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
President Wang met with Councilmember Joseph Shepard to explore partnerships between SGA and the City of Wichita, particularly surrounding food insecurity initiatives.
President Wang met with President Rick Muma to provide updates on SGA and Higher Education Day.
President Wang submitted the SGA x SLB Dreamer Scholarship bill for Senate consideration and participated in the SGA Budget and Fees Meeting, where student fee numbers are looking positive.
President Wang also recorded Elections Commission videos and continues monitoring state-level budget discussions. Upcoming commitments include the PET Meeting, Student Athletic Fees and Esports discussions, a meeting with IVPSA Kevin Konda, and presenting AR-68-013 to Mike Kennedy at Saturday’s basketball game.
Vice President Nguyen attended meetings with Councilmember Shepard and President Muma, participated in a Fridge Consultation Meeting, met with Hope Services, and presented the Fridge Initiative during Committee of the Whole.
Vice President Nguyen also attended the SGA Budget & Fees Update Meeting. Currently, Vice President Nguyen is attending the Agency Board of Directors Meeting and upcoming items include the PET Meeting, Kansas Board of Regents meeting, Student Athletic Fees discussions, IVPSA Kevin Konda meeting, and a second Fridge Consultation Meeting.
Student Body Treasurer Bumm completed Tea with Treasurer Presentation for RSO Week.
Treasurer Bumm also conducted the Finance Commission and saw 2 individual funding and 4 organizational funding requests.
Treasurer Bumm is also touring Hope Services and Student Health this week and meeting with The Sunflower next week. Treasurer Bumm is managing waitlisted funding requests and preparing for upcoming Student Fees discussions.
Director Arens presented a Legislative Update during the Committee of the Whole and is compiling Higher Education Day records.
Recent updates include SB-244 becoming law after a veto override, HB-2428 potentially returning to the House agenda, and ongoing discussions on SB-254 and SB-496.
Budget conversations under HB-2434 include SGF reductions, need-based aid cuts, tuition caps, and compliance measures tied to DEI language.
Director Xiong finalized graphics for Higher Education Day Recap, Town Hall, Student Fees Hearing, and the Marketing Presentation.
Director Xiong is currently working on materials for the SGA Connect Calendar, Community Garden signage, Accessibility Report, Wellness Week, and SGA Send Off.
Upcoming events:
- SGA Wishes You a Good Spring Break – March 10, 11 AM–1 PM, RSC 1st Floor (in partnership with UPD focusing on travel safety)
RSO Week has successfully concluded! Director Khan is following up with RSOs and organizing RSO Alumni Records.
Director Safdar met with Alumni Engagement regarding an International Alumni Network and is awaiting GC review for the KLC agreement.
Director Safdar is coordinating a Tax Filing Workshop with OIE and United of the Plains and exploring collaboration with WSU Housing.
Director Murphy is preparing for the March 7th Tailgate, coordinating activities and finalizing details. Director Murphy presented AR-68-013 to Mike Kennedy at Saturday’s game alongside President Wang and Vice President Nguyen.
Director Olalde-Taylor continues planning for the Community Garden and is hosting Bring Your Own Bottle Bar on April 14 (11 AM–1 PM, tentative East Atrium) to promote reusable water bottle use.
Director White is finalizing questions on his Transfer Student Experiences survey and brainstorming an upcoming Transfer Student Social.
Undergraduate Student Advocate Island is currently managing 6 active cases, 4 Academic Appeals, 1 Academic Program Dismissals, and 1 Financial concern.
Graduate Student Advocate Khan is currently managing 1 Graduate Program Dismissal case.
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.
Legislation Summary
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. This Act was passed by the Senate on February 11th.
AR-68-009: This Resolution recommends that the Student Engagement and Belonging Office to amend the RSO Handbook. Some recommended amendments were to add the funding tier systems for RSOs and add a RSO Support Services Article that lists the departments that RSOs can contact for assistance. The first reading of the Act was on February 11th, and it was referred to the Government Oversight Committee, where the committee recommended that it be approved. The legislation’s second reading will be on February 25th.
AR-68-010: This Resolution urges the University to become a participating school with NCEES to celebrate students’ hard work and to have a point-of-contact within the university to maintain the processes as required by NCEES and communicate how many honor cords are needed for each graduation ceremony. The first reading of the Act was on February 11th, and it was referred to the Academic Affairs Committee, where the committee recommended that it be approved. The legislation’s second reading will be on February 25th.
