Between quick lunches, late-night meetings and chance encounters, the University Center has long served as a backdrop to moments that shape campus life.
Among those moments are the decisions made inside the Student Government Chambers.
The chambers have relocated several times throughout the university’s history, drawing in memories from current and past leaders who have occupied the space that served as the heart of student decision-making.
After several years on the second floor of the University Center, the chambers will move once again during the building’s renovations.
Student Body President Effua Jordan said a new blueprint will be made public April 6 at Cookies with Cowley, a Q&A event that allows students to connect with the UTA President Jennifer Cowley. More details will be provided on the location and upgrades for the new chambers.
Jordan took part in the committee that pushed for the UC renovation. She said the current renovation committee has taken inspiration from other campuses and are looking into incorporating floor-to-ceiling glass windows. She said she hopes for an open concept to the chambers to make students feel more welcome.
Jordan said she is saddened to not be able to see the new space develop once she graduates and to leave the old space behind.
“I have a lot of good memories there,” she said. “It’s kind of like home.”
One of Jordan’s favorite moments from the chambers is being sworn in as president, she said. The chambers were full, with people even standing on the sides. Taking photos afterward with her friends and parents, who came from Houston, reminded her why she ran for the position, she said.
“I thought I was just going to be a senator and move on with my life, but I wanted to put more into the university, and I feel like that moment made me realize it was real,” Jordan said.
Jordan has seen challenges, with the impending move, the loss of the organization’s faculty advisers, and said stepping into the role was scary for her.
“I was going to be coming into a completely new team, completely new environment,” she said. “Coming in and making sure that I was a clear voice for the government and also for the students, I feel was the main reason why I wanted to run.”
Mamie Bush Johnson, Student Body president from 1984-85, said that during her term, the chambers were in the basement of the UC. Bush Johnson said she remembers going upstairs after meetings, getting dinner and talking with her colleagues.
Photo courtesy of Special Collections, UTA Student Congress Records
“I just always thought it was the neatest thing for us to go downstairs, for everybody to come together,” Bush Johnson said. “We spent time laughing, talking, addressing whatever issues needed to be addressed.”
Bush Johnson was surprised by the news of the relocation of the current chambers but hopes the change will lead to improvement, she said.
“Growth sometimes brings about changes, and even though it may not be what we initially want to do, we can always regroup and make the best of it,” she said.
Bush Johnson said her time in Student Government motivated her to pursue government work and go to law school. She said that as an African American woman Student Body president, she hopes to inspire others to pursue what they have always wanted to do.
“I have no regrets as to my path,” she said. “If I had it to do all again, I’d seek to become Student Body president again, and I would go to law school again.”
Photo courtesy of Special Collections, UTA Student Congress Records
Trey Yelverton, 1987-88 Student Body president and current Arlington city manager, said the chambers and Student Government offices were in the lower level of the UC during his term also. The chambers were an amphitheater-style room, which he said gave the room character and dignity, making it worthy of doing student business.
Yelverton said the years he spent in Student Government resulted in many friendships, including with some people who still live in town. He said sometimes they will reminisce on things they debated.
Yelverton said he is most proud of serving as a mediator between students and administration regarding student issues, explaining to students why the administration makes certain decisions.
“It was a fun, educational time, and hopefully one that was helpful to everybody,” he said.
“I think it’s very rewarding to, especially as a UTA alum, know what campus has been like, and watch it evolve, and watch how the area around campus has evolved.”
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