Campus Life

Vice President for Student Affairs

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs serves and supports the departments within the Division of Student Affairs, students, student families, former students, administration, staff and faculty of Texas A&M University. This is accomplished by providing administrative services, financial support, and human resources to fulfill Division and department goals, and by working with the departments to create environments that help students grow, develop, learn and enhance the quality of their lives. Further, the Office of the Vice President promotes collaboration by encouraging and coordinating efforts that affect the entire Division, such as strategic planning, budgeting, diversity and community development, research, assessment, public relations, fund raising and technology. The Vice President for Student Affairs provides leadership in building alliances within the Texas A&M University community and between the University and its various stakeholders. If students experience problems or difficulties or just need advice about where to go for assistance, they are encouraged to stop by the office located on the 10th floor of Rudder Tower, or call (979) 845-4728.

Corps of Cadets

The Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University has a long and rich heritage of graduating outstanding officers for the Armed Forces of the United States. From the Spanish-American War through the most recent expeditions in defense of freedom, thousands of Aggies of all ranks, including more than 225 generals and admirals, have served our nation in war and peace. Seven Aggies have been awarded our nation's highest honor for wartime valor, the Medal of Honor.

The Aggie Corps of Cadets is one of the nation's largest uniformed bodies of students outside the U.S. service academies. Complementing these federally supported academies are the highly regarded full-time military programs of six state and private universities. These institutions--Texas A&M University, Norwich University, Virginia Military Institute, The Citadel, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and North Georgia College and State University--maintain full-time academy-style military training programs and are designated the "Senior Military Colleges" by federal law. In its support of the Senior Military Colleges, the U.S. Congress has observed, "The quality of the military leaders produced by the senior military colleges is, in part, the result of the rigorous military environment imposed on students attending the senior military colleges by the colleges, as well as the result of the longstanding close support relationship between the Corps of Cadets at each college and the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) personnel at the colleges who serve as effective leadership role models and mentors."

Established in 1916, our nation's ROTC program has long been a primary training resource for college students seeking to become commissioned officers in the United States Armed Forces. Most colleges and universities nationwide do not maintain a Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs are largely limited to once-a-week, afternoon training sessions. This is not the case at Texas A&M. Together with its Senior Military College counterparts, Texas A&M University is committed to the full-time military academy regimen as crucial to the ability of its Corps of Cadets and School of Military Sciences to consistently provide substantial numbers of highly qualified, long-serving leaders to the Armed Forces.

The enhanced leadership training and experience received within the Corps of Cadets is essential to the production of Aggie officers of singular character and ability. The distinctive, well-earned reputation that identifies an Aggie officer throughout a career of service to the nation is closely linked with the character-enriching training that has long been part of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets. Although membership in the Corps of Cadets is voluntary, all freshmen and sophomore Cadets are required to enroll in either Army, Air Force or Navy/Marine ROTC programs. No active duty military commitment is incurred by participation in the first two years of ROTC training.

After two years, each Cadet has the opportunity to apply for a Commission in the U.S. military upon graduation. Cadets who elect to remain in the Corps but do not wish to pursue a military commission are subject to the same discipline, policies, requirements, training and administration as those preparing for active military duty. The University's commitment to providing highly skilled and disciplined leaders to the Armed Forces requires all students enrolled in ROTC programs at Texas A&M University to be members of the Corps of Cadets. Additionally, ROTC participants must be Corps members to enroll in Military Science courses.

Freshmen in the Corps normally enroll during the summer at their New Student Conferences but may enroll at other times through the Office of the Commandant. Members of the Corps are guaranteed a room in a Corps residence hall. Prospective cadets should complete a residence hall application indicating they plan to participate in the Corps of Cadets.

Responsibility for establishing policy governing the operations of the Corps of Cadets including organization, training, discipline and administration is vested in the Commandant of Cadets. The Commandant is selected and appointed by the President of Texas A&M University and the Vice President for Student Affairs, acting under authority delegated by the Texas A&M System Board of Regents. For more information, please call 1-800-826-8247.

