Student Regent Fernando Escobar Talks Challenges, Change, and Campus Life

By Amber McCain

UAF sophomore Fernando Escobar is currently serving as the sole student regent on the University of Alaska Board of Regents, composed of 11 board members. In this position, Escobar represents thousands of students across the state. Since stepping into the position back in June, Escobar has focused on student concerns including mental health services, tuition increases, housing availability, and overall wellness.

Photo by Monique Musick
Fernando Escobar, University of Alaska Fairbanks sophomore and student regent on the Board of Regents, advocates for student mental health, tuition stability, and campus housing improvements.

“As a regent, my primary duty is to ensure the university is on a stable foundation,” Escobar said. “But under that, my role as student regent means representing students to the Board of Regents, the university president, the legislature, and even the governor’s office.”

Mental health has been one of Escobar’s top priorities. He said more students are reaching out for help, but many in crisis are waiting days or even up to a week to get care.

“We’ve seen a sharp increase in students accessing mental health resources,” he said. “But we also know students in crisis are waiting up to a week to see someone. That’s not acceptable.”

Escobar emphasized the need to hire more counselors at campuses like UAF and UAS, and to expand virtual mental health services.

Tuition affordability remains another major concern. Escobar called the 2024 tuition increase, 3% for in-state students and 5% for out-of-state, a tough but necessary decision.

“I wouldn’t consider them hikes. I think they are reasonable because the Board of Regents had not approved any tuition rate increases from 2020 to 2023 for UAF,” Escobar said. “Ultimately, we just haven’t been keeping up with inflation.”

He stressed that tuition must remain accessible and that financial aid plays a key role. “Nobody likes tuition increases. But if we don’t see stability in state or federal funding, tuition is one of the few tools we have,” Escobar said. 

“My job is to make sure the board understands how those decisions affect students directly, whether they delay graduation or leave the system.”

Housing shortages at UAF and UAA are also pressing concerns. With UAF residence halls near capacity and UAA managing waitlists of over 400 students, Escobar said action is needed.

“UAF doesn’t have modern housing like the other campuses, so the board supports adding more units, but it comes down to financing,” he said. One potential solution could be a general obligation (GO) bond package, a government-backed funding method supported by taxpayers, to finance infrastructure projects like student housing.

Outside his official duties, Escobar is making time for balance and personal care. He said he’s been focusing on health, friendships, and fun after stepping back from student government.

“For example, instead of helping build at Starvation Gulch this past weekend, I paddled the Chena River with the Outdoor Adventures group,” he said. “That’s kind of the fun that I want to be having.”

He’s also been exploring more of Alaska. “Like this last weekend, and the weekends before, I was pretty much out and about with a friend. I went all the way to Yukon River Camp, my first time going that far north. So that was quite fun.”

He encourages students to stay engaged with the Board of Regents and make use of public testimony opportunities.

“Students have the power to speak directly to the board,” he said. “That input matters.”

After graduation, Escobar hopes to attend law school and continue advocating for young people.

Follow the Progress: Where UA Stands on Recruitment, Retention & More www.alaska.edu/saf.