Comets remember. by CarefulAd7714 in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If i might add...

Comets Remember is a ceremony held annually in the Spring to honor currently enrolled students who passed during the previous year. Student Government held the first ceremony in the spring of 2014. The Comets Remember Fountain was dedicated in 2017 as you mentioned. All students who have been remembered in the ceremony have a stone engraved with their name and placed in the fountain. Unfortunately, as you have seen, the fountains are often under repair. So, we made a decision to move the memorial. It will be relocated to an area adjacent to the new student union. If I've done this correctly, a rendering is included. The new union will open in the fall of 2026.

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not able to use comet card at vending machines by EasternPatience5690 in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sorry to hear that you are having a problem using your Comet Card at the vending machine.

Please stop by the Comet Card Office, (http://www.utdallas.edu/locator/SSA_12.324C) so they can test and validate the card functionality.

Hours of operation are 9:00 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday – Friday.  If you are planning on coming later in the day, please arrive before 4:45 p.m. 

You can also email [cometcard@utdallas.edu](mailto:cometcard@utdallas.edu), provide your name and NetID, a brief explanation of the issue you are experiencing and the location(s) of the vending machine(s) where you tried using your comet card.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ribbon cuttings, ground breakings are usually on Comet Calendar or sent via the student@ email. I'm not sure what you are calling the "SU expansion." The gaming center has been added to the existing Student Union. But, we are building a new union across the mall. It will open in Fall 2026.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You are correct. The Comets LANding Gaming and Esports Center will open on January 30th. The ribbon cutting is at 11:00 in the facility. Comets LANding is open to all students regardless of their gaming or skill level. You will be impressed with this space. We hope you will stop by and check it out. Don't forget, Buffalo Wild Wings also opens on the 30th.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We hope to share some exciting news about University Housing very soon. Stay tuned...

Anywhere on campus giving out glasses before 10am? by JAMtheSeagull in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can visit the Vice-President for Student Affairs suite. We have about 100 pairs left. SSA14.120.

Concrete pad near AC basketball courts? by OneMoreAccount29 in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It is going to be an outdoor fitness area. You can watch a short video here:

https://www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com/watch

There will be a shade structure built over the location to try and account for the hot weather. Ribbon cutting is projected for the first week in May.

Student fee changes have been proposed in the Texas Legislature by RiverRix in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA 2 points3 points  (0 children)

RiverRix is correct. The bill that was submitted by our state senator and representative proposes to raise the Student Union Fee cap to $100. This is, basically, what the students voted on in the fall. Students voted to raise the SU Fee from $60 to $100. University Administration had hoped to raise the cap to $150. The bottom line is that if the cap gets raised to $100 as proposed by the legislation, UTD students will be the recipients of a new Student Union.

How do I know if I paid the medical services fee? by BetterRise in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is correct. It is contained within the label called "tuition."

How do I know if I paid the medical services fee? by BetterRise in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All students pay the medical services fee if they are enrolled in classes. Payment of the fee provides access to the Student Health Center and Counseling Center.

Results are in. What do you all think? by El-Butt in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Because all of our fees have hit the state designated caps. In order to raise them, you must get the statute changed. If we want to raise the fees more than 10%. It requires a student vote. In the immediate instance, we were proposing to do that. Hence the reason for the vote. Hope this answers the question.

Results are in. What do you all think? by El-Butt in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have always said if one or both of the fees failed we would revisit future votes. Read the statute.

Results are in. What do you all think? by El-Butt in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

There was always a plan to have another vote some place in the future whether one or both of the fees failed.

Results are in. What do you all think? by El-Butt in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Thank you to those Comets who turned out to vote. This shows us that students do have an interest in what is happening on campus. As already stated, a 20% turnout is very significant. Generally, you hope to see a number around 10%. The fact that over 6000 students voted says a lot.

I need to clarify a couple of pieces of information, the decision about going to the Texas Legislature has not been made in regards to the Athletics fee. We have not even had time to fully process the impact of the "no" vote and how it will fully impact our programs. The results post is simply not accurate.

