StuGov discusses required six-credit civics course

StuGov discusses required six-credit civics course StuGov discusses required six-credit civics course Alexandra Bylund, Politics Editor October 14, 2026 Nick Harms Bayne Bernal speaking to the Iowa State University representative during the student government meeting in the Memorial Union, Ames, Iowa, Oct. 14, 2026. StuGov discussed a new requirement for all Iowa Board of Regents University students to complete six credits in American history and American government beginning in 2028 during their Wednesday meeting.  In an unofficial capacity, StuGov Supreme Court Associate Justice Michael Briesemester addressed senators and discussed HF2800, a law that requires all students graduating from Regent University to take a course in American history and American government beginning in 2028.  “My concern with this bill primarily deals with the reach of politics into academia,” Briesemester said. “There is a fundamental assumption underlying our education that it is being delivered by experts working to deliver the material with minimal bias.”  He went on to state that only one member of the Iowa Board of Regents has a doctorate and members of the board have been appointed by the Iowa Governor.  “The Iowa Legislature is pushing forward a bill which would require courses that are overseen by politician-chosen board members,” Briesemester said. “This is a gross overreach into our education.”  Student Body President Brody Kuhse later explained that HF2800 became law during the 2026 legislative session.  “I appreciate the comment tonight, but it’s been ongoing for quite a few months, and our university has been working very hard to implement that,” Kuhse said. “The Board of Regents doesn’t control the curricula. Actually, it’s the Center for Cyclone Civics who has the charge of implementing that.”  Kuhse then said that the governor does select nominees, but the Iowa Senate votes to approve them.  “We do have a student regent who sits on that board and votes as well,” Kuhse said.  StuGov Director of Academic Affairs Jack Rankin explained that the university expects to hire ten additional full-time faculty members, with an estimated cost of $1 million annually.  “There are currently 13 general education requirements required by the university,” Rankin said.  These requirements consist of six credits in communications, three credits in U.S. Cultures and Communities, three credits in international perspectives and one credit for Library 1600.  Rankin went on to lay out three scenarios under consideration by the university with respect to the fact that departments cannot increase the amount of credits required to graduate, meaning six additional general education credits could equate to six fewer major-specific credits.  Scenario one adds the six civics credits to the required 13. Scenario two cuts three credits from the required 13 and adds six civics credits. Scenario three cuts six credits from the required 13 and adds six civics credits.  Big 12 Student Government Conference  During a working meeting before the Senate meeting, Senators Joey Romare and Aiden Szpak shared their key takeaways from the Big 12 Conference Student Government Conference in Lubbock, Texas, Oct. 1-4.  “Throughout the event, Iowa State University delegates participated in workshops addressing institutional governance, student fee structures and methods for amplifying student voices in high-level conversations,” StuGov leadership stated in a press release. “Attendees also exchanged best practices with peer institutions on organizational development and advocacy strategies.” In their presentation, Romare and Szpak highlighted ideas implemented by other Big 12 Schools, such as Oklahoma State’s StuGov Canvas page that every student automatically enrolls in.  “I think they said they have an 80% click rate,” Romare said.  “This conference provided a collaborative environment where our Iowa State University students could address real issues and learn how similar challenges have been navigated,” Kuhse stated in the press release. “We are excited to bring these strategies and ideas back to campus as we continue advocating for students.” Lecture Program Amanda Knief and Laura Shaw, the director and assistant director of the Iowa State Lecture Program, addressed StuGov during scheduled programming.  “We work very hard to identify funding from collaborators on campus,” Shaw said. “We are really always trying to stretch our money as far as it will go.”  Roughly 75% of lectures have funding from sources outside the Lectures Program or the Committee on Lectures. One outside source of funding comes from partnerships with student organizations and departments such as the political science department.  The Committee on Lectures is composed of students, faculty and staff representing six of the seven colleges and both undergraduate and graduate students. The Lectures Program is staffed by Shaw and Knief under the Provost’s Office, as well as interns and event assistants.  “What we currently have right now for lectures is a four-year contract with Student Government, and each year we get $200,000,” Knief said.  The contract expires in June of 2030.  This school year, 90 lecture events will take place covering a wide array of topics. In the 2025-2026 academic year, 9,432 people attended at least one lecture.  Funding bills and seating members Senators approved a $3,850.00 funding bill for ISU After Dark workspace crafts.  StuGov conducted a first reading on a $ 2,079.81 funding bill for the ISU Car Club to cover safety and event equipment costs, followed by a first reading of a $1,170.00 funding bill for Africa Learning and Evolving Community events.  Senators conducted a first reading on a debt contract with the Iowa State Gymnastics Club after the club unexpectedly fell into debt.  StuGov swore in Graduate and Professional Student Senator Amanda Quarshie, a graduate student studying civil engineering, and seated her on the Academic Affairs Committee.  Senators swore in Off-Campus Senator Ilma Mahzabin Roza, a sophomore studying environmental engineering.  The Academic Affairs Committee seated Isabella Mozzar, a senior studying psychology, as an at-large member.  The Sustainability Committee seated Senator Aditya Roy, studying civil engineering.  StuGov approved a judicial nomination of Sabrina Olsen, a third-year student studying international studies and German, as the election commissioner.  StuGov and Ames City Council will hold a joint meeting Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the Memorial Union. 0 Like This Story Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story Tags: Brody Kuhse lectures Michael Briesemester stugov Donate to Iowa State Daily $6,633 $10,000 Contributed Our Goal Your donation will support the student journalists of the Iowa State Daily. 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Donate More to Discover More in News ISU Food Festival brings local affordable goods to campus  Warren Madden leaves lasting legacy at Iowa State Students share dorm service request experiences  Faculty Senate discontinues 12 graduate programs Ames City Council advances urban renewal plans for future projects Early voting begins today More in News / Politics And Administration Raising awareness for sexual assault victims: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Inside Iowa State’s Flock camera network: privacy, alerts and audits ‘No light or souls detected’: StuGov Senator resigns U.S. Senate candidates debate immigration, agriculture and Iran Iowa State community weighs in on denied White House press Does the Women and Gender Studies Program generate revenue? About the Contributor Alexandra Bylund, Politics Editor Alexandra is a junior studying political science on the pre-law track. She started at the Daily in the fall of 2025. This is her second year as the politics desk editor and her first year as a copy editor.