Students and Campus Communities

Ward 2 is proudly home to the University of Minnesota and Augsburg College. Students’ experiences studying and living in our community are shaped by Minneapolis City policies. I will continue to validate student authority by trusting student self organization.

In my first term, I have:

• Hosted a know-your-rights training for student renters in collaboration with the UMN Undergraduate Student Government and the offices of Student Legal Services and Off-Campus Living and collaborated with the UMN Undergraduate Student Government, UMN offices, local neighborhood groups and state elected officials on informing students on their rights as renters during back-to-school.

• Supported graduate workers organizing a union, rallying alongside them and leading City Council to pass a unanimous resolution in support.

• Worked with the UMN Undergraduate Student Government to activate student voices in the legislative process on priorities like increased street lighting, safe sidewalks, and rent control.

• Led the City Council to add tuition free college to the city’s legislative priorities at the state level. This 2023 victory at the state legislature means thousands of working class students will have free tuition starting in 2024.

• Hosted two Urban Scholar interns from the University of Minnesota.

In this term, I will:

• Continue to proactively involve students in City decisions that impact their lives.

• Continue to coordinate with student government, community partners and City Departments to educate and empower student renters about their rights.

• Direct Minneapolis legislative priorities to incorporate student issues, including student debt and dorm maintenance.

• Coordinate with state partners to address student food insecurity and expand access to affordable, healthy groceries near campus.