Student Government Association Approves Funding for Upcoming Campus Events
In an eventful session, the Student Government Association (SGA) at Western Kentucky University (WKU) has passed four bills proposing financial support for numerous forthcoming campus events.
Boosting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts
The first bill, 34-23-S: Funding for Student Government Association DEI Week, provides $150 funding from the legislative discretionary budget for the upcoming SGA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion week, taking place from March 25 to March 28. The events throughout this initiative-rich week will focus on different daily thematic activities pertaining to the DEI.
The Mental Health Matters day will spotlight mental health importance and the accessibility of campus resources. Student participants will have a chance to interact with dogs from the Humane Society and collect material from the Talley Family Counseling Center.
The Multicultural Day event has been designed to celebrate the diverse student demographics on campus, with attendees given the opportunity to spin a wheel to answer questions related to student demographics and culture.
The third event, Safe Sexual Health, will focus on reducing the stigma surrounding STDs/STIs and endorsing safe sexual health practices, in partnership with Health Education and Promotion.
Finally, the Deaf Awareness and Hearing Education event will seek to educate students about the deaf community while outlining strategies hearing people can employ to create a more inclusive environment.
Spring Fling Event and Denim Day Provision
Bill 35-23-S: Funding for the SGA Spring Fling Event permits $450 from the legislative discretionary budget for the SGA Spring Fling, tentatively set to take place on the South Lawn.
Another approved bill, 36-23-S: Funding for the Hope Harbor X Denim Day Event, allocates $280 from the legislative discretionary budget to fund the upcoming “Hope Harbor X Denim Day” event aimed at promoting sexual assault awareness. SGA has a history of promoting and participating in Denim Day events, and this support continues this year as well.
Supporting Mental Health Week 2024
The fourth bill, 38-23-S: Funding for the Mental Health Week 2024, grants $650 to fund the annual SGA Mental Health Week. The event will focus on stress relief activities such as yoga, coffee and donut sessions, and opportunities to interact with dogs from the Humane Society.
These reiterated commitments were supported unanimously by the senate, emphasizing the importance of these initiatives for the mental and overall wellbeing of students on campus.
Addressing the funding, Administrative Vice President Salvador León disclosed that the SGA had $761.29 in the 23rd senate’s legislative discretionary budget left for future legislation.
The SGA is set to convene again on Thursday, March 28, where it is expected to vote on amendments to the SGA Constitution.