Our platform

Disenchanted with your student government? So are we. We'd like to do something about it.

SGProgress consists of members of the student community who recognize the potential power of student government. We want to transform it into an organization that reflects the critical engagement of students with our university.

We advocate:

Transparency
As stakeholders, we deserve access information about all facets of the University of Chicago. We want transparency to students, faculty, workers, and affected citizens regarding how the university runs, how money is allocated, and the activities of Student Government itself.

Student Agency:
Students make up 87% of the academic personnel of the university. We strongly believe that they should have agency in decisions made by the University, at least at the level demonstrated by peer institutions.
We advocate the inclusion of a student as a voting member on the Board of Trustees in particular, and also support the inclusion of a student representative on all relevant ad hoc committees that are not currently connected to SG.

Student Support
We want to make the University of Chicago accessible, affordable, and a safe, comfortable, and supportive environment for all students to get an education. This means working for an increased financial aid program, including a cap on tuition increases, equitable recruitment from a wide range of communities, and support for a student body diverse in race, sexual orientation, religion, ability, culture, and economic background.

Support for graduate students
Graduate students make up 66.7% of the student body. Although they are integral to the academic experience of all students, they are inadequately supported by the university. We support the right of graduate students to organize around this issue, and wish to advocate for increasing teaching compensation to the level of peer institutions, the provision of health insurance for all university employees, the abolition of Advanced Residency fees, and increased research support. We also support the creation of an independent student employment organization to address these issues.

Solidarity with workers:
Campus workers are an essential part of the University of Chicago community. We want to use the power of student government to support the continued organization of a strong voice among workers, and stand in solidarity with the demands put forth by such a voice.

Community Affairs:
As the largest employer on the South Side and the third largest landholder in the city of Chicago, the actions of the University have direct consequences in the broader Chicago community. As members of this community, we insist that the decisions and actions of the University show respect for the well-being of the residents of its neighboring communities including Woodlawn, Kenwood, and Hyde Park. We recognize that the University can and should be a positive force in society, and advocate and support programs and institutions that work towards this goal.

Environmentalism:
The University of Chicago is a massive consumer of resources, and contributes to local and worldwide environmental degradation and climate change. We advocate for state-of-the-art recycling in the dorms and across campus, the reduction of carbon emissions, and a full-time, permanent sustainability coordinator. We insist that the university become an example for environmental integrity.



WE ARE:

for 2011 College Council Representatives
Arthur Baptist
Noah Chasek-Macfoy
Robin Peterson

for 2010 College Council Representatives
Ali Feenstra
Sam Feldman
Aaron Goggans
Prerna Nadathur

for 2009 College Council Representatives
Greg Gabrellas
Gabriel Gaster
Christina Melander