Student Government Discuss University Concerns with UNC Leaders

Student government at the University of Northern Colorado shares a goal with the university at large: improving the school. As the new school year spurs into action, SGA’s initiatives take main stage as they try to work with the school to improve the student experience. The first step of that process? Meeting with Andy Feinstein. The same day new senators for the year get sworn into their position in the student senate, they get the opportunity to make sure that their goals are expressed to President Feinstein. They share goals and plans for the year and brainstorm on how they are going to make UNC better for everyone. While this aligning of goals ends up being positive for the school, the process isn’t always easy.

“You’re all leaders, right? All of you have chosen to be leaders at this university by being on SGA," Feinstein said. "We’ve got to ensure that students get those opportunities while they are here."

Feinstein addressed a myriad of topics from senators ranging from the new medical school coming to campus to the use of AI in classrooms. For each topic, questions that weighed heavily on the minds of students, who these senators now represent, were laid out. How will the new medical campus affect prices of tuition? What about the environmental impacts of AI use in the classroom? How is the university addressing financial strain? What is the status of DEI and HSI? What about the lack of student participation in university events?

In tandem with Feinstein, new vice president for student affairs Keith Humphrey made his introduction and helped address student concerns.

“I just want to start by thanking you for being around this table and showing up as leaders for UNC. So much of what you talked about and want to see happen starts, in my mind, with student government,” Humphrey said. “You’ll see me here pretty regularly. I meet with Delaney (SGA president) and talk with Audra (student rep. on board of trustees) also as key student leaders to keep me up to date about what conversations are here. Conversations maybe when I am not around the table. But I will be here to listen and hear what’s on your minds.”

These conversations, at least that the senators brought up, were then addressed by the two school leaders, starting with a commitment to DEI and HSI initiatives.

“I mean DEI is an integral part of this campus. Sometimes we get caught up in the semantics of it, but it is about treating others with respect," Feinstein said. "Ensuring we support all students at being successful in this institution by providing the resources necessary to do that. That’s what we’re going to do at this campus."

“Here’s the thing about HSI. We have received no federal support for HSI at all. We’ve received a designation," Feinstein said. "We actually just received our second-year designation. We are very proud of that... so I’m going to double down and lean in to ensuring that we do what is right for our Hispanic community.”

Feinstein also addressed universities’ ever-changing AI policies as technology continues to change the teaching landscape.

“The challenge for universities is finding the balance between using it as a tool and using it as a crutch," Feinstein said. "I think that’s the work ahead of us as a university. How do we take AI and actually help you be more effective decision makers, how to be more effective in your jobs, and assist and support you in the work ahead?"

Finally, Feinstein and Humphrey addressed a question that was batted around multiple times throughout the whole meeting. How does the school address the lack of student atmosphere around campus, and fight issues like being a 'suitcase school.' To Humphrey, this starts by listening to what the students want to see on their own campus.

"We are starting those conversations internally. We need to come to you, come talk to students, hold those ideals in the background about what are the things that will be most meaningful, so we are engaging students,” Humphrey said.

After surmounting their first hurdle as SGA members and expressing their concerns and goals to the schools leadership, the new student senators were sworn in, committing themselves to expressing the wants and needs of the UNC community.