Welcome to the General Academic Programs Blog at Texas A&M University, College Station

Welcome to the Blog site for the General Academic Programs at Texas A&M University.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Mid-Term Grades for Fall 2010

Today is Monday, October 18th. Professors will have submitted their mid-term grades by noon.
Students will be able to see their mid-term grades through the HOWDY web-based portal starting this afternoon.

NOT ALL STUDENTS RECEIVE MID-TERM GRADES. Mid-term grades are posted only for students who have earned 30 or fewer semester hours of credit at Texas A&M University (this includes the campuses at College Station and Galveston).

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Emergency Contact Information

As parents we are always concerned about the well-being of our children. We typically think of college campuses as safe havens from injury, assualt, or other problems. Nevertheless, we have to acknowledge that things do happen.
In addition, the new adult-level decisions that college students find challenging can sometimes result in less than rewarding and even embarrassing outcomes.
How students react and the variety of issues they face makes maintaining emergency contact information an important aspect of the communications network. Emergency contact information needs to be vigilantly maintained by your student.
If you haven't done so, please contact your student to make certain that emergency contact information is current. When you have a change of name, address, phone number, employer or e-mail address, contact your student and provide the information necessary to maintain current emergency contact information. Your student should also make certain that his/her local address and contact information is current and correct.
Emergency contact information may never be needed. But if it is needed, wouldn't you AND your student want it to be correct?

Preparing to Register for Spring 2011 Courses

Parents of GEST students,
Even though it is mid-October, we are now taking the initial steps toward registration for spring classes. One of the most unsettling things that can happen to a student is to determine well into a semester that a course the student is taking is actually one that he/she has already taken. Another, similar situation, is that a student finds that a previously-taken course thought to be degree-applicable is either not transferable and/or not applicable to a specific degree at Texas A&M University. Remedial courses and vocational courses, such as EMT training, are not transferable to Texas A&M University.

Both of these problems can be easily resolved by taking these steps:

1. Students must make certain that original college transcripts of all previous college courses are submitted to the Office of the Registrar at Texas A&M University. This includes college courses taken at community colleges, other 4-year colleges/universities, all dual credit and concurrent enrollment courses (for which the student received high school and college credit), advanced placement (AP) credit and coursework from Early College High Schools. College level course credit that is submitted only by presentation of high school transcripts will not be accepted. All college courses must be supported and presented on a transcript from the college or university from which they were taken.
2. Contact each college from which any collegiate level courses were taken and have your student's transcript from that college or university sent by regular mail or electronically to Texas A&M University, Office of the Registrar. Faxed copies of transcripts are not acceptable.
3. Have your student check the Texas A&M "Howdy" portal on-line to see if the courses taken previously at another institution have been applied to the student's academic record and appear on the student's official academic transcript.

If you have any questions about this process, do not hesitate to contact the Office of the Registrar (979-845-1031) or the General Academic Programs Advising Office (979-845-5916).

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

We're Off and Running!

The fall 2010 semester is underway! Students are scampering all over campus finding classes for the first time, making adjustments to class schedules, paying bills, arranging their living quarters, meeting with academic advisors, purchasing books and getting excited about the first Yell Practice and home football game of the season.

In all of this hub-bub of activity, there are several things to remeber:

1. Any changes of class schedule that result in an increase of semester hours will result in an additional bill. Existing financial aid must be available to be applied or a payment must be made on the same day. Failure to do so will result in late fees being added and the cancellation of classes on the student's schedule.

2. Friday, September 3rd, is the final day to Add or Drop Fall 2010 semester classes.

3. Classes are in session on Labor Day, Monday, September 6th.

4. Full refunds are issued for classes dropped up to the 12th class day of the semester. For fall 2010 the 12th class day is September 14th.

Here's hoping for a great semester!
Doc Mooney

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Getting ready for the new school year

By now you've probably decided where you'll be living when you arrive in Aggieland, if you're a freshman (a FISH) you may have also already attended a New Student Conference and purchased your share of Aggie shirts, hats and other stuff to announce you are a proud member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2014 (Whoop!)!! Still if you're going to live on campus, you need to make certain that you're up to date on your vaccinations, your shots (UGH!).
Texas law requires that on-campus students must provide documents showing that they have been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis or a signed affidavit declining the vaccination. This is serious.
Residence life won't assign you a room or let you check in unless you meet this requirement.
Lastly, if you are coming to TAMU from a foreign country you must also show proof that you have had a tuberculosis vaccination.
We're excited that you've chosen Texas A&M!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Welcome to the General Studies Blog!

Howdy!

Welcome to our brand new General Studies Blog! Here you will find up-to date advising times and news about the General Studies Program. Subscribe and Bookmark the blog and get in the loop!

Here is our first Blog Post!

Students,

We are taking appointments and walk-ins during the summer until the fall semester. To set up an appointment call (979-845-5916) or visit our office (300 Hotard). You will be asked to select an advisor and a time that works for you. As always please have your UIN and ID handy. Starting in the fall ALL of our appointments will be handled by our online appointment sysytem, but for now just drop by or give us a call and we will be more than happy to help out!

Also keep in mind that course selection is getting scarce due to New Student Conferences, please be patient as open registration is soon to open allowing for possible schedule adjustments and course openings.

If you plan to drop by for a walk-in please be sure to call our office for avalability. Call 979-845-5916.

Thanks and Gig'em!

"The General"