AT UTB-TSC (STILL): THE UNFELLOWSHIP OF THE RINGS

By Juan Montoya
The latest controversy occupying the minds of students at the University of Texas-Brownsville and Texas Southmost College students isn't the dissolution of the partnership, the rumored canonization of President Juliet Garcia or even the value of a degree from the hybrid institution.
Instead, it is the purchase of two additional  so-called "leadership rings" at $600 a pop to recognize their contributions to the "community university."
In a 19-5 vote last Tuesday, the Student Government Association overrode President Arturo Guerra’s veto of a resolution authorizing the purchase of graduation rings for two outstanding students.
The college newspaper reported that the veto sparked another heated debate among the senate on Resolution 7, which was approved by the senate on Oct. 4.

A total of seven people flocked to the meeting, including four former members of the SGA, all of whom spoke in favor of buying the rings.

“After hearing from some senators that were not for the resolution, I decided to veto it, not because I want to end the tradition, but because I think they have a point, which is a high price for the rings, so I ask you all to reconsider the amount of money that is being spent on these rings,” Guerra reportedly said. “… There are more things that we can do with $1,200, such as a big event for all the students on campus … or other type of recognition for other students.”

After a heated debate, the SGA has voted to spend no more than $1,200 on two Scorpion leadership rings for outstanding students for fall and spring commencements.

Collegian reporter Stephanie Mendez reported that the Dean of Students Office is responsible for buying three leadership rings for the academic year, but the SGA has been donating two extra ones, so that five rings can be awarded in all to deserving students.

SGA vice-president of Public Relations Pedro Licona said the spending limit is $1,200.

The UTB-TSC website explains that: "The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, in partnership with Balfour College Jewelry Company and the Student Government Association, will provide two official class ring(s) to graduating senior(s), graduate students and/or recent alumni who have excelled in academics, leadership activities and service to the campus and/or the community at-large."
An application to be considered for the rings is included in the site.
However, some students criticized the fact that Guerra was opposed to spending the cash. They said that the $5,400 stipend paid to Guerra and the SGA vice-president for their services far outstripped the cost of $600 for each ring.

"Most of us aren't aware, since we're new senators, that the SGA president gets paid $5,400 for his position every year, so that if we get that amount of money and we divide it by $600, which is the amount that a ring costs, we can get nine rings, so why isn't that outrageous?" asked Yareli Garcia, senator for the College of Biomedical Sciences and Health Professions.

It was pointed out during the meeting that the UTB-TSC Senate does not have to raise funds as other student organizations on campus.Also, the students senators were reminded that only one vendor has a lock on the sale of rings at UTB-TSC, so that the rings can only be purchased from that company. Also, most of the recipients of past ring purchases by the SGA have been former SGA officials, including several presidents.

So, we have the purchase of expensive rings funded by a public body, only one vendor monopolizes the sale, and for the most part, former SGA officials are the recipients of the expensive rings, even though the president and vice-president get nice fat stipends ($5,400) for their "service."

Yeah, these guys should fit nicely in Brownsville and Cameron County political positions when they go into their adult professions. Thanks to UTB-TSC we have little Joe Riveras and Aurora de la Garzas in the making.
God help us all.