The WKU Student Government Association will focus on several different goals during the upcoming semester, including obtaining a suicide prevention grant and gauging student interest in an on-campus interpersonal violence center.

The Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant would give WKU $100,000 to support students in need of public mental health services. SGA has been working toward getting this grant since President Jay Todd Richey made a campaign promise last year to apply for the grant. However, in order to obtain the grant the $100,000 amount must be matched by WKU — something that has not yet been prioritized by administration.

“I am personally looking at different ways that we can get policies implemented for students and secure sources of funding if we can that will truly help us end sexual assault and end self-harm, which includes suicide,” Richey said.

He added the Testing and Counseling Center desperately needs an interpersonal violence center, but he would not suggest imposing a student fee to establish one. Instead, the SGA will ask for student input in order to decide how best to create and fund the center.

Richey also said that the SGA would be making improvements to its Earn-a-Computer program, which began last semester. Richey said that while the program has been successful so far, these improvements would ensure that refurbished computers are going to students who need them the most.

Richey added that he would like to see regional campuses represented in the SGA more this semester.

The SGA’s judicial council is also looking to appoint a new associate justice, and Speaker Nathan Cherry says Richey will soon be appointing five new senators. These positions have opened up due to to senators who have resigned or are currently studying abroad.

The first SGA meeting of this semester will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. in Downing Student Union.