PRESIDENT
Michael
Mitchell
As former Vice President for Organizations, I've seen firsthand how Student Council can transform student life—now I'm ready to lead with the stability, vision, and justice that turns that potential into reality for every student at UVA.
Stability
PILLAR ONE
1. Establishment of a Student Council Endowment (SCE)
Lead the creation of a permanent Student Council Endowment to provide long-term financial stability for critical student services, particularly the Support and Access Services (SAS) Branch currently funded by temporary presidential gifts expiring in 2030. By launching a capital campaign with the Co-Chief Development Officers, securing matching funds from the President's Office, and partnering with University Advancement and UVIMCO fund managers, we'll close the $2.5 million gap between CIO funding requests and available resources while protecting essential student support programs for future generations.
2. Restart Presidential Advisory Board with School of Enrollment Councils
Formally reinstate the Presidential Advisory Board as a standing monthly forum bringing together presidents from every school of enrollment to combat institutional fragmentation, ensure graduate and professional students have consistent voices in university decision-making, and create reliable structures for cross-school collaboration and advocacy.
3. Reforming Internal Budgeting and Spending: Driving Up Utilization Rates
Institutionalize the "Use It or Reuse It" framework to achieve the 90%+ budget utilization that CIOs consistently meet, ensuring Student Council leads by example in fiscal responsibility. Through monthly tracking with the Board of Audit and Management, required spending projections for all agencies and committees, and transparent performance reports, we'll redirect idle resources back into student life while strengthening our case for SAF increases and endowment funding.
PILLAR TWO
Vision
1. Advocacy for Continuous Raise of Student Activities Fee (SAF)
Push for strategic annual increases to the Student Activities Fee to address the persistent funding crisis where CIOs submit $4 million in requests but only $850,000-$900,000 is available, forcing 40-50% allocation caps that leave high-quality programming underfunded. By working with the University Budget Office on multi-scenario financial forecasting, integrating SAF adjustments within broader fee planning, and demonstrating fiscal responsibility through Student Council's own budget utilization, we'll restore purchasing power lost to inflation and invest meaningfully in the student experience.
2. Creation of a Fraternity and Sorority Life Student Representative Seat
Propose a constitutional referendum to establish a dedicated FSL Representative seat representing all four governing councils (IFC, ISC, NPHC, MGC) within the Representative Body, giving voice to over 30% of undergraduates who currently lack formal representation in Student Council. Selected through a blind application process with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, this representative will advocate for policy reforms, surface community concerns, and foster dialogue.
3. Comprehensive Mental Health Reform & CAPS Modernization Initiative
Lead a multi-pronged effort to transform UVA's mental health infrastructure by advocating for increased CAPS staffing to reduce wait times, prioritizing recruitment of diverse therapists including male providers and therapists of color. To do so, we hope to expand embedded counselor models beyond select schools to ensure equitable access, establish dedicated therapist partnerships within residential communities, and strengthen crisis response coordination between CAPS, Residential Advisors, and peer organizations like Movember.
Justice
PILLAR THREE
1. Increase Accessibility to Affordable Housing for UVA Students
Establish a dedicated Housing Committee within Support and Access Services to centralize resources, deliver clear and current information with Housing and Residence Life, and collect feedback from all students on housing challenges. The committee will advocate for student oversight in the UVA 2030 Plan, push for expanded on-Grounds housing for upperclassmen, monitor City Council decisions on zoning and affordable housing, and track rental market trends.
2. Revamp Advising Process with Increased Student Input and Oversight
Create an Academic Advising Subcommittee under the Academic Affairs Agency to systematically collect and analyze student feedback across all schools. This will be done by collaborating directly with the new University Advising Director to propose data-driven improvements, develop standardized advising experience benchmarks and best practices, and publish semesterly advising insight reports.
3. Strengthening Student Safety Communication & Community Partnerships
Strengthen trust and collaboration between students and safety agencies (UPD, CPD, ACPD) by expanding Student Council's "Chat and Chew" student-police dialogue initiative, scaling the HoosConcerned reporting platform, launching a campus-wide safety awareness survey, and establishing recurring forums to ensure students feel informed, empowered, and supported in navigating safety resources.