UGS passes resolution to decrease textbook costs, phase out natural gas use

The Undergraduate Senate (UGS) unanimously passed resolutions to decrease textbook costs for students, phase out natural gas use on campus and enhance Farm Games, intramural sports and wellness programming at their Wednesday meeting.

A 2023 UGS survey found that 62% of 147 student respondents felt “deterred from enrolling in courses due to the cost of textbooks” and 84% felt “that these costs hindered their ability to fully engage in coursework,” according to the resolution. Current University cost of attendance (COA) calculations allocate $825 per student each year for the cost of textbooks, which falls under the $840 books and supplies allowance. This expected COA impacts financial aid and scholarship funding calculations.

The resolution supports the expansion of the First-Generation and/or Low-Income Student Success Center’s (FLISSC) FLIbrary, a free textbook lending library, through a partnership with Green Library. It also calls for the UGS to discuss academic affordability measures and textbook funding constraints with University administrative and financial aid officials.

“We all go to Stanford. This should not be an issue when you enroll in courses,” said Yoanna Hoskins ’27, the UGS Faculty Senate representative. “You shouldn’t be worried about textbook classes and even [have to] drop those classes because of how expensive [textbooks] are.”

UGS Co-Chair Ivy Chen ’26 questioned the $825 textbook cost allocation. “It is extremely unclear how this $825 was arrived at and [why] it has not been increased in such a long time. It is seriously about damn time that we do increase it,” Chen said.

The UGS also unanimously voted in favor of a bill urging the University to commit to no longer constructing natural gas infrastructure on campus, replacing broken appliances with electric infrastructure and developing a plan to phase out natural gas appliances in University buildings.

Stanford currently pays $1.3 million a year to the State of California for permits to continue using natural gas. California aims to be carbon neutral by 2045, and Stanford aims to be net-zero by 2050.

“Stanford has an opportunity to be a trailblazer in this field and to continue to shine as a beacon on a hill not only for sustainability but as a progressive mindset,” said UGS Treasurer Jadon Urogdy ’27.

Urogdy underscored the possible adverse health effects of using natural gases on campus. 

“We inhale these toxins [from natural gas] everyday, whether you’re in the dining hall or you’re doing your laundry in your dormitory,” Urogdy said. “It’s important to realize that this directly impacts every Stanford student, every Stanford faculty member, the entire Stanford staff.”

The resolution cites frequent proximity to gas stoves and community fire pits as potential campus natural gas exposure locations.

The UGS also unanimously approved a resolution supporting an institutionalized partnership between Recreation & Wellness (RecWell) and Stanford Residential Education (ResEd)’s Neighborhood Programming in order to promote intramural sports, expand and enhance Farm Games — a program hosting athletic competitions between the eight residential neighborhoods — and develop new wellness programming. 

“I spent a lot of time, especially freshman year, in Farm Games. I have made a lot of great friends through those events,” Urogdy said. “What they do is much more important than monthly events; it is a great opportunity to meet new people outside of neighborhoods [and] to be physically active.”

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