President Jennifer Cowley, right, speaks while Student Body President Effua Jordan listens during Cookies With Cowley on Oct. 31 at Palo Duro Lounge. The event was hosted by UTA’s Student Government.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
Dressed as Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz,” UTA President Jennifer Cowley answered questions from Student Body President Effua Jordan and students during a spooky edition of Cookies with Cowley on Friday.
Cowley gave updates on how the university is dealing with the government shutdown, free speech policy and construction.
Government shutdown
With the Senate unable to pass a GOP funding bill, programs across the country are losing access to funding.
Michael Onuchovsky, assistant director of Student Organizations, screens a question during Cookies With Cowley on Oct. 31 at Palo Duro Lounge. The event began at noon.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
One program that may lose funding and affect students is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which may lack funds in November.
To combat this, Cowley said Student Government has teamed up with the Office of Talent Culture and Engagement to run a food drive to restock the Maverick Pantry.
“We just encourage everybody to donate food,” she said. “There are collection stations across the university, and it’s an opportunity for you to help support making sure that your fellow students have enough to eat during the closure.”
A fake hand lies on the shoulder of exercise science sophomore Kayla Gillespie during Cookies With Cowley on Oct. 31 at Palo Duro Lounge. The event aims to connect students with campus leadership in an engaging and open discussion.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
Cowley said the university does significant contracting for the federal government through a research enterprise, and so far, the institution has seen limited effects from the shutdown.
Free speech policy
Senate Bill 2972 placed restrictions on college campus protests. In early September, a federal judge temporarily blocked elements of the new law, according to The Texas Tribune.
Student Organization coordinator Tristian Brooks eats a cookie during Cookies With Cowley on Oct. 31 at Palo Duro Lounge. The event ended with a student-led Q&A session.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
“There’s an injunction on the provisions that are related to nighttime free expression activity and free expression at the end of the semester,” Cowley said. “Currently, we’re not enforcing that aspect of the policy.”
She said there is an ongoing special session discussing free speech on campus, and the university is anticipating further policy guidance in the coming weeks and months.
Construction
The university received $127 million from the UT System, which will go toward renovations across campus. Cowley said the university will use the money to focus on basic maintenance such as replacing roofs, elevators and things along those lines.
The library mall area is also set for an update. Cowley said the university believes the space can be better organized to support students and their needs. The project is in the design phase, she said.
Students listen to President Jennifer Cowley answer a question during Cookies With Cowley on Oct. 31 at Palo Duro Lounge. Attendees and staff were encouraged to dress up in a costume for the event.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
Once the Life Science Building finishes construction, which is set to be completed in 2027, the road between the Smart Hospital and the Life Science Building will be turned into an informal space for students.
Construction on the University Center will begin during the summer. Cowley said construction was delayed by a semester due to demolition being disruptive and the rise of construction prices.
“We’ve opted to move it back to starting right after the spring semester ends,” she said. “That way, we can complete that during the summer when it is a less busy time on campus.”
The rise in the student union fee will go toward the increased construction cost.
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