Platform

The University of Iowa Student Government Platform 2020-2021:

Academic Affairs

Create opportunities to build relationships between students and their instructors
Advocate for the inclusion of mental health days in class attendance policies across campus
Improve the transfer student experience by hosting networking events and resource fairs
Host a scholarship fair to connect students to current financial aid opportunities
Implement a tuition and financial aid education campaign
Host workshops to assist students in filling out the FAFSA
Work to increase online educational resources available to students
Partner with the Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates to develop a campaign to embrace and share research opportunities across all areas of study
Implement a mentoring pilot program on campus and create a guide on how to expand these opportunities to all academic units
Work to require that every faculty member undergoes training on diversity, equity, and inclusion before entering the classroom
Advocate for the creation of experiential learning components for undergraduate students like Tippie RISE
Collaborate with 1stGen@Iowa to support first-generation students in their academic and career endeavors

External Relations

Reach out and present to student organizations about USG and the services we provide
Host events to gather feedback from a variety of corners on campus
Bolster USG’s involvement on campus and in the community by creating an internal event and volunteer calendar
Increase USG’s accessibility and transparency by hosting campus roundtables and forums
Host a student leader networking night to increase collaboration between student organizations
Increase communication between USG and student organizations by further developing the liaison program and creating tailored communications
Encourage student leaders to attend senate by increasing advertisement and coverage of the meetings
Partner with the Division of Student Life in hosting workshops on how to operate student organizations in a virtual semester

Governmental Relations

Advocate for a statewide move-in checklist policy designed to increase transparency between renters and landlords
Advocate for increased appropriations to the University of Iowa and create opportunities for all students and parents to add their voice to our advocacy
Develop a social media and messaging campaign to show the impact of rising tuition
Collaborate with ISU and UNI to create a unified advocacy approach to the Board of Regents and Iowa Legislature
Create a legislative advisory committee designed to connect students with local state legislators
Host elected officials and regents for student-led visits
Encourage City Council to require new housing to match Iowa City’s 2030 sustainability goals.
Advocate for adequate and affordable housing in Iowa City that reflects the needs of students
Continue to survey student renting experiences to create and promote resources for off-campus living
Collaborate with campus partners to create a comprehensive off-campus housing tool that is easily accessible and holds landlords accountable
Coordinate with campus partners to provide voter registration opportunities and increase civic engagement among the student body
Host student-focused forums with candidates and elected officials for all levels of office
Ensure students have the necessary form of voter ID by promoting the temporary voter ID card and advocating that the Iowa One card be made voting-eligible
Advocate for election day to be recognized as a university holiday

Health and Safety

Require and improve mental health trainings for all faculty and staff
Promote the Green Bandana Project across campus and implement a suicide awareness campaign
Strengthen cultural trainings for University Counseling Service staff
Create a guide to navigating off-campus mental health resources and insurance options
Launch a campaign to destigmatize mental health resources and promote UCS
Promote a campus-wide campaign on sexual assault prevention
Educate students, faculty, and staff on responding to sexual assault disclosures
Conduct a campus and city lighting audit alongside the UI Department of Public Safety and the City of Iowa City
Promote the Rave Guardian app and work with ITS to include it within Hawk Tools
Advocate to expand the NITE Ride program and increase advertisement of the service
Advocate for Student Health to host mobile units in residence halls and other accessible campus locations
Work with Student Wellness to promote their Mindfulness program that assists students in managing their stress
Strengthen alcohol overdose prevention programming within Fraternity & Sorority Life and Residence Education
Increase accessibility to high-quality menstrual products across campus
Create a health and safety app through university Information Technology Services
Execute a campus wide flu shot campaign in partnership with Student Health and UIHC

Sustainability

Improve education on recycling and composting practices
Hold landlords accountable for providing opportunities to recycle
Expand the new IMU compost bins throughout the university
Manage the medical waste of single-use masks
Reduce single use plastic usage on campus
Make composting accessible and valued throughout campus
Promote the implementation of a sustainability general education requirement across colleges
Review existing sustainability classes and reduce whitewashed sustainability education
Expand outreach on little-known facts of sustainability
Improve and promote the sustainable purchasing guide
Expand advertising for the Green Initiatives Fund
Expand land the use of acknowledgements on University of Iowa property
Improve sustainability within overlooked communities on campus
Advocate for more meatless options within dining and promote the alternatives through events like chef cook-offs
Work with on-campus dining and events to reduce single use programming and to-go meals
Support bicyclists of Iowa City and the transportation committee in making sustainable transportation more accessible
Connect the sustainability efforts of the university with those of the city
Host workshops and trainings with student organizations on how they can become more sustainable
Partner with chapter leadership in revamping sustainability within Fraternity and Sorority Life
Align student government’s initiatives with the university’s 2030 sustainability goals
Establish biodiverse native planting practices
Reduce harmful pesticide use on campus, particularly neonicotinoids

Student Life

Partner with student and community artists in expanding public art on campus
Continue to promote the USG airport shuttle and improve the service
Update and market the Not Being Rich @ UIowa guide
Promote the use of After Class and campus events website
Create online community spaces to promote socialization opportunities among students
Empower student employees by hosting roundtables and other opportunities for feedback
Promote basic needs resources like the Food Pantry and Clothing Closet
Reform the Org Tip$ program to increase training opportunities to better serve student organization
Establish a drive for graduation robes and materials
Better the relationship between USG and Fraternity & Sorority Life by hosting regular meetings with council presidents
Create an involvement and engagement audit to coincide a degree audit

Internal Affairs

Better USG’s transition systems
Increase more collaboration between committees
Assist USG members in connecting to campus and community partners by creating a contact glossary
Partner with the Career Center in modernizing the USG interview process
Build on the USG demographic survey and actively recruit for a more inclusive student government
Maintain and develop strong relationships between senators
Ensure a successful brand change across the organization
Review the USG election process and audit the impact of previous changes
Require NCBI (National Coalition Building Institute) trainings for all student government executives within the first semester

Justice and Equity

Create an academic support and retention guide for first-generation students on campus
Foster strong relationships between students and staff who utilize the cultural centers through events, programs, and listening sessions
Advocate for more accessible gender-neutral bathrooms
Push for educational opportunities surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion within major campus programs such as Orientation, On Iowa!, and Homecoming
Partner with Orientation Services and International Programs in enhancing the international student orientation experience
Educate domestic students on what it means to live in a global community
Institute resources in Student Health to remove any language barriers
Expand the translation of financial guides to include additional languages
Conduct a student led accessibility audit of high trafficked facilities on campus
Work with Student Disability Services in creating a guide on how to facilitate accommodations requests for students, staff, and faculty
Urge the Office of Admissions to partner with LGBTQ+ high school organizations during the recruitment process
Expand the Safe Zone training to faculty and staff across campus
Streamline the process to report faculty and staff who commit acts of bias
Advocate for the creation of a peer to peer international student mentorship program
Continue the pursuit of a Black Student Support fund on campus
Work with Student Life and University Counseling Services in providing healing spaces for BIPOC students, staff, and faculty

Finance

Directly connect with multicultural and/or underrepresented organizations to ensure knowledge of USG funds and services
Improve transparency and advertisement of USG finances and the funding process
Free up funds for student organizations by supporting the “50-50 in 3-5” plan and working with current services and organizations to find outside monetary sources
Hold regular USG funding meetings and workshops with student organizations across campus
Increase advertisement of the Green Initiatives Fund on campus