The University of Iowa Student Government Platform 2024-2025:

Academic Affairs

  • Expand Textbook Drive access
  • Work to inform all students and increase our book catalog. Additionally, donate unused books to libraries and/or thrift stores in a timely manner.
  • Support Students Mental Health
    • Encourage professors to utilize mental health resources for all students. Specifically, allow students to take up to two mental health days in times of need.
  • Summer Guides for Internships and Volunteers
    • Create summer guides for all undergraduate students focusing on internships, volunteering, and jobs between the spring and fall semesters.
  • First-Generation Student Resources
    • Create an in-depth first-generation student guide to immerse students in becoming involved on campus and learning more about resources available to them.
    • Round tables and breakfasts for students, to bring University administrators to the table with first-gen students.
  • FASFA Guide 
    • Create and continually update the guide to follow the most recent FASFA standards.
  • Scholarship Guide
    •  Work to create a scholarship and grant guide to allow all students opportunities to reduce costs associated with their education.
  • Rethinking Curve-Based Grading
    • Encourage and advocate professors to retire the curve-based grading system.
  • Enhance ICON Accessibility
    • Work with professors to increase accessibility on ICON sites and in the classroom.
    • Increasing the number of recorded lectures with proper transcripts.
  • Sustainability Gen Ed
    • Work with colleges on campus to institute a sustainability general education requirement.
  • Student Terms on the Curriculum Committee
    • Improving student collaboration with the Undergraduate Educational Policy and Curriculum Committee by increasing student terms to no less than two years per term.
  • Artificial Intelligence Reform 
    • Utilize the Microsoft Co-Pilot license purchased by the University to support student use of AI (Artificial Intelligence).
    • Work with the various colleges to expand and incorporate tolerance for the use of AI through Microsoft Co-Pilot.
    • Instituting AI guidelines in all syllabi on campus.
  • Transfer Student Guide and Outreach
    • Use roundtables, student partnerships, and external activities.  
  • Expanding UI Grades
    • Expansion aimed at collaboration and sustaining the longevity of the program for years to come.
    • Collecting and distributing the data in the requested format and listening to student concerns to improve the site.

