After about a year of construction, UTA held the grand opening of the Maverick Autonomous Vehicle Research Center on Sept. 16 at the UT Arlington Research Institute in Fort Worth. The new facility is a 40-foot-tall, 150-by-120-foot outdoor netted building with a control building that can be used as a classroom, said Eileen Clements, director of research at the research center. While the institute already had a smaller indoor drone facility, the new facility will be able to improve research capabilities and provide a space to test in all weather conditions. The center will be used to test unmanned and autonomous air systems, commonly referred to as drones. The space will allow researchers to conduct research without concerns for safety within FAA regulations, said Nicholas Gans, principal research scientist at the research institute. There are 28 Vicon motion capture cameras to help researchers better understand the performance of the vehicles, develop control algorithms and provide accurate verification to the drones. The facility also has lighting that allows use at night. The control building is a climate-controlled environment that houses computers used to monitor the drones, and the facility can also be used as a place of learning, Clements said. Gans said that they want student groups and classes to use the space. “We want to allow this to be used by anyone who has a strong use case for it,” he said. The Maverick Autonomous Vehicle Research Center also opens up doors for collaboration, Gans said. The facility could facilitate cooperation with first responders for training purposes. It could also be used for local schools and small businesses, allowing for teaching, training and outreach activity. “We do want this to be a space that’s available and used a lot,” he said. Gans joined the project in 2019, working with other faculty members such as electrical engineering professor Yan Wan to make the building happen. He said the process of getting the drone facility built was difficult, but once the university reached tier one research status, a team worked with the president’s office at UTA, and they were able to receive funding and begin designing and constructing the almost $2 million project. “We had done our homework and looked at similar facilities in other universities, figured out how we wanted this to be,” Gans said. The university hoped to break ground in February and complete the construction between May and early June, but the project was delayed due to the weather. “We had a really wet spring, which caused a lot of delays, but we’re very excited that it’s been completed now,” Gans said. “We’re very excited and looking forward to using it.” @atclements03 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

A mixture of tears, laughter and smiles filled the sixth floor atrium of the Central Library on Saturday afternoon as friends and family shared stories and memories of Les Riding-In during his celebration of life. Riding-In, College of Business graduate recruiter and Native American Student Association primary adviser, died in August at 53, but the legacy and community he helped create live on. Riding-In helped accomplish the Wichita and affiliated tribes land acknowledgement, the creation of the UTA Land Acknowledgement Courtyard and the continued growth of the annual student-led Benefit Powwow. UTA faculty, staff, and current and former students, along with family and friends shared stories and memories of Riding-In, causing smiles around the atrium. Darryl Lauster, art and art history professor, said he met Riding-In more than 15 years ago through the Native American Student Association. “He was a champion of the Native American community here in North Texas; he was a champion of his students that he loved so dearly,” Lauster said. “He was a lion amongst men, wonderful human being.” Geography associate professor Charlie Travis met Riding-In for the first time in 2016, and they shared a love of music. “He said, ‘You look like a rock star.’ It sort of surprised me, because I played music previously in my past life,” Travis said. He said Riding-In would brag about having seen Oasis on its first tour. The two went on to attend concerts together, and when Travis decided to get back into music, Riding-In became his “business manager.” Travis said he had a Zoom meeting with a company that was trying to sell an online music promotion pack, and Riding-In joined the call. “He saw right through it,” he said. “They wanted to sell us a package that we didn’t really need.” Sampson Dewey, former Native American Student Association president, said Riding-In was goofy when he was talking to friends. He’d talk about anything from wrestling to World of Warcraft. “Anytime we made meeting dates, it couldn’t happen on Thursdays because he had his raids for World of Warcraft,” he said. “Always had to make sure it was either early in the afternoon or a different day just because he had to go raid.” Dewey said Riding-In’s legacy goes beyond UTA. “We were able to branch off to help a couple museums, Tarrant County, the City of Fort Worth, the City of Arlington, we did a couple things in Dallas, we worked with Meow Wolf, all because of his and our work here at UTA on the land acknowledgment,” Dewey said. “Who knows where we're going to be in the next couple of years, but we just know that NASA is going to be there,” he said. “We're going to continue his work.” @wall035203 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Residents in the Dallas-Fort Worth area can expect high temperatures in the mid-90s, accompanied by thunderstorms midweek, and highs in the mid-80s to end the week. Jennifer Dunn, National Weather Service meteorologist, said the week is going to start warm, with a cold front coming in Wednesday that will cool temperatures down into the 80s. “Nothing out of the ordinary, nothing that would be a record setting,” she said. News editor James Ward contributed to this article. news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

