UPON ARRIVAL
Housing Check-In
Residence halls open a few days before each semester. If you plan to live on campus it is important that you arrange for a campus room prior to your arrival in Commerce. After sending in your housing application and deposit, you will be sent a room assignment. You can report to the assigned residence hall when you arrive on campus, usually up to 10 p.m. Hall staff will assist you with finding your room, getting a key and signing any required forms. If you do not arrange for a room prior to arriving in Commerce, you will have to report to the Residence Life office in Whitely Hall to complete necessary paperwork and wait for a room assignment. If you arrive after the Residence Life office hours and have not arranged for on-campus accommodation prior to arrival you will have to find accommodation in one of the local hotels until these arrangements are finalized. If you arrive before the residence halls open you will have to find accommodation in one of the local hotels until the residence halls open and you are allowed to move-in. For temporary housing options please click here.
New International Student Orientation
All new and transfer international students are required to attend the international student orientation. Attendance of all international orientation sessions is mandatory and failure to attend all orientation sessions will result in a delay of your course registration. Please consult the information sheet provided with your I-20 or contact the ISSO for more information. Be aware of the orientation date when making your travel plans.
Students will need to register for the international student orientation once they have been admitted and received their I-20. To register please go to Forms and Online Services and complete the International Orientation Registration form. Undergraduate international students must also attend a separate undergraduate orientation in addition to attending the international student orientation. This is only required of undergraduate students. If you are an undergraduate international student, to make reservations or to obtain further information about undergraduate orientation options contact the Coordinator of Student Orientation at (903) 886-5067 or via their website.
There will be sessions at the international student orientation dedicated to immigration rules and regulations, campus safety, housing, and cultural adjustment. The afternoon sessions are usually dedicated to academic advising, course registration, and fee payment. New and transfer international students will not be allowed to register for courses until they have gone through final check-in with an international advisor at the ISSO and attended all morning sessions of orientation.
Check-in with an International Advisor
New and transfer international students are required to check-in with an international advisor at the ISSO once they have arrived on-campus. Appointments are not required for check-in but the ISSO has provided specific dates and times for check-in. Please consult the information sheet provided with your I-20 or contact the ISSO for more information. Failure to check-in prior to orientation will delay your ability to register for courses. Students are required to present the following documents during the check-in and please be sure to bring all original documents as well:
ISSO New Student Scholarship
Beginning Fall 2009, the ISSO will award one (1) $1000 competitive scholarship each fall and spring semester to a new first semester F-1 international student at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Students must complete an early check-in session with an international advisor during available times as stated on the New International Student Checklist received with your I-20 or via email in order to receive an application. No exceptions. Click here for information on the fall scholarship. Click here for information on spring scholarship.
Late Arrival to U.S.
Failure to attend the mandatory orientation and check-in will seriously delay your ability to register for courses. The ISSO will not extend the arrival date on the I-20 for students who cannot report by the required date on line 5 of the I-20. Also, port of entry has advised the ISSO that students who attempt to enter the U.S. after their program start date may not be allowed to enter the U.S. International students must be in the U.S. no later than the program start date on their I-20, line 5, or it is strongly recommended that they defer their attendance to a future semester. Please contact the ISSO if you are unable to arrive by the required date on your I-20.
Safety
Commerce has a very low crime rate but no community can be totally free of crime. The following tips will help you protect yourself. However, it is always wise to lock your bicycle, car and room or apartment. Avoid leaving possessions unattended especially in public areas and do not walk alone at night. During orientation a representative from the University Police Department will discuss safety on campus and around Commerce. For more information about safety issues contact the University Police Department.
Calling Home
You will probably want to let your family know of your arrival. There are several means by which you can make an international call. If you do not already have a cell phone that allows international calling, the easiest way to call home upon arrival is by phone card. You can purchase phone cards in shops and newsstands. Prices vary depending on the company and the number of minutes available for local, long distance and international calls. Once you are settled, you may want to purchase a long distance plan through an American company. A number of options are available through searching the Internet or asking other students for recommendations.
Placement Tests and Academic Advising
Some academic departments, such as the Computer Science department, require new students to take a placement test prior to registration. Undergraduate students receive academic advising through designated academic advisors. This can occur at the on-site undergraduate orientation or by individual arrangement. Graduate students receive advising through their academic departments on a case-by-case basis. For more information regarding placement tests and academic advising, contact your academic department.
Local Mailing Address
For students living on-campus, you will need to verify with the Residence Life office if your assigned hall receives mail. If it does not, you will need to rent a post office box. The campus post office is located in the Memorial Student Center (MSC) on the ground floor. Small boxes rent for about $20 for one year. Do not use any campus office address as your mailing address. For students living off-campus, use your apartment or house address to receive mail.
School Email Address
Beginning in Fall 2005, all TAMU-Commerce students will be assigned an email account on the university server. This is necessary to ensure that all students have a valid, working address for the increasing number of university services provided online. International students should check this email account regularly to stay up to date on vital immigration and academic issues.
Insurance
The A&M University System requires all international students to have sufficient medical and repatriation insurance for every semester enrolled. New students will have the opportunity to purchase A&M insurance immediately after International Student Orientation. For your first semester at TAMU-Commerce, you are required to take A&M insurance unless a policy from another company is approved by an adviser prior to orientation day.
Class Registration
You will be able to register for classes online through MyLeo after you attend undergraduate or international student orientation and purchase insurance.
Student ID Card
Once you are registered for classes you will be able to obtain a student ID card. This card is required to use various campus services, such as the health clinic, library, computer labs and recreational center. The ID Center is located on the second floor of the Memorial Student Center (MSC). You will need to know your student ID number (assigned during the application process, such as “33010000”). Your picture will be taken and a card issued immediately.
Shopping
There are two large stores within a few blocks of campus where you can buy groceries and other necessities. Wal-Mart also offers a variety of goods you may need for the school year, such as bedding, clothing and small furniture items. There are other stores available in Commerce at further distances from campus.
Parking Permits
If you own a car, you will have to register the vehicle with the campus police department and purchase a student parking permit. The permit is good for one year and costs $20-$25. Students can park only in spaces with green painted curbs or where indicated by signage. Cars without a valid permit displayed or parked in spaces not designated for student parking are ticketed. For more information about campus parking regulations, contact the university police department.
