In its first meeting of the new school year, the 27th Undergraduate Senate (UGS) unanimously approved a bill to allocate funds in support of a project to restore the Black Community Services Center (BCSC). 

The project is part of the Black House Reimagination Initiative, a student-centered renovation and beautification project for the BCSC. The UGS allocated $4,533.63 from its own Discretionary Budget to fund Phase A of the initiative: the creation of a student-designed cultural mural. The 26th UGS had previously affirmed the bill, which was then reintroduced for the new school year by UGS Chair David Sengthay ’26.

Sengthay believes there has been “backlash against diversity” on a national level, and views the initiative as more than “just a mural.” 

“This initiative is more than just beautifying a certain building,” Sengthay said. “[The UGS] does not have only a constitutional obligation, but a responsibility to support marginalized students through funding cultural spaces that foster belonging.”

After the unanimous approval of the bill, Associated Students of Stanford University (ASSU) president Ava Brown ’26 reminded students of Festifall, which takes place from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in White Plaza. Festifall will include tabling and recruitment from over 300 student organizations, ranging from club sports to religious and political groups. 

Brown also added that ASSU, in collaboration with Stanford Athletics, will host a tailgate this Saturday in Meyer Green at 1:30 p.m. for the Stanford-San Jose State football game. The tailgate will include food and music.

Despite the Stanford football team’s 1-3 record, Sengthay encouraged students to show their school spirit. “We are a favorite to win this game, so hopefully the odds will continue to be in our favor,” he said.