Student advisory committee outlines survey, mental-health outreach and campus wins to Board of Regents

Student leaders from across the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system spent the bulk of the Board of Regents’ joint meeting on May 28 presenting spring-semester accomplishments and plans, including an IRB-approved student survey they aim to distribute in mid-October.

The presentations, led by SAC Regent Dakota Lawson and vice chair Tyler Ye, summarized systemwide work to strengthen student governance, expand mental-health outreach and streamline communications. "Our voice is an important part of our work," Dakota Lawson said at the start of the session, introducing student representatives from each campus.

Tyler Ye told regents the survey received Institutional Review Board approval through Central Connecticut State University and that the SAC is coordinating logistics with campus staff to preserve anonymity and separate identifying data from incentive distribution. "We are preparing the logistics needed to ensure a secure and reliable data process," he said, and noted the target distribution window is the second week of October, while acknowledging individual campus schedules may require adjustments.

Student presenters from Central Connecticut State University, Eastern, Southern, Western and multiple community colleges described campus-specific initiatives: Central highlighted a symposium honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and donations to its on-campus food pantry; Eastern noted a newly accredited nursing program and acceptance deposit increases; Southern announced free laundry for resident students in 2026–27 without a housing price increase; Western described a tiered club-funding system and a restored spirit week; and several community colleges reported expanded club activity, food-pantry support and leadership training.

Presenters repeatedly emphasized basic-needs supports such as food pantries, lactation room refurbishments, consolidated resource centers and student emergency funds. "When students have access to essential resources, they are more likely to be successful both academically and personally," said Dakota Lawson describing plans at one campus.

Regents praised the student work and asked about community partnerships, credential recognition for international students and next steps for the survey. Several students described existing collaborations with local adult-education providers and plans to strengthen pipelines for international credentials.

The regents did not take formal policy action on the survey or campus requests during the meeting; the board and student representatives agreed to continue coordination about timing, technical logistics and student inclusion in follow-up processes.