Posted by Hannah Werner on August 27, 2012 at 5:00 pm.

The Association of Student Governments kicked off the school year with its first official meeting over the weekend at East Carolina University. Students from across the state got together and adopted a resolution opposing a proposed statewide cap on the percentage of future tuition increases that could be used towards need-based financial aid.

The Association also adopted a strategic plan setting out expectations for the coming year, confirmed nine Executive Officers, adopted a budget, and approved internal operational reforms to improve the group’s efficiency and accountability.

The operational reforms streamlined and balanced the Association’s committees, putting a greater focus on student issues. Paige Comparato, who is a delegate from UNC-Chapel Hill where she serves as Speaker of Student Congress, said she was “very impressed” by the changes. “The new committee system is much more structured, focused, and inspired.”

The Association’s budget created three new grant programs, encouraging UNC-system student governments to become more innovative in the ways they serve their students, promote voter registration and mobilization before the national elections in November, and find ways to make their campuses more environmentally-friendly. The $40,000 in grants are paid for with funds not expended during the previous year.

Cameron Carswell, the Association’s President, is optimistic about the upcoming year. “The work we did this weekend built a foundation for success,” she said. “We have an enthusiastic and capable team of officers ready to get to work representing North Carolina students.” Carswell, a junior at Appalachian State University, was elected in April along with Senior Vice President Alecia Page, who is a senior at Western Carolina University.

The University of North Carolina Association of Student Governments, founded in 1972, is the statewide student government representing students from North Carolina’s 17 public institutions of higher education. Founded and funded by students, its mission is to ensure access to and the affordability of higher education today and tomorrow.

The Association’s next meeting is at North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C. from Friday, September 14th to Sunday, September 16th.