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Dear University community,

We’ve put together an impressive range of events to celebrate Black History Month @ TAMIU Please mark your calendar and plan to participate.

• Thursday, Feb. 10 @ 7 p.m. The Diverse Cultures, Diverse Humanities Series will offer a Virtual Lecture with Dr. Lorenzo M. Boyd on “Social Justice Post-George Floyd: Lessons Learned and Pathways Forward.” Dr. Boyd is a nationally recognized expert in police-community relations and an authority on urban policing. He currently serves as the Stewart Professor of Criminal Justice and Community Policing at the University of New Haven, Conn. Find out more: https://www.tamiu.edu/coas/lla/diversity-series/boyd.shtml
• Wednesday, Feb. 16 @ 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. STC 230 | Social Justice Leadership Series presents Conscious Coffee Hour presents "Voicing Afro-Latinx Histories & Identities." Guest speaker Allison C. Roman, better known as Alli, is a Black Latina educator, storyteller, and social justice advocate and will share a conversation about Afrolatinidad with our TAMIU community. This is an in-person and Alli will join virtually. Open to all TAMIU community members. Open to all TAMIU community members. Students receive Trailblazers Credit, a free Social Justice Leadership Series wristband, and a $10 Aramark Food Voucher! More here: https://trailblazers.tamiu.edu/event/7621250
• Wednesday, Feb. 23 @ 4:30-5:30 p.m. STC 230 | Social Justice Leadership Series presents an in-person panel discussion, "Black Experiences at TAMIU." TAMIU faculty and students will share their experiences. Guest panelists include Dr. Peter Haruna (Professor and Director of Public Administration, Dr. Varaidzo Zvobgo (Assistant Professor of Public Administration), Simileoluwa Odunuga (undergraduate student), and other student leaders. Open to all TAMIU community members. Students receive Trailblazers Credit, a free Social Justice Leadership Series wristband, and a $10 Aramark Food Voucher! See more here: https://trailblazers.tamiu.edu/event/7621266
• Find out more about the University’s commitment to Diversity and Inclusion.
• It’s also Study Abroad Week, Feb. 7 – 10. Daily, attendance-limited sessions are offered with information on destinations including Argentina, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Peru, and Spain. For more, contact International Education at 956.326.2282 or visit offices in STC 124.
• How about some beautiful music this semester? Don’t miss the String Recital this Friday in the CFPA from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. It’s free of charge and will be music to your ears, of course!
• TAMIU CARES/ARP Grant assistance applications are open and offer over $7.5 million in student assistance for eligible students this semester. Learn more here. The deadline to apply is nearing, it’s Monday, Feb. 21, 2022.
• Mandatory randomized surveillance COVID-19 testing for all members of the University community: students, faculty, and staff is underway this semester. Emails have been distributed to notify individuals of their selection for testing. Once selected, you will have 72 hours to test on campus at no charge. There are consequences for non-compliance with this mandatory testing requirement. Please review your University email account regularly.
• We continue on-campus testing and vaccination as part of our ongoing commitment to health and safety. All updated hours are here. For information about our ongoing response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, visit our dedicated COVID-19 Response Center.
• Check out our “Be A Champ” Pop-Up Event on Wednesday and you could win FREE tuition for the Spring Semester. Details below. Check your email as winners for 12 prizes were notified Friday, Feb. 4!
• Please continue the use of recommended face coverings/masks, in addition to practicing distancing and rigorous hand-washing. The best defense continues to be vaccination and boosters, both of which are offered free of charge every Wednesday in the Student Center Rotunda.
• Next week is Spirit Week, Feb. 14 – 19, and we have some magical plans for you. See the full schedule below.

Let’s all share the Dustdevil commitment to making this semester healthy, and successful for all.

- Pablo Arenaz, Ph.D., President

TAMIU Celebrates Black History Month with Virtual Lecture

TAMIU begins its observation of Black History Month this Thursday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. with a 'Diverse Cultures, Diverse Humanities' Series virtual lecture focusing on social justice. Dr. Lorenzo M. Boyd, Stewart Professor of Criminal Justice and Community Policing at the University of New Haven, will present his virtual lecture titled, "Social Justice Post-George Floyd: Lessons Learned and Pathways Forward." The event is free and open to the public.

Register for the Virtual Lecture at go.tamiu.edu/diversity-boyd

TAMIU's Black History Month events also include:

• Wednesday, Feb. 16, 4:30-5:30 p.m. - STC 230 | Social Justice Leadership Series presents Conscious Coffee Hour presents "Voicing Afro-Latinx Histories & Identities."
• Wednesday, Feb. 23, 4:30-5:30 p.m. - STC 230 | Social Justice Leadership Series presents an in-person panel discussion, "Black Experiences at TAMIU."
• Thursday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m. - Virtual event. Free and open to the public | The Diverse Cultures, Diverse Humanities Series will offer a virtual lecture with Dr. Gretchen Sullivan Sorin. Her lecture is titled, "Driving While Black: African American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights."
• Tuesday, March 22, 7 p.m. - Virtual event. Free and open to the public | The Diverse Cultures, Diverse Humanities Series will present a Virtual Lecture with Dr. Neal Lester on "Straight Talk about the Nword."

String Connection Recital on Friday

Enjoy an evening of music during our upcoming String Connection Recital on Friday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts. Admission is free and open to the public.

Magical-Themed Spirit Week Scheduled for Feb. 14 - 19

Get ready for a very magical Spirit Week celebration! Our Office of Student Orientation, Leadership and Engagement organized an enchanting series of events for all Dustdevils. Spirit Week culminates with the yearly coronation of our TAMIU Royals, happening immediately after our Men's and Women's basketball games. Whether you've been sorted into House of Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or Slytherin, we've got something lined up for you.

COVID-19 Boosters and Vaccinations Available Every Wednesday, On-Campus Testing Available

COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots are available every Wednesday through March 30, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Student Center Rotunda. This is a walk-up opportunity with no appointment required. Vaccinations and boosters are open to the University community, as well as the general public.

On-Campus Rapid Antigen Testing is currently available to students, faculty and staff members. | Curative Testing is also available to the University community and the general public. An appointment is required. To schedule your appointment, visit our Student Health Services site via the button link below.