Goal 8.1 – Improving Access to Pre-Medicine and Pre-Health Resources

The Alvarez campaign recognizes the challenges faced by pre-medical and pre-health students at UNC, who often lack sufficient resources and guidance to navigate their career paths. With a significant portion of students on pre-med tracks, access to advising, clinical experience, and other opportunities is limited, and many students wait months for guidance. To address this, we will create the S2S (Student to Student) mentorship program, pairing underclassmen with upperclassmen and graduate students for advice on academics, career paths, and gaining field experience. Additionally, we will work to provide centralized resources for clinical hours, training programs, and hospital job applications, ensuring that students have access to critical opportunities. We will also advocate for scholarships for EMS certification, making clinical experience more accessible regardless of students’ financial background.

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Goal 8.2 – Mental Health in STEM

We are committed to ensuring that STEM students, particularly those on pre-med and pre-health tracks, do not have to choose between their academic success and mental well-being. We will advocate for academic departments to eliminate the use of mental health waivers that allow them to disregard student well-being. Additionally, we will implement a policy where CAPS and course professors reach out to students who miss more than five classes in a UNC-identified pre-med or health science course to offer support, including a one-on-one meeting with the professor or teaching assistants and providing mental health resources. We will also partner with the Department of Health Sciences to develop workshops and support groups that focus on stress management, resilience, and work-life balance for pre-health students.

 

​Goal 8.3 – Improving Study Environments for STEM Students

We recognize the importance of providing all students, particularly those in rigorous STEM programs, with the tools and resources needed for academic success. Understanding that STEM coursework often requires extensive study time, we will advocate for the reintroduction of a 24-hour library schedule at the Undergraduate Library (UL), as it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative will ensure that students have the space and time they need to succeed, especially during business days and exam periods. We will work with the Undergraduate Student Senate to reallocate the necessary funds to make this a reality.

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Goal 8.4 – Addressing Tenured Professors in STEM Not Following EOC/ARS Accommodations

STEM students with physical, mental, or emotional challenges must receive the necessary accommodations once approved by the University. Unfortunately, not all professors, especially within STEM departments, consistently honor these accommodations. To address this, we will ensure that all professors adhere to EOC/ARS accommodations as outlined in the syllabus. By partnering with the Campus Y: Disability Advocates Committee, we will ensure that student voices are heard and accommodations are enforced.