MinerAlert
The history of the Student Government Association (SGA) reflects its long-standing commitment to representing and serving UTEP students. Explore the milestones, traditions, and accomplishments that have shaped SGA and its role in the UTEP community.
The University of Texas at El Paso was founded by the Texas Legislature as the State School of Mines and Metallurgy
The Students' Association was established after the student body realized its need to have a body that represented student issues. That same year, the State School of Mines and Metallurgy was renamed to the U.T. Department of Mines and Metallurgy.
The U.T. Department of Mines and Metallurgy was renamed to the College of Mines and Metallurgy, El Paso.
In the 1921-1922 academic year, Nathan Karchmer was elected as the first student body president.
The Students' Association publishes its first constitution.
In 1943, the first discussions of a Student Union Building for the College of Mines began. The Students' Association began raising funds, but plans were put on hold by the outbreak of World War II and the accompanying shortage of building materials. After the war, it was proposed to the student body that the Students' Association's funds be used to erect a statue in honor of the returning war heroes rather than a new building. The students, however, voted that a Student Union Building would better honor those soldiers by providing a place "alive with student activities in which they would participate." A Student Union Building Committee was formed with the support of President Dossie M. Wiggins and the first mandatory Student Union Fee of $2 per semester was implemented to help fund the project. The first Student Union Building opened in January 1949.
The College of Mines and Metallurgy, El Paso was renamed to the Texas Western College of the University of Texas.
The Texas Western College of the University of Texas was renamed to the University of Texas at El Paso.
The UT System Board of Regents approved a constitutional amendment that reorganized UTEP's student government into three separate branches.
In the 1999-2000 academic year, the Students' Association voted to change their name to the Student Government Association, modernizing the student government for the new millennium.
The Student Government Association pushed for a student fee referendum after the student body saw the significant need for improvements to the Student Recreation Center. By 2011, renovations to the Recreation Center were completed which modernized the facility to include a rock-climbing wall, new basketball courts, and a multi-story fitness area; all added on to the original facility which was built in 1996.
In September 2024, students put the U in Union and voted YES to increase the Student Union Fee incrementally over the next three years. With approval from the Texas State Legislature, the proposed Union West facility will go through design and development, with construction expected to begin soon.
The UTEP Student Government Association continues to adapt and evolve to the changing needs of the student body. The SGA remains an important advocate for students at UTEP, working to promote their interests, increase student and community engagement, and create a thriving campus life and enriched student experience for all.