The Washburn Student Government Association (WSGA) met for the first time this academic year on Aug. 27, kicking off the Coulter/Durst administration, setting up some governance infrastructure, and providing funding for a Kinesiology Club meeting. 

Reports were given from the Coulter/Durst administration on several different events that are coming up in the next few months. 

Taylor Redington, Campus and Community Affairs (CCA) Director,  spoke about the Perfect Party event, which will take place on Sep. 25. Chavanna Kerney, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director, discussed the International Food Showcase Event, and the Sip and Paint Event, happening on Sept. 22 and Oct. 6 respectively. 

Reports were also given discussing WSGA’s role in Homecoming this year, which will be larger than in years prior. WSGA ceded leadership of Homecoming to the Office of Student Life several years ago, but this year WSGA will be partnering with the Office of Student Life to put the series of events on.

Additionally, a report was given about potential Memorial Union and Student Recreation and Wellness Center Renovations. The Coulter/Durst Administration is hoping to gather student input through a Campus Development Form on the spaces to present to President JuliAnn Mazachek, in the hopes of developing concrete changes to the two buildings on campus. President Kate Coulter spoke of her Administration’s intent to focus on one of these buildings, and to push for the Washburn administration to do the same. These discussions mark the continuation of a push from WSGA to have the Washburn administration make updates to the Memorial Union and Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

Several Coulter/Durst administration appointments and priorities were also approved by the Student Senate, specifically committee chairpersons and the establishment of a new standing committee. 

Garrett McCreath was confirmed by the Senate as chairperson of the Allocations Committee, Tiana Smith was confirmed as chairperson of the CCA Committee, Parker Whaley was confirmed as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and Brennen Ross was confirmed as the chairperson of the new Special Events Committee.

The Special Events Committee was established during the tail end of the last academic year, when the Coulter/Durst administration was first sworn in. Legislation passed during this WSGA meeting solidified that committee as a standing committee in WSGA’s bylaws.

The meeting also featured the Kinesiology Club, which requested and was approved for $130 for pizza for their meeting in Petro 226 on Sep. 4. 

The meeting capped off with a discussion around a new Coulter/Durst administration initiative, the Legislative Submission Form. This form was created with the intent to help WSGA senators and non-senators alike in creating legislation for WSGA, with the intent of opening up the legislative process to more students on campus. 

Senator Nick Lloyd asked whether or not the Coulter/Durst administration was intending on sponsoring every piece of legislation any student may propose through this form, as legislation entering the Student Senate traditionally requires a sponsor in WSGA. President Coulter responded saying “that will probably be determined on each legislation,” making a point that while the administration may sponsor some legislation from non-senators, they may also look to find senators to carry such legislation to the floor instead. 

Overall, members of WSGA appear to be in good spirits, and are optimistic and excited about the upcoming year. 

Senator Kendall Brungardt stated that she was “glad to be back with all my WSGA friends,” despite not missing “the very cold Kansas Room.” Senator Brungardt also discussed wanting to “see how we might be able to look at the funding policy and make it more, I don’t know, understandable for organizations.” 

CCA Director Reddington, who was formerly a senator, stated that being in the Administration felt different. 

“I can’t vote and I have to, like, just watch and listen and I giggle a lot!,” Reddington said.

Director Reddington was also looking forward to the upcoming Can Emporia competition.

“The shirts are really cute, I’m really proud of them…you have to donate if you want one,” Reddington said.

Senator Alex Timm was also looking forward to the start of the semester, and had a few conversations with Vice President Ryan Durst and others in the administration about different projects like a voter registration drive. He’s also hopeful about the new Special Events Committee, stating that he’s “curious what angle and perspective they can bring to this campus.”

Chairperson McCreath capped off the interviews with a statement of optimism about the Student Senate, saying that the first meeting “went great, very relaxed, very enjoyable. I think we have a great group of senators this year.”

WSGA meets weekly at 6:30pm in the Kansas Room.

Edited by Arohi Rai and Stuti Khadka