Update On Aggie Ring Day, Association Operations

MARCH 23 UPDATE: Brazos County officials announced a shelter-in-place order effective at 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, and continuing until at least April 7. Under this order, all but essential businesses are required to operate remotely. That includes The Association of Former Students. Unfortunately, we must delay the shipment of Aggie Rings until after the shelter-in-place order is lifted. Preparing and shipping 6,500 boxes is an enormous task that requires a large group of staff members working collaboratively, and it is simply not possible to perform that work under the new restrictions. Read more here.

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Amid increasing precautionary guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and in consideration of the well-being of those we serve, The Association of Former Students and our staff will remain available to serve the Aggie Network by phone, email and through AggieNetwork.com. We have made modifications to our operations, however, which include telecommuting options for much of our staff, postponing or canceling events scheduled through mid-May and limiting access to the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center. 

To remain in accordance with the current recommendations from the CDC and other federal authorities on public gatherings, most Aggie Rings scheduled for delivery April 17-18 will be shipped directly to Ring recipients, in lieu of the previously scheduled Ring Day format. Ring recipients also have the option to have The Association hold their Ring for pickup after normal operations resume on campus. This difficult decision, made in the interest of public health, will allow April Ring recipients to receive their Rings on or before the originally scheduled date and all shipping costs will be borne by The Association.

More than 6,500 Aggies ordered Rings for the April Ring delivery and attendance at the two-day Ring Day was anticipated to top 50,000. The Association sent an email notification to all Ring recipients Tuesday, March 17, advising them of the change and will distribute an additional email March 23, allowing recipients to select a delivery date between April 2 and 17.

Ring Day, as it is celebrated today, began in 2000. It has become a highly-anticipated day for Aggies and The Association shares in the disappointment felt by students, parents and our volunteers who help to make this a special day each year.

The absence of Ring Day, however, does not lessen the importance of the Aggie Ring or diminish the academic achievement it signifies. The power of the Aggie Ring emanates from its significance as the most visible symbol of the worldwide Aggie Network and the connections it facilitates. Its value and meaning extend far beyond a single day of celebration.

As we all navigate this temporary new normal, we ask Aggies to understand that some of our traditions will take on a different look in 2020, but the spirit of those traditions remains unaltered. As we’ve seen time and time again during times of crisis, from world wars to hurricanes, the Aggie Spirit will prevail!

For Ring recipient queries, email AggieRing@AggieNetwork.com. For media queries, please contact Kathryn Greenwade ’88 at 979-845-7514 or KGreenwade88@AggieNetwork.com.

The Association of Former Students has a bold vision to engage 100,000 donors annually for Texas A&M by the end of 2020. To learn more, visit tx.ag/100Kby2020. To help us help more Aggies, make a gift at tx.ag/give.