Recap of January 20 ASUAF Meeting
Story and photos by Jonathan Wasilewski
Graham Granger, the UAF student who was arrested for eating AI art, talks to ASUAF senators January 20, 2026.
The Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, ASUAF, discussed finances, AI art, the use of American Sign Language and appointed six new senators at their Jan. 20 meeting.
The meeting began after 5:30 p.m. with a roll call and transitioned to guest speakers, including Graham Granger, a UAF student who was arrested for eating AI art Jan. 13, and Fernando Escobar, the UAF student regent, who spoke about the upcoming Winter Carnival.
Granger answered questions from senators regarding the incident.
“I wouldn’t say I feel much of anything about the action itself,” Granger said about eating the AI photos. “I think it [eating them] was something that had to be done.”
Following Granger’s remarks, senators drafted a resolution urging the UAF art department to consider implementing stricter policies regarding AI-generated artwork.
ASUAF President Jackson Nelson then delivered remarks to the senate. Nelson recently served as a panelist at the Chancellor’s Budget Forum, where he learned more about UAF’s budget in the coming fiscal year. “[Our priorities] are mental health services, funding for student housing, the Alaska Performance Scholarship and then just a few other things that are more central to UAF specifically,” Nelson stated.
Nelson added that other priorities include deferred maintenance and modernization as well as recruitment, retention and graduation.
The Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks meet every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Wood Center to discuss UAF happenings.
He also said he is working with the Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability, ORCA, to improve Title IX practices at UAF.
The meeting then moved to voting on resolutions and bills.
One was a bill proposing American Sign Language, ASL, interpretation at all UAF-sponsored events.
“We have multiple deaf staff members as well as students,” said Senator Brynn Illingworth, who has a minor in ASL.
“Every place that a hearing person is, a deaf person can also be and will likely be at some point.” The bill passed.
Another resolution addressed shifting funds within the ASUAF fiscal year 2026 budget to create a Public Relations Discretionary Fund.
“We’re moving around money and not taking money out,” said Senate Chair Bonnie Brennan. The resolution passed.
Resolutions concerning the creation of and distribution of ASUAF promotional items, as well as a proposed ASUAF photoshoot were also approved.
Senators later discussed a resolution calling for stricter AI policies in art at UAF. Senate Chair Bonnie Brennan said the resolution was intended to prompt discussion and consensus rather than enact policy changes.
“The idea is for them to look more closely at their policy,” she said. The resolution passed.
A resolution proposing the creation of an ASUAF display was read aloud, but postponed until the next meeting.
Another resolution regarding sponsorshop of advertisement placement on Nenana City School and West Valley High School shirts. The resolution was referred to the finance committee along with the budget-shifting resolution.
After extended discussion, the meeting was adjourned after 7:40 p.m.
ASUAF meets every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. Students are welcome to join and voice concerns to the members of the senate. For students not attending in-person, Zoom links are available at www.uaf.edu/asuaf/meetings.