The document discusses a referendum for a new student union at Texas Woman's University. It provides background on the referendum process, the need to replace the current 50-year old union due to space limitations, aging infrastructure, and technology concerns. Student feedback supported a new union with expanded dining, meeting space, lounges, and technology. If approved, the semester fee would increase from $35 to $149 starting in fall 2015 to fund the new student union.

2. 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.

3.  Texas Legislature wants
to see that students
approve taxing themselves.
 The vote provides
effective feedback about
whether or not students want a service or facility.
 We cannot raise
a designated fee in Texas more
than 10% of the current fee without a campus
wide referendum.

4. Positive attributes to carry forward:

Location central to campus

Positive role in student development
Leadership and volunteer opportunities
o Employment opportunities
o Student engagement
o

Provide space for student organizations to meet,
advertise and gather campus information

5. I.
Space Limitations
II.
Aging & Outdated Building
III. Cost to Repair and Upgrade
IV. Technology concerns

6. 
The current Student Union
opened in 1970 with a
campus population
of 5,810.

Fall 2013 enrollment
totaled 15,104 at TWU.

7. University
Enrollment
Union SF
Texas A&M
50,000
400,000
40,000+ (projected)
38,000
35,754
20,000
14,740
14,093
13,700
200,000
54,700
80,000
105,000
75,000
77,000
110,000
Tarleton State
Texas A&M Commerce
Angelo State
Midwestern State
12,282
9,633
9,000
7,084
6,093
Sul Ross
2,716
100,000
100,000
92,000
110,000
53,050
30,000
UNT (Expected to Open in 2015)
University of Houston
UNT (Current Union)
UT Dallas
Texas Woman's University
Lamar
Stephen F. Austin
Sam Houston State
*Fall 2011

8. Student Union Room 207

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outdated and lacks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.
Water damage to ceiling

9. 
Examples of upgrades/repairs needed
o Repurpose Post Office location: $640,000
o Upgrade SU 207: $400,000+
o Fire Marshall mandates: $1,000,000+
Cost of examples exceeds $2 Million
 Other repairs & upgrades are necessary to
fully utilize the current TWU Student Union


10. IV. 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
o Wi-Fi throughout the facility
o Increased digital signage
o Audio broadcasting throughout
o Webcasting and media upgrades in all meeting rooms

11. 
Fall 2011
o Discussion regarding a new Student Union was initiated
with the Student Union Advisory Board

January 2012
o Meetings with Facilities, Information Technology and
Distance Education were held to assess project feasibility

12. 
February 2012
o Meetings were held with SGA on all TWU campuses
o TWU student representatives and staff visited seven Texas Student
Unions

13. 
April 2012
o 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)

14. 
April 2012 (continued)
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

15. 
April 2012 (continued)
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

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

18. University of Texas - Arlington
Texas Christian University
Expanded
Dining Options
Curry College, Milton, MA

19. Theater
Missouri State University
Manhattanville University, New York

20. Diverse Meeting Space
University of Texas - Austin
Texas A & M
University of Texas - Austin
Texas Tech

21. Lounge Space
University of Texas - Austin
Texas A & M
University of Texas - Austin

22. Texas A & M
Texas A & M - Commerce
Information
Desk
Stephen F. Austin

23. Student Organization Space
Tarleton State University
Texas A & M
University of Texas - Austin

24. Union SF
Union Semester
Fee
UNT (Expected to Open in 2015)
200,000
$166
University of Houston
Texas A&M
54,700
$135
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
University
*Spring 2014

25. o Current Fee:
$35
o Proposed Fee:
$149
o Increase of $114 per semester – effective
September 2015

26. 
February 2014
o Educational campaign on all three campuses

March 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

27. 