Corps Activities

The objective of the Corps of Cadets is to offer a sound collegiate education as well as training for both mind and body under strict military discipline. Administering this military discipline and its extension to all phases of the cadet's nonacademic life is distinctive at Texas A&M. Corps students are organized into military units and observe military practices. With few exceptions all members of the Corps live under identical conditions. Rooms are assigned on the basis of unit affiliation. Dormitories and dining facilities are provided for the exclusive use of the Corps. From reveille to taps, the hours of the cadet's time are accounted for, with emphasis placed on the development of regular study habits. Attention to duty, obedience to authority and an appreciation for order are instilled and are considered among the most valuable features of the Corps of Cadets experience.

During their freshman year, cadets receive demanding training under the leadership of upperclass cadets. All such training is under the general supervision of the Commandant.

All cadets wear the prescribed uniform while on campus during the regular school year. As far as possible, all artificial distinctions based on wealth, position or influence are minimized and each cadet is encouraged to achieve his or her place by individual merit. All cadets are rated by the same standards and there are a wide range of opportunities for each to develop in accordance with personal needs and aptitudes.

Cadet organizations which provide added opportunities for development include the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band, the largest military marching band in the United States; Rudder's Rangers; Parsons' Mounted Cavalry; Ross Volunteer Company; Simpson Honor Society; and Corps Center Guard, to name just a few.

All Corps activities, including all those listed above, are open to all qualified applicants regardless of race or gender.

The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band

"The Pulse of the Spirit of Aggieland" is nationally famous for its precision marching on the football gridiron. The band also provides music for military reviews, parades, yell practices, special events on and off campus, as well as other athletic contests. As an integral part of Texas A&M University's Corps of Cadets, the band operates under strict military guidelines. All members of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band are required to be in the Corps of Cadets and are housed in Corps of Cadets dormitories, which are adjacent to the band's own drill field and the E.V. Adams Band Building. Band cadets may join either the Army, Air Force or Navy/Marine ROTC programs.

Interested new students must have had high school band experience and pass a playing audition during their new student conference. Students are encouraged to bring their own instruments although a number of University-owned instruments are available. Members receive credit for required KINE 199 by participating in the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band. Members are also eligible to apply for numerous scholarships offered through the Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs. For more information, please call (979) 845-3529.

Advanced Course ROTC Contracts

The University offers, but does not require, both four-year and two-year Army, Air Force and Navy/Marine ROTC programs. The advanced course leads to a commission. Students pursuing the four-year ROTC program make application for an advanced course contract after completion of the first two years of ROTC. A two-year advanced course program is designed for junior college graduates and for students in four-year colleges and universities who have not participated in the ROTC program during the first two years. A basic summer training period is required after the junior year for students in the four-year program. Acceptance of an advanced course ROTC contract requires completion of the advanced course ROTC curriculum, completion of ROTC summer camp and acceptance of a reserve commission if one is tendered.

Memorial Student Center/Texas A&M's College Union

The Memorial Student Center (MSC) is one of the busiest and most exciting buildings on campus. It is a living memorial to the students and former students of Texas A&M who gave their lives in defense of freedom.

The MSC is sometimes called a student union. But the MSC is much more than a place only for students--it is the community center of the University. It is the one place on campus where all members of the University family can come together in free association as citizens and partners.

The MSC provides a number of essential services and facilities for the University community: meeting rooms, three art galleries, a craft shop, food services, the bookstore, a browsing library, a ticket office, spacious lounges, a recreation area with bowling and billiards, a ballroom, hotel rooms, the Student Organizations Finance Center, music listening facilities, a copy center and the Student Programs Office.

The MSC offers a learning environment which enhances the quality of life at Texas A&M and gives individual students an opportunity to get involved. Last year more than 2,000 students involved in the MSC produced more than 1,500 cultural, recreational, educational and entertainment events which attracted an audience of nearly 450,000 people--mostly their fellow students. Any student can become involved by either attending an activity or by participating in the planning and organizing of these events.

Memorial Student Center Council

The Memorial Student Center Council is the major programming body at Texas A&M University. It consists of the MSC Council, which is the administrative body, and more than 25 programming organizations. Texas A&M's student center programs are unique in that they are substantially managed by students.

