Texas A&M University at Galveston will not reopen in the immediate future because of Hurricane Ike damages throughout Galveston, prompting Texas A&M University President Elsa Murano to offer TAMUG students the opportunity to attend specially arranged classes here beginning next Wednesday (Sept.24). As many as 1,200 students in addition to faculty and staff are expected to accept that offer, and university officials are calling on the Aggie Family to assist with housing.

TAMUG CEO R. Bowen Loftin said he and his top associates at the Galveston campus explored a number of options and are confident that this is the best way to continue the fall semester.

“There simply are too many unknowns at this time as to when basic services and infrastructure will be available on Galveston Island,” said Loftin. “We have planned for a situation such as this happening, and we are appreciative of the College Station campus opening its doors for fellow Aggies. It is great to see the Aggie Spirit is alive and well.”

University officials note that Texas A&M’s record 48,126 enrollment this fall in College Station completely filled all student housing on campus.

“Your help is urgently needed as steps are being taken to potentially offer students from our campus in Galveston the option of continuing their fall semester classes in College Station,” Murano said in a memo distributed to faculty, staff and students late Tuesday. “We are calling for your assistance, as members of the Aggie family, in providing housing for these fellow Aggies.”

The Galveston campus sustained only minor structural damage during Hurricane Ike, university officials have determined, but they note the city could remain without basic services indefinitely. Also, there is virtually no available housing for students, faculty and staff in Galveston.

“Given this dire situation, we have been working toward providing the option to our Galveston students of continuing their fall semester classes here in Aggieland, beginning next week,” Murano said in her memo distributed campus-wide. “As you can imagine, this is a massive undertaking, but our goal is for this transition to be as seamless as possible for them, so they can continue their education as Aggies.”

Loftin said many classes will be conducted in the evenings and on weekends and will be taught by Galveston professors. He noted, however, that some TAMUG students may need to join existing College Station classes, depending on the course and faculty availability. Orientation sessions for the Galveston students are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in College Station. Similar sessions are also being planned for faculty and staff members.

With on-campus housing options already exhausted and a wait-list in place, university officials have reached out to apartment owners in Bryan-College Station.

“While we were able to get some assistance, we have a long way to go in securing suitable housing for approximately 1,200 of our Galveston Aggies who we believe will choose to come here to study this semester,” Murano said.

She explained in her memo to faculty, staff and students how they can help: “If you have a spare bedroom in your home, apartment or condo, if you’re willing to share a room with a fellow Aggie or if you have vacant rental property that you are willing to offer, at no cost, to one or more students for at least one month, and perhaps the remainder of the semester, we’d like to know about it.”

Murano urged individuals willing to assist to respond immediately via email at galvhousing@vpfn.tamu.edu or call 979.862.7777.

“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families and friends of the Aggie Family, our fellow Texans and many others who have been impacted by the deadly storm. Hurricane Ike has placed tremendous demands on our resources – both human and financial. Let’s view this as an opportunity to reinforce what the Aggie Spirit is all about, and our commitment to selfless service,” the Texas A&M president concluded.

Contact: Sherylon Carroll at 979.862.2369 or by email at s-carroll@tamu.edu