Senate introduces amendments, talks printing credit

By Hope Yang     8/26/25 9:52pm

The Student Association amended four previously proposed amendments at this semester’s inaugural Senate meeting on Monday. The changes streamline grammar and clarificatory changes, allowing for continuous review of the Initiative Fund and changes clarifying University Court impeachment and Blanket Tax Organization dissolution processes.

The four amendments were previously proposed for the spring 2025 election ballot, which failed due to insufficient voter turnout. 

Senate will vote to approve the amendments Sept. 1. If the amendments pass, the SA will conduct a referendum or special election to determine if the amendments will be presented again on the spring 2026 ballot or voted on in the fall.

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Amendment three includes revisions to the previously biannual review of the Initiative Fund, allowing for continuous review of applications throughout the year. 

“We can meet continuously, but we can only vote once to disburse,” SA Parliamentarian Zach Weinbrum said during Senate. “If in some sort of scenario we have super good form all the time, why not have more meetings and appropriate more funds more quickly?”

Last spring, the SA approved a $140,000 Initiative Fund for student organizations, a 460% increase from the previously $25,000 fund, marking the largest in SA history. Applications open Sept. 2 and close Oct. 10. 

The amendment also removes the requirement for funding to be given to “new and innovative” initiatives.

“[An initiative] is something you’re doing for the student body as a whole,” Weinbrum said. “It does not need to be new. It does not need to be recurring. It does not need to be innovative.”

Changes to amendment four revised the election regulations so that violations do not result in immediate disqualification. Instead, the University Court may issue a remedial measure.

Senate also introduced a bill establishing a one-time funding for printing credit. The SA will make a donation of $25,000 to support $5 of printing credit for all students, while urging university administration to match the donation to meet the $10 printing credit goal. 

Martel College President Nathan Calzat said he had reservations about creating the fund without agreement from the administration to match the donation.

“I worry that we might be placing a bandage on a bullet hole and temporarily solve this issue when the real issue that we’re trying to solve is the fact that our administration does not want to give us our due compensation for what we need for our printing credit,” Calzat said during debate.

“It’s not the duty of the SA to provide printing credit, it’s the duty of our institution,” Calzat continued.

Members of Senate voiced disagreement. They will further debate the bill.

The SA is still negotiating with the administration to get 24-hour study space at Fondren, which they say may not be possible due to safety concerns. Secretary Cedric Lau confirmed a 12 day pilot program during finals week at Fondren requiring $37,000 in funding and is also looking for other spaces. 

Deputy Chief of Staff Nate Turman also announced efforts to partner with the Houston Zoo to adopt a live owl mascot at the zoo for students to visit. Turman said that he hopes to follow the model at University of Houston, which has adopted two live cougars.

“The idea with that is to have fun, collaborative events and have good marketing for the school and for the zoo,” Turman said.

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