(Design courtesy of The Daily Utah Chronicle archives)
Student activism has shaped the University of Utah for years, yet the focus of said activism has evolved with changing political climates, safety concerns and institutional challenges.
To understand how students are engaging in activism and protest at the U, the Chronicle sat with Black Student Union (BSU) President Nevaeh Parker, Pacific Islander Student Association’s (PISA) Vice President Mayette Pahulu and MEChA leader Agnelli Hernandez.
Protesting then vs. now
All of the interviewed organizations are part of the legacy alliance. Organizations within this alliance usually have several years of history within the U.
Organizations such as BSU, PISA and MEChA started on a foundation and basis of student activism and fighting back against the institution.
In BSU’s case, the history of fighting the institution dates back to the 1960s. Parker cites the history of the organization and how it inspired her to join BSU.
“The way that they started on college campuses was in protest. Fighting for Black Studies programs to be present on campus, fighting to see yourself within the curriculum and being taken seriously on campus. Black students have always kind of had to do that,” Parker said.
MEChA has its roots in student activism and demanding change from the U. While it was originally a Chicanx club, the organization is now open to all students. Hernandez reflects on what the organization’s goals have been and continue to be.
“Organizing and putting pressure on administration, which, as we’ve seen, did result in change. It’s just building solidarity,” Hernandez said.
The organizations have shifted into new roles and responsibilities in the present.
While PISA as an organization doesn’t have a significant involvement in constant protesting in the present, the organization views community and gathering as a form of power. Pahulu explained how creating community and building up support is student power.
Additionally, Pahulu mentioned the loss of funding for PISA due to HB 261, which cut DEI-funded programs from higher education.
“I think that us still standing as an organization here for university students, we are being resilient. We’re not letting them just shut us down with this bill [HB 261] that they’ve written that directly calls us out,” Pahulu said.
BSU, as an organization, was founded on protesting and has been able to maintain a consistent mission. Parker explained how there is resistance and power in being able to build up the community.
“I guess having a way to have fun and laugh together is a way to protest in and of itself, and still being able to hold events and come together and eat food and talk about our days, that is a form of protest for me,” Parker said.
Of the three organizations, MEChA plays one of the most active roles in organizing change and building community campus-wide. Specifically, to look at it through their demands, the group actively gets involved with the U and state protests to create change. This is something that is showcased heavily on their social media.
The organizations play different roles in building community and solidarity, yet they each have critical roles at the U.
Challenges faced
Safety was one of the most prominent issues within protesting and resisting institutions. Pahulu explained how this is due to the current political environment and a feeling of being unsafe to speak up outside of their community.
“As an organization, we haven’t organized any protests specifically because of the amount of gun violence at these protests; it’s not for the people marching, but the people who don’t agree with what we’re marching for that are kind of becoming an issue,” Pahulu said. “We don’t want to put our members in a place where they feel as though they’re unsafe.”
There has been a new law implemented allowing for the open carry of firearms on campus due to HB 128. Through the implementation of this bill and recent examples of gun violence in Salt Lake City protests, Pahulu mentioned more fear amongst the community.
“I feel [H.B. 128] definitely shifted my perspective of being able to have activism and protest here on campus. When you have people bringing guns to places where it’s peaceful protesting and that type of thing, it’s definitely going to be difficult to feel you’re safe,” Pahulu said. “Even just coming on campus, if I was to see someone just carrying around their gun, I would not want to go to class anymore.”
Parker echoed many of the fears that Pahulu mentioned and acknowledged that the political climate can make people shy away from activism and protesting.
Hernandez explained how MEChA is actively working on organizing and direct action. While the organization believes in safety protocols, there is an importance in speaking out about what they believe in.
“We have our own safety protocols to ensure the safety of our members as well as ourselves. We have a very strict security team, and they have a lot of experience,” Hernandez said.
Where now?
Where do students get hope from in times of uncertainty? Parker identified the hope for rebuilding community as of the utmost importance. Additionally, Parker expanded on the effect it has had on communities to constantly rebuild their communities.
“Rebuilding is kind of where you find your strength, and where you can find the most power. I guess that there is power in us, fighting back and speaking up. But that’s not to say that that’s okay, that it is that way and that it should be that way,” Parker said. “I wish that there were, you know, people in power who would maybe consider the emotional toll and the time that it takes to constantly be in that state of defense.”
Organizations such as BSU and PISA have been focusing on rebuilding their losses from H.B. 261 and being able to build more community within their organizations. PISA and BSU are now relying upon GoFundMe campaigns that support their organizations, especially with programming efforts.
Currently, MEChA, BSU and several other organizations have been actively speaking out against the new changes made for class schedules, beginning in spring 2026. This class schedule would make it so that classes usually in a 9-2 block on Monday-Friday, would be readjusted to address the parking crisis.
Parker explained that protesting and creating a change starts with creating spaces for everyone to feel comfortable and sharing the challenges everyone faces.
“If you’re a student, you’re at risk because tuition has just gone up, and that probably puts you in a you know, harder financial spot. Or if you’re a student of color, or a student of a different sexual orientation, you are at risk because maybe you don’t have the same resources you used to have now,” Parker said. “Maybe you’re less aware of a community to find, and so you feel more alone. We all need to be in our own spaces where we can do the most good.”
About the Contributor
(they/them) Suvam Pokharel began at The Chronicle as an investigative writer. Suvam majors in economics and political science. They hope to go to law school and pursue a political career. Suvam’s interests are in politics, Nintendo and pop culture.
