Howdy! As we begin the fall semester, the staff in the Department of Residence Life understands that many of you, as new students at Texas A&M University and as Texas Aggies, may have questions about the history of various traditions and activities that occur on and off campus.

Some of you may have been approached by fellow students to participate in activities or events that are not authorized nor supported by Texas A&M University or that might be considered risky behavior. You may even find that some students (or former students) claim these activities are traditions associated with being an Aggie or with the Aggie Spirit. As you make decisions concerning your involvement in these activities, we ask that you reflect upon the impact these activities may have on yourself and others, physically, emotionally, and academically.

The Department of Residence Life and Texas A&M University are concerned for your safety and well-being. We want to inform you about participation in unauthorized activities, (including those on the internet), and advise you on some items to consider.  Think carefully about these items.  Please remember that accidents are the primary cause of injury and death in your age group. Your safety and well-being are in your own hands. Short term decisions can sometimes have long term consequences.

If you are asked to participate in an activity not approved or authorized by Texas A&M University or that you believe might be considered risky, please ask yourself the following questions.  If your answers make you feel uncomfortable, or cause you to have concerns for your safety or well-being, do not participate.

• Do the leaders and participants realize and share with you that the activity is not authorized or supported by Texas A&M University as an approved activity? See http://studentactivities.tamu.edu for more information about recognized student organizations and activities.
• Specifically how will the group responsible for leading the activity insure your personal safety and or well being? Does the group have liability and medical insurance to protect the event/activity participants?
• How does your involvement in the activity impact your education/educational goals/academics?
• How does involvement in the activity affect your emotional and physical well-being (i.e. getting enough sleep, staying awake in class, staying connected with friends)?
• Does your insurance or your parents/guardians insurance provide coverage for you while you are participating? Would they be ready for a call that you were injured?
• Is the group affiliated with Texas A&M University?  If not, how can the event(s) be an Aggie tradition or build positive Aggie Spirit?
• Is hazing, alcohol abuse, “rites of passage”, or other dangerous activities with other participants occurring during, or outside of the activity, even though those behaviors are not directly associated with the main activity or event itself?
• Does your participation in the activity cause you to behave in a manner not becoming of yourself or a Texas Aggie (using inappropriate language/statements, not following University rules, breaking the law, committing academic dishonesty, downloading copyrighted material, etc.), or cause you to feel uncomfortable? If discovered, would you want your participation in such behaviors publicized in the news media or would your actions contradict the way you were raised?

We recognize the struggles that can occur as you make choices and decisions about whether or not to participate in what may be presented to you as an Aggie tradition, and may be organized by fellow students but is not approved or authorized by Texas A&M University.  We want your experience at Texas A&M to be one that provides a positive and safe community and one that makes you proud to be a student and part of the Aggie Community.  We only ask that you make sound judgments as you continue to represent Texas A&M University as a student, and as a Fightin’ Texas Aggie.  Good choices will make living on campus one of your best Aggie experiences.

Ron Sasse
Director of Residence Life