Texas A&M; Univeristy also called Aggieland is a land of traditions and probably one of the very few schools in the United States that considers traditions to be as important as the academics. Of the many traditions that are followed by the Aggies is the Aggie Ring. Every year tousands of Aggies apply and ‘compete’ to have the Aggie ring on their finger. This tradition has been started in the year 1933 and since then thousands of Aggies have earned this ring as a symbol of their attachment with the Aggieland.
Getting an Aggie ring is not just purchasing it from a store, but there are certain minimum requirements that should be met if you want to wear an Aggie ring. These requirements are defined way back in the year 1933 by the Official Senior Ring Committee. This is the committee which is responsible for protecting the integrity of the ring and ensure that it goes only into the hands of deserving aggies. This committee issues close to 9000 rings each year after verifying the eligibility.
The eligibity criteria require you not be on academic probation, suspension, dismissal or any violation of the principles of the univeristy or the honor code of Aggieland. There is also a good academic standing requirement for undergraduates with a minimum GPA of 2.0 and a minimum credit requirement for the masters programs. The specific details of these requirements can be found on the Aggie site and note that these are strict requirements. To verify to yourself that you are eligible to get a ring, you can go through the ring audit test on their website. The ring can also be ordered by former students, the requirements being the same.
To ensure that the ring will not be ordered by people just for fun, Aggie network does not give away the rings for free, but sells them at fixed prices. There are two kinds of rings which are named 10K and 14K and they cost $742 and $1005 respectively for men. The same models for women cost $386 and $460 in the same order. The shipping costs, insurance cost etc are additional. However, the aggie ring is a symbol of tradition which cannot be priced. This price is just to ensure that people do consider the ring valuable and also to meet with the cost of making of the ring.
The rings are distributed to the eligible candidates on the Aggie ring day organized three times an year, in the months of April, September and November. This is organized at the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center located on-campus. Students get the proof of their eligibilty (aggie ring ticket) and other identifications to collect the aggie ring. This is a huge event organized every year and people turn in huge numbers to this event.
Aggie land considers the ring to be a valuable asset and thus provides for the resize or repair of the ring. The ring comes with a gaurantee and in case of severe damage, the Aggie will be given a new ring. As the ring comes in standard sizes, there are provisions to resize the ring and repair it in case of damage. Aggies can send their rings for repair not just when they are on campus, but from whereever they stay. The ring will be delivered back through mail and this is usually done free of cost.
The symbolism of the ring: (Taken from http://www.aggienetwork.com/ring/crown.aspx?PageID=435)
The base or “Crown” of the Ring:
Shield at the top of Ring: Illustrates protection of the good reputation of the alma mater.
13 Stripes in shield: Symbolizes the 13 original states and the intense patriotism of graduates and undergraduates of A&M.;
5 stars in shield: Refers to the phases of development of the student: mind or intellect, body, spiritual attainment, emotional poise, and integrity of character.
Eagle: Connotes agility and power, and ability to reach great heights and ambitions.
For further information visit http://www.aggienetwork.com/Ring/
