The student senate introduced three new resolutions and killed another during its Tuesday meeting.
The Senate introduced Resolution 26-05, “Swipe Away Hunger,” which aims to create a voluntary meal swipe donation program, allowing students to donate unused meal swipes or credits to support fellow students through the Maverick Pantry or a university-administered meal assistance program.
Under the resolution, students who donate meal swipes would be recognized as “Maverick Meal Advocates,” and the university would determine appropriate recognition or incentive methods in accordance with university policies and fiscal responsibilities.
Other schools within the UT System, such as UT El Paso, have also implemented meal swipe donation programs, which provide hundreds of meals to students in need, according to the resolution.
The Senate also introduced Resolution 26-06, “Match Made at UTA,” which aims to implement a more detailed roommate matching process by adding more compatibility-based questions, including lifestyle preferences, study habits and communication styles.
The resolution would also establish a structured roommate experience feedback system to ensure student satisfaction and help inform future housing placement.
“Respectfully, our housing department is flawed,” said Jaysen Johnson, College of Liberal Arts senator and the resolution’s author. “If this is one step to fixing a flawed system, why shouldn’t we take it?”
The meeting’s last new legislation introduced was Resolution 26-07, “This Is Our Legacy,” which aims to create the Student Government Legacy Network to connect past student government members from all branches and generations.
In collaboration with the UTA alumni and through the student government’s social media, a voluntary opt-in form would be shared with former members to join the network, which would land on the university’s platform or the student government website.
Peer institutions such as UT Austin established a Student Government alumni network, according to the resolution. Currently, UTA has no formal system to reconnect with past student government members after graduation.
A legacy network would allow past and current student government members to offer guidance and networking opportunities.
Resolution 25-29, “Midterm Exam, Midterm Review,” which called for an implementation of a professor review during midterms, has been killed in committee as it was not positively received by some of the student population and administration.
The Senate also gave updates on these past resolutions:
Resolution 26-02 “Catch Success Before It Fails” calls for students with a GPA below 2.25 to attend mandatory academic support sessions.
Resolution 25-28 “Operation Relocation: Bring the Vets to the UC” calls for the relocation of the Veteran Center to the University Center after renovations.
Resolution 26-04 “Narc Em Mavs” calls for the implementation of free naloxone kits and free overdose response training.
Resolution 25-25 “From Vacancy to Victory” calls for the implementation of temporary emergency housing and assistance on campus for students experiencing homelessness.
Resolution 26-01 “Every Car Counts” calls for students to be able to register multiple vehicles under one parking permit.
Resolution 26-03 “Lock, Charge, & Go” calls for lockers for charging devices to be added to the University Center during its renovation period and high-traffic areas such as The Commons.
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