The Letter | Removal of DoA

Office of the President and Vice President

Tuesday, September 8th, 2026

Dear Fellow Students,

As your Student Body Government President and Vice President, we are committed to continuously evaluating our structure to ensure that it best serves the needs of our student body. After careful consideration and discussion throughout the summer, we have made the decision to remove the Director of Accessibility position for the upcoming academic year.

We deeply appreciate the dedication, advocacy, and contributions of those who have held the position in the past. It was indeed not an easy feat, having brought the position back after years of inactivity. This is why the decision was not a result of performance, but of our experiences as former directors and our observations of how advocacy and accessibility initiatives can be most effectively supported.

Through our time serving in SBG, we have seen that accessibility concerns often intersect with many different areas of student life. Whether discussing campus events, communications, facilities, academics, student organizations, or student services, accessibility is not confined to a single portfolio. Because of this, we believe that a committee-based approach will provide broader and more effective representation.

Under this structure, accessibility concerns will be addressed through committee discussions that bring together multiple perspectives at the same time. Instead of relying on a single individual to identify and advocate for accessibility needs across campus, students will have opportunities to participate directly in conversations related to accessibility and inclusion. This approach allows a wider range of experiences and viewpoints to be represented in decision-making.

We also recognize that accessibility comes up in almost every project and concern simultaneously. No single position can fully represent every experience or need within our diverse campus community. By inviting representatives and stakeholders to participate in committee discussions, we can ensure that different concerns are heard, considered, and addressed collectively. Additionally, directors hold more accountability in ensuring that their initiatives have been reviewed for accessibility.

Furthermore, our campus landscape has evolved with the appearance of new organizations, namely 3D and Allies, an organization whose primary mission is to advocate for accessibility, inclusion, and disability-related concerns. We have met with them regarding this and are excited to see their upcoming transformative work. There are also future collaborations between us that strengthen accessibility advocacy. Such an initiative is stronger when it operates as a focused mission under a dedicated student organization. Unlike a director, representatives from 3D and Allies have the ability to participate in Student Congress discussions, bring forward concerns, and exercise voting privileges for the greater good. They are the liaison between organizations and accessibility needs.

Additionally, we believe this structure creates stronger checks and balances. Accessibility advocacy is most effective when it includes voices both within and outside SBG. External perspectives help us identify overlooked areas, challenge assumptions, and hold us accountable. By creating opportunities for broader participation, we hope to maintain a stronger perspective on accessibility issues across campus and ensure that SBG remains responsive to student needs.

Most importantly, this change does not lessen our commitment to accessibility. Accessibility remains a core value of Student Body Government and will continue to be incorporated into our initiatives, events, policies, and decision-making processes. Our goal is not to reduce advocacy, but to strengthen it through broader representation, collaboration, and accountability.

We understand that students may have questions or concerns about this change, and we welcome those conversations. Student Body Government exists to serve and represent students, and your feedback will continue to shape how we move forward.

Thank you for your continued engagement and partnership in building a more accessible and inclusive campus community.

Sincerely,

Sabrina Firl                                                                                                                                                                                  President

Hiruni Hewapathiranage-Mayadunne                                                                                                                                              Vice President

Student Body Government 2026-27                                                                                                                                           "Evolve together, Lead forward."