With a new class of Undergraduate Student Government representatives elected last week, there is endless potential for new policies to benefit students at the University of Connecticut. This week, the Opinion section answers the question: What policies do you want to see out of USG in the 2024-25 academic year?
Nell Srinath, Opinion Editor: A Boycott, Divest, Sanction resolution that would sever UConn’s financial ties to oppressive international actors like the states of Israel and Saudi Arabia. USG representatives have the opportunity to take bold stances against violence unfolding before our very eyes, and showing that students in leadership positions will no longer tolerate it would be historic for this university and state. We should also follow in the footsteps of our cousins at the University of Massachusetts by pushing to cut ties with weapons manufacturers like RTX and Lockheed Martin.
Dan Stark, Associate Opinion Editor: Nearly every USG candidate talks about creating more accountability from the organization to the student body, but it rarely occurs. This leads to a fractured relationship where students largely disregard USG, leaving them accountable to no one when wrongdoings occur within the organization. This is an idealist view, but it would be nice to see them take responsibility and own up to any wrongdoings to the public to create a better sense of trust between them and the student body. This accountability should come from both higher-ups in their leadership and lower-ranking members as well.
Tomas Hinckley, Weekly Columnist: I want more communication from the higher ups of USG. I could vaguely tell you what each of the individual committees on USG do and an example to go along with it, but I’d like to know more specifically about the elected officials and their day-to-day. Give me a USG State of the Union or USG fireside chats, honestly. I think the only time I can remember hearing directly from the current president is when he wanted students to go testify in front of the legislature because of the budget cuts. While using the pulpit to mobilize people is good, I want to hear from leadership more often even if things might not be falling apart.
Luke Feeney, Weekly Columnist: Universal One Ton Sunday? I don’t care man, I’m gone after May, this isn’t my problem!!