Senate Committees

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Academic Affairs Committee
Communications Committee
Graduate and International Affairs Committee
Legislative Affairs Committee
Residential Student Affairs Committee
Student Affairs Committee
Green Initiative
Diversity and Equity
Ad Hoc Committees

Each committee performs numerous duties within specific topic areas: they take on projects; investigate and listen to students’ concerns; and draft bills and resolutions to be presented to and voted on by the Senate.

All senators are assigned to one of the standing committees, which are listed below. Students’ concerns can be addressed most effectively if they contact the relevant committee chair.

Academic Affairs Committee

Academic Affairs Committee Chair: Joshua Kalakoti (He/Him/His)

Academic Affairs deals with problems related to classes, supplemental educational opportunities, and academic policies issued by the University. We seek to improve Comets experience in the classroom.

Current Projects:

  • Dedensification Policies
  • Classroom Covid Policies
  • Consolidating and improving undergraduate academic advising
  • Increasing availability and flexibility of “Core Curriculum” classes

Communications Committee

Communications Committee Chair: Farhan Iqbal (He/Him/His)

The Communications Committee takes primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining effective mediums of communication between students and the senate body. Social media visibility and project advertisement are two of the main responsibilities of the Communications Committee. The Committee’s goal is to fully integrate these efforts through service to the University’s mission and vision.

Current Projects:

  • Establishing a Student Government newsletter
  • Improving SG social media engagement via Instagram (@utd_sg), Twitter (@utdsg) and Facebook (UT Dallas Student Government)
  • Connecting with student organizations to facilitate communication

Graduate and International Affairs Committee

Graduate and International Affairs Chair: Nikhilan Velumani (He/Him/His)

The GIA committee advocates for both the international and graduate student populations at UTD. Advocacy is done through close cooperation with the International Center, various school departments and cultural groups on campus. As a result of these relationships, we’ve been able to institute multiple recurring campus events and permanent resources for students to use.

Current Projects:

  • Exclusive Career Fair for F1 students
  • International student panel discussions
  • Hotline for emergency international student calls
  • Skills showcase platform
  • Comet Classroom donation drives
  • Hosting inclusive holiday events

Legislative Affairs Committee

Legislative Affairs Committee Chair: David Baker (He/Him/His)

The Legislative Affairs committee works to ensure that students are educated about policies that affect them on the local, state and national level. They also act as a voice for students when there is legislation that could potentially affect the wellbeing of students. Additionally, the committee works to provide students with pertinent information if they were to ever get into a legal situation.

Current Projects:

  • Coordinating local, state, and federal representatives to present and speak on campus
  • On-campus Collin County and Dallas county polling station
  • Hosting UT Dallas Town Halls
  • Providing voter information to students
  • Collaborating with non-partisan political engagement organizations to register voter

UT Dallas encourages students to participate in federal, state and local elections. Find out more information about the Higher Education Act and how you can register to vote.

Residential Student Affairs Committee

Residential Student Affairs Committee Chair: Abbad Hoda (He/Him/His)

The Residential Student Affairs committee serves to make living on campus the best that it can be, and put power in the hands of campus residents. The committee is the go-to for major problems concerning all students who live in the residence halls/apartments and a way for residents to communicate with administration. In addition, the committee comes up with unique projects that tailor to UTD student needs or bring innovative ideas from other campuses onto ours. The overall goal is to ensure that those who live at UTD have more control over their living situation and feel that it is a home away from home.

Current Projects:

  • Review of the University Housing Agreement/creation of an educational pamphlet about renter’s rights
  • Create outlets for residents to express housing complaints and concerns
  • Host events with ResLife to increase student engagement

Student Affairs Committee

Student Affairs Committee Chair: Daniel Zargaran (He/Him/His)

The Student Affairs Committee aims to improve the lives of students and increase engagement by addressing and working on issues outside of residential life and academics. This committee also works to make on-campus resources more accessible to students to provide them with the best experience possible. Members of this committee focus on projects which enhance and increase student interest and participation as well as discuss student feedback related to on-campus issues. Overall, this committee is here to make sure that all comets are able to create a community within which they feel empowered!

Current Projects:

  • Finding new ways to help students access various campus resources
  • Partnering with student organizations to help support/promote their cause
  • Engaging with students virtually through town halls, webinars and more
  • Working with the Student Counseling Center to increase mental health initiatives on campus
  • Collecting and responding to student feedback and concerns
  • Increasing Student Government’s presence on campus

Green Initiative

Green Initiative Committee Chair: Sneha Sharma (She/Her/Hers)

The Green Initiative committee works towards improving campus sustainability. Areas of focus include sustainability education, water conservation, recycling and waste management, infrastructure and efficiency projects, and supporting other sustainability related organizations on campus.

Current Projects:

  • Graduation Gown Closet
  • Green Fund Promotion
  • Love the Earth & Sustainability Organization Coalition
  • Renewable Energy 

Diversity, Equity, and Belonging

Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Committee Chair: Nandita Kumar (She/Her/Hers)

The Diversity and Equity Committee proactively works on making UT Dallas a more inclusive and equitable campus for all. We aim to serve the student body by being advocates for minority rights and by prioritizing initiatives that amplify the voices of underrepresented students. This is accomplished by working alongside several departments on campus that are already dedicated to the same cause, and by serving as a resource to culturally-affiliated student organizations. Our goal is to ensure that the student experience is equitable and that all students feel welcome regardless of their backgrounds.

Current Projects:

  • Working with the Athletics Department to reinforce inclusion, representation, and tolerance within all athletic teams
  • Ensuring that campus infrastructure is accessible to all students, faculty, and staff with disabilities 
  • Enhancing and increasing resources for underrepresented groups at UTD

Ad Hoc Committees

Student Government sometimes forms ad hoc committees to solve or investigate a specific and often urgent issue. Previous examples include the Textbook Savings Committee, Waterview Internet Inquiry Committee and the Plastic Recycling Committee.