A small parking lot in front of The Commons was transformed into an interactive space Friday for Park(ing) Day. The event featured pop-up booths from student architecture organizations to educate passersby on its mission: reimagining cities with people in mind — not cars. The concept of the event began in 2005 when a design group based in San Francisco took the initiative to turn a parking space into a small public park. Following their example, cities around the world host Park(ing) Day annually. Organizations at the event offered a variety of activities, including large communal coloring pages and build-your-own keychain tables. Fresh elotes and Jarritos were available for purchase as well. Walkable Arlington, a student-led grassroots organization, set up a board where students could share their ideas for alternatives to parking spaces. Responses included proposals such as interactive art exhibits, more vibrant nightlife, and a call for more trees and native plants. “I just wanted to see people's imagination, see what they want to see more of,” said Kayli Nauls, sustainable urban design major and Walkable Arlington member. Hunter Lynch, landscape architecture graduate student and UTA Student American Society of Landscape Architects president, helped run the organization’s booth selling plants and distributing wildflower seeds. “I think it's been very successful,” he said. “The idea is that you catch people as they're walking, and their eyes are just drawn to ‘Hey, what's going on over here?'" The Interior Design Student Group provided visitors with the option to make fresh flower vases out of recycled cardboard. “A lot of students have come by and just been engaged and involved, and we're trying to make sure that people know what Park(ing) Day is,” said Jennifer Rojas, Interior Design Student Group external affairs president. Lynch said the biggest takeaway for those who came to the event is the reimagining of parking spaces. “They can be comfortable spaces like this where people are able to hang out, play music, have food and really just begin to start that conversation,” he said. @hud4qureshi news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Eighty-eight teams braved the mud-filled gauntlet of Oozeball, chasing the chance to be crowned the 2025 champion. But only one team conquered the sludge and etched its name in UTA history. In the final game, the hungry Caniac Combo took on the Kupari Bros, who were playing for a repeat title. With the score tied 10-10, tension filled the air as both teams needed one more point to clinch victory. Caniac Combo served, and after a short rally ended with a decisive block at the net, the final whistle blew. The crowd erupted — Caniac Combo had claimed the crown. Players from the team embraced each other in the mud, hugging and shouting in triumph. By the end of the celebration, they were nearly unrecognizable under the thick layer of sludge, but their smiles cut through it all. Ari Abramsky, business management sophomore and Caniac Combo team captain, said she’d been saying all day the team was going to win, but was still shocked when the final whistle blew. “It was so stressful because half our team was stuck in the mud. We couldn't move,” Abramsky said. “We were praying, ‘Help, help, we can't get it.’ But we came out with the win.” The Caniac Combo members first came together as freshmen, playing a pickup sand volleyball game outside their dorm. After hours on the court, a trip to Raising Cane's sealed their bond. Their love for the chicken chain gave them their name, and this year that name will be remembered as UTA’s Oozeball champion. Since 1989, Oozeball has been one of UTA’s most beloved traditions, drawing students, alumni, faculty and staff into a muddy battle for bragging rights. This year's 36th annual Oozeball tournament featured 88 teams playing 176 games, filling the courts with laughter, chaos and competition. Josh Hale, Campus Recreation assistant director of sports programs, said the tournament's unique nature is what makes it so special. “Courts are disgusting, they’re covered, filthy, so they are in prime Oozeball shape,” Hale said. Hale said Oozeball takes months of preparation, with planning starting before students even return to campus and collaboration to set up the courts. For Hale, the payoff is seeing the community come alive in the mud. “This is why we work here. It's to just provide meaningful opportunities to our students,” he said. “You can call it the Super Bowl. I like to call it Christmas Day.” Isaiah Joseph, a master's student in public administration and Freshman Leaders on Campus adviser, reflected on how the event has changed since he arrived on campus in 2019. “Oozeball, as we all know, it's a long-standing UTA tradition,” Joseph said. “But honestly, I'm loving to see how much it's grown,” Joseph said. “I was here in 2019. Pre-COVID, it was insane. Since then, we've been kind of trying to get back to what it is, and today I'm seeing the energy that I remember.” While the mud and traditions stay the same, the champions change. For Caniac Combo, victory meant more than just surviving — it meant a place in UTA history. “It means a lot. It feels like we’re going to be remembered for years and years after we’re gone, after we graduate and we’ll just be a part of the school forever,” Abramsky said. @diegocllazo news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Community members gathered Thursday at Levitt Pavilion for its Preparedness in the Park event as part of National Preparedness Month. The event featured educational booths, tours of a fire truck, speeches, presentations, a screening of “Twisters” and giveaways. The community also honored the Arlington Firefighters who responded to the Central Texas Hill Country floods. Attendees moved through the lawn, stopping by tables and listening to different preparedness tips. Arlington resident Sarah Isom, 43, said she came to learn about weather preparedness, and her son, Charlie Vassar, 9, said he attended the event to watch the movie. Isom said that if you are prepared for any event, it is easier to deal with it. “If it’s a tornado and you don’t know where to go in your house during a tornado, that