Inside UAF’s Student Government

By: Amber McCain

The Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, or ASUAF, has been advocating for UAF students for the past 102 years. Fernando Escobar, Director of Student Public Relations and Advocacy, recently sat down with The Sun Star to share updates on the organization’s achievements, ongoing projects, and how students can get involved in UAF’s student government.

Director of Student Public Relations and Advocacy for ASUAF, Fernando Escobar

Photo by Fernando Escobar

Each semester represents a new Senate session. Fall 2024 marked the start of Session 203 under the Menke/Stein administration. Escobar remarked that this session was considered one of ASUAF's most productive sessions. Over 40 bills and four resolutions were presented, with several key initiatives gaining traction. One of the biggest successes was the increased student travel funding, which rose from $1,000 to $1,500 per student to address rising travel costs. This increase in funding is just one way ASUAF is working to support more student involvement.  More than 30 students applied for this funding to represent UAF at academic and professional conferences. For instance, a student from the Geosciences department presented their research at a conference in the Lower 48.

One example of the administration’s impact is the bill introduced by Senator Sean Wise, which made feminine hygiene products available in ASUAF’s office. This no-questions-asked resource has been well-received, providing students easy access to necessities. In addition to feminine hygiene products, ASUAF’s office also offers snacks and printing services. Escobar then asked the student body, “What other services can we provide, such as feminine products? Is there anything else students would be interested in having?” ASUAF encourages students to provide feedback on how they can improve and continue supporting the student body. 

Since its founding in 1923, ASUAF has provided a platform for leadership development and student advocacy through its elected officials, including the President, Vice President, Senate, and Senate Chair. All UAF students who pay the consolidated fee are members. ASUAF works to ensure their voices are heard in university decision-making.

When asked why students should care about ASUAF, Escobar explained, “Right now, we're experiencing an increase in prices and a decrease in the quality of education and food. ASUAF works to negotiate these issues with the administration. Students have a voice, and that voice needs to be heard - especially when prices are directly impacting them.”

Tuition increases were also a significant point of discussion last semester. In November 2024, the University of Alaska Board of Regents approved a tuition increase of 3% for in-state students and 5% for out-of-state students, set to take effect in Fall 2025. This means that in-state tuition will rise from $289 to $298 per credit, while out-of-state tuition will increase from $855 to $899 per credit. ASUAF opposed the increase, submitting a resolution that was not addressed in time, while UAA’s student government supported the hike. The differing opinions are likely due to UAA’s distinct tuition structure, which separates lower and upper-division credits. UAF remains opposed, and students should prepare for future hikes.

Food quality remains a hot topic for ASUAF. In response to student feedback, ASUAF met with Chartwells (the campus dining provider) in October 2024 (Session 203) to discuss concerns about food variety and quality. During a check-in with Chartwells in Session 204, ASUAF learned that, as a result, the hours for Mongolian Grill at Dine 49 have been extended, now open a few nights a week with a set dinner menu. ASUAF also plans to re-launch the Food for Thought committee, which was established before 2020, to gather student input on food quality. The committee will collect feedback through surveys distributed via Nanook Engage and may include students from both on- and off-campus. 

Escobar stressed, “If any student wants to see any change, bring it to our attention, come to a meeting, get a hold of us.” These outreach efforts, including more forums and surveys, are key to increasing student involvement and improving ASUAF’s representation and decision-making processes.  ASUAF is also part of the Coalition of Student Leaders, which connects student governments across the University of Alaska System. In February 2025, ASUAF members will travel to Juneau to advocate for increased university funding, including for infrastructure updates at UAF.

Many of UAF’s buildings are in need of maintenance, which presents a challenge as the university works toward achieving R1 status - an important designation for research institutions. The governor has proposed $5 million to support this initiative, but it remains uncertain if this amount will be enough. Escobar added, “With what's going on at the state level, I will say is that it's very disappointing, and with hopeful prospects coming up here in the future, maybe we can see some type of increase to the University of Alaska itself.”

In December 2024, ASUAF conducted a ballot question asking students if they wanted more transparency regarding where their consolidated fees go. Although the number of students who voted was small, the majority said yes. This feedback will help ASUAF better understand student concerns and improve its engagement efforts.

In Fall 2024, ASUAF significantly revised its budget in response to concerns over an unused fund balance exceeding $90,000. To address this, ASUAF reallocated around $92,000 in their budget to better serve students and ensure funds were being used effectively.

Key revisions from Session 203 included:

• Increased funding for student travel: The travel budget was boosted from $27,000 to $38,000, making it easier for students to attend academic and professional events.

• Increased funding for clubs: Club funding was raised from $30,000 to $40,000, allowing more student organizations to access resources for activities, supplies, and events.

• New investments in student services: ASUAF allocated funds to enhance services such as office snacks ($5,500), ADA accessibility improvements ($10,000), and a modernization of the ASUAF office ($11,925).

• Support for election engagement: A portion of the funds was earmarked to increase student participation in elections and other ASUAF events, including $1,000 for turnout initiatives.

These revisions ensure that funds are used effectively to serve student needs and show the administration that ASUAF engages with student interests. As of November 19, the remaining balances in key categories were $27,500 in club funding, $25,080 in student travel, and smaller balances for set projects, outreach, and snacks.

Moving into Session 204 this semester, President Menke is working with the Chancellor to streamline the direct deposit process for students receiving reimbursements through financial aid. Currently, students who work for the university must manually enter their direct deposit information in UA Online, even if it’s already on file. The goal is to eliminate this extra step.

In other updates, ASUAF is overseeing nominations for the Student Regent position on the Board of Regents, which advocates for students at the state level. Additionally, students will vote for the Student Commissioner of the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education. Voting for both positions will occur on Nanook Engage, likely between February 10-14. Students are encouraged to participate. Links to the voting website will be shared via email, campus flyers, and digital postings with QR codes. The individual with the highest votes across all campuses will be submitted to the Governor’s office for appointment.

Currently, there are 20 Senate seats, with 12 still available. Students interested in becoming senators are encouraged to attend ASUAF meetings and reach out via email to express their interest. Those appointed before elections must run for re-election to keep their seats.

Students can apply for travel and club funding online (www.uaf.edu/asuaf/). For travel funding, students are asked to submit a summary of their event afterward, including any outcomes. Students are advised to book their travel promptly once funding is approved to avoid price increases. Some students have experienced ticket price hikes after waiting too long to book.

ASUAF supports student organizations through club funding. Each campus club can apply for up to $1,000 in funding through Nanook Engage (engage.uaf.edu). Nanook Engage is a platform where students can interact with clubs, apply for funding, and participate in ASUAF events. The funding can be used for various expenses, such as supplies, food, and materials (alcohol is prohibited). For example, the volleyball club used funding to purchase new nets and balls, while the Warhammer 40K Club used funding to purchase new game boards.

Getting Involved: Students with concerns, complaints, or ideas should contact ASUAF. Whether it’s improving campus life, addressing issues with food or tuition, or seeking guidance, ASUAF is there to help. 

“Our biggest priority is student engagement,” said Escobar. “We have noticed that for the last four years here at UAF, there has been a lack of student involvement all across the entire campus.”

Legal consultations are available to students who find themselves in legal trouble. ASUAF offers a fund that provides access to limited legal assistance through contracted attorneys.

You can email Fernando Escobar directly at F.Escobar@alaska.edu. For general inquiries, you can also contact the ASUAF office through their website or directly contact any of the senators (emails listed online). Join weekly meetings on Tuesdays at 6:30 PM in the Senate Chambers (ASUAF in the Wood Center).