SGA greenlights Athletics referendum

The Student Government Association voted Tuesday night to approve a referendum application for a student vote on establishing a football team, women’s swimming and diving teams and other programs by increasing the Intercollegiate Athletics fee.

The proposal would also create two marching bands and two spirit programs if approved by the student body.

Currently, the Intercollegiate Athletics Fee is $15 per credit hour. The referendum proposes that the fee be increased by $11.25 per credit hour, capped at 12 hours, for a total of $26.25 per credit hour.

“We have the opportunity as students, and SGA has the opportunity as community leaders, to set the foundation of what this university will be perceived as for the foreseeable future,” UTRGV political science senior Zakary Borja told the senate.

Job Martinez, senator for the Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship, gives the Campus and Community Affairs report during Tuesday night’s Student Government Association meeting.
Daisy Araujo/The Rider Photo

Students will vote on the referendum from Nov. 8 to 10.

SGA President Pablo Rojas requested time during the meeting for Maggie Hinjosa, senior vice president for Strategic Enrollment and Student Affairs, and Chasse Conque, vice president and director of Athletics, to speak on the proposal.

“Congratulations, this is a legacy moment for our institution,” Conque said. “We have a lot of work to do with the referendum over the next couple of months.”

Hinojosa said she looks forward to working with the SGA and the rest of the student body as they move forward with the referendum.

In other news, the SGA invited two guest speakers, Graduate Assistant for Engaged Scholar and Artist Awards, Roman Sanchez, and service learning coordinator, Neida Gutierrez.

Delma D. Olivarez, associate dean for Student Involvement, gives the SGA Adviser’s report during Tuesday night’s Student Government Association meeting. Also shown is SGA adviser Jodie Dominguez, director of the Center for Student Involvement.
Daisy Araujo/The Rider Photo

Sanchez spoke of the different resources available through the Engaged Scholarship & Learning office.

The Engaged Scholar and Artist Awards (ESAA) offers awards for undergraduate research, creative work and community engagement. Each of the awards helps students gain real-world experience, one-on-one mentoring and help them build their professional or career identity.

In order to be accepted into the ESAA, students must complete a pre-application phase.

“Unfortunately the program right now is only for undergraduates but, hopefully, in the future, we can push those programs for graduate students as well,” Gutierrez said.

Today is the last day to submit a pre-application.

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