BUILDING A BETTER TEXAS TOGETHER!

House Bill 2853: Modernizing UTEP’s Student Union Passes the Senate

Austin, Texas – House Bill 2853, authored by Representative Vincent Perez and sponsored by Senator César J. Blanco, has passed the Texas Senate. The bill marks a major milestone for student life at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), advancing a long-overdue investment in one of the campus’s most vital facilities.

The measure supports the development of a new, state-of-the-art Student Union that will meet the needs of UTEP’s growing student population. It also strengthens student input by requiring that any future funding changes be approved through a campus-wide student vote, with final authorization by the UT System Board of Regents. The project reflects UTEP’s continued evolution as a nationally recognized research institution.

In September 2024, UTEP students overwhelmingly voted in favor of creating a modern facility. House Bill 2853 honors and fulfills that vision.

Representative Perez reflected on the significance of the legislation, stating:

“The student union facility was built shortly after World War II, and generations of UTEP students have walked its halls, studied in its spaces, and built lifelong memories there. At that time, UTEP was a small institution of just 3,000 students; today, it’s a nationally recognized university with an enrollment exceeding 25,000. This bill will deliver the modern, state-of-the-art facility our students need and deserve, supporting their success for generations to come. I’m honored that this was my first bill in the Texas House, and I’m proud to see it successfully through the legislative process. I’m also tremendously grateful to UTEP President Heather Wilson, whose tireless advocacy was instrumental in this bill’s passage, and to Senator Blanco, who skillfully shepherded it through the Senate.”

Senator César J. Blanco shared his personal connection to the project:

"When I was a student at UTEP, the Student Union was where we crammed for exams, organized student events, and grabbed a bite between classes. But even back then, it felt outdated. It’s always been the heart of campus, but now it’s finally getting the investment it deserves. UTEP is one of the fastest-growing research institutions in the country, and its facilities should reflect that momentum. I’m proud to help bring to life a vision that is shaped by student voices that honors the past while building for the future. This new Union will be a hub for connection and Miner pride for years to come."

UTEP President Dr. Heather Wilson also emphasized the long-term impact of the bill:

“I am deeply grateful for the leadership Rep. Vince Perez and Sen. César Blanco in supporting the vision of the students of UTEP. Without them, this important work ensuring students have excellent facilities supporting their education would not have happened.”

UTEP Student Government Association President, Edgar Loya, issued the following statement:

“The UTEP Student Union is in desperate need of an update. I am so thankful for the support from our elected officials to make this happen, and especially the leadership from Rep. Perez and Sen. Blanco. We are glad that the Texas legislature supported the outcome of our student vote to improve this important student resource.”

The bill now heads back to the House for Concurrence.

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Vince Perez is State Representative for House District 77 in El Paso. He serves on the influential House Ways and Means Committee as well the committees on Higher Education and Local, Consent, and Resolutions Calendars. He is the former El Paso County Commissioner for Precinct 3 and was named the 2016 County Leader of the Year by American City & County Magazine. He is a lifelong resident of El Paso's Mission Valley, where he lives with his dogs Whiskey, Lady, and Manchas.