Student Government

Committees

Committees are the work-horses of Student Government. They take on projects, investigate and listen to students' concerns, and draft bills and resolutions to be presented to and voted on by the senate.

All Senators are typically assigned to one or two committees, where they work with the chair and other members on the issues or projects at hand.

Students' concerns can be addressed more effectively if they contact the committee chair to which their issue pertains. As such, information about the several committees is presented here.

Academic Affairs Committee

This committee serves as a liaison between students and university administrators and faculty regarding academic policies and issues. The committee functions as an outlet to voice student opinion and to facilitate further development of educational opportunities.

This year, the committee will concentrate on a number of projects including:

  • Town Hall Meetings
  • Dance Program Enhancement
  • Expanding language options
  • New arts building recognition
  • Honor Code for UTD
  • Residence Hall Piano Alumni Fund Proposal 
  • Working to promote better cooperation between students and academic advisors
  • Raising student awareness of all of these developments

Chair
Emily Lichtenheld

 

Communications Committee

This committee handles SG public relations. We focus our effort on two major roles: presenting Student Government to the UTD campus and presenting UTD to the community.

SG advertisements are handled by this committee, as well as:

  • integrating ideas to involve the student body
  • making efforts to give UTD better representation in the surrounding community
  • working in conjunction with other Student Government committees, student organizations, or the UTD administration on events and ideas for change.

Current Projects

  • Updating SG Outreach Materials
  • Implementing New Channels of SG Communication
  • Improving SG Sound-Offs
  • Educating Senators on Student Life Departments
  • Senate Mixers

Chair
Nick Hinijosa

 

Graduate and International Affairs Committee

This committee helps both graduate and international communities. In the past the Committee has worked to provide ISBNs online, to inform students about changes in grading policies, and to provide the administration with feedback from students. In addition, the Committee sponsors a table during international week and organizes events to help provide information and foster a sense of community in both sectors.

Current Projects

  • International students transport initiative
  • Ice-cream social
  • Free financial workshops
  • Information sessions
  • Socials for international and graduate students

 

Chair
Abhimanyu Singh

 

Legislative Affairs Committee

This committee serves as a liaison between students and lawmakers at the local, state and federal levels. It also informs students about new bills and resolutions that affect them directly.

Current Projects

  • Richardson City Council Liaison
  • Keeping in touch with representatives while Legislature is not in session
  • Bringing to Senate proposed legislation that will be introduced in the next
    session

 


Chair
Prashant Raghavendran

Residential Student Affairs Committee

This committee works proactively to solve student concerns with the on-campus housing. In addition, it works to help commuter students and serve their specific interests.

Current Projects

  • Green Living
  • Semester Lease Notification
  • Residential Round Up
  • Graduate Housing


Chair
Bryan Thompson

 

Student Affairs Committee

This committee handles issues relevant to student life outside of academics and housing.

It focuses on providing new and exciting services to UTD students and helping the student body stay informed about important issues.

Current Projects

  • Constitution Day
  • Spring Cometville Carnival

 

Chair
Alexandra Ransom

 

Technology Committee

This committee oversees various resources and tools used by both the senate and students.

It is in charge of updating the Student Government website. It also plays a key role representing student interest in the area of university policy regarding technology

Current Projects

  • Maintaining message board for student discussion
  • Updating the Student Government website
  • Orion Orientation
  • Alumni emails
  • Digital Thermostats


 

Chair
Yashodhan Gogte

 

Ad hoc committees

Sometimes Student Government forms an Ad hoc committee, designed to solve or investigate a specific and often urgent issue.

Examples of such committees are the Waterview Internet Inquiry Committee and the Standards Committee.

 

Updated: August 21, 2009