USG discusses mental health initiatives at final meeting of semester

The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Senate convened for the final regularly scheduled meeting of the semester on Sunday, April 21, addressing a range of issues from collaboration efforts to mental health initiatives and student group selectivity.

Mental Health Committee Chair Meera Kochhar ’25 presented updates from the committee. She outlined the subcommittees, which focus on various aspects of mental health including therapeutic services, academics and advocacy, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and mental health space. Kochhar announced an upcoming Mental Health Space event scheduled for Friday, April 26, aimed at providing students with a space for self-care and relaxation.

“The whole purpose of our grand opening is that we want to make sure that students feel like they know that the space exists and like what its purpose is … so we have a variety of activities that students can engage in for self care,” Kochhar said.

As a part of expanded mental health programming, the University previously announced renewed collaboration with the Jed Foundation, a nonprofit focused on emotional health and suicide prevention, at the Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC) on Monday, March 18. The committee is also gathering student feedback on mental health experiences, particularly related to therapeutic services and financial burdens. One specific issue was the financial burden of copays, and the committee is seeking student voices and data before presenting to the administration.

Additional plans include refreshing mental health training, reviving the Ivy League Mental Health Conference, and organizing reading period wellness events.

Nick Kosan GS, Vice President of Internal Affairs for the Graduate Student Government (GSG), delivered a presentation highlighting potential collaborations between GSG and USG. Emphasizing the need to foster partnerships between the two governing bodies, Kosan outlined priorities including creation of purposeful spaces for professional and social interactions, improved USG-GSG communications, and continued robust wellness programming and resources.

Campus and Community Affairs (CCA) Committee Chair Genevieve Shutt ’26 highlighted recent events organized by the committee, including trips to Six Flags and the Antiquarian Book Fair in New York City. She also presented on Tigers in Town, which this semester contributed to a total of $5,199.32 spent at local businesses in Princeton.

U-Councilor Anuj Krishnan ’27 presented findings from the Student Group Selectivity Working Group, which surveyed club officers on their perspectives and ways to make clubs more accessible. The survey revealed concerns over confusion regarding selectivity processes and a desire for greater transparency. The working group aims to create a more consistent experience in clubs and plans to organize future training to address these issues.

Krishnan said, “This is going to be an opportunity for students to see what we’re doing in order to make clubs accessible, but it is also … a wake up call to club officers [to follow some] best practices.”

USG meetings are open for all students to attend and are held on Sundays from 4 to 5 p.m., typically in Robertson Hall 016. This week’s meeting, the last regularly scheduled Senate meeting of the semester, was held in Robertson Hall 100.

Alena Zhang is a staff News writer for the ‘Prince.’

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