SGA passes courtesy resolutions during its sixth legislative session

Alejandra Yañez | THE RIDER

The Student Government Association held its 22nd senate meeting and sixth legislative session Wednesday on the Edinburg campus where it discussed five resolutions, including one on security measures.

Newly elected Brownsville Vice President Yahia Al-Qudah hosted the meeting, which was also streamed via Zoom for members who could not attend in person, and announced that five resolutions needed to be resolved. 

The SGA met quorum and did not have any student concerns or special guests.

The security measures resolution was created by the Internal Affairs Committee. It supports greater security measures on all campuses, especially during late-night hours.

“It will be presented to this legislative session but it will not be passed this legislative session,” Al-Qudah said. “It will be held until next week.”

The other resolutions were senate courtesy, meaning that they do not need to go to committees to be passed.

The University Library courtesy resolution recognizes its impact on the UTRGV student body during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout the 2020-2021 academic year the University Library collaborated with the SGA to approve the purchase of additional laptops for student checkout use during the fall and spring semesters, among other projects and initiatives. 

Members voted in person and via Zoom through the chat box in favor or against all of the resolutions. 

The senate passed the library resolution.

Al-Qudah then moved on to its next resolution, which calls for the SGA to adopt a new motto.

“Dreamwork Makes the Team Work,” was passed by the senate as the organization’s official motto.

In other business, the SGA also approved resolutions that recognize UT Health RGV for its efforts toward providing care for the campus community during the COVID-19 pandemic and Information Technology for its impact on the student body and collaboration with the senate.

During the meeting, newly elected SGA President José Pablo Rojas recognized this year’s cohort from the First Year Internship (FYI) program.

The 2021 cohort was comprised of the following individuals:

–Alejandro Rodriguez

–Eduardo Damian Garcia Robles

–Denisse Lopez

–Frida Rodriguez

–Isabella Ochoa

–Maria Marroquin

–Mario Flores

–Olivia Gamboa

Each FYI member took a few minutes to thank their mentors and advisers for their experience. 

“These are the future leaders of our organization for the student body,” Rojas said. “I hope to see you all’s applications for next term.”

The SGA president then recognized Robles as the 2021 intern of the year.

Delma Olivarez, associate dean for Student Involvement and SGA adviser, said that with the return to campus it is important for students to RSVP to events now more than ever so that organizations may make appropriate accommodations in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. 

A video of the SGA’s traditional First Pitch will be aired before the May 7 Vaqueros game at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium. 

“It is a long-standing SGA tradition where the outgoing executive team literally pitches the ball or any type of symbol … to symbolize the transition to the incoming team,” Olivarez said.

On June 1, Student Life will have an official reopening of its offices.