• 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. http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/accounting 

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. Choral Activities is located in the Commons. http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/choral

 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, and Ring Dance.  Funds raised from all of these programs ultimately go toward Class Gifts. http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/classcenter

 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 Extended Orientation Institute and “Get Involved!” campaign are also sponsored out of this area. http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/extendedorientation

 Information Technology

The Student Activities Information Technology team builds and maintains several web sites and applications for the department, including StuAct Online, AggieServe, and Get Involved. The team also oversees the hosting services provided for student organizations and the dedicated registration system for several organizations.

We collaborate extensively with the Department of Information Technology, http://doit.tamu.edu/, who provides server administration, hardware, networking, and software support for our department.

 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. http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/leadandserve

 Student Organization Development and Administration

 Guided by the tenets of the Facilitator University model, the Student Organization Development and Administration team promotes student organization experiences that foster individual/organizational growth and fair, reasonable, educated decisions.  To this end we:  

• Connect with student organizations and advisors on an individual level so that sustainable relationships are formed.
• Educate students and advisors on the benefits, expectations and responsibilities of being a recognized student organization at A&M.
• Support student organizations and advisors by providing information, tools, and resources that encourage the creation of a safe and productive environment.
• Partner with the campus community to facilitate student organization experiences that are developmental, educational, safe, and successful.

http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/recognition

http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/risk

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. http://sga.tamu.edu/

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. http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/sofc

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.

Check us out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/stuact, and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tamustuact