The Clothes for Kids Holiday Drive was also a major success.  Aggie Access provided a file box of clothes (pants, shirts, sweaters, socks, underwear, sweatshirts, pajamas, etc.) for thirteen children and three boxes of pampering gifts for the three mothers.  Access Mentors also donated a book for each child to encourage them to read. 

Thank you to the Access students, faculty, and namesakes, and General Academics staff members, who made the holidays brighter for these families in Bryan.  Fannin Elementary has already asked that Access participate in this way again next year.  You did good!

You will be able to serve the community again this semester in February by volunteering to help prepare for or work the Habitat for Humanity Garage Sale.  Details will be available soon!

Upcoming Events

• January 14:  final payments for London Trip due
• January 15:  Survey responses due for drawing
• January 16:  spring mentors all day training
• January 17:  all mentors refresher training -- all day
• January 18:  Crawford community gathering contact a mentor for details
• January 19: University closed in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• January 20: Classes Begin
• January 20: Access New Semester Kick Off Dinner (mandatory event), 5:30-7 PM, Sbisa Quiet Room -- Director of the Honor System speaks, House and Community activities, dinner together, introduction of new mentors and faculty, awards announced
• January 22:  Mentor Informational, 5 PM, Fowler 120
• January 23:  Mentor Informational, 12:30 PM, Fowler 120
• January 25: MSC Open House 2-6 PM
• January 26:  study groups begin to meet
• January 26: Cushing Pizza Party in the Kyle Field Press Box (food drive competition prize), see e-vite for details
• January 27: Mentor Informational 5 PM, Fowler 120
• February 1: Access Creates: Dare to be Done Creative Memories show, 2-4 PM (before the Super Bowl), see e-vite for details
• February 3: FAM Applications due at Access office
• February 6-9: Mentor interviews -- individual and group
• February 12: Mentor decision letters available for pick up
• February 14: Access Community Service: Habitat for Humanity Garage Sale
• February 16: Mentor Training Course begins

If you have an event to add to the calendar for your house, community, or all of Access, please email us at access@apgest.tamu.edu to have it added to this calendar.

Open Study Hours for Spring 04:

To help you start your new year off well by jumping into some dedicated study hours, Aggie Access will host Open Study Hours each week.  Mentors or freshmen may serve as hosts.  If you would like to serve as an Open Study Hours host, please contact us at access@apgest.tamu.edu to volunteer for a spot on the rotation.  Open Study Hours will convene in the same location throughout the semester, Fowler Hall 120.  The hours for Open Study will be posted here in the near future.  Watch your neo email for information on this happening.

Outstanding Mentor of 03C Nominations

If a mentor (or a namesake mentor) went above and beyond to assist you this past semester, we want to know.  Please nominate those who provided outstanding service to Aggie Access for recognition.  Use the nomination form  and send in your nominations by January 15.

Applications for Mentors 2004-2005

Mentoring requires enthusiastic, energetic, and dedicated people who care about the success and well-being of other students.  Mentors develop leadership skills and give of themselves to the Access Program.  The program thrives when mentors are strong connectors of students to each other and to the events and services offered by Access.  Mentoring requires courage, openness, and commitment, but the rewards are immeasurable. You can make the difference for a freshman, and for yourself, by being a mentor.

The Access Mentor application process begins with your review of the application packet and related materials.  The packet includes information about mentor responsibilities and opportunities, an application, and a required appraisal form (recommendation from faculty, staff, or supervisor).  Materials are due in the Access office by February 3 at 5 PM.  Students who apply and receive an interview, must attend interviews on both February 6 and February 7.  Notification of results will occur February 12.  Those who conclude the interview process in good standing will be allowed to enroll for mentor training which begins the week of February 16.  Mentor positions will not be awarded until full completion of mentor training. 

What is the Access Program?

The Texas Aggie Access Program provides an interdisciplinary learning community for new freshmen. By design, Aggie Access serves freshmen interested in the best possible academic start at the university. Students in all majors except for those in the Colleges of Architecture and Engineering (which use cohort-based curricula) are invited to apply.  The Fall 2003 Access cohort totaled 165 students.

Why apply for the Aggie Access Program?

• Access provides an opportunity to maximize your grades at Texas A&M
• Access gives you more self-confidence in preparing for courses and exams
• Access allows you an opportunity to get to know your professors
• Access fosters the formation of small study groups

• Access offers a more personal academic experience
  
  

What are our goals for participants of the Aggie Access Program?

• Students learn what it means to be a successful university student
• Students learn to work in teams to accomplish educational goals
• Students will become integrated into the university environment
• Students will develop an awareness of other cultures through service opportunities and international travel with learning communities from other colleges
• Students will be able to electronically communicate with each other, their professors, and program staff in appropriate ways
• Students will learn the value of civility
• Students learn to value the contributions of community members and honor their own responsibility to contribute constructively

Application Deadlines

Applications for the 2004-2005 academic year are not yet available.  The application process generally begins in late March after the university admission process concludes.  All applicants must be fully-admitted to Texas A&M.

If you have any questions, please call 979-845-5916 or send an e-mail to access@apgest.tamu.edu. 

Last edited 01/07/2004 05:20:01 PM -0600