Washburn Student Government Association held their weekly senate meeting Sept. 18 to hear from John Fritch, provost and vice president of academic affairs, and to give funding to three student organizations.
From the cabinet reports, Kira Roth, special events director, is working on getting the Washburn University rebrand to students and student organizations so they have the proper requirements for the upcoming homecoming events.
George Burdick, WSGA president, has also been working with the branding guide as well as looking into available study spaces in the Petro Allied Health Center. Burdick also mentioned the future plans for Bods Connect to find a new provider.
From the committee reports, Alex Timm, allocations chairperson, reported on the funding policy change in regards to food expenses for student development events.
From public forum I, Provost Fritch talked about his role at Washburn and opened the floor for questions from students.
“The provost is the person who oversees academic aspects of the university,” Fritch said. “So anything that deals with the courses you’re in, who teaches the courses you’re in, … all of that is a part of it.”
Fritch also stated that he values college student success above all and hopes to help students at the professional, private and public level for their whole life, not only for their time at Washburn. Fritch and his office are currently working on how to improve their strategic plan, looking at implementing new programs and how to work with and around the use of artificial intelligence.
From new business I, five new senators were inducted:
- Minakshi Bansal, graduate student
- Creytin Sanner, freshman
- Athena White, freshman
- Caleb Newfer, freshman
- Apollo Yucesan, sophomore
From public forum II, Taylor Romanchek, senior homecoming intern, discussed the plans for several of this year’s homecoming events. The theme is “Beware of the Bods” and will feature the return of the parade as well as a Halloween Movie Night in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center alongside the traditional homecoming events.
From new business II, funding was given to multiple student organizations. Washburn Swing Dancing Club was given $271.19 to purchase a new speaker. Washburn Art Club was given $1,500 for t-shirts and their upcoming pumpkin carving event Halloween night. Washburn Association of Percussionists was given $3,000 to take all three percussionist majors to an international convention for percussionists in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Edited by Stuti Khadka
