Student Government voted Wednesday to censure an Iowa Board of Regents student member, Rachel Johnson, after she voted for an increase in international student fees at Iowa State. Johnson is a UNI student who is this years student representative for the Board of Regents. While there are valid arguments both for and against the censure, the simple fact that Student Government senators are taking a bold, united stance for the students they represent is a positive of our university.

The Iowa Board of Regents unanimously approved an international student fees increase at Iowa State last December. Beginning next year, international students will have to pay an additional $500 per year for the next three years — totalling $1,500 per student — to go toward services for international students.

In response to Iowa State’s request to the Board of Regents for this fee, Student Government voted to send a resolution with its recommendations on the fee increase to ISU administration and the Board of Regents. Instead of supporting the proposed fee increase, the resolution recommended by administration was that if there must be a fee increase, it should not exceed $250 per year over the next three years.

Johnson received the resolution from Student Government just 24 hours before the board’s vote on the fee increase, which could have affected her vote. One senator said in Wednesday’s meeting that Thanksgiving break and the mail delivery may have delayed Johnson’s reception of the resolution. Additionally, why should a UNI student vote on a bill that only affects ISU students? Perhaps if the student member was from Iowa State, the person would be more likely to side with Student Government and, in turn, with the student body.

Student Government’s frustration with the international student fees increase and Johnson’s vote is understandable, especially after it recommended a much lower fee increase for international students. It seems as though the vote to censure Johnson was the next logical, albeit drastic, step for the Senate.

It is encouraging to see Student Government taking drastic steps to show it is passionate about standing up for its students, especially when it comes to something as important as student fees. Voting unanimously to formally disapprove of a Board of Regents member is obviously a bold step that should not be taken lightly by anyone involved.

While the consequences of the censure are still yet to be determined — ISU Student Government President Dan Breitbarth said it would not affect the relationship with the board — it was still a positive move for the Senate to boldly show it is standing up for its students.