Working with an MSC committee gives students many significant opportunities. In the process of selecting programs, they evaluate artists, speakers, entertainers and a variety of other program resources. Students assess the market to see if a program will be of sufficient interest to the campus community to justify the expense of booking that event. Students organize their committees, schedule the needed facilities, plan the advertising campaign and do everything necessary to produce a program that is of professional quality. MSC student leaders accept major responsibilities, learn to establish productive working relationships and meet many interesting people.

Involvement in the MSC also provides students with opportunities to make friends, establish a sense of identity, be of service to their University, and become part of the MSC network of current and former students.

The following MSC committees and programming organizations are located in Room216 of the MSC: ALOT (Aggie Leaders of Tomorrow), Abbott Family Leadership Conference Committee, Asian Cultures Education Committee, CAMAC (Committee for the Awareness of Mexican-American Culture), CIA (Current Issues Awareness), Class Councils, Conversations, E.L. Miller Lecture Series, Fall Leadership Conference, Freshmen in Hosting and Service (FISH), Hospitality Committee, LEAD (Leadership Enrichment, Action and Development Committee), L.T. Jordan Institute for International Awareness, Literary Arts Committee, Film Society, OPAS (Opera and Performing Arts Society), Spring Leadership Trip, Visual Arts Committee, Voices, Wiley Lecture Series, and Champe Fitzhugh Jr. International Honors Leadership Seminar.

In addition to the opportunities afforded to students through these programming committees, the MSC Council also has resource areas that help students develop professional business skills. The six resource areas are marketing, development, assessment and finance, diversity, human resources and operations. For more information, please call (979) 845-1515 or visit our website at www.msc.tamu.edu.

Multicultural Services

The Department of Multicultural Services enhances the personal and academic success of students by preparing them to lead in a multicultural world. Department staff members work with campus partners to create and sustain a living, learning and working community that is inclusive and responsive to diversity and facilitates success.

Multicultural Services' programming efforts are geared toward diversity education, student success, outreach and leadership development. The department is also the home of several culturally based student organizations and programs that promote leadership development and personal growth. These include Ambassadors; University Awareness for Cultural Togetherness (U-ACT); Whoopstock Unity Festival; African American Student Coalition; Maximizing Educational Development through Academic and Leadership Skills (MEDALS); Asian Presidents' Council; Encouraging Respect, Acceptance and Scholarship through Education (E"RA'S"E); African American Student Leadership Institute (AASLI); Shining Texas Aggies Reaching for Success (STARS); Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference (SBSLC); ExCELlence uniting Culture, Education and Leadership (ExCEL) Student Success Program; and Hispanic Presidents' Council.

Department services include academic and personal advising; access to scholarship opportunities; mentoring and tutoring; a resource library of multicultural books, articles and audio/video tapes available for checkout; and the AggieCulture electronic newsletter which provides information about department events and activities.

The Department of Multicultural Services is an excellent resource for ALL students. We believe that it is important to celebrate differences while uniting as an Aggie family.

For more information, please contact:

Department of Multicultural Services
137 Memorial Student Center
Texas A&M University
1121 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-1121
(979) 845-4551 or (800) 513-4714
Fax (979) 862-2640
dms@aggieculture.tamu.edu
aggieculture.tamu.edu

Recreational Sports

The Department of Recreational Sports is committed to offering a wide variety of opportunities that promote an active, healthy lifestyle for persons of all abilities, experience and interests. We invite persons with disabilities to contact Member Services to inquire about accommodations. In addition, children are welcome to use the Rec Center with adult supervision and in accordance to our age and time policies. Please check with Member Services for specifics on our policies and services or online at recsports.tamu.edu.

The Walk of Champions is located in front of the Student Recreation Center. This program features two sizes of bricks engraved with the names and affiliations of those contributing to the Walk of Champions brick campaign. Current students and current or retired faculty and staff receive a discount on bricks if they are purchased before they leave the University. Information on the Walk of Champions Brick Campaign is available at the Student Recreation Center or on the department's website recsports.tamu.edu.

Aquatic Program offers a variety of water instructional classes including adult swimming, diving, SCUBA, first aid and lifeguard training.