can be dangerous and scary,” she said. “So it’s nice to know the plan.” Both had different things they enjoyed learning about at the event. Vassar’s was the tornadoes. He said he learned that they can be destructive and can happen at any time. To prepare, he said he’s going to wake everyone up and rush to the closet. City council member Rebecca Boxall said she hopes attendees start to think about and plan for how they will react to emergencies. Kwa heri Harris, director of emergency management at UTA, said she hopes attendees learn that preparedness is not just about the plan, but the mindset. “A lot of people have said ‘I have an emergency plan or I have a fire evacuation plan,’ but it’s much more than that,” Harris said. @tay._.sansom news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The rhythmic beat of bachata and the smell of gorditas and salsa verde filled Brazos Park as UTA commenced its celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The Intercultural Student Engagement Center hosted the Hispanic Heritage Kickoff, one of seven events inviting UTA students to step into Hispanic culture by introducing them to Hispanic music, food and customs. As the event started, students waited in a line that stretched from Brazos Park to Arlington Hall so they could get free gorditas, a traditional Mexican dish made from dough that is typically stuffed with meat, cheese or other fillings, and an agua fresca to wash it all down. While waiting in the heat, music from Hispanic icons like Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma filled the air. Once attendees had the opportunity to fill their stomachs, it was time to move their hips. Nonprofit group Salsa at the Gardens was on stage offering free salsa and bachata lessons to anyone willing to give it a try. The music spilled into the crowd — bachata swaying smooth and romantic like a night under the stars, and salsa burning with a fiery bass of a street festival come alive. Together, they created an irresistible rhythm that pulled people to their feet. Alexander Leyva, assistant director for academic and cultural engagement for the Intercultural Student Engagement Center, said he wanted to celebrate Hispanic heritage with good food and music to bring the spirit of the event. “I'm hoping that folks enjoy the vibes that we’re bringing,” Leyva said. “We’re hoping that the food and music will just help folks feel in community with one another.” Hispanic/Latino students account for 32.6% of the student population at UTA, more than every other race and ethnicity, according to Data USA. Construction management junior Sergio Cantera, who's of Hispanic descent, said events like this make him feel welcomed and accepted and that he sees Hispanic culture represented at the university. “I see it being represented very well by everybody, the events. It’s pretty nice to see,” Cantera said. When asked what part of his heritage made him most proud, Cantera said the best thing is the food. He said his mother makes pozole, a traditional Mexican soup, during Mexico’s independence month in September. Cantera said events like this allow younger members of the community to experience who they are and where they come from. He said many first-generation students do not embrace their roots, so this can expose them to positive aspects of their culture. UTA will be hosting five more events for Hispanic Heritage Month: Loteria Night from 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 25 on the sixth floor of the Central LibrarySalsa Night from 7 to 8 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Maverick Activities Center Money Management Para La Cultura at 2 p.m. Oct. 1 at Bluebonnet BallroomGlobal Grounds Domino Tournament from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Palo Duro LoungeCara Mia from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 14 at Brazos Park Clarification: Marketing junior Eduardo Lerma, biomedical engineering senior Israel Gomez and computer science sophomore Erik Conejo were checking out bags sold by nursing junior Anna Mercado. @diegocllazo news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

On Tuesday, the Arlington City Council voted 8-1 to pass the fiscal year 2026 city operating budget, as well as 7-2 on two ordinances within the budget relating to a property tax increase. The $750.7 million operating budget includes spending cuts, new fees and fee adjustments, as well as a property tax increase to combat a $20 million budget shortfall. The city’s two largest points of revenue, sales tax and property tax, have not performed as expected, according to the fiscal year 2026 proposed budget and business plan. Council member Andrew Piel voted against all three budget items, and council member Bowie Hogg voted against the levying and ratification of the property tax increase. Both council members mirrored their votes from the previous meeting. The fiscal year 26 budget will increase the property tax rate to 62.98 cents per $100 of assessed value, a 3 cent increase from last year. The raise would generate about $11.1 million in revenue for city services, according to the city website. Hogg said that the council has to protect the property taxes for homeowners; as values go up, the city has to remain competitive and keep property tax rates low. The average homeowner would see a $12.20 increase in fees and property tax per month, or $146.43 a year, according to the city website. “I think as we look at that, we could have found more cuts in our budget,” Hogg said. The $7.7 million in cuts included the removal of 42 vacant positions from the city payroll and adjusted hours of city services, with Arlington Animal Services closing Mondays and the Action Center hotline closing Saturdays. The water and sanitary sewer fees, garbage collection fee and stormwater fee are all seeing increases in the budget. Arlington resident Larry McFarland spoke in opposition to all three budget ordinances at the Tuesday meeting. “The city is not selling product,” McFarland said. “They’re demanding money from something, and if all you do is spend money, you