The Undergraduate Student Government Downtown has implemented new procedures for how members can assist students dealing with personal difficulties.
Bill XIV, passed by USG-D on Nov. 7, states that, if deemed appropriate, all members of the student government can submit a Student Care Form when approached by student constituents "regarding concerns for a student's academic success, safety, or well-being."
USG-D President Laura Doyle, a senior studying public service and public policy, said the inspiration for this bill came from discussions about the Sun Devil Child Care Subsidy, to which all ASU student governments contribute to help student parents.
"While meeting with the people who look over the child care subsidy and student resources, they told me about the Student Care Form," Doyle said. "As a student body president, I didn't know about this, so I was like, 'We should definitely talk more about this,' because it's super resourceful."
No other undergraduate student government at ASU has adopted similar measures.
The Student Care Form allows students to submit a report to the Student Advocacy and Assistance team as a way to request resources or assistance from the University.
Doyle said the bill is geared toward senators and other officers in USG-D who have direct contact with constituents.
"Whether that be someone from their college or just a downtown (Phoenix) student or an ASU student in general, the care form is universal to ASU and to online students too," Doyle said.
READ MORE: Behind the scenes of USG: How ASU's student government serves you
The bill directs members of USG-D to report issues, including domestic violence, self-harm, sexual misconduct and being the victim of a crime.
She said food insecurity and hygiene poverty are other issues that members of USG-D are encouraged to look out for.
Doyle said that because USG-D members are not mandated reporters, encouraging the use of this form is a way for them to still help out as student leaders.
"The care form, that was made so senators or directors or anyone on my president team can be like, 'This is what I can do to help you, I can submit this with you,'" she said.
Doyle also said the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities receives the forms, which are then sent to the correct University team. Student Rights and Responsibilities deals with some of the requests, while others are handled by the Dean of Students offices or the ASU Police Department.
This document was obtained by The State Press via the USG-D google drive on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2025. The document is a bill passed by USG-D concerning guidance on the use of Student Care Forms by student government members.
Downtown Phoenix Dean of Students Robert Dotson said in a written statement that the Student Care Forms are a way for faculty, staff and students to convey information to Student Advocacy and Assistance.
Dotson said each report submitted initiates a process that "may have a many pronged approach" when it comes to assisting or supporting the student.
"No student's issue/concern is 'one size' fits all, and neither are steps in the resolution and assistance process," Dotson said.
Julitza Arriaga, a freshman studying medical studies, said the new bill allows students to connect with their student government leadership.
"It's definitely going to give people the ability to reach out and feel more in touch in a personal way with them," Arriaga said.
Arriaga also said the bill makes the process of asking for help more approachable.
"It's easier to communicate with someone who's the same age or maybe even has the same interests, versus having more of a authority figure," Arriaga said.
The Student Care Forms are a more confidential way for students to access available resources, Doyle said.
"That'd be my goal, that all of them are used ... to make students' lives better, whether that be with their families or just helping them navigate a hard time, and that people feel like they have an outlet to help others and also help themselves in a way that feels more confidential because it's through a form," Doyle said.
Edited by Carsten Oyer, Henry Smardo and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporter at msweador@asu.edu and follow @miasweador on X.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on X.