AR-68-011: This Resolution urges the University to improve the visibility and accessibility of Student Health Services by adding a clearly labeled Student Health header under the Home, Student Tools section of myWSU. Additionally, it recommends that the Student Health section include a centralized and clearly organized list of commonly used resources, including but not limited to the Tuberculosis (TB) Screening survey, the myShockerhealth portal link, and the after-Hours Medical Care and Emergencies link. The first reading of the Act was on February 11th, and it was referred to the Student Services Committee, where the committee will review this legislation on February 25th.
SB-68-145: This Act amends the language within the SGA bylaws regarding Individual Funding Regulations. These changes adjust local transportation regulations and restrictions. The first reading of the Act was on February 11th, and it was referred to the Government Oversight Committee, where the committee will review this legislation on February 25th.
AR-68-012: This Resolution urges the University to officially recognize the emancipation days, independence days, republic days, and constitution days of the countries of the students of which are served by the University. Additionally, it urges the University to recognize other cultural months such as Caribbean American Heritage month, Italian American Month, etc. and torecognize these days via calendar recognition, social media, or exemptions from classes. The first reading of the Act was on February 11th, and it was referred to the Diversity, Empowerment, and Inclusion Committee, where the committee will review this legislation on February 25th.
SB-68-147: This Act appoints Kevin Dunn to serve as a Liberal Arts and Sciences Senator and appoints him to the Government Oversight Committee for the Student Senate. This Act was passed by the Senate on February 11th.
SB-68-148: This Act appoints Amanur Rahman to serve as a Liberal Arts and Sciences Senator and appoints him to the Government Oversight Committee for the Student Senate. This Act was passed by the Senate on February 18th.
AR-68-013: Within this Resolution, The Student Government Association celebrates and thanks Mike Kennedy for his years of service and dedication to Shocker Athletics. It also urges the University to recognize the lasting impact that Mike Kennedy has had on Shocker athletics, sports broadcasting, the Wichita community, and to Shocker Nation and to request that a banner be placed in the rafters of Charles Koch Arena to honor Mike Kennedy’s contributions. A formal legislative bill was also produced, printed, signed, and framed to be presented to Mike Kennedy.The resolution was deemed timely and was passed by the Senate on February 18th.
SB-68-148: This Act appoints Ryan Taylor to serve as a Freshman Senator and appoints him to the Government Oversight Committee for the Student Senate. This Act was passed by the Senate on February 18th.
The following legislation has been signed and filed as Law: SB-68-140 and AR-68-013.
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 continues its work to review, strengthen, and clarify the governing policies that guide the Student Government Association. The Government Oversight Committee remains committed to ensuring transparency, consistency, and structural support across SGA. If you have any questions, please contact Chairperson Tiwana at sga.govoversight@wichita.edu.
Over the past two weeks, the committee has prepared for several legislative items that are scheduled for the committee read:
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.
The committee hosted UPD and Parking Services on February 18th in hopes of collaboration and to find inspiration for committee initiatives. Chairperson Hansen worked with Speaker Phan and President Wang on amending and creating bylaws for the CDC Advisory Board, which should be on the floor next week.
Senator Argumedo is still hard at work with his Lyft Medical Rideshare Initiative. Senator Argumedo met with Heather Stafford for this initiative. Senator Argumedo and Chairperson Hansen also met with Advisor Fonseca and Speaker Phan for this initiative and have a meeting scheduled with Health & Wellness Director Raju to gather feedback and next steps.
Senator Winslow is gathering data from other universities in hopes of proposing a Police Advisory Board on campus to ensure quality communication and relationships between students and UPD.
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 committee in junction with the Student Services Committee hosted UPD and Parking Services on February 18th. Additionally, The Diversity, Empowerment, and Inclusion Committeehas been having discussions regarding the gender-neutral restrooms initiative and accessibility at the Duerksen Fine Arts Center. The committee has also been working to hear concerns from students by attending agency meetings and events.
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 continues to work on the Plus and Minus Grading Survey, with their main focus on increasing student participation to better represent the student body. To strengthen outreach, the committee is partnering with student organizations and asking them to share the survey in their group chats. On February 18th, the committee also held a tabling event at the RSC where they spoke directly with students and encouraged them to complete the survey and share their 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 representstudent perspectives and guide this initiative!
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:
Judicial Branch Report
For questions regarding the Judicial Branch report, you may contact sga.supremecourt@wichita.edu.
Court Hearings
Message from Chief Justice Hernanadez
Newsletter home All issues