Office of the President

Speeches & Reports

Message to Texas A&M Students, Faculty and Staff

September 15, 2009

Howdy from your Interim President! Here is a brief update on several topics of interest to our campus community here at Texas A&M University:

• We will be conducting a full test of Texas A&M's newly expanded Code Maroon emergency notification system this Thursday, Sept. 17. More than 30,000 Aggies have already enrolled, and we strongly encourage you to sign up to receive text message alerts. Please note that if you signed up for Code Maroon before July 21, 2009, you must enroll in the new system.
• Campus preparations are in place for what health officials anticipate will be an active season for both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus. We need the entire Aggie Family to take a few precautions — get a seasonal flu shot now; practice good hand-washing procedures; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; and cover your cough. We will also have vaccinations for the H1N1 virus available as soon as possible.
• Congratulations to our football team for the big win to open the 2009 season. Let's keep the momentum going as we get ready to BTHO Utah State this Saturday! Faculty and staff members can click HERE, open the "Faculty-Staff Day" link at the bottom left, and enter the promo code "th@nksTAMU!" to purchase discounted tickets for only $25.
• There is a lot of discussion about bringing Bonfire back to campus as we prepare to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the tragedy. Bonfire brings out strong emotions in all of us. As an Aggie, interim president — and father — I believe that the parents who entrust us with their sons' and daughters' education expect us to first and foremost do what we can to help ensure their children's physical safety and well-being. Please keep the families of the Aggies affected by the tragic collapse of Bonfire in your thoughts and prayers as we look ahead to November's 10th anniversary.
• I greatly enjoyed my time with the Graduate Student Council (video) and Student Senate last week. My counterparts at other universities are often surprised at how involved our student s are in campus life and decision-making here… another reason I'm proud to be an Aggie. Be sure to mark your calendars for our next Town Hall meeting on Sept. 30 at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. in Rudder Theatre.
• Kudos to the entire campus community as Texas A&M was once again ranked among the top 5 universities nationally by The Washington Monthly for "what colleges do for the country."

Until next time, Gig 'em Aggies! Send your comments or questions to president@tamu.edu.

Dr. R. Bowen Loftin '71
Interim President