The Student Government Association senators for the Honors College, the College of Technology and Graduate At Large are coming together to tackle the University budget, fees and to improve communication with students.
Reyes Ramirez first decided to run for SGA because of his willingness to help others — something he felt his experience would help him with.
“Because I was experienced in the workings of the University, I felt I was able to help the student body,” Ramirez said. “Being an SGA senator I felt gave me the ability to do so.”
The Honors College is unique to the SGA because it comprises a mix of all colleges and includes faculty, which, Ramirez said, results in strong teamwork between students, faculty and staff.
“The Honors College is a perfect example of how (we) can work together,” he said.
Ramirez hopes this mentality will carry through to the SGA, the Faculty Senate and Staff Council while tackling the 5% budget reduction currently being mandated to all public universities by the state. He said this is the most pressing issue affecting UH at the moment because of the potential cuts in classes or programs.
“While I am not assuming that the provost and deans will be slashing things left and right, I am pushing that student input be a prominent factor if the need arises,” Ramirez said.
The notion of program cuts also relates to another of Ramirez’ goals—expanding the Student Bill of Rights.
“I have too many cases where students are kicked out of programs or being treated unfairly; there exists protocol to deal with such things,” he said. “Many (students) do not know that there are guidelines in place for when they are relieved from a program, (or that) they may appeal and convene a committee to overturn the decision.”
Post-baccalaureate technology student Bradley Bates is embarking on his first foray into student government. He decided to run for a seat in the Senate when he noticed vacancies for the college last spring—something that has come full circle.
Bradley Bates is currently the only senator for the College of Technology after returning senator Katie Kornahrens was appointed director of public relations by President Prince Wilson.
Bates said he hopes to see student fees lowered. He wants to look into how the money is spent and how the fees can be reduced. It is a goal he feels is better attainable than tuition reduction.
Bates was appointed to SGA’s Administration and Finance committee and hopes to be appointed to the University’s Student Fee Advisory committee, along with the Transportation and Parking Advisory Board.
“It’s kind of a step one, step two process (with both University and SGA committees),” Bates said. “The central point of those committees is that fees are something we can work on bringing down. It might be the difference between a text book or two for some students.”
Developing an incentive program for students to take Metro or ride their bikes to campus is also high on Bates’ agenda. Though he admits it will be hard to prove someone is biking to campus as opposed to someone providing Metro receipts, Bates hopes this is one rough idea the committee will help him with.
“That is why I want to get on that committee, to ask how this can be done and to get some answers,” Bates said.
Bates is currently organizing his first town hall meeting, where he hopes to have students talk rather than him doing most of the talking.
“You shouldn’t be telling them, ‘this is what we’re going to do, and this is what’s happening,’” he said. “I want to hear their issues. I’ve given my fees issue, but they may have other concerns and we’re their liaisons to the University administration as a whole.”
Graduate Sen. Keith Richards said there are a lot of things that he still wants to accomplish in his second term with SGA. These include improving the election code, legislation and improving communication with his constituents.
“One of my focuses has always been to look at the services offered on campus,” Richards said. “One of the key ones is Higher One, and also making sure that the SGA is running well, (making sure) people understand what their responsibilities as senators and people are following policy and procedure and getting things done.”
Richards plans to go to different colleges and reach out to graduate students and get their input.
“One of my biggest struggles with graduate students is that they are in their own little world in their respective colleges, and they are more focused on what happens in their respective industry in the national and international level then with what happens on campus,” Richards said, “So I have to go to them.”
