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.
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
* Free financial workshops
* Information sessions
* Roundtable discussions and workshops
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:
- increasing opportunities for foreign language education
- monitoring changes in curricula such as new majors, minors, and courses
- working to promote better cooperation between students and academic advisors
- raising student awareness of all of these developments
Chair
Dina Shahrokhi
Current Projects
* Expanding the language program
* Monitoring changes in majors and minors
* Promoting cooperation between students and advisors
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
* Revising Sound Offs
* Senate Mixers
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
* Evaluating providers for student e-mail
* Maintaining message board for student discussion
* Updating the Student Government website
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
* A painted mural on the pub side of the Student Union
* Improving the Student-Business Alliance to bring student more discounts
* Know Your Rights Day
* ROCK THE VOTE
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.
Chair
Karen Hinkley
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.
Chair
Felicity Lenes
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: September 26, 2008