don’t have any incentive to control the spending, then you’re just going to spend more and more every year.” Multimedia editor Samarie Goffney contributed to this story. @wall035203 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The 2025 State Fair of Texas is scheduled to open Sept. 26 and run until Oct. 19 at Fair Park in Dallas, featuring 24 days of celebration of Texan food, music, rides and culture. Prices of tickets vary by day, with discounts available online. Taylor Pulfer, State Fair of Texas director of communications, described this annual event as the organization's largest fundraiser, with all proceeds dedicated to the nonprofit mission of supporting education, community giving and the preservation of Fair Park. One of the fair's signatures is its “Texas-sized” twist on traditions. Fairgoers are greeted by Big Tex, a 55-foot cowboy, with his signature “Howdy, folks,” while the Cotton Bowl stadium hosts the Allstate Red River Rivalry football game. Another staple is the Big Tex Choice Awards, a creative fried food competition that has become a tradition that can’t be found anywhere else, Pulfer said in an email. Food remains one of the fair’s central experiences. Alongside classics such as Fletcher’s Corny Dogs, visitors can try this year’s Big Tex Choice award-winning foods, including the Crab and Mozzarella Arancini, Chill and Thrill Delight, Cookie Chaos Milkshake and Wagyu Bacon Cheeseburger Deviled Egg Sliders. Pulfer said this fair is a “tradition that gives back.” It drives tourism, supports small businesses, showcases Texas agriculture and helps fund scholarships and community programs. For first-time visitors, Pulfer recommended starting with a photo with Big Tex, grabbing a corny dog, then exploring Midway rides, the livestock barn, the auto show, cultural exhibits and live music. “The Fair is a tradition that brings people together,” Pulfer said. “For many families, it’s where memories are made year after year.” @samip.parajuli.54 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Student Senate members appointed a new Supreme Court justice, introduced four new resolutions and voted on one resolution during their Tuesday meeting. The body confirmed Kayla Gillespie, nominated by Student Body President Effua Jordan, as the fifth Supreme Court justice. Jordan said Gillespie has consistently shown herself to be a leader grounded in service, integrity and community, and has made it clear that she will approach her role with balance and impartiality. Gillespie said she brings the perspective of someone who wants the community to grow. “College is about making memories and building a community when you’re away from home, and I just want to make sure that everyone gets that chance because they deserve it,” she said. During the meeting, student senators passed Resolution 25-13, “Move Out of the Way,” after deliberation. The resolution aims to create designated parking spots for campus delivery and supply trucks that do not interfere with the routes of the MavMovers. Samuel Duncan, College of Liberal Arts senator, raised concerns over student parking, noting it is already limited and that some lots that would be utilized are full. Others said that the delivery drivers would be moving after a set period of time and that the proposed maps are temporary until there is a more fleshed out parking map after renovations are completed. “Parking is already a problem,” said Hephzibah Akinmade, College of Nursing and Health Innovation senator. “But it’s not like we’re taking all this space with the student; they’re just there for a set amount of time, so the order of everyday life is going to move on.” Resolutions 25-18, “Cultivating Campus Civic Culture”; 25-19, “Title IX, Don’t Take Mine”; 25-20, “TextBook Sell-Back Drive”; and 25-21, “Analog Manual,” were introduced to the senate. During the open forum, Andres Morales, Student Body vice president, addressed the senate about the upcoming senatorial reelection, as today was the campaign kickoff. In his speech, Morales said 17 student senators were up for reelection, noting they cannot flow through the election cycle comfortably. He questioned the senators, asking, “What have you done for your constituents? Have you used this responsibility? Have you shown up and voted when it really mattered?” “To be a senator is to carry influence and with it accountability; your votes, your presence and your voice do more than just fill these seats right here,” he said. Resolutions 25-14, “Shh-tudy Rooms,” and 25-15, “Minimum Wage, Maximum Impact,” were killed. Academic Affairs Chair Emman Khan said Resolution 25-14, “Shh-tudy Rooms,” was killed because the library is already working on initiatives that the bill asks for, which is making library study rooms more soundproof. Student Affairs Chair Roberto Sok said Resolution 25-15, “Minimum Wage, Maximum Impact was killed due to the minimum wage being set to $10 by the UT System. Updates on the research process were given on Resolution 25-17, “Gimme My Greens,” and Resolution 25-16, “Condom Convenience.” The next Student Senate meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Sept. 30 in the Student Government Chambers. @tay._.sansom news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Gov. Greg Abbott recently signed an executive order banning hemp and hemp-derived product consumption for minors and regulating its sale, though critics question its impact. On Sept. 10, Abbott directed the Department of State Health Services and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to prohibit the sale of hemp-derived products to minors and require age verification upon purchasing for all customers; retailers who violate the order will have their permits revoked. “Safety for kids, freedom for adults,” Abbott said in a post on X. Texas’ growing hemp industry was left largely in the fate of consumers after Abbott vetoed Senate Bill 3 earlier this year. Since the 2018 federal Farm Bill legalized industrial hemp nationwide, Texas has seen rapid expansion in the market. The product remains legal under current interpretations of the federal