University Star

Students could soon be humming along to a familiar song.

A bill entitled, “Songs from the Bell,” read at Monday’s ASG meeting, would require the bell tower to play the university’s alma mater on a daily basis.

“They used to play the university’s alma mater during special occasions,” said Sen. Ariana Vargas, author of the bill. “So, I thought, well what if they could play it every day? I think that it would reinforce pride and traditions for students.”

Vargas said she learned the bell tower used to play songs periodically when working on another piece of legislation with the Pride and Traditions committee.

“I know a lot of people who do not know our school’s alma mater,” Vargas said. “By the end of this, more students will be familiar with their school song.”

Vargas said she is planning to talk with Campus Activities and Student Organizations (CASO) and Reservations to reserve the marquis in The Quad. She said having the words scroll while the song is playing would help students connect with the alma mater while it is being heard.

“I hope this can be enacted immediately,” Vargas said. “Otherwise, it might be starting in the fall semester. I want it to be the daily thing. I want this to be a tradition that lasts for years to come. When I am an alumna, I want to be able to come back and hear the alma mater playing.”

Sen. Katie McNeff said the bell tower will be impressive for new students and incoming freshmen who tour the campus. McNeff stressed the importance of knowing the alma mater of the university.

“This will be something really exciting for them,” McNeff said. “It will get them pumped up about coming to Texas State.”

Sen. Justin Collard said the bell tower bill would allow students to learn the words to the alma mater, so “when they attend sporting events they will actually recognize it.” He said playing the song will instill a bigger sense of pride across campus.

“It is a big part of the campus,” Collard said. “It will also give the bell tower itself more of a meaning. We will have something on that side of campus that people can refer to.”

ASG Parliamentarian Drew Surprenant called the concept a great idea, saying senators have discussed ideas like this in the past, but now it is being put into effect.

“We are using resources we have already paid for,” Surprenant said. “It is available and ready. It is an awesome idea for student government to implement something that is so important for the student body.”

Vargas said if the bill passes, the bell tower would play the tune every day at around 1:50 p.m. to avoid the interruption of class. Vargas said she hopes a majority of the senate will be in support of the bill.

“I have had a lot of positive feedback,” Vargas said. “Overall, I think ASG is really trying to spread pride and traditions. I see it being passed, hopefully. Everybody wants to see Texas State move up and rise. Starting little traditions like these will leave an impact for the future.”

The senate will vote on the bill next Monday.