President Jennifer Cowley, right, speaks while Student Body President Effua Jordan smiles during Cookies with Cowley on Sept. 24 at Palo Duro Lounge. One of the questions asked was if UTA will ever have a live mascot.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
UTA President Jennifer Cowley discussed free speech legislation, the University Center renovation and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement procedures, among other topics, Wednesday during the fall’s first Cookies with Cowley.
Facilitated by Student Government, the event gathers faculty, university officials and students a few times per semester to ask Cowley questions and discuss ongoing issues.
Texas free speech legislation
Concerns were raised about Senate Bill 2972, which places restrictions on college campus protests and is already in effect at UTA.
Students, faculty and staff are still allowed to engage in free speech anywhere on campus, but people from outside the university can only do so in Brazos Park and The Green at College Park, which are designated zones, Cowley said.
Andres Morales, Student Body vice president, asks President Jennifer Cowley and Student Body President Effua Jordan a question from an attendee during Cookies with Cowley on Sept. 24 at Palo Duro Lounge. Attendees could write down questions and have them asked anonymously.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
Key actions banned under SB 2972:
- Demonstrations between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.
- Encampments on campus property
- The use of masks, face coverings or other means of hiding identity during demonstrations
- The use of bullhorns, speakers or other amplifiers on campus during class hours
- Protests or demonstrations during the last two weeks of a semester
- The lowering of American flags on campus with the intent of replacing the American flag with another nation’s, organization’s or people group’s flag
Students and faculty must now also present a valid ID when asked by a member of campus or public law enforcement.
“If somebody wanted to have, for example, a protest on campus that was from an outside group, they could request Brazos Park as long as it was not reserved by another group,” Cowley said.
She said the university is monitoring a UT System lawsuit. If the law is overturned, UTA will update its free speech policy.
“If a student organization wants to engage in free speech activities, just ask, and they’ll provide more information about what is and isn’t allowed,” she said.
University Center renovations
The University Center construction is anticipated to begin at the end of the spring semester immediately after classes end, Cowley said. The process is slated to take around 30 months.
President Jennifer Cowley speaks to the audience during Cookies with Cowley on Sept. 24 at Palo Duro Lounge. The event began at noon.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
She said the university has been planning to keep resources available throughout construction. Parts of the University Center, like the dining facility and areas near Student Affairs, will remain open. There are also plans to change Rosebud Theater to better allow students to utilize the space throughout the period, Cowley said.
“We plan to add additional seating into the open areas on that side so students have places that they can gather in the remaining parts of the university center that will remain open during the construction period,” she said.
To increase dining options throughout the process, she said a new cafe is coming to the bookstore and restaurants will be added to College Park Center. Food trucks and additional dining locations are also being considered.
The University Center renovations will trade the building’s basement for an extended three-story facility west of the Housing Office.
Political science freshman Michael Cole writes down a question for President Jennifer Cowley during Cookies with Cowley on Sept. 24 at Palo Duro Lounge. A question asked was if a bowling alley would open again in UTA.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
In April 2024, the student body passed a referendum aiming to renovate and expand the University Center with a student union fee increase. The UT System Board of Regents approved the fee increase from $39 to $150 per spring and fall semester or $75 per summer semester to help fund the roughly $170 million project, according to previous Shorthorn reporting.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
When asked how UTA would protect its students if ICE came onto campus, Cowley said UTA cooperates with all law enforcement agencies, and typically, ICE would communicate with UTA Police before taking action.
“If someone were to show up in the University Center, for example, then our staff have been trained that they need to direct the ICE official to the university police or university legal counsel,” Cowley said.
She said generally ICE will avoid coming on college campuses due to the number of people nearby and risk involved.
President Jennifer Cowley, right, speaks with Student Body President Effua Jordan during Cookies with Cowley on Sept. 24 at Palo Duro Lounge. Cowley talked about the demolition of the University Center and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement procedures.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
“We have not had any ICE incidents on campus, and we would just simply cooperate if we were asked to,” Cowley said.
Life Science Building construction
The additions to the Life Science Building will complete construction by the end of 2027, with the goal of having classes in the new space by spring 2028, she said.
The building has a new addition under construction on both the south and north sides, and the central part is being renovated with improvements to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
“It’s going to include new modern laboratories for our students to study in, new research labs, new informal learning spaces, study spaces,” Cowley said.
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