Students, parents learn about university life
The buzzing murmurs of families filled the Memorial Student Union (MSUB) as they entered and registered for this year’s new student orientation at Texas A&M University–Kingsville (TAMUK), also known as Hoggie Days.
“Hoggie Days is the orientation where we have the undergrad students come meet with the staff, other students and get an idea of what college will be like for their first year,” Senior processor for freshman admissions Apolonio Muñoz said.
During Hoggie Days, incoming students get to stay for two days and participate in scheduled events catered to them. From college presentations to student life and housing tours, there is something for both incoming students and their parents to do.
For the first time in two years, since COVID-19 first began, students were finally able to visit Javelina Nation in person.
“I was not here during the virtual orientations, but from what I heard, it was difficult,” Muñoz said. “A lot of students were confused because they did not have hands-on experience or advisors next to them to guide them.”
For incoming students, their day starts at 8 a.m. when they register. There are different events like Javelina Welcome, College Presentations and Future Javelina Time that take place until 11 a.m. as students get taken to the dining hall for lunch. More events like Learn How to Get Involved on campus and Student Life 101 happen until 1:30 p.m. Finally, they register for classes at 2 p.m. and take housing tours 30 minutes after.
“[I was most excited] to see the campus,” incoming student Alinah Hernandez said. “I had just seen pictures of it before, but now that I am actually here, I think I am really going to like it.”
Hernandez will be attending the university in the Fall and will be majoring in Architectural Engineering.
While students are in the MSUB, their parents are taken across to Peacock Auditorium where the Dean of Students Kirsten Compary presented a PowerPoint presentation containing rules and resources for their children while they stay at TAMUK.
“I hope to show them what a good college role model is like,” Welcome Services Helper Elizabeth Stransky said. “I volunteered to help at Hoggie Days because I want the students to feel like they made the right choice in choosing TAMUK.”
Hoggie Days continues through the summer.