UT San Antonio’s Student Government Association has delayed its elections, violated its constitution, made financial documents inaccessible online and has not provided a progress report on its initiatives on its website. The Paisano reached out to the Student Government Advisor Chanteà Swinson-Rhoe to request an in-person interview.
Swinson-Rhoe’s initial response to the inquiry was stated in an email to The Paisano.
“At this time, all media inquiries should be directed to the Office of University Strategic Communications,” Swinson-Rhoe stated. “They will be best positioned to assist you with information and interview requests. You may contact Joe Izbrand, Associate Vice President [of] Communications and Marketing.”
Upon inquiring when an in-person interview would be coordinated, Izbrand responded detailing his role in coordinating the interview.
“As I mentioned in previous emails, SGA asked that you submit questions in writing for their consideration,” Izbrand explained. “I have also conveyed to them your follow-up request for an interview. I don’t yet have an acknowledgment. Please keep in mind that SGA is an independent student group and our team does not manage their media relations, we simply work to convey information between parties.”
None of the questions sent by The Paisano were answered in person. They were instead answered in a statement prepared by Swinson-Rhoe and SGA President Michael Valdez. Some questions were answered individually, while others were answered in a joint response.
“The decision to hold elections after Spring Break was made to promote more student participation, readiness, and effective administration of the election,” Swinson-Rhoe wrote.
The Paisano requested the SGA’s detailed budget reports from 2022-2026. Swinson-Rhoe explained that the SGA’s budget had not been published online for the past six years due to technical difficulties.
“The Student Government website is currently under construction to ensure the university meets accessibility requirements,” Swinson-Rhoe reported. “The current SGA budget will be uploaded by the end of the semester, and a team is also working to retrieve, format, and post budgets from previous years.”
SGA initiatives for the spring 2026 semester can be found under the “Major Initiatives” tab on their website. The initiatives that were addressed in the statement provided to The Paisano include Mental Health First Aid, Menstrual Hygiene Products, Student Government Discovery Task Force and Student Programs. Valdez and Swinson-Rhoe provided the status of the initiative’s progress this semester.
In their statement, Swinson-Rhoe and Valdez reported that the SGA held two mental health first aid training sessions. For menstrual hygiene products, the pair noted some buildings on Main Campus have dispensers. Next steps of the Student Government Discovery Task Force are being analyzed by current executive board members and previous senators.
Valdez and Swinson-Rhoe detailed SGA’s involvement in student programs
“SGA plans and implements or collaborates in student focused programming throughout the year including, Homecoming festivities, State of the Student Body, Earth Day, Field Day, and the 50th Anniversary of the University Life Awards,” Valdez and Swinson-Rhoe stated.
Valdez clarified the SGA’s protocol on how the student organization is supposed to document its work.
“SGA has designated chairs and officers who are responsible for specific areas, and they communicate with appropriate university leadership and the SGA advisor,” Valdez stated. “Each executive board member reports their projects and proposals, which then are documented in the SGA meeting minutes.”
The SGA has listed on its website all the vacant positions. The Student Body Vice President, Academic Affairs Committee, Downtown Affairs Committee, Student Affairs Committee, Director of Outreach, Director of Student Health and Executive Director are all vacant. Valdez specified the cause of the vacancies.
“SGA may have vacant positions at times because it is a student-led organization, and student involvement can change throughout the academic year,” Valdez explained.
Valdez and Swinson-Rhoe stated that the student officials need approval from the university in its decision making.
“Elected student officials represent student interests, bring issues to the attention of administration, propose legislative resolutions, and make recommendations,” Valdez and Swinson-Rhoe stated. “However, many outcomes are dependent on university policies and administrative approval.
There was no mention of requiring the student body’s input to enact change in the SGA. Instead, Swinson-Rhoe’s position was highlighted.
“Chantea’ Swinson‑Rhoe serves as the Student Government Association’s advisor and provides guidance on university policies and procedures,” Valdez and Swinson-Rhoe explained. “Her role is advisory in nature and is intended to support student leaders in understanding institutional processes.”
This is a developing story that The Paisano will continue to investigate.
