The university’s Undergraduate Student Government announced an increase in funds on Wednesday, which will be allocated to the identity centers impacted by Senate Bill 1. 

Last spring, SB1 introduced regulations the university had to follow in order to secure state funding, which led to several identity centers and affiliated resources dissolving or restructuring. These implementations affected several organizations across campus. 

According to the released statement by USG Student Body President Ivory Kendrick, USG has spent the past semester working with university leadership to identify ways to continue supporting students despite SB1. The funding was passed during a vote by USG this week to increase its allocations budget, allowing for financial support to student organizations. 

The approved funding will go directly towards student organizations and identity centers affected by the recent legislation. This creates the opportunity for previously dissolved groups to bring in speakers, host events and continue programming that supports students in and out of the classroom. 

The new budget will also fund student traditions on campus, including Karamu, which is the annual pre-commencement celebration of undergraduate and graduate students of color, and the Lavender Celebration, a similar event for LGBTQ+ graduates. Both recognize and honor marginalized student groups, specifically those that are affected by SB1. 

“These traditions matter,” Kendrick wrote in the statement. “They represent connection, resilience and belonging for so many students. While the landscape of our campus is changing, our commitment to supporting students has not.” 

As the university’s structure continues to change, Kendrick wrote that this decision underscores USG’s role as advocates for representation in the community.