Student Life

  • Digitize ORG TIPs
    • Establish an automated, digital interface for ORG TIPs and revamp its presentation style to feature a seminar style format that prioritizes leadership and professional development. 
      • Meet with the Office of Student Leadership & Engagement to obtain a designated room and standardize the format of presentation. 
      • Reach out to applicable campus services to determine if they would be interested in collaboration. 
      • Collaborate with Student Wellness Services and University Counseling Services for the Pilot app. 
    • Automate student reflection and payment request forms through Microsoft forms. 
    • Develop seminar content for the 8 informational sessions. 
    • Revamp USG website to reflect changes to ORG TIPs and run social media promotional advertising the changes. 
  • Updating the HawkIdeas Website 
    • Design QR codes to advertise the website and increase student involvement.
    • Reduce the number of votes required for an idea to be presented to senate for pursual.
  • Increasing the Number of Religious Observance Sites on Campus 
    • Connect with relevant student organizations and communities to identify the most beneficial locations for prayer and observance sites.
    • Explore potential partnership with GPSG to coordinate these changes to be across each college on campus.
    • Reach out to faculty responsible for rooms in buildings like Phillips Hall, PBSB, Arts Center, Van Allen, Lindquist, Journalism Center, etc.  
  • Inclusive Dining Options
    • Enhance dining hall choices for students with diverse religious, cultural, and dietary needs.
    • Collaborate with housing and dining staff to assess feasibility and scale.
    • Survey student groups to gauge interest in new meal options.
    • Expand gluten-free and other dietary-restricted offerings, especially in C-stores.
    • Explore temporary options for special holidays using USG funding, if permanent changes aren't possible.
  • USG-Funded Research Scholarship
    • Meet with the Office of Strategic Communication to plan the scholarship's launch.
    • Decide on the research project USG will fund and determine the scholarship amount.
    • Collaborate with leadership to select a project mentor.
    • Develop project details for student participation.
    • Create and open applications for implementation in the spring semester.
  • Leadership Retreat for Student Organization Leaders
    • Invite leaders from Greek life, student organizations, athletics, advisory boards, and more to discuss strategies for addressing key campus issues.
      • Discussion Topics:
        • Improving communication with students
        • Managing mental health and well-being
        • Enhancing campus safety
    • Develop discussion questions and plan a method for capturing feedback during the event.
  • Storage Spaces for Student Organizations
    • Provide temporary additional storage for student organizations.
    • Identify which organizations need extra space.
    • Invest in portable wire racks or shelving units for storing supplies.
  • Student Org Shared Equipment
    • Purchase common-use items for student organizations and promote existing borrowing options at IMU and Rec Services.
    • Consult with IMU and Rec Services to identify items on their "Wishlist" that USG could purchase.
    • Promote these services on social media.
    • Consider purchasing lawn games for students to check out as well.
  • On-Campus Childcare
    • Explore ways to offer free childcare on campus for nontraditional students.  
  • Determine currently available support services. 
  • Set up a west side location. 
  • Collaboration with GPSG. 
  • Expansion of the Airport Shuttle  
    • Selection of dates for the upcoming academic year. 
    • Expansion of pick up and drop off locations to
      • IMU
      • Mayflower
      • Burge
      • WCTC
      • Peterson
    • Advertise locations and dates on USG website. 
  • Healthy Vending Machines
    • Implement freezer vending machines locations on campus that currently do not have access to dining halls to provide students with healthier meal options.
  • Inquire about feasibility of idea with UI purchasing department. 
  • Connect with UI approved vendors like AirMark and Coca-Cola. 
  • Reach out to on campus locations like PBSB and Seamans for implementation. 
  • Student Assistance Program Awareness
    • Launch a university-wide campaign to educate and advertise the Student Life Emergency Fund and other student assistance programs.
    • Promote the "Not-Rich @ Iowa Guide."
    • Utilize TV, websites, and Instagram posts for outreach.
    • Partner with Fresh Check Day and other major tabling events throughout the year to increase visibility of these services.
  • Promotion of current basic needs services on campus & possible introduction of additional services
    • Promote visibility of SNAP events (through partnership at CAB events and USG tabling).
    • Promotion of donation swipes for students. 
      • Application for student swipes.  
    • Iowa Regents etc. - Basic Needs Literacy.  
    • Pop-up food pantry/Mobile Food Pantry option  
      • Assist with funding and people.
      • Partnership with local organizations  
  • Improve Transfer Student Experience
    • Improve onboarding week.  
    • USG table & other student organizations at the Student Engagement fair at Kirkwood.   
    • Improving class registration- better education/communication how to improve registration + special accommodation for registration for specific classes.
      • Email before registration opens with information on how to do so. 
      • Transfer student-specific success at Iowa.
      • Advocation for Transfer student Advisor.
  • Improve Testing Accommodations Options offered by SDS
    • Work with student disability services and teaching faculty to improve the current system for students to receive testing accommodations.  
      • Meet with SDS leadership to strategize best method of implementation 
      • Promotional video/post of how to qualify testing accommodations for standardized tests  
  • Replace Old Facilities/Equipment on Campus
    • Continue to facilitate replacement of water fountains on campus. 
    • Survey students to see which other amenities could use upgrades. 
    • Based on student survey results write funding legislation and pass it through senate.
  • Women in Leadership Event
    • Organize an event focused on empowering and showcasing women in leadership roles across various fields.
    • Invite prominent female faculty members from different industries, including business, healthcare, and law, to share their experiences.
    • Host a panel discussion to provide insights and mentorship opportunities.
    • Promote diversity and inclusion by highlighting women from different cultural and professional backgrounds.
    • Organize female-focused financial literacy workshops in collaboration with relevant organizations.
    • Offer resources and strategies for overcoming barriers to leadership and professional growth.

Governmental Relations

  • Promote USG’s Work in the Following Areas:
    • Local Government 
      • Create a day for students to come attend a city council meeting to increase awareness and continued engagement with the community.
      • Continue USG’s collaborations with Hawk The Vote in promoting local elections through joint events with the Downtown District to connect students and community members directly.  
      • Release social media posts whenever things happen in Iowa City that affect the student body.
    • State Government 
      • Connecting with students via tabling events to gather input on what changes they’d like to see at the state level.
    • Voting Rights 
      • Launching a series of social media posts around the time of the presidential election and broaden students' awareness of their rights for continued civic engagement. 
    • USG’s advocacy in policy 
      • Transparency with USG’s state capitol visits and Hawkeye Caucus Day in the form of stating what USG is advocating for and creating content showing the student body how advocacy works.  
  • Increase USG’s Civic Engagement Collaborations
    • Speaking to freshman classes and LLCs about the role that students play in policy and change on Iowa’s campus.
    • Combining the city’s legislative advocacy with USG’s to increase the scope and legitimacy of USG’s agenda.
    • Working with PBAF and policy research students on Renter’s Guide to ensure the collected data is utilized to its full potential. 
    • Working with the city to make City Councilors more visible to the student population to hear student concerns and feedback. 
    • Creating an accessible list of affordable housing in the city and county by working with Student Care and Assistance, PBAF professors, and Johnson County Affordable Housing. 
  • Engage in Advocacy that Focuses on Actionable Items and Yields Stronger Results
    • Increasing funding for lease gap and providing students with an FAQ page on the USG website about the lease gap program.
    • Connecting with students in the beginning and middle of each administration to gather feedback on what they want to see from City Council and the State Legislature. 
    • Increasing accessibility to voting information before the general election. 
    • Piloting a free/reduced parking program during dead week and finals week to ensure student safety after dark.

Health and Safety

  • Health and Wellness Vending Machine
    • Create a vending machine that provides students with wellness products for free (Plan B, toothbrushes, etc.). 
  • Mental Health Pick-Me-Up Treats
    • Connecting with local businesses to provide students with a sweet treat during midterm and finals week to support mental health.
    • Engage students by distributing these items in strategic locations, such as the library and T. Anne Cleary Walkway, to also encourage dialogue with USG members.
  • RVAP/DVIP Transition
    • Work to address student concerns and mitigate difficulties in the merger of RVAP and DVIP.
  • Continue Past Successful Initiatives
    • Continue successful initiatives like collaborations with Campus Safety (Birdies, Nightcaps, Uber).
  • Welcome Week Meeting
    • Restructuring the On Iowa welcome week freshman meeting to include additional information about substance use and addiction, physical health, etc. 
  • Mental Health Days
    • Expand existing programs like Fresh Check Day to a campus wide mental health day where students can participate in campus activities that revolve around mental health education.
    • Collaborate with Academic Affairs.
  • Mental Wellbeing Programming
    • Increase the number of events and programs that focus on mental wellbeing and stress relief (yoga, guided meditation, therapy animals, etc.) 
    • Collaborating with External Relations. 
  • First Aid Kits
    • Create First Aid Kits with various products to distribute to students during an external event relating to campus safety. 
    • In collaboration with Campus Safety.
    • Purchase necessary items and organize First Aid Kits.
  • Embedded Therapists in Residence Halls
    • Increase the number of embedded UCS counselors in the various residence halls on campus.
  • Evaluating Healthcare Services on Campus
    • Survey that asks questions on quality of care provided by Student Health.
  • Coat Check for Downtown
    • Create a coat check system for students going out during the cold weather months.
  • Consent Week
    • Implement a university-wide consent week that educates students about consent.   
  • Increase Access to STI Testing and Flu Shots
    • Collaboration with GPSG 
    • Collaborate with a program that works to provide free STI testing and work with Student Health to coordinate a Flu Shot Booth.  
  • NARCAN Initiative
    • Work with the Public Health Department Faculty to create a program where Narcan can be distributed to students.
      Collaborating with the Iowa Student Harm Reduction Coalition is also an option.
    • Work with Government Relations.  
  • Substance Use & Addiction Guide
    • Create a guide that talks about resources on campus that can support those struggling with addiction. 
  • Downtown Ambassadors Program
    • Advertise the Downtown Ambassadors Program. 
  • Restructure Health and Safety Committee
    • Focus groups and improved compartmentalization with areas of emphasis (physical health, mental health, student safety, etc.)

Justice and Equity

  • Peer Mentoring
    • Advocate for the creation of a peer mentoring system based on majors, demographics, or career interests.
  • University Counseling Services
    • Advocate the hiring of new UCS therapists that speak more than one language.
  • Outreach to Cultural Organizations and MISSE
    • Extend USG's partnership with cultural houses and support MISSE educational opportunities.
    • Conduct regular meetings with MISSE Coordinators and Constituency Senators.
  • SDS Accommodations
    • Create an SDS Accommodations Guide to improve the availability of information and resources for professors and students.
  • Identities Resource Guide
    • Create an all-in-one guide with all resources for underrepresented identities on campus.
  • LGBTQIA+ Awareness
    • Create and hand out pamphlets in residence halls to raise awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues.
  • Not Rich @ UIowa Guide
    • Enhance and add updates of recent resources or information changes to respective chapters.
  • Reproductive Safety
    • Create reproductive safety kits for residence halls and other campus locations.
  • Promote and Expand BRIDGE Fund
    • Continue promotion of the BRIDGE fund to support student organizations that aim to create inclusive communities.
  • Constituency Senator Reform
    • Continuing the implementation of reforms enacted by the Constituency Senator Commission including the amplification of Constituency Senators’ role, reach, and office hours.
  • MISSE Graduations
    • Enhance support for MISSE graduation ceremonies.
  • Cultural Considerations
    • Increase visibility and awareness of diverse holidays, speakers, and cultural celebrations, such as the extension of dining hall hours during Ramadan.
  • International Students’ Well-Being
    • Partner with Orientation Services and International Programs to enhance the international student orientation experience.
  • Funding Request Classifications
    • Standardize the definition of multicultural food for USG funding requests.
  • Textbook Affordability
    • Work with administrators and professors to make learning platforms and textbooks more accessible and affordable.

 

Sustainability

  • Partner with Sustainable Student Organizations
    • Strengthen relationships with sustainability-based student organizations, the Office of Sustainability and the Environment, and other campus partners.
    • Organize events with sustainably focused student organizations to educate attendees on sustainability practices.
  • Electrification of University Transit
    • Work to convert University Cambus and Nite Ride services to include electric vehicles.
  • University’s Strategic Plan on Sustainability
    • Monitor the University’s progress on the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan sustainability goals.
  • On-Campus Composting
    • Increase access to composting in on-campus buildings and in off-campus residences.
  • Glass Recycling
    • Promote glass recycling drop-offs in the Iowa City area Partner with the City of Iowa City on sustainability initiatives.

  • Biking Accessibility

    • Make biking a more accessible form of transportation on campus and in Iowa City Support the development of campus green spaces to improve mental health and engage with student communities.

  • Streamline the Green Initiatives Fund (GIF)
    • Improve the Green Initiatives Fund and better promote the resource to student organizations.
  • Facilities Management Partnership
    • Partner with University Facilities Management to turn unused spaces into native prairie and further the University’s status as a pollinator-friendly campus.
  • Clothing Donation Drive
    • Coordinate a clothing donation program with student-resource organizations such as the QT Closet and the Clothing Closet at Iowa.
  • Reduce Waste
    • Minimize plastic and food waste in campus locations such as dining halls.
  • Increase On-Campus Greenspaces
    • Promote interior greenspaces which will be available year-round especially in new construction and renovated IMU.  
  • Sustainability Coalition
    • Create a sustainability coalition between ISU and UNI’s student governments.
  • Lead Collaborative Sustainability Events
    • Advocate for sustainability events and hosting sustainability conferences where other colleges and universities can learn about the work Iowa is doing, as well as how other schools are talking on sustainability. (One Sustainable Iowa, Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability, etc.)

Finance

  • Increase Student Feedback in the Student Activity Fee (SAF) Process
    • Surveying the student body to ensure the yearly SAF allocation reflects their needs and priorities.
  • Expand Programs to Better Educate Student Organizations on Funding Opportunities
    • Host monthly funding workshops to guide student organizations in securing funding and navigating the process efficiently.
    • Create a video guide that clearly explains the funding process, accessible directly to student organizations.
    • Increase awareness of funding opportunities by meeting directly with student organization leaders to discuss available resources.
    • Send periodic emails to the student body detailing funding opportunities, workshop dates, and other financial updates.
    • Increase targeted outreach to underrepresented and new student organizations to ensure they are aware of and can access available resources.
  • Improve the Efficiency of Student Organization Funding
    • Analyze past funding data to identify trends and inform future USG financial decisions.
    • Collect feedback from student organizations after funding is allocated to assess the process and identify areas for improvement.
  • Increased Cross Committee Collaboration
    • Actively collaborate with other committees by attending their meetings to uncover and pursue funding opportunities.
  • Create More Accessible Financial Reports
    • Publish an annual financial and transparency report summarizing the year’s fund allocation, decision-making processes, and overall financial impact.
    • Share quarterly updates on USG finances through engaging video briefings similar to earnings calls.
    • Maintain transparency by making financial records readily accessible to all students.
  • Grant Program for RSO Restructure
    • Develop a grant system to support student organizations during the restructuring of Registered Student Org Classification.
  • Fixed Cost Organization Audits
    • Strengthen the audit process for fixed-cost organizations, aiming for bi-annual audits to ensure responsible spending.

Public and External Relations

  • Enhance USG's Online Presence
    • Promote updates like senate recaps and “Where is USG?” through USG’s various media platforms and develop a brand kit to ensure consistent branding.  
  • Submission Form for Student Org Promotions
    • Create a form for student organizations to submit their events for promotion on the USG Instagram, streamlining the process and enhancing visibility for campus activities.  
  • Increase the Visibility of Senate Activities
    • Use initiative sheets and trending social media sounds to highlight committee activities, enhance the Senate agenda’s appeal, and showcase Senate debates more effectively.  
  • Develop and Maintain Strong Relationships with Campus Partners
    • Adopt a more proactive approach in advertising and event hosting to engage new students and enhance visibility on campus.  
  • Expand Promotion of Existing Voter Outreach Programs
    • Increase the frequency of events with organizations like Hawk The Vote to boost voter engagement.
  • FAFSA Informational Event
    • Organize and conduct an event to provide detailed information on the FAFSA process.
  • Host First Generation Roundtables
    • Host bimonthly meetings with first-gen leaders to discuss barriers for first-gen students and create a plan to help.

Internal Affairs

  • Remove Platform Committees 
    • Determine more efficient alternatives for existing processes.
  • Lower Signature Requirements
    • Lower the requirement for the number of signatures for a senatorial ticket from 75 to 50 as a way to lower the barrier of entry into USG. Work with the Student Election Commissioners.
  • Initiative Tracking
    • Improve initiative tracking to better support members of USG and improve cross-committee collaboration.
  • Fall Nominations
    •  Reimagine Fall Nomination and UCC interview processes by analyzing other schools and colleges interview process. Implement changes into the Fall Nominations Code.
  • UCC Appointment Code
    • Work with ULC to write a code for appointing students to University Charter Committees (UCCs).
  • Improved UCC Coordination
    • Engage with UCCs on campus and ensure they are meeting student body needs.
  • Historical Documentation
    •  Collect information for the USG website historical page.