Comunidad FAQs
- Who is eligible to participate?
- This program is for first-semester students at TAMUG to find a connection with a faculty or staff member, so only first-semester students are eligible to participate.
- Do I have to pay to attend a Comunidad dinner?
- No, you do not. Comunidad is grant-funded, allowing participating students to experience at no cost, however, seats are limited and hold a cancellation policy.
- What happens if I must cancel at the last minute?
- We must receive a cancellation notice from you 48 hours or more prior to the start time of your meal. If you RSVP and don’t attend dinner, you will receive a charge of $25 to your student bill.
- What do we wear to dinner?
- There are no requirements on dress for the meal, however, you will be meeting with a professional on our campus, so we recommend making a lasting impression by dressing as your authentic self.
- Do I get to choose my lead or whom I’m grouped with?
- Although you will not pick directly who you are matched with, we do take in your preferences when you sign up. Groups will be appointed on a first come basis until the group is filled.
- What do I do on the day of my meal?
- We encourage students to show up at the meal location 15 minutes prior to the meal to find their meal lead. You will receive a reminder email the day prior to the meal, please read this in its entirety as there will be important information regarding your specific meal.
- How many students am I expected to attend?
- Each lead will host a max of 5 students per meal. However, leads will be notified by the Comunidad coordinator in a timely manner before the day of the dinner just to reassure the number of students attending.
- What options are available for meals?
- Our office will provide gift cards allowing you and your group to eat at a local Galveston restaurant or invite students to a home-cooked meal prepared by you.
- Who is responsible for recruiting students to my meal?
- The Comunidad coordinator will take care of student outreach so there isn’t a need to recruit from your end. Logistics help such as transportation should be discussed prior to the meal with the coordinator.
- How much can I expect to spend per dinner?
- Hosts are not expected to pay anything out of pocket. This program is generously funded through a student success initiative grant. The budget provided will be $25 per person. Any funds not used will be gathered back. We ask that an appropriate tip is used with the remaining funds.
- What is the time slot for the meals assigned?
- Meals are typically booked for two hours, ranging from lunch (with approval from your survivor) or after business hours. Most scheduled dinners are from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Meals are not expected to be longer than two hours, our main priority is the quality of the experience.
- What should I expect leading up to my meal?
- The coordinator will be in touch to give you your Comunidad meal envelope at least one day prior to your meal. If there is a specific request on time, please contact the coordinator. We ask that leads show up to the location 20 minutes early to a restaurant to get a large enough table and wait for the students to show up.