Help support Student Government programs

The Diversity, Equity and Belonging committee of UTD student government is seeking to fundraise $5,000 for our independent projects fund in order to continue assisting marginalized groups on campus in the coming year. Your money will go towards the maintenance and expansion of pre-existing projects and events so that student-run resources and programs won’t disappear due to internal student politics or external crackdowns on DEI-related programming at the state level.

In the wake of SB 17, a Texas bill that eliminated DEI-focused programs in higher education, LGBTQ+ students and other marginalized groups lost access to significant programs and resources. This is why we need an independent projects fund to guarantee that some of our most crucial events and programs remain available for students.

Your money will help fund:

• Chest binders for Trans students: A generous donation of high-quality binders has allowed our committee to start a binder program for transgender students. As this program grows, we will need money for resupplying binders. 
• Graduation support and celebrations for LGBTQ+ and ally graduates: As part of Lavender Graduation each year, your donation can help us facilitate a higher-quality and more impactful experience for the celebration of those students in the LGBTQ+ community who have taken such an important step in their higher education journeys.
• Supporting students travel expenses to Austin: The DEB committee has partnered with organizations such as Texas Students for DEI to monitor the Texas Legislature’s 89th session in order to keep track of anti-DEI policy in the legislature and plans to send students to the capitol for the purpose of submitting testimony and working directly with policy advocates. Your donation will help cover transportation costs for passionate student advocates.
• Miscellaneous basic needs projects: The DEB committee, in its mission to bring equity and belonging to students on campus, has become the de-facto basic needs committee for Student Government, managing programs for the Comet Cupboard, menstrual product access and most of our student resource referrals (such as for health care). These programs are disproportionately important for LGBTQ+ and minority students, who are more likely to suffer housing, food, healthcare and other basic needs insecurities. Your donations will help ensure we can continue to run these types of initiatives in the future and fund our current projects.

Student Government is the representative voice of the students at UTD. Our efforts involve working on events, programs and resources for students, as well as representing student interests with outside media, UTD administration and in Austin. Our committee believes that a student government that represents all students must be able to assist students from all walks of life in thriving at UTD and we think your donation will help us fund the initiatives that make that belief a reality.

For more information, our website is: https://sg.utdallas.edu

Our Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/utdsg/

The activities and programs described above are conducted by a student organization recognized under Texas Education Code, Section 51.3525(d)(3).