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Student Senate addresses accessibility, UTA post office and addition of Amazon lockers

The Student Senate voted on two resolutions, introduced two new ones, provided updates on ongoing initiatives and heard from speakers in an open forum during Tuesday's meeting. The body unanimously passed Resolution 24-17, “Easy Access Theater.” The resolution aims to make the Fine Arts Building Mainstage Theatre more accessible through various technical and physical modifications. “I implore you all to consider Easy Access Theater as a step in the right direction, and something that will work with the 2030 initiative and not against it,” said Trevor McCullough, legislative relations committee member, advocating for the resolution. Aaliyah Duff, College of Business senator, said research for the resolution involved taking a tour of the Mainstage Theater and reviewing the Americans with Disabilities Act. “The fact of the matter is that the Main Stage Theater, and the entirety of the Fine Arts complex if it were to be constructed today, would be in violation of several provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as the entirety of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,” Mccullough said. “The building's age is no longer an excuse.” Resolution 24-15, “Locker Drop,” passed unanimously. The resolution aims to install Amazon lockers throughout campus for student packages and convenience. Duff said the Community Affairs Committee oversees the initiative while the executive branch handles the implementation. This includes working directly with facilities and the UTA administration to determine the number of lockers needed and their placement. Resolution 25-05, “Stamp out the issues,” was introduced, seeking to foster collaboration with USPS to provide improved training, establish accountability measures for loss or mishandled packages and enhance communication for the UTA post office staff to restore public trust in their services. Leslie Huynh, College of Nursing and Health Innovation senator, said research made her aware of how many students faced barriers due to missing packages on campus. “I can tell that, at least for students living on campus, missing certain things that they may need: their books, receiving resources from their family, that could be a very stressful situation,” Huynh said. The body introduced Resolution 24-04, “e-Bookworms,” which aims to have all professors provide e-books as an affordable or no cost alternative to physical textbooks by partnering with publishers like McGraw Hill, Cengage and OpenStax. Anari Machungo, College of Engineering senator, said as a research school, students need to have easier access to books in the digital age. “This resolution is going to make it easier for many students, so they can be able to get their books on time, they don't have to go anywhere looking for them,” Machungo said. “They just come with the classes and make everything easy.” Additionally, updates were given on Resolution 24-19 “Pedal Power,” Resolution 25-03, “Unicorn Inclusion Act,” Resolution 24-21, “Good Vibes,” Resolution 25-02 “Clean Comfort,” Resolution 24-13 “Valedictory Victory” and Resolution 25-01“MAC-fee.”
By Taylor Sansom, The Shorthorn staff | Tue, Jan 28, 2025

Student Senate addresses accessibility, UTA post office and addition of Amazon lockers

Members discuss resolutions during a Student Senate general body meeting Jan. 28 in the Student Government Chambers. Various resolutions were followed up on and introduced during the meeting.

The Student Senate voted on two resolutions, introduced two new ones, provided updates on ongoing initiatives and heard from speakers in an open forum during Tuesday's meeting.

The body unanimously passed Resolution 24-17, “Easy Access Theater.” The resolution aims to make the Fine Arts Building Mainstage Theatre more accessible through various technical and physical modifications.

“I implore you all to consider Easy Access Theater as a step in the right direction, and something that will work with the 2030 initiative and not against it,” said Trevor McCullough, legislative relations committee member, advocating for the resolution.

Student Senate addresses accessibility, UTA post office and addition of Amazon lockers

Melannie Marquez, College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs senator, center, is sworn in with other new student senators during a Student Senate general body meeting Jan. 28 in the Student Government Chambers. New senators were sworn in at the beginning of the meeting.

Aaliyah Duff, College of Business senator, said research for the resolution involved taking a tour of the Mainstage Theater and reviewing the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“The fact of the matter is that the Main Stage Theater, and the entirety of the Fine Arts complex if it were to be constructed today, would be in violation of several provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as the entirety of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,” Mccullough said. “The building's age is no longer an excuse.”

Resolution 24-15, “Locker Drop,” passed unanimously. The resolution aims to install Amazon lockers throughout campus for student packages and convenience.

Student Senate addresses accessibility, UTA post office and addition of Amazon lockers

Trevor McCullough, Legislative Relations Committee member, speaks on a resolution during a Student Senate general body meeting Jan. 28 in the Student Government Chambers. McCullough spoke in favor of Resolution 24-17, “Easy Access Theater,” which advocates for more accessible options at UTA’s Fine Arts building.

Duff said the Community Affairs Committee oversees the initiative while the executive branch handles the implementation. This includes working directly with facilities and the UTA administration to determine the number of lockers needed and their placement.

Resolution 25-05, “Stamp out the issues,” was introduced, seeking to foster collaboration with USPS to provide improved training, establish accountability measures for loss or mishandled packages and enhance communication for the UTA post office staff to restore public trust in their services.

Leslie Huynh, College of Nursing and Health Innovation senator, said research made her aware of how many students faced barriers due to missing packages on campus.

“I can tell that, at least for students living on campus, missing certain things that they may need: their books, receiving resources from their family, that could be a very stressful situation,” Huynh said.

Student Senate addresses accessibility, UTA post office and addition of Amazon lockers

Members gather for a group photo during a Student Senate general body meeting Jan. 28 in the Student Government Chambers. Chief of Staff Effua Jordan took the group photo.

The body introduced Resolution 24-04, “e-Bookworms,” which aims to have all professors provide e-books as an affordable or no cost alternative to physical textbooks by partnering with publishers like McGraw Hill, Cengage and OpenStax.

Anari Machungo, College of Engineering senator, said as a research school, students need to have easier access to books in the digital age.

“This resolution is going to make it easier for many students, so they can be able to get their books on time, they don't have to go anywhere looking for them,” Machungo said. “They just come with the classes and make everything easy.”

Additionally, updates were given on Resolution 24-19 “Pedal Power,” Resolution 25-03, “Unicorn Inclusion Act,” Resolution 24-21, “Good Vibes,” Resolution 25-02 “Clean Comfort,” Resolution 24-13 “Valedictory Victory” and Resolution 25-01“MAC-fee.”

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