SGA passed a resolution on the U.N.I.T.E Act following the United Workers Protest and confirmed a justice and student-at-large on Dec. 4, the Senate’s last meeting of the semester.
U.N.I.T.E. Act
On Nov. 6, a group of staff, faculty and students protested outside University Center to campaign for collective bargaining rights for university employees before the Board of Regents meeting in Berger Hall.
SGA Vice President Isabella Polombo and Senator-at-Large Logan Smith presented the UCCS Unionizing for a New, Inclusive, Thriving Education (U.N.I.T.E) Act, which recognizes the union’s efforts to win collective bargaining rights and endorses improvements to working conditions.
According to the resolution, unionized institutions offer better learning conditions and improve students’ educational experiences by providing safer labs, cleaner classrooms and reliable campus operation.
SGA passed the resolution unanimously, in alignment with other CU campuses that have either already passed or are in the process of passing similar resolutions.
SGA will send a copy of the resolution to the chancellor’s office and the CU Board of Regents.
“I think that this is a great opportunity to allow all the workers of the university the opportunity to make things better for them, which will in turn make things better for all of us, so I think that this is an awesome resolution,” Joe Bate, the speaker pro tempore, said.
Justice
Catalina Moheit was unanimously confirmed as a justice. Moheit has an undergraduate degree in math and is pursuing a master’s degree in public administration. She served as the senator of military affairs while she was an undergraduate.
Moheit was drawn to this position based on her work as a senator, as well as her experience with administrative tasks and resolution formatting.
Student-at-large
Maraya Tejenda-Rodriguez was confirmed as student-at-large. She was introduced by Polombo, who described her as an “amazing leader.”
Tejenda-Rodriguez is part of the Mountain Lion Leadership Council and the First-Generation Advisory Committee.
“The reason that I wanted to join SGA is just the amount and dedication that you guys put in here every single day. It’s valued and admirable, and it’s why I want to be a part of this amazing community that is made by the students to bring that community, culture and diversity to campus,” Tejenda-Rodriguez said.
In other news:
- The first Senate meeting of the spring 2026 semester will take place on Jan. 29.
- According to Interim Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, Stephanie Hanenberg, the university is trying to realign its budget with the strategic pillars and would like the Senate’s input on how resources can be used to improve student life.
Photo from The Scribe archives.