We Are F1rst held a meeting Feb. 26 to discuss student connection, development and voice.

The meeting highlighted the need for better student connections, stronger support systems and increased funding for student services and organization while also addressing campus changes due to construction.

“Whenever we are connected to students, we feel like we can get more of a consensus of what students are going through from diverse populations and areas of campus,” said Kate Coulter, sophomore communication major.

Coulter believes that fostering student development will help students gain skills and succeed within their organization.

“One of the interesting things about our institution is how it compares to universities or community-focused institutions. This means that if you have any concerns, issues, worries, doubts or anything you want to see change or remain the same, we hope that you think of student groups,” said Demarques Hinds, sophomore business major.

During the meeting, Nick Lloyd, sophomore business major and Washburn Student Government Association vice-president candidate, presented his policies and actions for his campaign.

“I mean, everyone needs a support group. And so, how we’re going to do that is by first issuing direct funding to student organizations,” Lloyd said. “Everyone needs a support group, and one way to ensure that is by providing the necessary resources. That’s why we’re going to start by issuing direct funding to student organizations.”

Students agreed on common themes such as student collaboration and helping students feel included.

“The most important thing is to first make sure that we can do our best to have students find that first group because from that first group, they can build and they can find others and they can just expand from there,” Hinds said.

They also discussed funding for student health and services and protecting student areas from construction.

Edited by Jeremy Ford and Morgan Albrecht