Climate check:

Mailboxes were officially removed from the Tiger Den on Oct. 11, and senior Senator Maria Duenas asked on behalf of Wills Brown, director of student engagement and development, what students would like to see in an updated Tiger Den. Among the suggestions were more TVs, a market with food and drinks, computers, arcade machines and a piano.

Staff chat: Justin Doty, dean of admissions

As part of the Student Government Association’s (SGA) ongoing staff chat series where campus stakeholders present on their respective departments, Justin Doty, dean of admissions, spoke on the past, present and future state of admissions.
First, Doty explained the admissions funnel, which starts with over 200,000 prospective students and eventually narrows to 11,000 applications, ending with this year’s incoming class of 659 students. The admission rate for this year’s first-year class was 28% — a record low. Doty compared this year’s historically low admissions rate to 2014’s admission rate of 64%, showing that Trinity has become more selective over the years.
In response to a question from DEI Chair Trinity Hatchett, Doty explained that during the admissions process, the committee considers diversity in terms of geography, gender, socioeconomic position and other factors. Doty mentioned the recent Supreme Court ruling against using race as an admissions factor and is interested in seeing how it will impact the committee’s approach to diversity goals.
This year’s incoming class consists of 50% students of color, the highest percentage of any Trinity class, which in part is due to Texas becoming an increasingly diverse state. 21% of the first-year class are first-generation students.
After his presentation, President Danny Nguyen gave Doty an SGA sweatshirt, to which Doty replied, “Oh my gosh, buddy.” President Nguyen then had SGA say, “Bye, buddy,” as Doty left. President Nguyen then gave context, saying Doty is infamous for calling both friends and strangers “buddy.”

Officer Reports:

President Nguyen reminded SGA members about Halloween on Oakmont, where SGA members will help to hand out candy on Oct. 31 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Legislative Relations Chair Nina Pollak announced that SGA will partner with the Voter Engagement Task Force for Vote Early Day on Nov. 26. At the event, there will be tabling and volunteers will provide rides to polling locations.
DEI Chair Trinity Hatchett urged SGA students to attend upcoming cultural events on campus. Navratri is today at 5:45 p.m. on the intramural field, hosted by the South Asian Student Association. The dance event Mabuhay is also today from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Laurie Auditorium, hosted by the Filipino Student Association. Lastly, the Black Student Union and the Film Club will host a film night together on Wednesday at 9:00 p.m., where they will watch “Us.”