EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Texas Senate passed a bill that supports the expansion and modernization of the Student Union at the University of Texas at El Paso.
House Bill 2853 was sponsored by Sen. Cesar J. Blanco, D-El Paso and authored by Rep. Vince Perez, D-El Paso.
The bill raises the cap on the student union fee, last set in 1987, to help finance the demolition of the current facility and construction of a “new, modern building better suited to meet the needs of UTEP’s growing student population,” Blanco’s office said.
The student body voted to support the incremental fee increase in a campus-wide referendum in September 2024.
Blanco issued the following statement:
“When I was a student at UTEP, the Student Union was where we crammed for exams, organized student events, and grabbed a bite between classes. But even back then, it felt outdated. It’s always been the heart of campus, but now it’s finally getting the investment it deserves.
“UTEP is one of the fastest-growing research institutions in the country, and its facilities should reflect that momentum. I’m proud to help bring to life a vision that is shaped by student voices that honors the past while building for the future. This new Union will be a hub for connection and Miner pride for years to come.”
Perez issued the following statement:
“The student union facility was built shortly after World War II, and generations of UTEP students have walked its halls, studied in its spaces, and built lifelong memories there. At that time, UTEP was a small institution of just 3,000 students; today, it’s a nationally recognized university with an enrollment exceeding 25,000. This bill will deliver the modern, state-of-the-art facility our students need and deserve, supporting their success for generations to come. I’m honored that this was my first bill in the Texas House, and I’m proud to see it successfully through the legislative process. I’m also tremendously grateful to UTEP President Heather Wilson, whose tireless advocacy was instrumental in this bill’s passage, and to Senator Blanco, who skillfully shepherded it through the Senate.”
House Bill 2853 now heads back to the House for concurrence.
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