Group exercise classes are seven day a week including early morning, afternoon, and night classes. A variety of class formats are offered such as: step, kickboxing, dance, group strength training, indoor group cycling, athletic conditioning, and water aerobic classes. Classes are geared to beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. At least one class a day is free and all others require a pass that may be purchased at Member Services.

Personal Training is also available to Rec members. Nationally certified Rec Sports Personal Trainers can design a fitness program to meet the client's individual exercise needs. The Personal Trainer will help assess the client's fitness goals and develop a workout plan that will provide safe and effective techniques that get results. The Trainer can also perform fitness assessment and body composition analysis' that takes approximately 30 minutes and includes heart rate and blood pressure measurement, body composition measurement, 3-minute step test, push-up test, sit-up test, flexibility test, and height/weight measurement. The client will receive a packet of information that includes fat-free mass, fat mass, recommended calorie intake, and blood pressure analysis. Personal Training sessions and Personal Fitness Profiles may be purchased at Member Services.

The Healthy Living Lecture Series offers a variety of free lectures that are offered in the Rec Center on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m. in room 281. These lectures cover issues related to fitness, supplements, nutrition, eating disorders, etc. Schedules are available at the beginning of each semester.

Instructional classes are offered to A&M students and Rec Members that want to learn a new skill or refine ones already learned. The class schedule varies each semester due to the availability of instructor. Traditional classes offered include Yoga, Pilates, dance (country western, jazz, hip hop), and bellydance. There is a nominal charge for each class and there are a limited number of spaces available. The schedule is available at the start of each semester.

Massage Therapy is offered most days of the week. Our licensed therapists are available to perform Swedish and deep muscle massage. A brochure is available at the Member Services desk that explains the benefits of massage and commonly asked questions. Appointments must be made in advance. The charge is $40 for A&M students and Rec Members and $50 for non-members. Gift certificates are available. Call (979) 845-7826 for more information.

Drop-in Recreation encompasses the use of recreational facilities such as swimming/diving pools, walking/jogging trails, handball/racquetball courts, indoor soccer, basketball, volleyball, and badminton courts located in the Student Recreation Center (Rec Center). The Rec Center also features an indoor rock climbing facility, outdoor basketball courts, outdoor sand volleyball courts, a 14,000 square foot weight and fitness room and a natatorium with an outdoor free-form and lap pool and three indoor pools with an Olympic venue and spring and platform diving. Facilities may be used on a drop-in basis except when reserved for classes or University functions. Student Rec Center Members need only present their student I.D. cards for entry. Daily guest passes are available for visitors.

Intramurals is a highly organized competitive program with various divisions and skill levels of competition to meet the needs and interests of the Texas A&M University students. Events are scheduled each fall, spring and summer semester. Divisions include Corps, Fish, Fraternity, Independent and Co-Rec. Three skills levels--(A) advanced, (B) moderate, and (C) novice, are offered in most divisions. In the four major team sports-flag football, volleyball, basketball and slow pitch softball--a recreational class (D) level is also offered. In addition, our sports officiating program allows students the opportunity to learn how to officiate various sports while earning money.

The Texas A&M Sport Club program consists of 29 clubs that offer skill enhancement and competition for members. Any student may join a club, regardless of his/her ability, provided the student has an interest in developing the athletic skills necessary to participate. It is suggested that new participants inquire within the first two weeks of school since many organizations determine traveling teams in September. Every club is run by students, has practice times, use of facilities, and receives some monetary support. Although the only criterion to be a sport club is to represent Texas A&M at competitive events throughout the state, many have gone on to receive national recognition for their efforts.

TAMU Outdoors is comprised of an outdoor equipment rental and retail sales outlet, an indoor rock climbing structure, resource library, basic skill development clinics, and adventure trips. All of these areas form a program designed to provide outdoor experiences for A&M students, faculty/staff, and the local community. Examples of activities include backpacking, camping, canoeing, horseback riding, kayaking, mountain biking, rafting, rock climbing, SCUBA diving and sea kayaking. Outdoor equipment available for rental includes: six-, four- and two-person tents, sleeping bags and pads, backpacks, canoes, kayaks, and other camping accessories. For a complete list of trips, clinics, and rental/retail products, please call (979) 845-4511.

