UTA President Jennifer Cowley answers a question from Student Body president Effua Jordan during Cookies with Cowley on April 6 in the Palo Duro Lounge in the University Center. Students could enjoy refreshments and ask Cowley questions on issues important.
Students, faculty and staff gathered Monday in the University Center’s Palo Duro Lounge for this semester’s final Cookies with Cowley.
Attendees got to hear updates from various topics, including changes in Hispanic Serving Institution initiatives, construction and renovations across campus, as well as course funding.
Hispanic Serving Institution initiatives
During the event, student leaders participated in a demonstration by holding signs questioning the changes made to the Hispanic Serving Institution initiatives on campus.
UTA President Jennifer Cowley said the university received a grant from the Department of Education that supports graduate student engagement, which was housed under the institution’s initiatives office. The grant was transferred to the graduate school as it was a time-limited grant. Now, the graduate school will be able to continue to support students through that program.
Cowley said many of the activities undertaken by the office were directly student-supported and directly student-facing, which led to the decision to move it from the Talent, Culture and Engagement office to the Student Affairs office.
“The initiatives are not changing,” she said. “Just where they’re located is changing.”
Adrian Canales, public relations and advertising senior, said he and other student leaders wish there was more transparency when making decisions like this.
Canales said that during a conversation with administrators, many questions went unanswered and left the group with uncertainties. He said that this raised concerns, as something similar happened to the LGBT program, which is no longer a part of campus.
“This movement is not to be willing to oppose change, but we want to make sure that change is being done with the best of interest of students,” he said.
Students hold up signs during Cookies with Cowley on April 6 in the Palo Duro Lounge in the University Center. The students gathered to ask the president questions about the recent changes to UTA’s Hispanic Serving Institution initiatives.
University Center renovations and construction
Construction in the University Center will begin once the spring semester concludes, starting with utility work, Cowley said. The demolition of the current space and reconstruction will follow, with the anticipated opening date set for December 2028.
While reconstruction takes place, many dining options will be relocated. Restaurants in the Plaza will be moving to the Rosebud Theatre as the floor will be flattened and converted into seating space for students.
Offices within the facility will move across different parts of campus. Cowley said there will be regular communication about where students can find the various services available to students.
Once the project is complete, the new building will have three times the amount of seating and meeting space, she said.
“I think you’re going to find it to be a wonderful facility once it’s all complete,” Cowley said.
As part of the center’s renovations, the public speech area at Brazos Park will be moved to another location, with the administration still deciding the best spot for it.
The Life Science Building continues to be under construction and has a targeted completion date for spring 2028, with different parts of the building opening beforehand. Cowley said that new additions will open first and the renovations of the existing building will open afterward.
Concerned students hold up signs regarding the recent changes to UTA’s Hispanic Serving Institution initiatives during Cookies with Cowley on April 6 in the Palo Duro Lounge in the University Center. Several students spoke out directly and were asked to write their questions down and present them to the committee rather than speak aloud.
The UT System awarded the university $126 million for maintenance and upgrades to existing buildings. Cowley said starting this summer, there will be improvements to the Business Building, Fine Arts Building, the Central Library, Nedderman Hall and University Hall.
Changes include elevator and mechanical system upgrades along with specific improvements depending on the building.
Minor program removals
Cowley said under Senate Bill 37, the state requires universities to review their minors and keep their course catalogs updated.
She said that minors are only removed on an enrollment basis. If a minor has little to no enrollment, they risk being removed from the university catalog. Minors like gender studies, Mexican American studies, African American studies and disability studies are popular on campus meaning their removal is unlikely.
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