At its meeting Wednesday, the Undergraduate Senate (UGS) expressed disappointment over University leadership’s absence in a letter published by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) opposing “undue government intrusion” and “abridging the defining freedoms of American higher education.”
The letter was signed by over 180 college and university presidents across the country including leadership at Harvard, MIT and Princeton.
“Stanford’s continued silence has failed to condemn actions that threaten academic freedom,” UGS co-chair Ivy Chen ’26 said.
Last week, University president Jonathan Levin ’94 and Provost Jenny Martinez issued a statement expressing support for Harvard’s resistance to the Trump Administration’s demands. The UGS expressed that they don’t believe these actions are enough.
“We believe that stronger public action and solidarity are urgently needed, especially in times like this. We need to protect the role of our education, and foster innovation and civic engagement,” Chen said.
The UGS also listened to a video presentation by three members of the Senate Associate Program (SAP) who spoke out against the Trump administration’s stance on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
The video called on Stanford to reaffirm its commitment to DEI in order to protect diverse perspectives and marginalized populations. “As an elite institution, Stanford should take advantage of its standing and its power to make a stance like this,” said the SAP members.
As election day approaches for new UGS and executive slate candidates, current UGS senators also spoke about the importance of voting.
“You all need to vote. No matter who or what you vote for, it’s something that is really important,” said UGS Treasurer Jadon Urogdy ’27.
UGS deputy chair Ethan Alfonso ’27 mentioned that many programs would not have been possible without student activism. “I really urge everyone who is voting to really vote like your communities depend on it, because they do,” he said. “Align yourself with your values.”
Additionally, the UGS passed bills that updated eligibility requirements of UGS senators, confirmed a new funding manager and established the Political Action Committee as a standing committee of UGS. The twenty SAP members were also congratulated for their active participation in UGS duties in a resolution that passed unanimously.