SGA holds first executive debate
SCREENSHOT TAKEN BY JAMEJDRA HOLVERSTOTT DURING THE MARCH 23 SPRING 2021 SGA DEBATE
Jamejdra Holverstott | THE RIDER
The UTRGV Center for Student Involvement and Student Media hosted the first-ever Student Government Association Executive Debate on the UTRGV Student Life Facebook page last Monday. Topics of discussion featured throughout the debate include funding, the pass/fail system, and the recent shooting in Atlanta.
The first-ever Student Government Association executive ticket debate took place Tuesday, with topics of discussion including funding, the pass/fail system and the recent shooting in Atlanta.
The UTRGV Center for Student Involvement and Student Media hosted the event on the UTRGV Student Life Facebook page.
Two executive tickets, Team Vision United and Team Change, delivered their platforms. Team Vision United is represented by presidential candidate José Pablo Rojas and vice presidential candidates Yahia Al-Qudah and Anacette Cantu. Team Change is represented by presidential candidate Michael White and vice presidential candidates Daniela Ramirez and Leticia Villarreal.
The debate began with an opening statement from both teams, with Team Vision United first discussing their goals to increase resource availability for students and improve student outreach.
“Our team is passionate about providing test-prep courses for students that seek to pursue a higher education in regards to exams, such as the CPA, LSAT, MCAT and GRE, just to name a few,” Cantu said. “By providing these courses, it reduces the stress of students having to purchase review programs while providing the opportunity to receive credit towards their degree.”
She said the team wants to assure students that they can complete coursework and have equal access to internet services without the lack of resources.
Team Change introduced its plan to implement a mental-health day called Vaquero Day and unite the UTRGV community.
“We see the unprecedented circumstances that have been extremely challenging for everyone, and so our team has highlighted a proposed plan to strengthen student life by opening up discussion on various accessibility to enhance the success of all UTRGV students,” White said.
He said that is why the team is proposing Vaquero Day, “where no coursework is due for the students on a selected day, where then they can fill out a form in collaboration with [Student Rights and Responsibilities,] so then they can report to their teacher … to have a stress-free day, come back together and get back to your student coursework.”
Moderator Sol Garcia started the debate by asking Team Vision United, “One of the goals in your platform is to increase resources for the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Fine Arts. How will you persuade UTRGV administration to allocate more funding for these colleges and by when?”
Rojas replied,“Both colleges as we all know… are very low funded, and most of the resources go to STEM degrees, and we want to ensure that funding also gets redistributed to these two colleges as well So, what we would do is, literally, go out and seek out the situations that are going on in these colleges.”
He said they would address students’ concerns on the shortage of professors and course availability and do what “is needing to be done” by confronting the problems affecting the student body and bringing them to administration.
In response, White said that the biggest issue at this moment is providing enough professors for interested students and “bringing in opportunities for students,” adding that those students are “valued and should be communicated with.”
Moderator Alejandra Yañez asked Team Change, “Why do you believe the pass/fail grading system should be reintroduced, and how do you plan to bring it back?”
White replied, “The reason why we want to bring it back, the pass and fail system, is because the UT System … had that for students. Because, even now, we’re still going through the pandemic. There are still people trying to get fully vaccinated.”
He added that the constant Zoom classes students attend every day, paired with the stress of the pandemic is the reason behind the proposal for Vaquero Day.
“The pass/fail system should be brought up again, for the UTRGV students, so they can then feel less stressed,” White said.
Rojas, of Team Vision United, responded, “The pass or fail system has helped many students, and I do agree it will continue helping students, but it’s by case-by-case basis.”
“Sometimes, these pass or fail systems don’t help GPA at all,” Rojas said. “It doesn’t even impact it. Sometimes, financial aid gets affected.”
Co-moderator Garcia asked, “In the wake of the tragic shootings that occurred last week in Atlanta, what measures do you plan to take to reinforce the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion?”
White replied, “Some of the things we want to work with is the Inclusion and Diversity Center here at UTRGV … to ensure students the safety of our campus, know that we’re with them, know that we stand with all parties of the college, and everybody’s represented at an equitable level. But at a safe level, because we don’t stand with Asian hate.”
Rojas, of Team Vision United, countered, “There does need to be inclusion. There’s a lot of diversity, particularly here in the Valley. It’s very unfortunate of all the tragic losses, and we want to make sure that no one has to go through that for any group, any marginalized group.”
He cited an incident that had occurred on campus in the past, in which the LGBTQ+ community’s bench had been vandalized. He said the incident should not have occurred and that their team will work with students and administration to voice safety concerns and put safety measures in place.
Students are encouraged to vote in the SGA elections through the email they received before the deadline at 11:59 p.m. March 31.
To watch a recording of this debate, visit the link: https://www.facebook.com/UTRGVStudentLife/videos/2900081176979711
