Dear University community,
- I trust all are adapting to the start of the Spring ’21 semester. Once again, we are living and learning in a time of great challenge. I want to thank all of you: students, faculty and staff, who have worked so diligently to make sure that our mission can continue, albeit with distinct differences. Our staggered re-entry plan for students continues through Saturday, Feb. 6. This plan, focused on maintaining the health and safety of our campus, is subject to change. Please monitor your official TAMIU email accounts, Uconnect and the University’s website for updates.
- Last week I was honored to learn that I had been selected as recipient of The President’s Award for Region III by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).
It’s very humbling, but will inspire me to continue to ensure all members of our University community realize the power of higher education to transform lives. Every day I set foot on campus, I’m reminded of the life-changing difference and impact the University makes real. It is a shared blessing and a shared journey. I thank all of you for being a big part of it.
- When coming to campus for resources or services, all members of the TAMIU community must continue to observe masking, social distancing and hand-washing requirements.
- All University services are available on campus or online. The University’s Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library is open. The Rec Center reopens Monday, Feb 8. COVID-19 testing for faculty, on-campus residents and staff is available on campus. Student testing for non-campus residents resumes Tuesday, Feb. 2. TAMIU continues to coordinate its COVID-19 Response with the City of Laredo Health Department, Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and The Texas A&M University System. TAMIU has also been designated as a Vaccine Center and strictly follows DSHS guidelines for administering University community vaccinations. Additional information on the University’s COVID-19 response is available from the online COVID-19 Resource Center.
TAMIU Celebrates African American History Month
TAMIU will kick off its observance of African American History Month in February with two live, interactive and virtual tours of historical and contemporary sites in Africa.
To view TAMIU’s African American History Month events calendar and register for any upcoming events, visit the TAMIU Dustdevil Diversity website.
TAMIU’s Liberation in the America Series: “Black Lives, Black Liberation”
- Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 at 7 p.m. via Webex
- Speaker: Dr. Gabby Yearwood - director of Undergraduate Studies for the University of Pittsburgh Department of Anthropology and Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies Program
- Virtual Lecture: Free and Open to the Public
- During the lecture, Dr. Yearwood asks: "What are the ways in which liberation has been theorized, dreamt and longed for in Black social and intellectual life? Black people have had to imagine liberation in the context of enslavement, structural violence, state sanctioned violence, police brutality, incarceration and social death. What can the actions of Black people inform us about how to think critically about liberation?"
TAMIU’S President Arenaz Named Recipient of President's Award, Region III, By NASPA
TAMIU president Dr. Pablo Arenaz has been selected the 2021 Recipient of The President’s Award for Region III by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.
“Even though President Arenaz is a renowned intellectual, he maintains an approachable and humble attitude and looks for the best in every student, faculty and staff member. He knows the importance of the value of kindness as it brings the University community greatness and success. He knows that every person is important and truly values their presence in this University. The values and attitudes he presents make me want to aspire to be as courageous and innovative…”
- Mariana Rodriguez, TAMIU Student Government Association president
Spotlight: Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library
TAMIU's Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library's website was recently redesigned and optimized to support user experience.
“We have revamped the navigation to condense it into what we hope will be more concise and straightforward options,” Rawlins said, “We have implemented more icon-based navigation to make it easier for users to find what they are looking for. We’ve added buttons for students, faculty, and other visitors so they can quickly navigate to a page with resources and services available to them.”
- Benjamin Rawlins, TAMIU Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library Director
Upcoming Events
- TAMIU Virtual Consent Week | Monday, Feb. 8 - Friday, Feb. 12: Learn More
- TAMIU Career Services Coffeehouse Wednesdays: Thelma Cavazos | Wednesday, Feb. 3 at 10:30 a.m.: Learn More
- Refworks Workshop: Intro and Basics | Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m.: Learn More