Texas A&M Golf Course, Pro Shop and Driving Range is available to meet your golfing needs. Whether you are already on campus or coming to visit, the Texas A&M Golf Course offers everyone the opportunity to golf on a great course at reasonable rates. Student memberships are now available as a fee option. Contact the golf course at (979) 845-1723 for more information. Open to the public.

For more information on any of the above programs or facilities, please call the Department of Recreational Sports at (979) 845-7826, visit our website at recsports.tamu.edu or come to the Member Services Desk at the Student Recreation Center.

Special Event Facilities

The Department of Special Event Facilities is committed to providing quality facilities and support services to students and entertainment opportunities for the University community. Special Event Facilities consists of the University Center (which includes the Memorial Student Center, Rudder Tower, Rudder Theatre Complex, the arena portion of G. Rollie White Coliseum and the Koldus Building), Reed Arena, the Albritton Tower and Carillon and All Faith's Chapel. Meeting rooms are available in all buildings. To schedule an event in the MSC, Rudder Tower or the Koldus Building, call the Scheduling and Services Office, located on the 2nd floor of Rudder Tower, at (979) 845-8904. To book an event in Rudder Theatre Complex or G. Rollie White, call (979) 845-8903. To book an event at Reed Arena, call (979) 862-7333. Tickets for events at Reed Arena can be purchased at the Reed Arena Box Office, the MSC Box Office or by calling TicketMaster at (979) 260-0414.

Special Event Facilities also provides a range of special services including: event planning, staging, sound systems and lighting, audio/visual, conference planning, table and chair rental, Notary Public services, check cashing and lost and found. For further information, please call Special Event Facilities at (979) 862-7330.

Student Activities

The Department of Student Activities knows that the first priority of students is to be successful academically. However, there is much more to college life than classes, homework, exams and grades. There are student organizations, clubs, traditions, athletic events and much more.

Involvement in one or more of the University's 750-plus organizations can add an important dimension to one's college experience. It is a way to balance one's life, meet new people and develop interpersonal and leadership skills. In addition, prospective employers often look at what students have accomplished and experienced outside of their course work. For all these reasons, Student Activities supports the belief that students can learn from experiences as well as from textbooks.

The Department of Student Activities, Room 125, Koldus Building, (979) 845-1133, provides direct advisement to Student Government, COSGA, Fish Camp, Howdy Camp, T-Camp and the student radio station, KANM, among others. Student Activities is committed to providing Texas A&M students with the best possible "other education" through programs and services that meet the needs of all students. The Student Activities website is located at studentactivities.tamu.edu.

Student Government

The representative governing body for all students at Texas A&M is the Student Government. This body is directly responsible for representing the interests of students to the administration and to the entire University community. The Student Government works with the administration on such issues as changes in rules and regulations, the allocation of student services fees and student membership on University committees. It also conducts many programs that are of service to the students including student elections and voter registration.

Student body officers are elected in the spring each year. They work within the structure of the student government, which is organized into three branches--executive, legislative and judicial. The executive branch contains a number of committees such as Traditions, Muster, Parents' Weekend, Freshman Programs and the Conference on Student Government Associations (COSGA). The legislative branch is composed of the Student Senate which is the policy-making division of student government. Representatives to the Senate are elected each spring from living areas and academic colleges. The judicial court is appointed by the student body president with the approval of the Senate For more information, contact the Student Government Office at (979) 845-3051 or sga.tamu.edu.

Volunteer Services Center

The Volunteer Services Center is a resource to all Texas A&M students, faculty, and staff for service and volunteer involvement. Our staff members are available for consultation and assistance on the following:

For more information or to get involved, connect with the Volunteer Services Center at:

Volunteer Services Center
141 John J. Koldus Building
1236 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-1236
(979) 845-1133
serve@tamu.edu
serve.tamu.edu

Student Organizations

Over 750 recognized student organizations offer a variety of activities and interests for the students, faculty and staff at Texas A&M University. The recognized student organizations are categorized into the following: academic, recreation and health, special interest, home town, honor societies, social fraternities/sororities, religious, governance, campus service, community service, spirit and tradition, cultural/international, performing and visual arts, and political and social issues. The recognized student organizations include a variety of events such as business meetings, conferences, social events, sponsored guest speakers, workshops, and field trips. Information regarding recognized student organizations may be obtained from the Department of Student Activities (979) 845-1133 or on the web at studentactivities.tamu.edu.

