Referendum

Referendum: A campus wide vote on a mandatory fee.

The vote is initiated and approved by students via a campus election process, and later approved by the campus administration, Board of Regents, and Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Texas Legislature wants to see that students approve a fee increase.

The vote provides effective feedback about whether or not students want a service or facility.

TWU cannot raise a designated fee in Texas more than 10% of the current fee without a campus wide referendum.

Positive attributes to carry forward: Location central to campus

Positive role in student development o Leadership and volunteer opportunities o Employment opportunities o Student engagement

Provide space for student organizations to meet, advertise and gather campus information

I. Space Limitations

II. Aging & Outdated Building

III. Cost to Repair and Upgrade

IV. Technology concerns

The current Student Union opened in 1970 with a campus population of 5,810.

Fall 2013 enrollment

totaled 15,104 at TWU. (260% increase in population)

University Enrollment Union SF Texas A&M 50,000 400,000

UNT (Expected to Open in 2015) 40,000+ (projected) 200,000 University of Houston 38,000 54,700 UNT (Current Union) 35,754 80,000 UT Dallas 20,000 105,000 Texas Woman's University 14,740 75,000 Lamar 14,093 77,000 Stephen F. Austin 13,700 110,000 Sam Houston State 12,282 100,000 Tarleton State 9,633 100,000 Texas A&M Commerce 9,000 92,000 Angelo State 7,084 110,000 Midwestern State 6,093 53,050 Sul Ross 2,716 30,000 *Fall 2011

The current TWU Student Union is outdated and lacks modernization.

The current building’s design results in underutilization of space and does not meet all ADA requirements.

Student Union Room 207

Water damage to ceiling

Examples of upgrades/repairs needed o Repurpose Post Office location: $640,000 o Upgrade SU 207: $400,000+ o Safety and ADA mandates: $1,000,000+

Cost of examples exceeds $2 Million Other repairs & upgrades are necessary to

fully utilize the current TWU Student Union

Technology Concerns

Age & structure of the TWU Student Union makes it

difficult and cost prohibitive to install updated technology infrastructure

Potential technology upgrades within a new TWU

Student Union oWi-Fi throughout the facility o Increased digital signage oAudio broadcasting throughout oWebcasting and media upgrades in all meeting

rooms

Spring 2012 o Met with TWU campus schools/ departments, SGA for all 3

campuses, CAB, Athletics, and TWU students to give information about the referendum

o Organized site visits to 7 different university student unions o Created student focus groups to design a new Student Union

October 2012 o TWU passes first referendum with 61% approval o 1,400 students (9.2% of the TWU population) voted

Denton Campus Focus Groups

Student Recommendations

• Expanded dining options, additional dining seating, study and quiet areas, lounge space, & game room expansion

• Accessible and upgraded technology space including; meeting rooms, theater, public areas, outdoor space, & student organization work & meeting space

• Stronger Green initiatives (LEED certified)

o Dallas Campus Focus Group

Student Recommendations

• Retail kiosk or vending machines for school supplies • Recreation and/or game room space • Additional staffing in Student Life

o Houston Campus Focus Group Student Recommendations

• Additional study space • Expanded dining options and seating • Extended access hours for study space • Lactation room

o Student Survey – a survey was sent to all TWU students assessing the student utilization, satisfaction and wish list for the current Student Union.

o 1,222 responses were received

Recurring Feedback Received More variety of meeting room space & amenities Quiet space & extended access hours Additional programming space and expanded game room More dining options/variety Modernization Technology enriched areas More seating

March 2013 o Texas Legislature discourages any bills involving increased

student fees

o TWU Administration decides to hold on constructing a new Union

January 2014

o TWU Student Union staff is asked to complete a new referendum to ensure the current student population is still supportive of a new Student Union.

o Student Union goes through a re-branding and begins a new referendum

February 2014 o 2 site visits have been scheduled (Texas A&M / UTD) o Presentations to 20+ student groups on 3 TWU campuses o Presentations to 10+ faculty/ staff groups

March 2014 o 2 site visits have been scheduled (OK State / Tarleton State) o Student Union will host 3 open forums o Back Stage Party at the Student Union o VOTE – Voting begins March 31st, 2014!

TWU Union Wish List Student organization work space & SGA offices Expanded dining options Additional meeting rooms Larger game room & options Theater Information desk Designated Veterans area Green initiatives High level technology Stronger connectivity and ability to create online learning

opportunites. Lounge, study & quiet spaces Incorporate campus traditions/history/spirit

Expanded Dining

Options

University of Texas - Arlington

Curry College, Milton, MA

Texas Christian University

Theater

Missouri State University

Manhattanville University, New York

Diverse Meeting Space

University of Texas - Austin

Texas Tech University of Texas - Austin

Texas A & M

Lounge Space

Texas A & M

University of Texas - Austin

University of Texas - Austin

Texas A & M Texas A & M - Commerce

Information Desk

Stephen F. Austin

Student Organization Space

University of Texas - Austin

Texas A & M Tarleton State University

University Union SF Union Semester Fee

UNT (Expected to Open in 2015) 200,000 $166

University of Houston 54,700 $135 Texas A&M 400,000 $100 Sam Houston State 100,000 $100 Texas A&M Commerce 92,000 $100

Lamar 77,000 $100

Stephen F. Austin 110,000 $85

Sul Ross 30,000 $85 Angelo State 110,000 $66

UT Dallas 105,000 $65 Midwestern State 53,050 $55

UNT (Current Union) 80,000 $52 Tarleton State 100,000 $50

Texas Woman's University 75,000 $35 *Spring 2014

o Current Semester Fee: $35 o Est. 2012 Referendum Fee: $149 o Est. Semester Increase: $114

o 2014 Referendum Fee is in the Pricing

Process

o Est. Effective Date: September 2015

February/March 2014 o Educational campaign on all three campuses

March 31 – April 3, 2014 o Referendum (vote) on all three campuses

August 2014 o Board of Regents presentation

Spring 2015 o Seek Legislative approval for fee change o Design process begins