Welcome to SGA Insider!
We are excited to share with you SGA Insider, the official source for updates on everything happening in your Student Government Association! From new initiatives and events to important decisions and ways to get involved, SGA Insider keeps you connected to the work your student leaders are doing on your behalf.
2026 General Elections
SGA is led by students, for students, committed to advocacy, innovation, and the issues that matter most to our community. If you are ready to make a difference, amplify student voices, and grow as a leader, now is the perfect time to declare for office and be part of something bigger.
General Election Timeline, Events and Deadlines
Delcaration Period: Thursday, January 29th through Sunday, March 1st at 11:59pm.
Intent to Run Informational: February 2nd, February 16th and February 23rd at 5:30pm in RSC 216 (OPTIONAL, BUT HIGHLY ENCOURAGED)
Rules and Regulations Meeting: March 9th, 10th or 11th at 5:30pm in RSC 216 (REQUIRED FOR CANDIDATES)
Presidential Debates: March 26th and April 2nd at 5:30pm in RSC 233 and live on the SGA YouTube
Voting Period: Monday, April 6th at 8am through Wednesday, April 8th at 5:00pm via SimplyVoting
Executive Branch Report
Below, you will find summaries of all Executive Branch initiatives.
For questions regarding the Executive Branch report, you may contact the Student Body President, Jia Wen Wang, at sga.president@wichita.edu.
Higher Education Day
Members from all three branches of the Student Government Association attended Higher Education Day at the Capitol in Topeka, Kansas, on February 4th to speak to legislators advocating for the importance of higher education and highlighting the stories of Shockers across all different areas of campus. In total, 20 members of SGA attended, speaking to over 20 legislators in total. Higher Education Day was organized by Student Body President Wang, Student Body Vice President Nguyen, Speaker of the Student Senate Phan, Chief Justice Hernandez, and Director of Legislative Affairs and Policy Arens. We would also like to take the time to thank the University Administrators for their support and guidance throughout the planning process!
Executive Initiatives
Legislative Branch Report
The Legislative Branch consists of the Student Senate, which establishes policies through legislation and annually approves the allocation more than $9.5 million in student fees. The Senate is comprised of 52 Senate seats, each of which represents specified portions of the Student Body, including academic colleges and certain demographics such as out of state and underserved senators. The Student Senate holds a meeting every Wednesday during the academic year at 7:30 p.m in the Santa Fe Room of the Rhatigan Student Center unless notified otherwise. These meetings are open to the public and are livestreamed and recorded and posted to our YouTube Channel. Below, you will find summaries regarding all Senate Legislation passed this Session and reports from each Senate Committee.
For questions regarding the Legislative Branch report, you may contact the Speaker of the Senate, Matthew Phan, at sga.speaker@wichita.edu.
Open Senate Seats
Senate is seeking motivated students to fill vacant Senate seats! If you are interested, please apply through ShockerSync under “68th Student Government General Application”.
The following seats are open:
Legislation Summary
SB-68-138: This Act allocated $28,000 from the Special Projects Account for a Vehicle for the Kiah Duggins Shocker Support Locker. This vehicle would accommodate the large amounts of food, clothing, toiletries, and other necessary items stocked in the Locker. The Act was passed by the Senate on January 28th.
SB-68-141: This Act appoints Vincent Duong to serve as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court. This Act was adopted by Unanimous Consent by the Senate on January 28th.
AR-68-007: This Resolution encourages that the Office of the Registrar to update the registration page to include clear and highly visible designation of course length with the statement of an 8-week or 16-week duration, under the start and end date within Instructor/Meeting Times section.The first reading of the Resolution was on January 28th, and it will go before the Senate for its second reading on February 18th.
SB-68-142: This Act amends the language for the Legislative Council within the SGA bylaws to clarify the members of the Legislative Council and define “senior representative.” The Legislative Council serves as the de facto Senate over the Summer and Winter Session of the academic year when the Senate is not in Session. The first reading of the Act was on January 28th, and it was referred to the Government Oversight Committee, where the committee recommended that it be approved. It will have its second reading on February 11th.
SB-68-143: This Act amends the language within the SGA bylaws regarding Emeritus Status and the Senate agenda. Emeritus Status is a permanent status that honors members of the Association who have made a significant contribution and impact during their time in the Association. This Act defines the procedures to grant or remove Emeritus Status from an individual as well as the rights of Emeritus Status. The Senate agenda amendments in this Act clarify the process for adding legislation to the Senate agenda. The Legislative Affairs Committee recommended that it be approved. The legislation’s second reading was on February 4th.
SB-68-144: This Act clarifies and edits language in the SGA bylaws for consistency and accuracy. It had its first reading on January 28th and was referred to the Government Oversight Committee. It will have its second reading on February 25th.
SB-68-143: This Act amends the language within the SGA bylaws regarding Emeritus Status and the Senate agenda. Emeritus Status is a permanent status that honors members of the Association who have made a significant contribution and impact during their time in the Association. This Act defines the procedures to grant or remove Emeritus Status from an individual as well as the rights of Emeritus Status. The Senate agenda amendments in this Act clarify the process for adding legislation to the Senate agenda. The first reading of the Act was on January 28th, and it was passed by the Senate on February 4th.
AR-68-008: This Resolution aims to improve voter turnout by urging the University to cancel or remotely conduct classes on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, which is the national election day. The first reading of this Resolution was February 4th, 2026, and it was referred to the Government Oversight Committee.
The following legislation has been signed and filed as Law: SB-68-123, SB-68-125 through SB-68-128, AR-68-004, SB-68-138, SB-68-140, and SB-68-141.
