The Washburn Student Government Association invited Washburn University President Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek to speak at its senate meeting Sept. 25 to discuss plans for Washburn’s future.
From cabinet reports, Kira Roth, special events director, is planning for the mayor of Helena, Montana, to visit campus Oct. 16.
George Burdick, president, reported on his plan to walk through Petro Allied Health Center to look for more study spaces in the building. He is also talking with the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Washburn University Police Department to build a campaign regarding drunk driving, especially after football games. The project, Fans with a Plan, is designed to help give college campuses a safer way to enjoy athletic events while at universities when alcohol is in the mix.
“We were able to talk a lot about how the fraternities walk, which is really nice, but also we have a Lyft program, and that’s something they highlight at other universities,” Burdick said. “Use your Lyft pass to get to the campus and back and then you can drink and pregame and it’s perfectly fine.”
Mazachek touched on many topics, including plans for multiple buildings across campus, how to account for student enrollment growth and academic strategies.
The Plass Learning Resources Center just completed phase one of its three-phase plan. University Libraries is scheduled to be fully moved on Sunday and will begin its full-time hours. The building will also temporarily host various departments and courses amid the renovation of the Henderson Learning Resource Center starting May 2025 and will last three semesters. Washburn’s plans to vacate the building will reportedly save $1.5 million dollars and will shorten the time frame by almost a year.
The new Ross House will be hosting its first student group visit Oct. 24 with WSGA receiving the invitation. Mazachek hopes to hold more events at the Ross House in the future.
Benton Hall’s demolition will begin the summer of 2025 with plans to keep the space open for students. The School of Applied Studies, currently housed in Benton, will be moving to Mabee Library, which will be getting a name change.
Portions of Lee Arena are currently undergoing renovations. They will be completed by the end of October in time for Washburn’s basketball season to begin. After basketball, Lee Arena will be closed until all renovations are finished. These renovations will cause graduation to be moved to White Concert Hall. Due to the limited seating space, there are plans to have eight different graduation ceremonies between both the Friday and Saturday of graduation weekend.
The International House will be used as a “swing space” to temporarily host offices during Henderson’s renovation.
Washburn is looking into finding solutions to the on-campus housing issues with the increase of student enrollment through the use of a housing study, but no plans are set to begin any new building projects.
“It is a challenge because we can’t fix that problem immediately,” Mazachek said. “We do have some decisions that we’ll have to make about who gets to live in the residence halls next year.”
When Mazachek was asked about the parking problems on campus, she stated there are still vacant lots across campus, so students may have to walk farther than they’re used to. There are no plans to add or extend parking lots on campus.
Finally, Mazachek touched on the Washburn logo rebranding.
“We wanted something bold and modern and something that would stand out against the people that we actually have to stand out against,” Mazachek said.
Finally, WSGA gave student funding to multiple student organizations. Delta Gamma was given $500 for its philanthropy week, which will start next week. Phi Mu Alpha Kappa Rho was given $220 for its alumni dinner. The Panhellenic Council was given $500 for its Halloween Movie Night.
Edited by Morgan Albrecht and Stuti Khadka
