WVU Student Leaders Fight Apathy, Lecture Series to Be Revived

Student government aims to increase engagement through legislative advocacy and campus events.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Student government leaders at West Virginia University are working to revive civic engagement on campus after a period of apathy following the pandemic. They are advocating for legislation to restore student voting rights on university boards of governors and establish a higher education food pantry program. The student body president also announced plans to bring back the Hardesty Festival of Ideas, a lecture series aimed at engaging students and the broader Morgantown community.

Why it matters

Student engagement and civic participation are crucial for shaping the campus experience and ensuring student voices are heard on important issues like tuition, fees, and university policies. The revival of the Hardesty lecture series also signals an effort to reignite intellectual discourse and expose students to a diverse range of perspectives.

The details

WVU's Student Government Association has increased its membership from 40 to 150 students to encourage more involvement in legislative advocacy and campus initiatives. They are lobbying for two key bills: Senate Bill 675, which would restore voting rights for students and faculty on university boards of governors, and House Bill 4081, which would establish a higher education food pantry program across the state.

  • The Hardesty Festival of Ideas is set to be revived on February 16, 2026.
  • The West Virginia legislative session is currently underway.

The players

Colin Street

The president of the West Virginia University Student Government Association.

Logan Pierce

The state government liaison for the West Virginia University Student Government Association.

Rozaireo Jones

The vice president of the West Virginia University Student Government Association, who is planning the revival of the Hardesty Festival of Ideas.

Mike Oliverio

A Republican state senator from Monongalia County who sponsored Senate Bill 675 to restore student and faculty voting rights on university boards of governors.

House Bill 4081

A bill that would establish the Higher Education Health and Aid Grant program to fund food pantries at institutions across West Virginia.

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What they’re saying

“It's that level of inspiration that knows giving students responsibility and civic action to students can really achieve, and it's that inspiration that will get young leaders to stay in West Virginia and help lead the state.”

— Colin Street, WVU Student Body President (wvmetronews.com)

“It would allow institutions across the state of West Virginia to establish food pantries or fund food pantries that already exist.”

— Logan Pierce, WVU SGA State Government Liaison (wvmetronews.com)

“Having not just the student voice but an impact with a vote behind that voice allows the university to cultivate an educational experience that's going to geared toward students and bring more students to Morgantown.”

— Colin Street, WVU Student Body President (wvmetronews.com)

What’s next

The West Virginia legislature will continue to consider Senate Bill 675 and House Bill 4081 during the current legislative session. The Hardesty Festival of Ideas is scheduled to be revived on February 16, 2026.

The takeaway

The efforts by WVU's student government to increase civic engagement and advocacy demonstrate the important role students can play in shaping the campus experience and influencing state-level policies that impact higher education. The revival of the Hardesty lecture series also signals a commitment to fostering intellectual discourse and exposing students to diverse perspectives.