This Thursday, Feb. 27, UTEP in partnership with the Texas Tribune will be hosting a daylong symposium on demographic change.

The symposium will focus on how the fast-changing demographics of Texas will impact public policy.

Aside from writing and reporting about public policy issues relevant to Texas, the Tribune also hosts public events such as a Conversation Series, the Hot Seat, The Texas Tribune Festival and the On the Road one-topic public symposiums such as the one that will take place at UTEP.

Senior psychology major Arleen Reyes, president of the Texas Freedom Network, a non-partisan organization aimed at protecting religious freedom, defending civil liberties and protecting public schools in Texas, has read the Texas Tribune and believes it plays an important role in reporting on state issues.

She said the information to be presented will be beneficial to her organization.

“The symposium is going to be useful to us because it’s non-partisan info that has been lately debated because of the gubernatorial races,” she said.

The symposium will take place in the Tomas Riviera Conference Room, located on the third floor of Union Building East.

The schedule for the symposium is as follows:

8:30 a.m.: Welcome and “Will Boom Go Bust? Demographics is Destiny,” by Steve Murdock, former state demographer and former director of the U.S. Census Bureau.

9:45 a.m.: “Changing Populations, Changing Politics,” with panelists State Sen. José Rodríguez, D-El Paso; State Rep. Mary González, D-Clint; former State Rep. Dee Margo, R-El Paso; and George Atuna, co-founder of Hispanic Republicans of Texas.

11 a.m.: “Health Care and the New Texas,” with panelists Kyle Janek, commissioner of Texas Health and Human Services; State Rep. Marisa Márquez, D-El Paso; El Paso County Judge Veronica Escobar; and Eric Evans, CEO of the Sierra Providence Health Network.

12:30 p.m.: Conversation with Texas Tribune Editor-in-Chief and CEO Evan Smith and UTEP President Diana Natalicio.

1:30 p.m.: “Education and the New Texas,” with panelists Michael Williams, commissioner of the Texas Education Agency; Chancellor of the UT System Francisco Cigarroa; Harold Hahn, chairman of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; and Sylvia Hopp, superintendent of the San Elizario ISD.

Maria Esquinca may be reached at [email protected].