and state law, as long as they contain no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight. As the executive order does not ban the product itself, some lawmakers, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and state Sen. Charles Perry, remain dissatisfied. In a statement issued Friday, Patrick argued that the order gives the current THC market a seal of approval. “These are the same people who have been selling dangerous THC products to kids and teens for the last four years in thousands of locations across Texas,” he said. “They will continue to do so under this executive order without a ban.” Chase Whitworth, Artisan Vapor and CBD Collins district manager, said the governor’s order represents a fair compromise. “I personally think that it’s a good thing that that’s happening, cutting regulation on the use for minors to be attacked by the THC industry,” Whitworth said. According to a report from Whitney Economics, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, delta-10 THC, CBD and cannabigerol are some of the most common hemp-derived products sold in Texas. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cannabis affects brain development and functions, specifically the parts of the brain responsible for memory, learning, attention, decision-making, coordination, emotions and reaction time. The center said usage before 18 may affect how the brain builds connections for functions like attention, memory and learning, and the effects could be permanent. Patrick said the legislature never voted to legalize recreational marijuana or the THC products sold now, but due to the loophole in hemp laws, highly potent THC products are being sold, which is why Senate Bill 3 was passed in the Texas House and Senate during the regular session. Since the veto in late June, Abbott put the item on the agenda for two special sessions over the summer. In a proclamation issued June 22, Abbott said SB 3, as written, would create legal uncertainty for Texas farmers, as the bill criminalizes the manufacturing, distribution and sale of all consumable hemp products, regardless of whether they comply with federal law’s THC limits. The governor’s latest order requires the Department of State Health Services and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to immediately create an age limit, but does not prescribe when the restriction must take effect and calls for both agencies to work with the Department of Public Safety to increase enforcement on existing rules. The Department of State Health Services is also required to begin reviewing the current rules within 10 business days to possibly add stricter labeling and testing, improve recordkeeping to facilitate oversight and increase fees to support enforcement. Sid Miller, Texas Department of Agriculture commissioner, said Abbott deserves praise for protecting minors from THC products while respecting the rights of adults. “Protecting our kids and defending our freedoms do not need to be at odds,” Miller said. Although Whitworth supports increased protections for youth, he said he worries that ongoing debates and potential bans could hurt small businesses. “Lots of these small mom and pop shops won’t survive as well based off of that,” he said. “They won’t be able to recover.” Perry said in a post on X that the age restriction does not fix the problem, and it gives the industry what it wants by leaving the product on shelves and ensuring the legislature will not close the loophole. “This debate isn’t over, and I will not stop fighting until we secure real protections for our communities and prevent Texas from repeating the mistakes of other states,” Perry said. @tay._.sansom news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Preparedness in the Park will be hosted by UTA’s Office of Emergency Management, the Arlington Fire Department and Levitt Pavilion at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Levitt Pavilion as part of National Preparedness Month. The event will feature educational booths and a screening of the film “Twisters,” as well as giveaways of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radios. One radio will be given away per household through the giveaway, while supplies last. Kwa heri Harris, the director of emergency management at UTA, said the biggest thing attendees can look forward to is the opportunity to learn and gather as a community. “We believe that preparedness saves lives,” Harris said. “It's also better to be proactive in making sure you have a preparedness plan and a preparedness kit, versus being reactive.” Some booths at the event will be dedicated to building a 72-hour emergency kit, making emergency family plans and educating about outdoor warning sirens. Harris said they worked to make sure the event would be an interactive and fun environment where attendees could learn. “We thought that it would be a good idea to bring the community together to talk to them about the importance of having a plan and being equipped,” she said. Parking for the event will be free, with open seating available on the lawn. Attendees can bring lawn chairs and blankets to watch “Twisters” during the screening. @hud4qureshi news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Office of Admissions is hosting the Graduate School Expo event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Palo Duro Lounge in the University Center. Representatives from UTA colleges and other universities will be available to share information about their offered graduate programs. Ashley Jackson, lead graduate and international academic recruiter, said the event will provide current students with an opportunity to interact with institutions and learn about master’s and doctoral programs. “The Graduate School Expo is a great place to explore and see what might be a good next step for you after you graduate,” Jackson said. The event will have limited door prizes for the first 100 participants and there will also be UTA-branded cookies at the event. Jackson said individual universities and colleges from UTA will have their own giveaways as well. “This is another great way to network with universities, potential graduate schools and recruiters,” she said. “You never know what doors may be opened, and pathways may unfold that you weren’t even considering.” @wall035203 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

