Yahia Al-Qudah, UTRGV Student Government Association Brownsville vice president LUIS MARTINEZ SANTILLANO/THE RIDER
The Student Government Association is preparing for its seventh legislative session at UTRGV by starting the Fall 2021 semester with new initiatives, including open educational resources for students.
Preparations for the new projects began this summer after the SGA began its term on May 3.
They have met with multiple administrators, college deans and departments.
“SGA has passed many initiatives in the past,
and we want to continue
this effort this legislative term,” said SGA Brownsville Vice President Yahia Al-Qudah.
One of the first initiatives SGA has in progress is the Open Educational Resources, an online platform that allows students to obtain textbooks at little to no cost.
The SGA is collaborating with the UTRGV Library, which has its own open education resource initiative, Al-Qudah said.
He said the senate is trying to expand this resource to allow students to reduce their expenses.
They have been meeting with different faculty throughout the summer to persuade them to use the program in their courses.
“Since [UTRGV] serves majority low-income students, we understand that open educational resources are something that are very needed in our community,” Al-Qudah said.
This program is something SGA hopes to develop through the UTRGV administration at both campuses, but is also respecting faculty members’ decisions.
The SGA also has started the Collegiate Advancement Student Advisory Councils project, which would create a council within each college.
These councils would include one SGA student representative and the president of each organization under that specific college.
Each council will be made up of 30 to 50 members who will discuss any issues happening within the college or organization.
The purpose behind the CASAC program is for the
SGA to have better communication with the student body and help with any problems.
Lastly, the senate will organize a Constitutional Convention to revise bylaws, and students will vote on the proposed changes around October, Al-Qudah said.
If the amendments are approved by two-thirds of those who voted, the revised constitution will take effect in the 2022-2023 academic year, he said.
“There is a few rules that were initially made that haven’t made the easiest path for SGA members to conduct their work to the best of their abilities, whether it’s eligibility or specific roles and responsibilities,” Al-Qudah said.
The vice president said the senate has many positions open for the 2021-2022 term. Interested students can find applications on the SGA page, https://utrgv.campuslabs.com/engage/submitter/form/start/482628. Students may apply through their V-link, and will be required to answer a few questions and to submit a resume.
