The first week of school can be hectic for even fifth-year seniors, but for freshmen and transfer students it’s more like a stress test.
Professors like to say, in college, no one is going to hold your hand, but the East Texan would like to instead provide this “handy” guide that should answer the most pressing questions on surviving the first semester of college at Texas A&M University-Commerce.
One of the first things students want to cross off their to-do list when they get on campus is find out where to get their ID cards. The Mane Card Office, located on the first floor of the Sam Rayburn Student Center across from the bookstore, takes student photos to make the Lion Cards.
“All you need to know is your student ID number or your social security number,” Reagan Ferguson, sophomore education major said.
The card is important because of its use in many locations around campus and the community.
“It can be used as door access to get into the dorms, at the rec center, the library, the bookstore, the print shop, and vending machines,” Ferguson said. “You can load money onto the card and use it at three off-campus locations – Flying L [Fastmart], Sweeties Donuts, and Domino’s [Pizza].”
Students pay for a card each semester in their tuition. If they lose their Lion Card, they have to pay ten dollars to replace it.
Once students have secured their Lion card, the next step is usually to find out where to get a parking permit. The McDowell Business Administration, recognized by the three flag poles in front, is one place where students can pick up a parking permit.
“You come to the cashier’s window and you fill out the yellow card with all your personal information, student ID, and vehicle information,” Sue Terry, a cashier who works for the financial services department, said. “It’s 22 dollars and good for an entire year starting September first.”
Student permits are green, but there are separate permits for New Pride, Prairie Crossing, and sorority housing.
One option this year is to get the parking permit online through the MyLeo account. Students can choose to have the permit mailed to them, or to come pick it up at the cashier’s window the next day.
“UPD will give, like, a week grace period, so they’ve got about a week before they start getting parking tickets for no permit,” Terry said. “UPD tickets range from 20 to 75 dollars, so it’s much better on the pocket books to just get a permit.”
With the first major collegiate duties out of the way, hunger is sure to be on the mind. The cafeteria is next on the list of frequently asked questions by new students. Students should take advantage of the cafeteria’s website, http://tamu-commerce.edu/diningservices, which can also be found on the main school website by clicking on the student life tab and then the dining link on the left side of the page.
“They’ll find our hours of operation for retail and for the dining hall,” John Offerle, general manager of Sodexo Dining Services said. “We’ll have the hours posted outside the dining hall, and we also make flash cards with the hours on it that students can carry with them.”
The website has the menus posted daily, and Late Night begins the day after Labor Day.
“Late Night goes from 8:30 to 10 at night, Monday through Thursday, and it gives students another meal period to use,” Offerle said. “Since some students are sort of nocturnal anyways, it gives them another reason to visit this great building.”
For students with a specific number of meals each week, their account resets every Friday morning, so budget accordingly.
New students may also wonder if they have to pay to get into the Morris Recreation Center (MRC), and what they need to bring to get in and work out.
“It depends on if you’re a member; if you’re a student here, no you don’t have to pay,” Nola Taylor, senior health promotions major said. “If you’re a community member you do.”
Students can use their ID cards to get into the MRC, but certain types of students do not immediately qualify to get in to the recreation center including those only enrolled in online classes.
“They come and show their ID’s and we’ll swipe it,” Taylor said. “You have to be a full time student, 12 hours or more, because the rec sports fee comes out of your tuition.”
Before school gets in full swing, students will need to know where to find computers to work on and print assignments. The James G. Gee Library is a popular place for students to get online, do schoolwork, and have access to printers.
“We are completely redoing the front part of the library,” Sean Anderson, technology librarian/library webmaster said. “There’s a 78 computer unit here, a couple [of] scanners, and three print stations in the library. There are four other labs available for students to use: Education South, journalism, science, and one in the B.A. building.”
For all of those labs, students will need a Lion Card with money on it to be able to print documents. The library has a cash management machine where they can add money.
With the first few days of school covered, continue to look up The East Texan for any questions regarding the latest news and sports around the A&M-Commerce campus and surrounding community.