The ACCESS at Baylor Act, which will take effect at the start of the fall 2025 semester if approved, seeks to provide the university community with the Waco Transit System, and therefore have direct routes leading to off-campus academic buildings and other important locations throughout the city.
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The bill, which is the largest that student government has passed this academic year, aims to set into motion a renovation that provides students with updated study spaces featuring new furniture, redone carpet and repainted walls, which will be completed over the summer ahead of the Fall 2025 semester.
Many museum and library organizations have begun to organize and plan for next steps should the IMLS face changes. The American Alliance of Museums hosted a webinar where they explained the possible future of museums across the country. One of the webinar’s many attendees was Eric Ames, a Baylor museum studies lecturer and the associate director for Advancement, Exhibits & Community Engagement for Baylor Libraries.
Baylor approved construction permits for renovations to the Clifton Robinson Tower and the Baylor Sciences Building, with work expected to be completed by mid-2025.
KWBU station President Joe Riley said that this decision was made as both the university and the radio station prepared budgets for the upcoming year. In previous years, Baylor provided around $209,000 to the station, as well as in-kind services such as office space and information technology services. The university will continue to provide these services to KWBU.
RISE, which stands for Reflecting Cultural Diversity, Inspiring Leadership Growth, Strengthening Community Relations and Ensuring Lasting Impact, passed on March 6 in the student senate, with 32 of 35 senators voting in favor. It ensures 2.5% of the roughly $500,000 Student Government Allocation Fund — about $12,000 — is dedicated to helping sponsor cultural organizations.
The university, which first attained the R1 designation in 2021, continues to expand its research portfolio by hiring and endorsing faculty researchers who benefit from increased funding and the development of new research infrastructure.
For many artists and organizations today, their benefactor isn’t a rich nobleman but the National Endowment for the Arts. The NEA is an organization that provides financial grants to artists to help support creative endeavors and education. The work NEA does goes far beyond just financial support; they’re also a resource and education center on the importance of the arts for the public.
Baylor is making history with the Global Flourishing Study, the largest funded research project in the school’s history, which aims to explore human well-being across different cultures and faiths.
The issue some lawmakers and teachers have with Project 2025 regarding the DOE is the funding the DOE provides to thousands of local schools and programs through its $80 billion budget. From supporting public school programs, students with disabilities, and providing student loans for college, these people may be vulnerable if a ban passes.
SGAF funding can be used for all types of campus groups, ranging from Greek organizations to cultural clubs and anything in between. The SGAF has provided funding for events like Pi Beta Phi’s “Howdy,” fraternity car washes, and even a luau. El Paso senior and Student Senate Finance Chair Aron Basurto said that Student Government prides itself on the diversity of the events it has funded.
Recidivism refers to how often people reenter the justice system after their first offense. Texas reports a 21% recidivism rate as of 2022, well below the national average of 68%. Despite this, Judge Rob Swanton of the specialty courts said there is a lack of funding and a shortage of mental health providers for these individuals.
“Without the $100 million over the next year because of the endowment, every student would have to pay an additional $6,700 in their tuition,” Morehead said. “That is why the endowment is such an important funding system for the school.”
Even without a parking permit, driving on campus for events that are outside of towing and fining periods is a hassle if you don’t plan at least 15 minutes to find parking. For students who can’t afford to pay for the expensive registration fee or who physically cannot walk far to class due to conditions, the university should consider having new parking on campus for students.