As of fall 2024, UTA recorded over 41,000 students enrolled on campus. Keeping a university of that scale functioning daily takes a lot of work behind the scenes. The Shorthorn selected six key leaders from across campus to speak about their day-to-day work, beyond their titles. Lowell Davis Davis became the vice president of Student Affairs in 2023. In his role, he is responsible for leading Student Affairs, which focuses on student life and engagement, health and wellness, student success and housing, he said. “Oftentimes, Student Affairs is viewed as the unit to deal with students who are causing problems, and I want to change that narrative,” Davis said. “The Division of Student Affairs is here to support the classroom activities with cocurricular experiences.” Before UTA, Davis served as vice chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. He also held positions at The University of Alabama, Indiana University and Hampton University. Having gone to high school in South Dallas, Davis said working at UTA feels personal for him. “I feel like I am helping students who may not be the richest, they may not be the poorest, but they want to get a college education, and they too want to be difference makers,” he said. Effua Jordan Jordan, nursing junior and former Student Body chief of staff, now serves as the Student Body president for the 2025–26 academic year. Jordan primarily acts as the main liaison between Student Government and university administration. She works to implement resolutions, manage the Student Government branches and assist the Student Body vice president with recruitment. She also helps coordinate events such as Cookies with Cowley, where UTA President Jennifer Cowley discusses university matters with students, and the President’s Roundtable, a private forum for student leaders to engage with the administration. Jordan said the work behind the organization is complex but rewarding, pointing to the successful resolution for the new University Center as an example of this effort paying off. “I hope that in the future, we’ll be able to have a solid group of student leaders who are all fighting for the same thing and all working together to uplift each other’s communities,” she said. Jon Fagg Fagg has served as UTA’s Athletics director since 2022. Fagg supports the coaching staff and student-athletes on the field and in the classroom. He handles media relations, game operations and communications throughout the Athletics department, he said. During Fagg’s first year as director, UTA won three Western Athletic Conference championships: men’s tennis regular season and tournament, and women’s tennis regular season. Additionally, 19 Mavericks earned WAC all-conference honors, with four receiving player or coach of the year recognitions. Fagg said he wants to give every student a meaningful education and athletic opportunities, and that he enjoys working in higher education because students are at a fun stage in their lives. “It never gets old walking out on campus and just watching all of you walk around,” Fagg said. “I love graduation, and I certainly love winning championships.” Kim Lemaux Lemaux became UTA’s first female chief of police in July 2013. She started her police journey at the Arlington Police Department and worked her way up to deputy chief. She studied business at UTA, and when she saw that the university was looking for a new chief of police, she applied. In this role, Lemaux is tasked with providing a safe environment for faculty, staff and students on campus, according to the UT System website. She manages patrol and security, police communications, emergency management, parking, transportation and key control operations. “I think that I have the best job in the world,” Lemaux said. “I get to come to work and interact with just amazing people. I mean that from the employees we have here at the [police department], but [also] our students, our faculty and staff.” She said what motivates her is wanting to make a difference, better the community and give back. “I don't know that you can get into this profession and not have people motivate you and not enjoy working with people because that’s inherently our job,” she said. Tamara Brown Since 2022, Brown has served UTA as the provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. Brown said her role is split into two parts. Her first responsibility is overseeing all of Academic Affairs, from hiring faculty and helping them prepare students to managing curricula and degree programs. The second is mainly helping UTA President Jennifer Cowley implement her strategic plan for the university. Describing her approach to leadership as being a problem solver, Brown said she looks into challenges students are facing and does whatever she can to implement a solution. Brown has held executive dean, dean and interim dean positions at the University of North Texas and Prairie View A&M University. Her passion for higher education comes from her background as a first-generation college student, she said. “I just have a deep desire to help students to succeed here and even after they leave here, and that's what motivates me every day,” Brown said. Jennifer Cowley Cowley became UTA’s first female and 10th overall president in 2022. The UTA president is the head of the university. She stays in touch with the community and finds ways to benefit the students, develops a strategic plan, guides the campus to meet its initiatives and navigates UTA through any changing state and federal higher education policies, Cowley said. Cowley has routine meetings with student organization leaders to address any concerns the community may have. The president’s work varies from day to day, she said. Before becoming a Maverick, Cowley served the University of North Texas for five years as