Our Current Priorities

USG is committed to reducing the financial barriers that can impact student success both inside and outside the classroom. We advocate for affordable tuition, protect critical financial aid programs such as the North Star Promise, and support investments that lower students' overall cost of attendance. Beyond tuition, USG works to improve affordability through initiatives focused on housing, food access, transportation, and student wages. By partnering with university leaders and policymakers, USG strives to ensure that all students have access to the resources they need to earn their degree without facing unnecessary financial hardship.

USG works to address food insecurity among students by advocating for affordable and accessible access to groceries, expanding awareness of campus food resources, and supporting initiatives that reduce the cost of living. This includes our ongoing work to bring an affordable grocery store to campus. Last spring, USG helped launch a pilot bus route connecting Jones Hall and Pleasant Street to The Quarry, making grocery shopping more accessible for students. The service received overwhelmingly positive feedback and highlighted the demand for better transportation options to essential resources. USG also collaborates with university leaders and community partners to ensure students have access to nutritious food and the resources needed to thrive.

USG serves as the official voice of more than 30,000 undergraduate students, ensuring their perspectives are represented in university and state-level decision-making. Through meetings with university administrators, the Board of Regents, elected officials, and campus partners, USG advocates for policies that improve the student experience and address student concerns. We gather feedback through student outreach, surveys, and public forums to identify key issues and bring them directly to decision-makers. Whether advocating for affordability, transportation, academic resources, campus facilities, or student well-being, USG works to ensure undergraduate students have a meaningful role in shaping the policies and initiatives that affect their daily lives.

We work to protect the North Star Promise, Minnesota’s program that helps eligible students attend college tuition-free. By working with state legislators, university leaders, and student advocates, USG helps ensure that higher education remains affordable and accessible for current and future students. We regularly engage in advocacy efforts and highlight the impact of financial aid on student success, helping protect resources that reduce the cost of earning a degree and make college attainable for more Minnesotans.

We work to foster a campus environment where all students feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed. USG advocates for policies and initiatives that expand access to opportunities, remove barriers to student success, and promote a greater sense of belonging across the University community. Through collaboration with student groups, university leadership, and campus partners, USG helps elevate diverse perspectives and ensures that student voices from all backgrounds are represented in decision-making processes. USG also supports efforts that improve accessibility, strengthen cultural resources, and create a more inclusive experience for current and future students.

USG advocates for initiatives that help students feel safe both on and around campus. This includes supporting transportation and safety programs, gathering student feedback on safety concerns, and working with university and local government leaders to identify solutions. USG has also supported efforts such as Dinky After Dark, which aimed to improve safety and connectivity for students traveling at night, and continues to advocate for policies that enhance the overall campus experience.

We work to ensure that all students, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, feel supported and welcomed at the University of Minnesota. USG advocates for policies, resources, and campus practices that promote safety, inclusion, and access to opportunities for immigrant, international, and other underrepresented student communities. By amplifying student concerns and collaborating with university leaders, USG strives to create an environment where every student can succeed and feel a sense of belonging.