Standing Senate Committees
The Legislative Branch has four Standing Committees of the Senate:
- Government Oversight
- Academic Affairs
- Student Services
- Diversity, Empowerment, and Inclusion
Each Standing Senate Committee shall research, report, and make recommendations to the Senate regarding action related to their respective areas of responsibility and undertake other efforts as decided by the Senate.
Senate Committees meet at 5:30 P.M. every Wednesday unless otherwise arranged by their respective Chairperson.
Senate Committee Reports
The Government Oversight Committee meets in Smoky Hills Room, RSC 258.
The Government Oversight Committee remains committed to reviewing, updating, and clarifying the policies that guide our student government—ensuring structure, compliance, and support for all members of SGA. If you have any questions, please contact Chairperson Tiwana at sga.govoversight@wichita.edu.
Over the past two weeks, the committee reconvened following the Winter Recess and outlined priorities for the spring semester and the remainder of the Session:
The Student Services Committee meets in the Meeker Room, RSC 238.
If any students have thoughts or concerns regarding services on campus, please do not hesitate to reach out to Chairperson Hansen at sga.studentservices@wichita.edu.
Chairperson Riley Hansen has implemented weekly goals for every senator in her committee that they are required to work on throughout the week, and report back on during the next meeting. She has continued to meet with my senators on a regular basis as well.
Additionally, Student Services had a joint committee with the Diversity, Empowerment, and Inclusion Committee where we hosted the new ADA Director, Krystal Iseminger, to address some student concerns and potential collaborations. Student Services will also have a visit from the University Police Department and Parking Services on February 18th.
The Diversity, Empowerment, and Inclusion Committee meets in Lancelot Room, RSC 203.
If you have any questions, please contact Chairperson Peng at sga.diversity@wichita.edu.
The Diversity, Empowerment, and Inclusion Committee's International Transfer Student Mentorship is expected to be on the Senate floor next Wednesday on February 18th with the International Holiday Resolution going before the Senate on February 11th. The committee met on February 6th to make the final edits before presenting it to the Senate floor.
Chairperson Jasmine Peng has been scheduling meetings with agency presidents for the spring semester, as well as attending their events and general meetings to see if students have any concerns and to spread awareness of the SGA elections currently underway.
The Academic Affairs Committees meets in Mayfield Room, RSC 240.
If you have any questions, please contact Chairperson Kasirosafar at sga.academics@wichita.edu.
The Academic Affairs Committee is continuing its work on the Plus and Minus Grading Survey. The committee's current priority is increasing student participation so we can accurately represent the student body. To expand outreach, we are collaborating with student organizations and asking them to share the survey within their group chats. We are also planning tabling events across campus to speak directly with students and encourage feedback. If you have not yet completed the Plus and Minus Grading Survey, please take a few minutes to do so. Your voice is extremely important in helping us represent student perspectives and guide this initiative. Thank you!
Senate Surverys
If you have any comments or concerns, please email the Academic Affairs Chairperson at sga.academics@wichita.edu.
The Academic Affairs Committee is collecting student feedback on a proposed update to the grading system that would add an “A+” letter grade. To be able to make this change, the Committee invites feedback from students like you. Please fill out this survey to share your thoughts and feedback regarding this topic: Survey
Senator of the Month Spotlight
Ashly Artiaga
Ashly Artiaga Sevilla
On February 4, 2026, Senate Leadership recognized Senator Ashly Artiaga Sevilla as the third senator of the month. Senator Artiaga Sevilla was selected as the January Senator of the Month as result of her work in developing the legislation for the International Mentorship Program initiative and her involvement and engagement with several SGA events in January.
My name is Ashly Artiaga Sevilla, and I am a sophomore studying Applied Engineering with a focus on Process Automation,
currently pursuing a certificate in Spanish. In addition to serving in the Student
Government Association as an Out-of-State Senator, I am the Treasurer for Corazón Latina and am actively involved in GoBabyGo and Walkin’ & Rollin’. I also volunteer as a Housing Ambassador for Wichita State University and regularly
participate in campus and community volunteering initiatives.
I am very active across campus and frequently attend and support events hosted by organizations such as HALO, BSU, SHPE, SHPEtinas, and SWE. I also work closely with the Hispanic Serving Initiatives office in the
Student Success Center. With the encouragement and support of Dr. Sara Mata, who played
a major role in pushing me to believe in myself and my leadership abilities, I decided to pursue
the position of Out-of-State Senator.
Through SGA, I wanted to challenge myself and prove that I have the capacity to support and uplift students like myself. Currently, I am working on a bill titled the International and Transfer Mentorship Program, which focuses on creating stronger support systems and smoother transitions for students coming to Wichita State.
Judicial Branch Report
For questions regarding the Judicial Branch report, you may contact sga.supremecourt@wichita.edu.
Note from Chief Justice Hernanadez
Happy spring semester! I hope everyone is enjoying their classes and getting back into the groove of school. The Court is happy to announce that we have two new Associate Justices: Decson Chairs Jr and Vincent Duong. Future editions of the newsletter will contain a formal introduction from them!
This past week Justices Hundley, Chairs, and I were able to travel to Topeka for Higher Ed Day with some other SGA members. It was truly an honor to speak on behalf of the students and speak to Kansas Representatives and Senators. Although the three branches differ in tasks on campus, this was a wonderful opportunity to tell our stories and utilize our advocacy skills.
I also invite you all to come chat with the Judicial Branch and enjoy some s'mores on Thursday from 6-8 pm. We look forward to answering any questions you may have about the judicial branch.
Court Updates
Two of our Associate Justices, Brooklyn Freund and Lee Frank, have stepped down from the Court in order to allow younger students the opportunity to serve the Court. We want to thank them for their service to the students of Wichita State University!
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