Student Activities, Traditions & Services | Texas A&M Foundation

Texas A&M University’s student programs have been turning Aggies into outstanding leaders and citizens for more than a century.

Considered by many Aggies as a second education altogether, there are more than 1,300 campus programs at Texas A&M University that build well-rounded leaders with positive values whose contributions to business and civic life are immeasurable. The Texas A&M Foundation manages endowments for many of Texas A&M’s student organizations, traditions and services—including those below that you may wish to support with an endowed gift using the method of your choice. You can also give online donations of $25 or more to these organizations and other student groups by visiting our online giving site. As all programs are overseen by the Division of Student Affairs, a gift to any initiative positively impacts the overall Aggie student experience.

The 12th Can

Operated by students from start to finish, The 12th Can is a food pantry built to serve all Aggie students, faculty and staff in need of assistance. Student volunteers operate the on-campus pantry and work to eliminate hunger at Texas A&M, bring awareness to food insecurity in college communities and show others the power of the Aggie Spirit. The 12th Can is affiliated with Brazos Valley Food Bank and resides under the Student Government Association.

Aggie Experience Fund

The Aggie Experience Fund allows all students to immerse themselves in Texas A&M University’s “other education” free of financial worry by providing up to $250 or 50% of the cost to participate in recognized organizations or programs. This fund helps students participate in extracurricular activities such as Extended Orientation programs (Fish Camp, T-Camp, Howdy Camp, Ventures Camp and Grad Camp), Memorial Student Center programs, Freshman Leadership Organizations, club sports, Greek life and leadership conferences.

The Big Event

Since The Big Event’s introduction in 1982, tens of thousands of Aggies gather every spring to show their gratitude to Bryan-College Station residents. During the event, students complete service projects such as yard work, window washing and painting for local community members. Although The Big Event has become the largest one-day, student-run service project in the nation, its message and mission remain the same: to simply say, “Thank you.”

BUILD

Responsible for turning dozens of shipping containers into medical clinics so far, Build is a student organization that converts 40-foot shipping containers into fully-functional, portable, modern medical clinics shipped domestically and internationally to communities in need. Over the past decade, more than 10,000 student volunteers have worked to create these clinics, and the tradition continues with large-scale service projects every fall.

Career Closet

The Career Closet serves to support students’ career goals by providing professional attire at no cost to them. Students must show proof of an upcoming professional interview or event and upload their current resume to HireAggies. Once they have done so, students can browse the current selection of over 80 suits in men’s and women’s styles. Serving Aggies for 10 years, the Career Closet’s goal in 2025 is to raise $10,000 to further their dedicated efforts.

Corps of Cadets

As the largest, oldest and most visible student organization at Texas A&M, the Corps of Cadets develops well-educated leaders of character prepared for the global leadership challenges of the future. In addition to the Corps’ four main scholarship programs—Keepers of the Spirit Scholarships, 21st Century Scholarships, General Rudder Scholarships and Sul Ross Scholarships—there are also opportunities to support character-focused programs such as the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership and the Corps Global Leadership Initiatives.

Disability Resources

Disability Resources offers various resources to help make Aggieland welcoming to all, including academic and housing accommodations, evaluation referrals, disability-related information, assistive technology services, sign language interpreters and transcription services for academic materials.

Fish Camp and Aggie Transition Camps

Whether arriving as a traditional freshman or a transfer student, acclimating to Aggieland can be an exciting yet overwhelming endeavor. Fish Camp and Aggie Transition Camps formally welcome new Aggies to Texas A&M through extended orientation programs similar to traditional summer camps. Attendees learnTexas A&M’s rich traditions, build support networks and engage with each other through fun-filled group activities, emerging from their camp experiences ready to call College Station home.

Fraternity and Sorority Life

Representing 10% of the undergraduate student population, fraternity and sorority members are committed to academics and developing and strengthening their leadership skills. Greek community members contribute significant volunteering time in the community and continually form a campus and cultural support network for current and incoming Aggies. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life in particular works to build an inclusive fraternity and sorority community and support opportunities for academic success, civic engagement and the creation of fraternal bonds.

Memorial Student Center

The Memorial Student Center (MSC) is dedicated to enhancing students’ lives through transformational learning opportunities in order to equip Aggies with the skills needed to be local, national and global leaders. Gifts to one of the MSC’s 18 programming committees can support membership scholarships, student travel, leadership opportunities and other committee expenses as well as the MSC mission of producing academic, entertainment, arts, political and cultural awareness programs.

Multicultural Services

The Department of Multicultural Services promotes student success by fostering positive campus connections through collaboration with student organizations and campus units. They address transition, social belonging, communication, teamwork and career readiness needs to enhance retention, persistence, graduation and professional transition. Their approach is student-centered, focusing on individual needs and supporting students throughout their Aggie journey.

Music Activities

Since 1893, students have been participating in musical ensembles at Texas A&M. From the handful of students who began the Singing Cadets and the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band to the 1,300 students who now participate in the Department of Music Activities, these ensembles showcase the traditions of Texas A&M and more. Students travel throughout the country and the world, perform works from the classics to the newly commissioned, and form lifelong connections while pursuing their degrees. They are exposed to new cultures and ideas while respecting and representing university traditions.

Muster

Celebrated in more than 300 locations worldwide, with the largest ceremony held on campus, Aggie Muster annually celebrates the camaraderie between Aggies and honors fallen current and former students. Though early iterations of the event date back to the 1870s, the first Musters as we know them occurred during World War I when Aggies gathered on April 21 in the trenches and towns of war-torn Europe. Today, the tradition brings together more Aggies worldwide than any other event to reminisce and pay respect to all who once called Aggieland home.

Silver Taps

Silver Taps is a solemn and time-honored tradition honoring Texas A&M students who have passed away during the preceding month. Held on the first Tuesday night of each month during the semester, students and families gather in silence on Academic Plaza. When the Ross Volunteer Company marches in, a three-volley salute is fired in remembrance of the fallen Aggies. Buglers play a special rendition of “Taps” from atop the Academic Building, granting the tradition its name, Silver Taps. The ceremony offers students a way to pay their respects and show support for friends and family members of the deceased. It is a reminder that we are all a part of the Aggie Family.

Student Life

The Department of Student Life works to provide students with support, resources and meaningful opportunities to engage with campus events and the community. Program areas include Student Legal Services, New Student and Family Programs, and Student Assistance Services (SAS), which connects students with guidance and resources related to both personal and academic matters. SAS personnel also make up the Critical Incident and Response Team (CIRT), living out the Aggie core value of selfless service by being ready to respond to students' needs in times of crisis.

Student Government Association

First convening in 1947, Texas A&M’s student government provides unique opportunities for students to build relationships, enhance leadership skills, become civically engaged, maximize their college experiences and develop the six Aggie core values. In addition to representing the student body’s interests, the Student Government Association also manages impactful committees such as The Big Event, Aggie Muster Committee and the Critical Incident Response Team.

Veterans Programs

True to its military roots, Texas A&M has remained one of the nation’s best universities for veterans. Among the resources and programs offered through the Don & Ellie Knauss Veteran Resource and Support Center are Aggie Shields, which lends textbooks to veterans free of charge; the Student Aggie Veteran Enhancement Fund, which provides veterans with emergency financial assistance; and dozens of other mentorship and peer support initiatives built to serve those who served their country.

Start the Conversation

Texas A&M’s student programs and traditions are a defining part of every Aggie’s campus experience. Do you want to help keep the Aggie Spirit alive with a gift for one of the programs featured here? Let us know today, and we’ll connect with you an appropriate team member.

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