- Letter from the Director
- Mission Statement
- Facilitator University Model
- Areas and Teams within the Department
- Staff Directory
Letter from the Director
Howdy!
The Department of Student Activities is here first, and foremost, to serve you—the students. Our primary goals are to help you succeed as students and to further support your growth and development. Through involvement in one of the 800+ student organizations, you have the opportunity to enjoy meaningful relationships with others, learn about yourself, and develop lifelong skills. You also have the ability to make a difference and significantly impact both the university and surrounding communities.
The Department of Student Activities is also here to help you succeed as a student leader. Whether you need assistance in the area of risk management, financial planning, or organizational development, the Student Activities staff would like to assist you. I encourage you to drop by our office in 125 Koldus during business hours, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or to attend one of our many workshops, seminars, or informational sessions. Whatever you may need, I am confident that the Department of Student Activities can be of assistance.
Respectfully,
Dr. William B. Stackman
Mission Statement
The Department of Student Activities creates and fosters leadership and involvement opportunities that enhance personal, interpersonal, and organizational development. To that end we serve the University community as advisors, administrators, and educators for students and student organizations.
For more information about our vision, values, and strategic initiatives, please visit http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/about.
Facilitator University Model
The Division of Student Affairs at Texas A&M University values the relationship with students engaged in co-curricular activities, and has adopted a philosophical approach to partnering with individual students and student organizations as facilitators of the involvement experience. To that end, the resources, guidelines and concepts presented in this manual are based upon the facilitator university approach. With this approach, student organization members, leaders and advisors work with administrators, faculty and staff to make intelligent, fair and reasonable choices within the boundaries established by state, federal, and local laws, university rules, and the educational mission of the institution. A facilitator college balances rights and responsibilities - it is neither extremely authoritarian nor overly solicitous of student freedom. Importantly, a facilitator college seeks shared responsibility rather than allocating it unilaterally or not at all. Facilitation implies an appropriate and reasonable degree of risk. The goal of the university is to advise student organizations of the potential and perceived risks involved in their activities. Universities should also strive to facilitate the coordination of organization events and help student leaders take corrective actions and proactive steps to minimize accidental injury and/or loss. A facilitator institution seeks to balance the rights and responsibilities of students and the university.
This definition adopted from:Bickel, R.D., & Lake, P.F. (1999). The rights and responsibilities of the modern university: Who assumes the risks of college life? Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press.
Areas and Teams within the Department
Accounting
The Accounting team serves the students, staff, and faculty at Texas A&M University as advisors, mentors, and educators on the rules and regulations that govern the financial state of this institution. This team identifies and implements process improvements that promote efficiency and effectiveness without compromising the financial integrity and policies governing student organizations.
Choral Activities
The purpose of Texas A&M Choral Activities is to provide both undergraduate and graduate students with choral music experiences and leadership opportunities. Students involved in our groups not only enhance personal musicianship, but also enrich their entire academic experience. Choral Activities groups are open to all Texas A&M students. Auditions are held at the beginning of both the fall and spring semesters.
Class Center
The Class Center is the home to Class Councils and the Texas Aggie Yell Leaders. These student organizations promote the unique spirit of Texas A&M University by coordinating traditional events such as Maroon Out, First Yell, Elephant Walk, Jr. E-Walk, Midnight Yell Practice, Fish Fest, Pull Out Day, Ring Dance, and Boot Dance. Funds raised from all of these programs ultimately go toward Class Gifts.
Extended Orientation and Involvement
The Extended Orientation and Involvement team advises student-led extended orientation camp programs and educates students about campus and community involvement opportunities. Camps advised include Fish Camp, Howdy Camp, and Transfer Camp (T-Camp). The Conference on Extended Orientation Programs and “Get Involved!” campaign are also run out of this area.
Information Technology
The Information Technology (IT) team creates and maintains major departmental web sites and applications, include the Student Activities web site and StuAct Online system. The IT team also provides hosting for recognized student organizations on campus and works closely with the Department of Information Technology in the Division of Student Affairs to provide powerful and reliable resources for users.
Leadership and Service Center
The Leadership and Service Center strives to empower students and staff to become effective leaders and active citizens. Through intentional programs, services, advising and advocacy, the LSC encourages students to become engaged in meaningful learning experiences. Programs run from this area include Leading with your Strengths, StrengthsQuest™, Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People for College Students®, LeaderShape®, and the Volunteer Opportunities Fair.
Recognition
The Recognition team oversees the annual recognition process for over 850 student organizations. This area also coordinates the facilitation of Officer Orientation Seminars, GPR exemption requests, review of new student organization applications, and constitution reviews. The Recognition Liaisons throughout our department work together to achieve effectiveness and efficiency with shared processes and issues for student organizations.
Risk Management & Organizational Development Services
The Risk Management and Organizational Development area, guided by the tenets of the facilitator philosophy, serves our community by providing education and resources to develop a safe and productive environment and encourage effective decision-making. Some of the services and resources run out of this area include event planning reviews, contract reviews, camps and enrichment programs reviews, insurance information, student leader and advisor training, and the “Ultimate” workshop series.
Student Government Association (SGA)
The mission of the Student Government Association (SGA) is to serve Texas A&M University by representing student opinion, addressing campus needs through targeted programs and maintenance of tradition, and providing opportunities for leadership development in order to enrich the quality of student life. With 3 branches, 15 committees, 4 commissions, and over 1,300 student members, the SGA is one of the largest organizations on campus.
Student Organization Finance Center (SOFC)
The mission of the Student Organization Finance Center (SOFC) is to provide banking and financial services in support of the activities and programs of recognized student organizations at Texas A&M University. Among the numerous services provided by the SOFC are online training and workshops, funding opportunities, travel resources, tax information, bulk mailing, and standard banking services.
Staff Directory
Please visit http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/about/staff for the titles and contact information of our 50+ staff members. The Department of Student Activities is located in the John J. Koldus Student Services Building, on the first floor in Room 125.
Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) for student organizations can be accessed at http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/online/help/faq, and you can reach the Department of Student Activities at (979) 845-1133 for further information.