the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. She also spent 16 years at Ohio State University. When it was time for her to move into a new leadership position, UTA stood out as a perfect fit. “I grew up here in Arlington, so it's kind of like a dream come true getting to lead this amazing university and it being in my hometown,” Cowley said. @tay._.sansom @wall035203 @kaleivie_ @PMalkomes news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Career Development Center is hosting its All Majors Job and Internship Fair from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Maverick Activities Center. The fair will bring nearly 100 employers to speak with students about their companies and job opportunities. “It will be active and it will be busy,” said Nikki Dickens, associate director for career services and operations. “There will be a lot of energy in the room and it’s usually a really exciting event to be part of.” Attendees must bring either their MavID card or know their ID number to register, Lolin Martins-Crane, director of the Career Development Center, said. Students can view registered employers through Handshake’s events tab. Dickens said she recommends checking company websites for their most up-to-date job postings to learn more about what jobs they have available. Martins-Crane said she encourages students to build a plan before the event by selecting the top employers they want to visit first, then exploring others. She said coming prepared with knowledge of a company’s values and recent projects can help students differentiate themselves from others who only hand over a resume. Dickens said attendees are encouraged to practice introductions and dress professionally, while also using the fair as a chance to explore industries and build networks, even if they are not actively job hunting. “The opportunity to speak to someone directly during your job search makes a world of difference,” she said. “I'm always going to advocate for taking advantage of any opportunity on campus.” @samip.parajuli.54 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The College of Business recently launched its career coaching program to support students as they prepare for life after graduation. The program is intended for students in their senior year who have declared their major, and the primary purpose is to get them career-focused, said Scott Elbert, College of Business senior director of academic advising. April Simmons, College of Business corporate relations coordinator, said the program was developed over the summer to help students obtain internships and career opportunities, and goes beyond just helping with resumes and interview skills. “It’s to really dig deep and find out what it is that they want to do careerwise after they’ve left the university,” Simmons said. “Instead of just saying they want to do accounting, what exactly is it that they want to do within the realm of accounting.” Once a student signs up for a session, an email is automatically generated with two tasks: The first prompts students to upload their resume into VMock, a tool that will critique the document. For the second task, students will upload their LinkedIn profiles to the same software to get feedback. Once both items are complete, students are ready for their appointment, Elbert said. He said the program started because of feedback from a yearly graduating seniors exit survey. One of the main points of feedback, he said, was students asking for more career engagement opportunities, employers coming to campus, opportunities to connect with corporate partners and internship connections. “I think in some cases students aren’t sure if those surveys are being read and considered, and I can tell you for sure that they absolutely are,” he said. “It is student feedback that really drove this initiative and this desire for us to go and provide this kind of service.” @tay._.sansom news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

On Tuesday, the Arlington City Council will vote to amend the recently suspended antidiscrimination chapter in the city’s code. At the Sept. 9 meeting, the council voted to temporarily suspend the chapter and will now vote on the first hearing of an amendment that would allow it to continue without affecting federal funding. City Manager Trey Yelverton said at the Sept. 2 council meeting that $65 million in federal grants that come to the city were at risk due to contents of the chapter. These grants support programs such as housing assistance, firefighter grants, Via and Handitran. The city could have lost access to these grants due to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump called “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing,” federal court decisions and recent Texas legislation. Yelverton said that as the city receives the grants, it has to enter into a contract with the federal government or the granting agency, which stipulates activities that the city can or cannot do. “These contracts now are being updated, particularly at the federal government, to include prohibitions for advancing or promoting DEI, as well as any type of race use gender as part of decision-making process based on allocating funds or benefits,” he said. The new ordinance affects multiple subsections of the original antidiscrimination chapter and deletes mention of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression as protected characteristics from the original document. If the new ordinance passes, the chapter will continue to prohibit forms of discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex or disability, according to a staff report. “We can set the example in Arlington to say, ‘Listen, we’re going to adhere to the laws of the land, and we’re still going to show you what love, decency and respect truly is,’” Mayor Jim Ross said at the Sept. 2 council meeting. @wall035203 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