Drama and Debate Organizations

Musical Organizations

Student Life

The Department of Student Life serves the ever-changing student population at Texas A&M. To complement the educational mission of the University, the Department of Student Life exists to enrich the academic experiences and to meet the needs of all students and their families. Each of the services and offices which comprise the Department of Student Life has a specific mission but common goals: to provide education, outreach and support. The department strives to enhance students' opportunities to participate fully in University experiences through information, services and programs that facilitate responsible life choices and promote awareness of self and community.

Services and Programs offered by the Department of Student Life include:

The Department of Student Life sponsors and/or advises the following student organizations: Aggie Orientation Leaders Program (AOLP), Aggies Plus, Aggies With Kids, Graduate Student Council (GSC), Interfraternity Council (IFC), Multicultural Greek Council, National Panhellenic Council, NETWORKS (students with disabilities and other interested students), Off-Campus Aggies (OCA), Order of Omega, Panhellenic Council, and Responsible Aggies Making Decisions (RAD). Staff members advise a number of other student organizations outside their professional responsibilities. Additionally, the Department of Student Life sponsors a number of programs and events for students throughout the year: Greek Week, National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week (NCAAW), Safe Spring Break, Coming Out Week and Sexual Assault Prevention Month. For additional information, please contact:

Department of Student Life
112 John J. Koldus Building
Texas A&M University
1257 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-1257
(979) 845-3111
studentlife@tamu.edu
studentlife.tamu.edu

Student Life Studies

The Department of Student Life Studies serves as a consultant to departments and staff in the Division of Student Affairs and to student organizations. The Department facilitates assessment and evaluation of services and programs and assists in expanding the knowledge base about Texas A&M students and their co-curricular experiences. Department staff can assist with the development of assessment instruments and the collection and analysis of data including web-based programs. The Student Organization Assessment Center serves as a resource to recognized student organizations interested in evaluation of their programs and services as well as in the development of missions, goals and strategic plans. For additional information, please contact:

Department of Student Life Studies
023 Memorial Student Center
Texas A&M University
1254 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-1254
979) 862-5624
stls@vpsa.tamu.edu
studentlifestudies.tamu.edu

University Art Collections and Exhibitions

The Office of University Art Collections and Exhibitions provides and promotes cultural opportunities that augment the academic experiences of the Texas A&M community. It is responsible for visual art exhibitions at the J. Wayne Stark University Center Galleries and for art inventories at Texas A&M.

The program organizes the major art exhibitions for the University; advises on the selection, display and management of visual art objects on the campus; handles all art and art-related gifts to the University; and provides guidance and support to all exhibitions and collections at the University.

In addition, the Office of University Art Collections and Exhibitions organizes programs to complement exhibitions; has a docent program, which provides guided tours of changing exhibitions on campus and the University's permanent collections to interested community and school groups; and works with the Texas A&M University Commission on the Visual Arts.

Student Media

The Division of Student Media produces the campus newspaper, The Battalion; the yearbook, Aggieland; and the Campus Directory. All are written, edited and produced by students and offer excellent opportunities to gain valuable experience for journalistic and related careers. Participation is not limited to any course of study or classification, but rather is open to all interested students. Student editors, writers and other staff members receive salaries commensurate with their duties and responsibilities.

The Battalion is published Monday through Friday during fall and spring semesters, and Monday through Thursday during the summer session. It is distributed to students, faculty and staff on campus and at many apartments and other high traffic areas in College Station. The Battalion also is available via online and radio editions.

Aggieland is distributed in the fall but is a year-round project documenting school activities. It is one of the nation's largest college yearbooks, both in the number of pages and number of copies sold each year.

The Campus Directory, published each fall, includes listings of students, faculty, staff and other general information.

In addition to these University-wide projects, some academic colleges and student organizations sponsor magazines and similar publications which offer interested students an opportunity to participate in more specialized or technical writing.

