Our Legislation

Consent education is a curriculum that teaches students how to define boundaries in personal interactions and how to recognize social cues. Right now, consent education consists of a series of online modules centered on sexual misconduct that students complete on their own. At UT, there is no plan in place to improve the current condition of consent education. Furthermore, the most recent sexual misconduct survey at UT indicated that 28% of female undergraduates report being victims of unwanted sexual advances. At UT, incoming freshmen are placed into First-Year Interest Groups, and this legislation would require that every FIG dedicate one meeting to consent education. This new format would allow students to actively engage with the material and ensure that they are prepared to understand what defines consent and how to communicate boundaries in their future relationships.

Pregnant and parenting students face unique challenges balancing family life and academic responsibilities. Though we of course respect the privacy of all students, it is often helpful for instructors to be notified of unique circumstances students might be facing which could potentially interfere with academic work or attendance. Notifying the instructor privately of these concerns early in the semester and before attendance becomes an issue can be extremely beneficial. It is the recommendation of the authors that the University of Texas at Austin adopt syllabus language that offers reasonable accommodations for pregnant and parenting students.. Inclusive syllabus language that offers discretion, reasonable accommodations, and protection under Title IX is a necessary step in creating a welcoming and equitable academic environment for students with dependents.

Decades of advocacy by undocumented and immigrant students can be traced back to the early 2000s, when the University Leadership Initiative (ULI) was formed, and before. In the present day, student-initiated programs such as the Monarch Program within the Division for Diversity and Community Engagement (DDCE) raise awareness, advocate, and support immigrant and undocumented students in their academic success, retention, and graduation. Despite their best efforts, however, they have seen themselves overwhelmed with the number of students and members of the community seeking support. This signals that more is needed to close existing service gaps. In response to these needs, students, alumni, and staff formed the Rooted Collective in 2019 to create the foundation for an official center that offers tailored, specific, and responsive services to undocumented and immigrant students. In 2021, the Rooted Collective assessed the needs of undocumented students and staff on campus. Two surveys were conducted, one with students and alumni and the other with staff and faculty, as well as focus groups with students and alumni. The research findings have guided and informed their goals with the creation of a center. Additionally, Rooted has created a proposal supporting the creation of an immigrant center.

Allyship involves learning about, listening to, and standing up for LGBTQIA+ people, and committing to educating oneself on the various issues they face. It is essential to creating a safe and inclusive community, both on a personal level and an institutional level- especially on college campuses. The UT Austin Gender and Sexuality Center offers training programs to staff and faculty in order to provide a structured education on being an ally in a professional setting. However, because these programs are optional, there is a severe lack of participation within the College of Natural Sciences, with only three assistant professors listed as certified allies. The purpose of this piece of legislation is to require faculty within the College of Natural Sciences to attend and complete the Allies in Action two-part workshop, offered by the Gender and Sexuality Center, applying the lessons provided by the workshops to make campus safer and more welcoming for all LGBTQIA+ communities.

Student Loan Debt impacts over 40 million Americans and hinders our economic growth for the nation. Furthermore, canceling student loans would vastly improve the quality of life and academic experiences for students and alumni of UT Austin. As student leaders and Representatives of our student body we have a moral and just obligation to advocate for broad cancellation of student debt and further action from the University to provide financial relief for borrowers. As such, this resolution calls to cancel at least $50,000 in student loan debt and for UT to provide tuition relief to students whose families make less than $100,000.

This resolution seeks for The Senate of College Councils to acknowledge the importance of Women’s and Gender Studies, including LGBTQ+ Studies, to the University of Texas at Austin campus, and subsequently support its transition from the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies to the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

Each year, the Senate of College Councils makes use of a budget granted by the University to fund itself and to provide funds to each of the College Councils. In order for this budget to become available to Senate and all members of the Assembly, it must be presented as legislation and approved by a vote of the General Assembly.