Student Council representatives convened Tuesday for their general body meeting via Zoom to discuss the expansion of student influence in University governance by granting voting power to the existing student representative on the Board of Visitors, who currently serves in a non-voting capacity. Additionally, representatives delivered updates on Plan B accessibility, the addition of a new dental insurance pilot program and reviewed concerns related to graduate student representation and the ongoing planning for the addition of a Music minor.
Clay Dickerson, Student Council president and fourth-year College student, highlighted the joint statement published Oct. 20 with College at Wise addressing the governance structure of the University. According to Dickerson, the statement reiterated student concerns about political influence on the Board of Visitors and outlined three tenets — the depoliticization of the University’s Board, the recognition of affordability as a key characteristic sought from the next University president amidst an ongoing search and the addition of voting power for the student representative.
“We figured [voting power] was a great way to step in and … present productive steps forward to grow from this moment,” Dickerson said. “After years and years of people wanting to make this happen, it’s likely to occur.”
Fourth-year College student Gregory Perryman currently serves as the student representative on the Board as a non-voting member after beginning his one-year term June 1. According to Dickerson, if the student representative is granted voting power, this would allow them to act beyond disseminating information and discussing student interests.
Saehee Pérez, Student Council chief of cabinet and third-year College student, also provided an update on the free Plan B distribution pilot program. She confirmed that the program will officially launch through Student Health and Wellness Jan. 12, coinciding with the start of the spring semester. Pérez stated that students will receive informational pamphlets at checkout, which will detail who sponsors the initiative and how their right to privacy is protected under the honor code.
The Plan B pilot is a continuation of the Student Council’s efforts to expand reproductive and wellness resources on Grounds, following last year’s free STI testing program launched in April. This program allowed students to receive confidential, no-cost screening for sexually transmitted infection through Student Health and Wellness. Appointments can be scheduled through the HealthyHoos patient portal.
According to Micah Andrews, Student Council chief of Support and Access Services and third-year College student, Cavalier Health — an initiative to expand health services and fund students in financial need — plans to expand health services to students with the dental insurance pilot. Beginning Dec. 2, a pilot dental insurance plan will open for students — the first 25 students who enroll will have their plans covered by the Student Council. The application window will run through Jan. 30, with the goal of assessing student demand and introducing future dental-care pop-ups.
“In the future, [we’re] looking into possible dental pop-ups. This is to get our feet on the ground [and expand] CavHealth like we promised,” Andrews said.
Currently, the University requires all students to have a health insurance plan, either through the University’s plan or a seperate plan, but insurance coverage does not include dental care. According to Andrews, this new pilot will fill this gap beyond the standard health insurance mandate and provide coverage for students who would need to secure dental insurance.
Pérez also highlighted efforts by the Student Council’s graduate affairs committee to collect feedback from the University’s graduate student population. The committee recently launched a survey aimed at identifying pressing concerns and priorities, which will inform upcoming events and initiatives for graduate students. According to Pérez, the survey responses will guide event programming and resource allocation, allowing the Student Council to address graduate student needs.
In addition to health and wellness initiatives, Pérez provided updates on the proposed music minor in the College. Representatives recently met with the Dean of the College, who expressed support for the creation of the music minor, and they are planning a follow-up meeting with the head of the Music Department to further refine the proposal. Student Council’s arts agency plans to update its current proposal for the minor’s curriculum and course requirements to ensure that it reflects the current needs of the student population.
Additionally, Pérez stated that the arts agency is collecting data from the arts fund — a grant program providing financial support for student art projects — to monitor budget allocation. Reimbursements have been sent to arts fund applicants, allowing students to receive repayment for art supplies.
Student Council also announced the launch of the application for the newly established Chief Development and Outreach position within the Student Council executive board — a role that works closely with the vice president for administration to support Student Council’s long-term fundraising efforts, development strategy and alumni outreach. Applications were opened earlier this week and will close Dec. 5 at 11:59 p.m., with further details available in the form.
Student Council will reconvene Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. for a regularly scheduled general body meeting.
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