Intercollegiate Athletics

Nationally regarded for its outstanding school spirit and unique traditions, Texas A&M University and its athletic department is fully committed to "Building Champions." Texas A&M provides complete support to help its student-athletes attain their athletic and academic goals.

Texas A&M is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the prestigious Big 12 Conference, which also includes Baylor University, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Oklahoma State University, Texas Tech University, University of Colorado, University of Kansas, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska, University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas.

Texas A&M's athletic teams are known as "Aggies" and the official school colors are maroon and white. Many of the school's rich traditions are centered around athletics. The student body, known as the "12th Man," stands throughout football games to underscore their readiness in case they are needed to go into the game as the original 12th man, E. King Gill, did in 1921. On Friday nights before home football games, the student body has "Yell Practice" at midnight, with as many as 40,000 people in attendance at Kyle Field. The student body also creates a one-of-a-kind atmosphere in sports such as baseball, soccer, volleyball and tennis, giving the Aggies a true home field advantage.

Texas A&M sponsors 21 intercollegiate athletics teams and all but equestrian and archery compete in the Big 12. The nine men's programs are football, basketball, baseball, golf, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, cross country, swimming and diving, and tennis. The 12 women's programs are basketball, cross country, golf, indoor track, outdoor track, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, volleyball, soccer, equestrian, and archery.

Texas A&M consistently ranks among the national leaders in student attendance and its facilities are considered among the finest in the country. As a result, Texas A&M has played host to a variety of national intercollegiate events, including the 2004 NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships, 2003 National Varsity Equestrian Championships, 2003 National Indoor Target Championships (archery), 2002 NCAA Men's Tennis Championships and 2001 NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships. In addition, Texas A&M has been selected as the host for the 2005 NCAA Men's Tennis Championships. Texas A&M also has administered many conference and NCAA regional championship events.

Texas A&M has won two Big 12 South Division football titles and won the Big 12 Championship in 1998, advancing to the Nokia Sugar Bowl as part of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). The baseball team won consecutive Big 12 titles in 1998 and 1999 and advanced to the 1999 College World Series. Men's tennis won the 2001 Big 12 title while women's tennis captured the conference title in 2003. Texas A&M also has won Big 12 titles in women's golf (1998) and soccer (2002).

Including its days as a charter member of the Southwest Conference (1915-1996), Texas A&M has captured 98 conference championships and four national titles, one in football (1939) and three in softball (1982, 1983, 1987).

Aggie athletes have earned more than 800 All-America citations and hundreds have gone on to successful professional careers in their respective sports. In addition, Texas A&M has produced numerous Olympic athletes, including recent gold medalists Randy Barnes (track and field, 1996), Jennifer McFalls (softball, 2000) and Mike Stulce (track and field, 1992).

The mission of Texas A&M athletics is "Building Champions" and is at the heart of the athletic department's Mission Statement: "Texas A&M Athletics commits to Building Champions through academic achievement, athletic excellence, and national recognition of our student-athletes, teams and programs. We provide our student-athletes with all the necessary tools for them to be Champions in their sport and in life. The integrity of our program takes root in the tradition and spirit of Texas A&M, bringing honor and distinction to our University."

Outdoor Education Institute

The Outdoor Education Institute is a part of the Department of Health and Kinesiology in the College of Education. The Institute's primary function is to facilitate the education of people interested in the use of the out-of-doors for experiential education. This function is achieved through departmental courses offered for degree credit and through special workshops and trips. All institute programs are experiential. They take place outdoors and are based on the premise that people learn best by doing. Whenever possible, the institute attempts to integrate both the adventure and environmental branches of outdoor education.

Students may take outdoor education courses that will enhance their particular undergraduate or graduate degree. The interdisciplinary design allows students from a variety of departments to pursue outdoor education, which can increase career options by complementing rather than competing with existing academic majors.

The course work is directed by faculty members from cooperating departments who serve on the advisory board of the Institute. Students completing the required 21 semester hours from various departments will receive a Record of Completion and be designated by the Institute as an Outdoor Education Specialist.

The Department of Health and Kinesiology also offers a minor in outdoor education. For more information, please contact the Outdoor Education Institute located in Room 216, G. Rollie White Coliseum, (979) 845-3758, or the department's academic advising office at (979) 845-4530.