University of Minnesota student government calls for tuition freeze, expanded scholarships and better campus emergency planning

Shay Horning, director of state affairs for the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, told the Senate Higher Education Committee that state policy decisions have “a direct and profound impact” on students and urged action on affordability, safety and basic needs.

Hornig praised the North Star Promise scholarship as a major affordability step but asked the legislature to expand the program so middle‑class families can also benefit and urged a mandated tuition freeze after noting that the University raised tuition by 4.5% this year and 3.5% the year before despite receiving additional state funding.

“Every student deserves to feel safe on campus,” Horning told the committee, and said campus emergency plans are often outdated and difficult to access. She described participating in a Big Ten student government conference where other student leaders were “utterly shocked” to learn how many U buildings lack clear, accessible emergency instructions. She recommended including mass‑threat preparedness in required university training and updating building‑level plans.

Hornig also highlighted basic‑needs challenges: she cited a University of Minnesota figure that roughly 19.1 percent of students experience food insecurity and urged full funding of the Hunger Free Campus grants and emergency assistance programs. She asked the legislature to require a biannual basic‑needs assessment so the state can measure progress.

Her testimony included national and state data on public perceptions of affordability and urged the committee to treat higher education funding as an economic priority.