UTA is establishing an interim faculty advisory body as a replacement for the now-dissolved Faculty Senate, President Jennifer Cowley told The Shorthorn. The new group — called Interim University Faculty Roundtable — will review policy changes and budget planning, engage with other faculty members and oversee four faculty working groups responsible for students’ academic experiences. The roundtable’s decisions are nonbinding. In August, the UT System Board of Regents authorized university presidents to establish faculty advisory groups to replace faculty senates. The decision affects all 14 institutions within the system, including UTA. The system is working to comply with a part of Senate Bill 37, a new law that shrinks the power of faculty senates by restructuring them or allowing existing ones to be abolished by Sept. 1. Under SB 37, faculty senates are only permitted to function as advisory groups, and any proposed changes must be approved through an institution's governing body, such as the UT System. Universities opting to keep their faculty senates have to adapt them to comply with the law. Before its dissolution, Cowley tasked the Faculty Senate with nominating candidates for the new panel, she said. The group will include 12 faculty members from various departments with experience in shared governance. UTA’s Faculty Senate had more than 70 faculty members, according to the group’s website. Cowley said forming an interim advisory group provides a way to respond to faculty’s concerns. She cited a recent survey where faculty noted heavy workloads from serving on committees, volunteering or advising student organizations with little visible impact. “For me, seeing this interim body, it's an opportunity to have conversation with our faculty about whatever we design for the future, make sure that we're addressing those concerns about having too much service and not the right ways to create impact,” Cowley said. In a Sept. 5 co-signed email to faculty members, Cowley and Tamara Brown, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, acknowledged that the structure cannot “fully replicate what came before” but said they believed that new changes will bring both questions and opportunities to make impact. “How we work together must look different and take new forms,” the email reads. “But the values of faculty voice, leadership, and partnership will remain at the heart of UTA’s work.” The advisory group will perform similar functions as a faculty senate or council to maintain an institution’s operations. For UTA, such duties have included pushes for standardized pay raises and for a continuation of the presidential search process after COVID-19, which led to the hiring of Cowley. In recent weeks, the governing boards of University of North Texas and Texas Tech University modified their faculty senates to comply with state law. Texas A&M and Texas State regents dissolved faculty senates, similarly to the UT System. Faculty senates typically are the only group on campus where faculty representatives make recommendations after they have had conversations with students, staff and administrators, said Brian Evans, president of the Texas Conference of the American Association of University Professors, also speaking for himself. Evans has concerns about faculty advisory groups falling under administrative control, but said they’re better than having no representative body. “It's going to be a muzzled voice of the elected faculty, but at least there's some voice there,” Evans said. The UTA Faculty Senate had always served in an advisory capacity, Cowley said. The university also had undergraduate and graduate assemblies that provided policy recommendations on curriculum and academic progress. Those assemblies also officially dissolved under SB 37. Two committees — the Hearing Panel and the University Tenure and Promotion Committee — will be reconstituted as appointed bodies rather than elected. The interim body will shape the future structure of a potential permanent faculty senate as UTA anticipates a regents’ ruling, Cowley said. Kevin Eltife, UT System board chairman, said at the Aug. 21 meeting that regents will decide if and when faculty senates will be re-established on campuses and that they will proceed “deliberately.” “We are going to take our time. We're going to go slow. We're going to figure out the best approach if we're going to have these faculty senates on every campus or not,” Eltife said. “Some may not have them. We don't know yet.” @DangHLe news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Dallas-Fort Worth residents can expect high temperatures in the 90s and low chances of rain later in the week. Monique Sellers, National Weather Service meteorologist, said that the weather is still warm and humid, and residents should be aware of the heat when outside. Beginning midweek, there are some chances of rain, but they’re on the low side, Sellers said. “Not really expecting a big temperature change with those rain chances,” she said. “Still going to be sitting in the 90s through the end of the week and through the weekend as well.” @atclements03 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

La Sociedad Hispánica will be hosting El Baile from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Brazos Park. The event will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month at UTA and celebrate Mexican Independence Day with the intent of bringing students, alumni and the community together, said Emmanuel Hernandez, La Sociedad Hispánica president, in an email. The evening will feature an introductory speech from Hernandez and a speech from Maria Delgado, senior director of the Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives. The event will also have a live DJ performing Latin music, an ice truck selling slushies and lemonade, a mechanical bull and cultural foods like chicharrones. Salsa at the Gardens, a group of UTA alumni, will be teaching salsa dancing from 7 to 7:45 p.m., Hernandez said. Brazos Park will be decorated with Mexican decorations and attendees are encouraged to dress in Mexican attire, he said. “By just coming to one event, which is El Baile, you can make unforgettable memories,” Hernandez said. @ATClements03 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu