Stanford Undergraduates Push for Sanctuary Campus Status, Funding Reforms

The Undergraduate Senate (UGS) at Stanford University approved a resolution to designate the campus as a “sanctuary campus” during its meeting on March 15, 2023. This resolution aims to protect the rights and dignity of all students, staff, and faculty, irrespective of their immigration status. Proposed by Laila Ali, a UGS member, the resolution seeks to restrict the use of university resources, including campus security and local law enforcement, in federal immigration enforcement activities unless there is a valid judicial warrant.

“No student should feel unsafe on their campus,” Ali stated, highlighting that similar initiatives have successfully passed at other prestigious universities, including Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania. David Sengthay, UGS president, expressed optimism that collaboration between UGS and the Graduate Student Council (GSC) would strengthen the resolution, making it more impactful.

In addition to the sanctuary campus resolution, UGS senators presented findings from a recent survey on housing and dining, which garnered 184 student responses. While students rated food quality at an average of 8 out of 10, the survey revealed significant concerns. A majority reported dissatisfaction with food quality (76%), variety (69%), and operational hours (57%). Overall, responses were nearly evenly split, with 52% expressing positive or neutral sentiments, while 48% indicated negativity regarding their dining experiences.

UGS members advocated for various improvements, including extending dining hall hours to 24/7 and enhancing the dining menu website. Senator Princess Ochweri emphasized the importance of making the dining hall an appealing option for students, stating, “Ultimately our next step is finding solutions… so that students want to go to the dining hall, find something to eat.”

In a push to enhance student engagement during New Student Orientation, Sengthay suggested distributing free Stanford to-go boxes instead of the usual free shirts, a proposal that received verbal support from several senators.

The UGS also unanimously approved funding grants for student organizations, with Celeste Vargas presenting the annual grant applications. A total of 363 submissions were received, with undergraduates requesting approximately $9.19 million. After revisions, UGS recommended a budget of $4.5 million for grants. The final vote on the appropriations is scheduled for the following day, with Vargas noting that organizations like the Black Family Gathering Committee and The Stanford Daily provide significant benefits to both graduate and undergraduate communities, despite their primary undergraduate membership.

Additionally, Ali introduced a bill aimed at reinstating an on-campus election booth and expanding in-person voting access for Stanford students. Drawing from her own experiences, she highlighted the challenges faced by students during last year’s voting process. Will Berriman, another UGS member, raised concerns about potential overcrowding at voting booths, to which Ali proposed designating separate booths for undergraduate and graduate students.

The UGS has not amended its constitution since 2019. Sengthay presented an amendment to restructure the disbursement of Associated Students of Stanford University (ASSU) fees. He noted that standard grants have not been updated since his freshman year and proposed measures to eliminate outdated grant provisions. Currently, funding in reserve accounts totals $2.1 million, primarily benefitting older Voluntary Student Organizations (VSOs). If passed, this amendment would impact approximately 9% of student groups still operating under these provisions.

The discussions held during the UGS meeting reflect a commitment to enhancing the campus environment and addressing the needs of students at Stanford University.