UTEP Students Vote in Favor of Union Improvements
Referendum calls for replacement of Union West, renovation of Union East
EL PASO, Texas (Sept 20, 2024) — Students at The Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é of Texas at El Paso voted this week in favor of a referendum calling for the replacement of Union West and renovation of Union East. A total of 1,171 students voted in favor of the referendum; 1,098 voted against. The student campus improvement project now heads to the Texas state legislature for approval.
“Passing this referendum was a collaborative effort and I thank all the students for engaging in the election. The building of a new Student Union West is built on the principle that every student’s voice matters. Voters didn’t just approve a new building —they are endorsing a brighter, more dynamic future for all Miners, present and future,” said UTEP Student Government Association (SGA) President Edgar Loya.
According to the UTEP SGA website, after a comprehensive review by facilities services professionals, the cost of ongoing repairs, deferred maintenance and renovation to the Union West building would be greater than the cost of demolition and replacement. After a number of focus groups and feedback from town hall meetings, Miners have asked for a more modern, accessible, student-centered facility that could include some of the following:
- A new, modern, multipurpose Union West building, showcasing UTEP pride.
- Lounge, study and collaborative spaces with ample seating.
- Student organization work and meeting spaces.
- Space for pool, ping-pong and other tabletop gaming.
- Area for esports and PC gaming.
- New dining venue with healthy food options, accessible after hours.
- Space to host programs such as career fairs, speakers, comedy nights, open mic nights, poetry slams and karaoke.
- State-of-the-art technology and plenty of electrical outlets.
- Large ballroom for hosting events for 600-800 people.
- Shaded outdoor plaza area (between Union West and East) for live entertainment and other events.
- Sustainable features such as solar panels, LED lighting and water efficiency.
“Our student leadership did a great job and I commend them for a strong start to the Student Union revitalization project,” said UTEP President Heather Wilson. “They worked well together, listened to their peers, came up with good concepts that will make the campus better, and explained things well to the campus. I look forward to continuing to work with them to make this project a reality.”
If approved by the legislature, the Union fee paid by UTEP students would increase incrementally over the next three years:
- 2025-2026: $70 per semester, $35 summer
- 2026-2027: $120 per semester, $60 summer
- 2027-2028: $150 per semester, $75 summer
About The Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é of Texas at El Paso
The Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é of Texas at El Paso is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 25,000 students are Hispanic, and more than half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 170 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.
Last Updated on September 20, 2024 at 12:00 AM | Originally published September 20, 2024
By MC Staff UTEP Marketing and Communications
