Senator Lizbeth Hernandez Rios ’25 introduced a joint resolution to support and increase resources for undocumented students at the Undergraduate Senate’s (UGS) Wednesday meeting. Senators also addressed plans for a sexual violence prevention program and the potential for a bike light giveaway.
The resolution, which Hernandez Rios authored, included provisions such as establishing an emergency fund for undocumented immigrants and generated mixed feelings from senators.
“We must hold the University accountable and ensure they take the steps needed to ensure the safety of our students,” she said.
Hernandez Rios asserted Stanford is years behind other universities in their support for undocumented immigrants that have community centers with in-staff solutions designed to support undocumented students.
Senator Noah Maltzman ’25 felt some provisions of the support plan are too extreme, such as the emergency fund proposal.
“That doesn’t have a precedent anywhere and realistically it’s a big ask,” he said.
But Hernandez Rios began workshopping the idea with Stanford’s administration, and — according to her — they seemed open to the idea and provided recommendations. Given that ASSU helped establish a mutual aid fund in 2020 using money usually reserved for Voluntary Student Organizations (VSOs), the inclusion of an emergency fund in the new initiative is not unprecedented.
The Daily has reached out to the University for comment.
“The impending political situation of next year will provide context to recommit ourselves to the undocumented community,” Hernandez Rios said.
Senators also discovered an additional plan that builds on Dartmouth University’s sexual violence prevention program, designed to help students obtain awareness and build a foundation across their time at university.
The program’s goal is for student volunteers to create sexual violence awareness.
“We can create promotional and educational materials, promote various events and educational opportunities at different dorms and empower student organizations to participate in the initiative,” said ASSU president Diego Kagurabadza ’25.
There was a sexual violence prevention program in place at Stanford prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and post-pandemic, senators believe there is a need to revamp it.
Senators also shared updates on Educational Programs and Services (EPS) and Stanford Transportation’s work on a free bike light initiative.
The last bike light giveaway was in 2019, when 3,000 lights were distributed.
Jared Hammerstein ’27 hopes free bike lights will be ready for distribution by the end of fall quarter, but looks forward to definite giveaways during winter quarter. There is also a possibility of helmets being distributed in addition to lights.
Senators expressed concerns over lights being stolen, as this was an issue in 2019.
To prevent lights from being stolen, Hammerstein said that the program should “provide slightly more expensive lights that can easily be taken on and off as you lock and unlock the bike.”