2023 LOCAL VOTER GUIDE
new bonds in the near future, follow- ing approval, Fliger said. “If the bond doesn’t pass, then these are services that we won’t be able to deliver,” Fliger said. UHCL student referendum UHCL currently utilizes only one- third of the Student Services and Class- room Building as a student center space but plans to hold a referendum this spring to approve or deny increased student fees to fund the construction of a new standalone student center building to better serve students. “We outgrew that space proba- bly 10 years ago,” Denney said. “It hasn’t served our campus and really hasn’t served us since ... we started accepting freshmen.” The student center currently o ers space for student meetings, organiza- tions and a veteran’s service center. However, a dedicated student center could also o er a dining option, ball- room-style space and even possibly a gaming center, Denney said. “There is no speci c deadline [for the student center] but instead a series of approvals that need to be
current students will have graduated by the time a new student center is constructed and operating, this would be a bene t for future students.” UHCL’s last completed bond proj- ect was construction of the Hunter Residence Hall, which was approved in 2017 and opened in fall 2019. The bond proceeds totaled $22 million, Denney said. Previously, the university sur- veyed students in November 2022 on whether they would support a stu- dent center fee increase for the sake of building a new student center. Then, in January, the university surveyed students for their preferences on three di erent fee raise options. Over 1,000 students responded to the November survey, and about 70% showed sup- port, Denney said. If the new student center is approved by all involved parties, then the univer- sity expects to break ground on con- struction sometime in 2027 or 2028, Denney said.
met,” Denney said. Education and general facilities such as classroom and administrative buildings for public universities are funded by the state of Texas, whereas auxiliary facilities such as the univer- sity’s Campus Recreation and Well- ness Center and the proposed new student center must be funded by the university, Denney said. Most of the funds to repay bonds for a new student center building would come from an increase to the student center fee; the current fee of $30 per student each semester is insu cient, but any increase above 10% requires a referendum. The referendum proposes raising the maximum student fee to $150; however, the university plans to levy a fee of $115-$120 similar to the recreation and wellness center fee, Denney said. The referendum is sched- uled to happen in the week of April 17, Denney said. “This is a discussion we are hav- ing with our students, as they would need to agree that the construction of a new student center would in fact bet- ter serve our students,” Denney said. “Especially in recognition that our
Based on students’ votes, UHCL may build a new student center.
The University of Houston-Clear Lake held a surveys in November and January to gauge student interest in a new student center and increased fees. Student re onses to UHCL’S UPCOMING REFERENDUM 1,000+ students participated in the November survey. 70% showed support for a new stu- dent center in the November survey. 800+ students participated in the January survey. 3 options were presented in the January survey. Every option received student support of over 50%.
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON CLEAR LAKE COMMUNITY IMPACT
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