Meeting Minutes November 4, 2025

(View PDF version of Meeting Minutes)

Attendees: Rosalinda Garcia, Fred Juarez, Adalberto Gonzalez, Jesus “Conrad” Galaviz, Andye Rodriguez, Santiago Garcia Rosales

Other Attendees: Denisse Botello, Claudia Beltran, Roberto Garza III, Rosabel Ramos, Patricia Ruiz

Student Attendee: Emily Zuniga

Welcome

Ms. Garcia welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Approval of Minutes

Approval of October 21, 2025 Minutes

Ms. Garcia asked if there were any corrections to the minutes. Hearing none, motion to approve made by Mr. Gonzalez, seconded by Ms. Rodriguez, all in favor voiced “I”. The minutes were approved by unanimous consent.

Study of 2026-2027 Budget: Review by Mr. Juarez

Overview: Ms. Garcia explained the funding of all TAMIU departments is comprised of various sources including tuition, grants, university funds, monies received from federal and/or state governments, fund-raising activities, and other paid fees. The three specific fees the committee is charged with reviewing on an annual basis are: 1) Student Health Services Fees (represented by Student Health Services, Student Counseling Services, and Disability Services for Students; 2) Recreational Center Fees; and 3) Student Center Fees. Ms. Garcia stated Mr. Juarez and Ms. Botello have prepared the draft budget for these fee categories which highlight projected revenues and how these monies will be used in the next fiscal year. The respective department directors have been invited to this meeting to address any questions the committee may have.

Budget Review: Mr. Juarez advised the committee that the information included in this draft budget presentation is a projection based on monies currently being collected now during the fall semester and incorporating these same budget collection figures for spring and summer 2026 – detailed as follows:

Discussion Items
Recreational Sports Fee: Projected revenue: $1,208,236. Projected expenses: $1,208,236 – expenses of which also includes the debt repayment related to the expansion of the REC Center.
Student Health Fee: As previously mentioned, this fee helps to cover costs for 1) Student Health Services, 2) Student Counseling Services, and 3) Disability Services for Students. Projected revenue: $1,073,514. Projected expenses: $1,073,514. Mr. Juarez noted to better represent the department’s budget status, operations and maintenance expenses are considered separately between TAMIU and contracted services for women’s health services, and medical directorship services provided by Dr. Leo Cigarroa.
Student Center Fee: Projected revenue: $1,284,884. Projected expenses: $1,274,225 – which also includes payment on debt services for ongoing maintenance and renovations to the STC building.

Ms. Garcia and Mr. Juarez provided additional explanations for the respective projected revenues and expenses outlined in each fee category including clarification on contracted services, deferred maintenance expenses, debt services, and the referendum approved by TAMIU students in 2024 to increase the student health fee to support hiring one additional counselor in the Student Counseling Services office to reduce the wait time for students seeking services.

Mr. Juarez referenced the “performance pool” estimates included in all three fee categories represents both salaries and benefits – adding benefits increased this year from 30% to 33%. Mr. Juarez stated monies collected in each fee category can only be used for that fee classification and with respect to deferred maintenance costs, this is an area of focus as the exact expense amount for repairs and maintenance cannot readily be determined. Mr. Juarez reiterated this is a draft budget – subject to change – with the finalized budget to be concluded by March or April 2026.

Ms. Garcia explained that this process allows individuals who are not involved in the regular handling of these funds to review how the money is being used. She added that it also provides the committee with a clear way to recommend changes to how the funds are allocated. Ms. Garcia stated all recommended changes to the budget would be presented to the president for approval. Should the committee find no revisions to the current allocation of monies are needed, this status update would be included in the report submitted to the president.

Ms. Garcia asked the committee members if there are any questions regarding the budget information presented for 2026-2027 and/or if there are any proposed recommended changes to the budget. The committee members did not have any questions and each voiced approval of the draft budget as presented.

Fund Currently Available in SFAC Account

Ms. Garcia reminded the committee that about $23,000 is currently available in the SFAC account. She reviewed the ideas the committee had shared for how these funds could be used. These included adding shaded seating in outdoor areas across campus and providing stipends for both the Student Government Association president and vice president. Ms. Garcia asked the committee members if a list of ideas on how to use these available funds could be completed during today’s meeting to help the committee in making its decision(s).

Committee Discussion/Questions

The committee members discussed the following proposals regarding the allocation of available SFAC funds:

Budget Detail
Shaded Seating: Outdoor seating areas on campus. There are a number of areas around campus that do not provide any shade. Students have mentioned this is a real problem given our climate. These include the bus stop, picnic tables, parking in the sports complex, and the bleachers located in the baseball and softball fields. A suggestion was made to use the money to help address this.
SGA Stipend/Student Leader Appreciation: A stipend, scholarship, or grant payment to acknowledge the personal time dedicated to the SGA organization. Mr. Gonzalez also included this proposal for other student organizations such as Greek Council and Campus Activity Board – CAB.
Community Service Events: The Big Event and Make a Difference Day based on specific requests presented to the committee on expenses such as transportation costs.
Nap Pods: A secure environment to support students’ need to rest in designated areas.
Existing/New/One-Time Initiatives: TAMIU Food Pantry; shuttle service to local grocery stores; establishing a TAMIU campus-based essentials store; creation of charging stations in designated areas.

Ms. Botello clarified the current funds we are working with to allocate to special projects and/or initiatives are not part of the Student Health Fees, Student Center Fees, or Recreational Center Fees, but rather these monies are other institutional funds budgeted to the SFAC committee.

The committee subsequently identified the bus stop in front of the Student Center as a location managed by the City of Laredo and their offices are responsible for any proposed projects.

Action Items

Ms. Garcia thanked the committee members for their suggestions and stated that based on the information presented, a list of projects can now be created. She added that, to help the committee decide which projects to fund, she would create a poll with the proposed ideas. Committee members would be able to vote anonymously, allowing the group to identify the most affordable project or projects to move forward with. Ms. Garcia and Mr. Juarez advised this process would work best so additional information on project requirements and costs can be obtained at that time.

Meeting Adjourned: 11:37 a.m.