Message from Michael E. Fossum

Welcome Back

August 30, 2021

Aggies by the Sea,

Howdy! Welcome back to Texas A&M University at Galveston!  

I’d like to express a heartfelt welcome home to our returning faculty, staff, and students. And to the incoming Class of 2025, welcome aboard! After a long summer, I am excited to see the Galveston Campus returning to life with students filling the residence halls and study spaces, classes back in session (in person!), vessels in the water ready for research trips, and lines forming in the coffee shops. 

United with our Asian American Community

March 18, 2021

Aggies by the Sea,

I am horrified and saddened by yet another act of hate against the Asian American community in Atlanta yesterday that resulted in the shooting deaths of eight people, including six Asian American women. Every incident that targets race creates waves that ripple through our own community no matter where the incident occurred. We here at Texas A&M University at Galveston have no tolerance for discrimination and racial division. We are ALL Aggies, united in our shared traditions and experiences, and in our intolerance of intolerance.

United in Grief

January, 29, 2021

Dear Aggies,

It has been a terrible 24 hours as we have begun to accept the deaths of two of our students, Wesley Mallernee ’23 and Brandon Perlowski ’21. We have weathered many storms, Sea Aggies, but none so crushing as the loss of those taken too early.

Fall 2020 Welcome Back

August 18, 2020

Howdy! Welcome back to Texas A&M University at Galveston!  

I’d like to express a heartfelt welcome home to our returning faculty, staff, and students. And to the incoming Class of 2024, welcome aboard! The Galveston Campus is returning to life with students filling the dorms and study spaces, classes will soon be in session, vessels in the water, and physically-distanced lines forming in the coffee shops. We are excited to begin the 2020/2021 academic year after many months of uncertainty.

CLIDE Update

July 7, 2020

Dear Campus Community:

We want to thank all of you who participated in June’s Racial Climate Forum. The information you shared has provided considerable insight on how we can best address the issues in our campus climate in support of our underrepresented groups. We will continue to provide you opportunity to express your thoughts and experiences, as well as learn how you can support anti-racism efforts on our campus. In the meantime, we want to provide you with an update on new and ongoing efforts to address our campus climate.

Moving Forward and Fall 2020 Decisions

June 18, 2020

After much consultation and input from the campus community, President Young and Provost Fierke have provided initial decisions regarding the fall 2020 semester, which will feel much different than previous semesters, and not be without challenges. However, I am confident that, with the dedicated support of the Texas A&M University at Galveston community, we will be successful if everyone follows the foundational plan developed and safety measures being implemented.

We Stand Together

June 3, 2020

Dear Campus Community,

I share your outrage and horror at the tragic death of George Floyd last week while in Minneapolis Police custody. His death highlights those individuals – far, far too many individuals – who have needlessly lost their lives due to the blatant systemic and societal racism that exists in America.

Regarding COVID-19

March 14, 2020

Dear Galveston Campus Community: 

We are experienced in dealing with disruptions from disastrous weather events but are in uncharted territory dealing with the threat posed by the coronavirus, or COVID-19, which is impacting much of our planet and disrupting everyday life. I thank you for your patience while we have been working with Texas A&M University, The Texas A&M University System, and local and state health officials to provide you with answers