Over a hundred 8th graders from Frank Newman Middle School in Cotulla, TX toured TAMIU on Wednesday Feb. 18 and spent their lunch hour with Student Government.
“They were excited about coming,” said Newman Middle Assistant Principal Delma Martinez.
The students came as part of the Gear Up Program, a national initiative aimed at getting youngsters into college. Martinez believes campus visits and witnessing student government are, to that end, integral.
“If they come on campus and get a taste of college life, they may be more inclined to attend in the future. We wanted them to see the student government in action,” said Martinez.
The busy agenda included the confirmation of a new senator appointed by Student Government President James Cortez.Cortez introduced the senate to his pick, Ceasar Cardenas.
“Mr. Cardenas is a remarkable candidate to represent the student body,” Cortez stated. “He’s made exemplary strides in academics, research, and leadership.”
Briefly addressing the senate, Cardenas, a sophomore and member of TAMIU’s Early Medical School Acceptance Program, stated he wanted to improve campus life.
“I think we have a lack of (student) participation here,” he said.
Cardenas is the fifth senator designate brought before the senate by President Cortez since January. Because Student Government elections take place every spring semester, vacancies in the senate are filled by either presidential appointment or appointment by the senate.
Furthermore, recent increases in university enrollment mandated new senate seats, especially for at-large senators, who represent the entire student body, and the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS).
Whether appointed by the president or the senate, all senators designate must be confirmed by the senate.
Such was the case during the Feb. 18 meeting; although, at least one senator wanted the issue tabled as a result of a yet unresolved issue within Student Government.
College of Education (COED) Senator Maritza Morris moved to table the issue because of the lingering question of executive sessions. The senate, however, rejected the motion.
They subsequently confirmed Cardenas, and a member of the student judiciary swore him in.
Also at the meeting, President Cortez presented a report of proposed state legislation that will effect Texas’ institutions of higher education.
“None of this is definite,” Cortez stated, “This is legislation that’s just moving through committees, but it’s important to make students aware of what may affect them at the state and federal level.”
The report Cortez passed out summarizes bills covering a barrage of issues: tuition freezes, tax-free textbooks, and regulations on university research involving stem cells.
One bill, HB 50, seeks to eliminate in-state tuition rates for students living in the United States illegally.
Current law allows anybody who has lived in Texas for at least three years prior to obtaining a high school diploma or equivalent or prior to enrollment in a higher education institution to qualify for in-state tuition as a Texas resident.
HB 50 seeks to curtail that by eliminating resident status for anyone in violation of federal immigration law.
“This is going to be a lightning rod,” Cortez said. “If you’re an illegal immigrant, you’ll pay double the tuition and fees. It’s a very touchy subject.”
In addition, the report refers to HB52, which proposes a 40 percent per institution cap on students admitted under the “Top Ten Percent” rule, as “one of several biennial assaults on the ‘Top Ten Percent’ program.”
Cortez pointed out that the information was compiled by the A&M System Chancellor’s Student Advisory Board (CSAB), and that any opinions in the report are those of CSAB, not TAMIU’s Student Government.
He did, however, state his own opinions during the presentation.
“I have trouble seeing the validity of the bill,” he said when presenting the proposed top ten percent cap.
Sen. Juan Mendive (COAS) proposed that SG discuss the bills at length and adopt resolutions in support or opposition to each one.