This Week In Student Government - Nov. 7

 

(Source: via Flickr)

Here is a recap of The Student Government Association at UT-Tyler's Nov. 7 meeting. 

Summary

The assembly heard from guest speakers about an institutional effectiveness survey and UT-System's new microcredential. It also had a brief discussion on pedestrian safety. The assembly took no action.

Speaker's Podium 

Office of the Provost

Drs. Lou Ann Berman and Christopher Holmquist spoke to SGA about the University's pilot post-graduation survey it intends to launch in January and Spring 2024. The survey will aim to measure how UT-Tyler prepares students to work with artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace. 

The two administrators came to request feedback from the assembly. Berman said that a past failure of her office's previous post-graduation surveys was not sharing the survey results with student government, an oversight which she said correct this year to gain more perspective from SGA's input. 

Office of Digital Learning

Director of Digital Learning Scott Dillingham presented The University of Texas System's new microcredential certification opportunity to student government. He said he asked student members to spread the news of this new offer and he encouraged them to pursue accreditation.

Dillingham defined microcredentials as "short and focused educational credentials designed to provide learners with competencies and skills that are in high demand by employers and industry.” He said professional credentials like microcredentials can improve workers' income potential. UT-System currently pays for the license for this credential curriculum. So, students, faculty, staff and alumni can pursue microcredential certification at no cost to themselves. 

Students can use The Texas Labor Market Dashboard to discover what microcredential their desired industry might value and can learn more about the microcredential, including how to start the certification at no cost, on UT-Tyler's Office of Digital Learning's webpage.

Officer Reports 

President Dix said administrators Ona Tolliver, Dwayne Morris, Robert Crumley and Amir Mirmiran will attend SGA on Nov. 28 to discuss administration's new parking lot construction plans. She also said she has been studying information about UT-Tyler's Office of International Programs (OIP) to convey to UT-System Student Advisory Council. She said students from other universities feel their OIP is lacking and that UT-Tyler's is the standard. 

Other officers reported they have been attending to their regular duties. 

Committee Reports

The committees for Events, Communications, Rules and Environmental Sustainability all did not meet this week. Appropriations Committee (SGAC) approved $874 to The Hispanic Students Association and First Generation Patriots for a combined event. It also approved $253 to The Queer-Straight Alliance for an event. All SGA-sponsored events are open to all students. 

Student Voice Reports

One Soules College of Business senator said he heard positive feedback about the recent mock team interviews event from Soules College of Business students. One senator also said Soules students are looking for after-hours access to the Soules building to access its labs and other resources. Another senator said Soules is getting an MBA program with a coming future public announcement, but this author could not yet confirm this report.

A College of Pharmacy senator said students are discussing the recent "Walgreens Walkout" happening at Walgreens and CVS around the nation. She said students are trying to figure out what they can do as a school to "advocate for a safer environment."

A School of Nursing senator said some nursing students feel the school's back-to-back class schedule is inflexible and the all-day classes at Palestine campus are challenges to some students. She also said parking passes present challenges to Palestine nursing students. 

For instance, she said some students felt it was disadvantageous for them to have to purchase a permit on the main campus when they learn at the Palestine campus, and that being unable to receive them by mail as in the past means they must drive a long distance to obtain one. Students also complained about having to pay student fees for main campus resources, such as the athletics program and gym, which distance campus students either do not or are unlikely use. President Dix said she aims to have speakers come talk to SGA about student fees next semester. 

Another nursing senator said lack of awareness of master degree programs in School of Nursing leads current nurses to pursue masters coursework at other schools outside of the area.

Old Business - None. 

New Business

Treasurer Peters opened a discussion about pedestrian safety and offered that perhaps student government could pursue administration resolve some of the problem areas. Peters mentioned a rocky area near Soules College where there is "a bunch of mud and rocks [pedestrians] have to walk through" and near vehicle traffic. Members mentioned that other problem areas are students jaywalking at the crosswalk on Old Omen Road, pedestrian traffic by the Fine Arts Building, construction by Onealas Hall and Liberty Landing pedestrians walking in the road without access to The Patriot Walkway (that runs to Victory Village).

Members concluded this discussion without taking action. (In other words, it was just a discussion at this time.) 

Advisor Comments

President Dix reported that Advisor Neaves emphasized that members should meet with their deans and present this information in their student voice reports. 

Announcements 

President Dix called for all members to be in a committee and reminded the assembly that Student Regent Application Deadline is Nov. 20.

*Meeting adjourned after 1 hour and three minutes. 

*NOTE: A previous version of this article incorrectly identified Soren Peters as vice president rather than treasurer.

Meeting video available on YouTube.   

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