UGS passes bill calling for student speakers at departmental commencement ceremonies

The Undergraduate Senate (UGS) passed the Joint Resolution Calling for the Reinstatement of Student Speakers at Departmental Commencement Ceremonies at its Wednesday meeting. The bill calls for Stanford to re-allow student speakers to make speeches at department commencement ceremonies. 

An op-ed from the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) published in The Daily made the decision public in November. The change was announced to faculty through an email sent to department heads. At last week’s meeting, the UGS heard a presentation from Stanford Education and Democracy United (EDU) that addressed the policy change and its harms. 

“I think this [bill] is a good way to show solidarity with the EDU chapter at Stanford as they move forward with their advocacy,” UGS chair David Sengthay ’26 M.A. ’26 said. The bill now moves to the Graduate Student Council (GSC) for their vote.

The UGS also passed the Joint Bill to Confirm a Nominee to the Board on Conduct Affairs, which has already been passed by the GSC. This bill confirms Tom Liu, a sixth-year physics Ph.D. student and former GSC member, to the Board on Conduct Affairs (BCA). The BCA provides guidance to the Office of Community Standards (OCS) and on interpretation of student conduct policies at Stanford, including the Student Conduct Charter of 2023. 

Liu has previously spoken at UGS meetings on the topic of OCS reform. Earlier this year, he presented the results of a student survey on their experiences with OCS and co-authored a bill stating that meaningful progress on OCS reform requires collaboration with the UGS and GSC, which confirm members to positions within the office.

The UGS also announced current and upcoming initiatives, including over $73,000 in funding recommendations from the Appropriations Committee. Celeste Angeline Vargas ’27, the chair of the Appropriations Committee, added that the annual grant application deadline is coming up soon, on Jan. 23. 

Kyle Hon Chan ’28, the chair of Housing and Dining, said that the Housing and Dining Committee recently released a survey on campus dining to Stanford undergraduates. “I’m very happy to see students willing to give their perspective,” Princess Cierra Ochweri ’27, the deputy chair of the Housing and Dining Committee said.

UGS Chair David Sengthay also discussed the upcoming ASSU Social town hall meeting on Jan. 21, which will address student concerns regarding campus culture. The town hall meeting will feature Vice Provost of Student Affairs Michele Rasmussen and members of Residential Education (ResEd). 

“I’m looking forward to the discussions and hearing what folks have to say,” Sengthay said.

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