Although the current executive alliance pair was disqualified in the most recent campus-wide election, UT Student Government leaders remain optimistic for the next academic year.
According to its website, SG serves as the official organization for student opinion expression. It enacts laws pertaining to student interests and campus life, suggests constitutional changes to its governing papers, and provides funds for student clubs and activities. Elections for several SG seats, including the executive alliance, which consists of a president and vice president, are held on campus every spring semester.
According to their policy documents, current SG President Hudson Thomas and Vice President Thierry Chu ran last spring on a platform that sought to improve the campus experience, foster a sense of community among Longhorns, and incorporate community service into university culture.
After another executive alliance candidate filed a complaint alleging that Thomas and Chu had violated campaign finance laws by failing to declare non-monetary contributions for their campaign, notably videography equipment, the SG Supreme Court disqualified the two on March 9. But the Office of the Dean of Students overruled the disqualification, arguing that the Supreme Court’s decision to disqualify the alliance was not based on due process.
According to an email from the Office of the Dean of Students, the Supreme Court’s procedure is incompatible with their own governing documents, the Campus-Wide Election Code, university procedure, and it does not give the accused due process. This ruling is invalid because of the flaws in the procedure.
In his three years on the court, UT Chief Justice Isaiah Mosley, who authored the majority ruling that disqualified the partnership, claimed to have never witnessed such an overreach by the Office of the Dean of Students.
Thomas was referred to the Office of the Dean of Students for a statement when The Daily Texan contacted him for an interview. The sponsoring department that manages the Student Government and offers communication support when required is the Office of the Dean of Students.
The current SG leaders are examining their governing documents to determine whether any changes are required, a procedure that usually takes place annually, according to an email from Tina Shively, a representative for the Office of the Dean of Students.
The speaker of the SG Assembly, which is made up of several elected student representatives from each college and school, Anthony Nguyen, stated that he is not worried about the branches’ lack of cooperation in the future year.
According to Nguyen, trust and agreement throughout the branches are less of a problem for me because everyone will do their best to represent the pupils. Trust with the student body is the most crucial factor.
The first-year election is one method that new students can interact with SG. Two members from the entering class, including transfer students, are chosen to serve on SG each fall semester, however the majority of slots are filled during the spring election.
If supported by an Assembly delegate, any UT student may also create legislation or talk about it at weekly Assembly sessions.
According to Nguyen, SG’s objective is to represent the interests of students, even though it is unable to directly interfere in academic, administrative, or financial affairs at the university.
According to Nguyen, student government is only as significant as the contributions made by its members. We spend a lot of time advocating for students and elevating their voices. The organization’s goal cannot be effectively achieved if students lack interest in it.