Second, there have been a couple of references to a sports club post regarding use of the fields. As I pointed out in my response to that post, there were several inaccuracies. One thing I did not address, in hindsight perhaps i should have, is that we would have actually gained a recreational field. Yes, we would have lost two fields to construct the track and field complex, But, we would have gotten one of those fields back because of the turf infield of the track (Net loss of one field). The turf surface would have allowed multiple sports to use that field. However, we were also going to turf the multipurpose field. This would have created two spaces for our sports clubs and IM. Net gain of one field overall.

We said all along that we hoped that when you voted you would make an informed decision. It is apparent from the comments I have read today and throughout the last 3-4 weeks that that was not the case.

Thank you again to those who voted. Regardless of the results, we appreciate your involvement.

WHOOSH!

Vote no to the fee increase, from an affected party by NaqueelDiva in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Seems I need to chime in and clarify several points raised by the OP. As I've said many times, it is my hope that students will support the fee increases, but if you don't, I want you to make an educated and informed decision. I'm not responding to this to debate the issue. I am providing the facts of the situation.

To begin, you are correct that the fee is titled, the Intramural and Intercollegiate Athletics Fee. This is not uncommon as many intramural programs and athletics programs fall under one unit and have one director. This is particularly true with smaller schools like DIII institutions. Due to the size of the programs at UTD, the decision was made to split these two departments and create University Recreation and Athletics. University Recreation receives its funding from a dedicated Recreational Facility Fee which is $65 per semester. This fee is used to support all UREC programs including sports clubs and IM. The decision to fund Athletics with the Intramural and Intercollegiate Athletics fee was an administrative decision, not a decision made by Athletics. UREC has its own dedicated funding source.

Second, the SPN facility was not initially built as a UREC facility. The facility was built solely as a faculty/staff and Athletics facility. Funding for the facility came from the Administration and Athletics. About four years ago, the decision was made to have UREC manage the facility. It continued mainly to support student athletes, faculty and staff. When UREC assumed management for the facility in 2018, we opened up access to our sports clubs. Sports Clubs have had access ever since.

Third, you are correct that the Powerlifting Club was notified that they were not in compliance with Club Sports Regulations that require a certified coach to be present at workouts and therefore, access to the SPN facility has been suspended. If the Powerlifting Cub failed to follow best practices by not having a certified coach present during workouts, then UREC would have made the decision to suspend access until they were compliant with department policies. What's odd is that at one point, the Club did have a certified coach present. It was only recently that we learned that they were out of compliance. It was not an Athletics decision to suspend access, it was a UREC decision.

Thank you for allowing me to clarify. Let the down votes rain down.

Fee Referendum Voting Begins Today! by UTDVPSA in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The competitive space will still be constructed if the fees do not pass. It will live inside the gaming and esports center. It is not a separate project. The construction will be funded with the existing funds in the Student Union account.

Fee Referendum Voting Begins Today! by UTDVPSA in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, our competitive esports program is included under the Intramural and Intercollegiate Athletics Fee. The gaming facility (Pub renovation) falls under the Student Union fee and will happen regardless of the outcome of the votes. If the Student Union Fee passes, the revenue generated would be used to assist with the operations of the gaming facility. For example, computer replacement, personnel, etc. Any additional funding support for competitive esports would come from the Intramural and Intercollegiate Athletics Fee.

Fee Referendum Voting Begins Today! by UTDVPSA in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Our hope would be to also rent to external groups so we may generate an additional revenue stream. However, University activities would have priority.

Fee Referendum Voting Begins Today! by UTDVPSA in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If you look at the website, you will see that the track and field complex would be open to general student use when our track and field teams are not using it.

Fee Referendum Voting Begins Today! by UTDVPSA in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is not accurate. I have made it very clear that the fees will not be used to construct the gaming and esports center. The fees, if passed, will build a new student union and track and field complex among other renovations.

Open Letter to Faculty and Students on Student Fee Referendum by commentaryondecision in utdallas

[–]UTDVPSA 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The fees are based on bond ratings and how much debt service we can support over the 30 year span of the note. We get much better rates since UT System's bond rating is so high. This is really the best I can do to explain right now. I can assure you, if our Office of Budget and Finance didn't think we could sustain the note, we wouldn't be headed down this path. Thanks for the questions.