SGA Referendum
What is a referendum?
A referendum is a campus-wide student vote to gather the official opinion of the student body on a specific topic.
Referendum Election: November 8-10, 2021
The Student Government Association is hosting a special election on November 8-10. The student referendum will provide an opportunity for the student body to cast their vote on a proposed increase to the intercollegiate athletics fee that would:
- Establish a women’s swimming and diving program
- Expand spirit programs
- Establish marching band programs
- Establish a football program
The proposed increase in the intercollegiate athletics fee is $11.25 per credit hour (capped at 12 hours).
If passed, the intercollegiate athletics fee increase would impact:
- New incoming students starting Fall 2022.
- Current students who graduate and return for another degree starting Fall 2022.
Currently enrolled students continuing enrollment in their current level would not be impacted by the fee increase until Fall 2025.
Voting
Currently enrolled students can vote on Monday, November 8 at 8:00 am through Wednesday, November 10 at 11:59 pm. The ballot will be sent to the UTRGV e-mail with the subject line SGA Referendum Ballot: Vote Now.
Sponsors
The referendum is sponsored by the Division of Strategic Enrollment and Student Affairs and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Information from the sponsors is available online at www.rallythevalley.com. To contact the sponsors, e-mail rallythevalley@utrgv.edu.
Timeline
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| August 12 | Referendum sponsors met with SGA Executive leaders to share intent to submit a referendum proposal. |
| August 19 | Sponsors present the referendum application to SGA Advisory Council. |
| August 20 | SGA Advisory Council notified sponsors of approval of the application. |
| August 31 | Referendum proposal submitted and presented to the SGA Senate. |
| September 7 |
SGA Senate votes to approve referendum vote and selects dates of a special election. |
| October 1 | Advertisement for SGA Townhall events and e-mail is shared. |
| October 12 | SGA Townhall hosted in Edinburg. |
| October 13 | Reminder sent regarding SGA Townhall Events to Learn About the Referendum. |
| October 14 | SGA Townhall hosted in Brownsville. |
| October 22 | SGA Elections Committee sends a second notice of election dates. |
| November 4 | How-to-Vote in SGA’s Referendum Nov. 8-10 |
| November 8 | Message from the SGA President |
| November 8-10 | Referendum Election is held online. |
| November 11 | Election results to be shared with the campus community. |