The Student Government Association discussed need based financial aid, Safe Ride program alternatives and its new Ride To Vote program at its meeting Tuesday.

The SGA President Jay Todd Richey said initially all of the money made through the lottery was going toward student financial aid, but recently some of it was going toward the general fund and workforce development.

“Students who want need based financial aid are at a loss,” Richey said concerning the change in the allocation of money.

Richey said the Board of Student Body Presidents, which is comprised of student body presidents at 10 Kentucky universities, wrote a letter to Gov. Matt Bevin asking him to keep the money profited from the lottery directed toward student financial aid.

“Governor Bevin, we urge you to stand up for Kentucky students and demonstrate your commitment to our commonwealth’s future,” the Board of Student Body Presidents wrote in the letter.

Additionally, the SGA discussed the Ride To Vote opportunity it is offering on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 8. If any WKU student does not have a ride to the polls, SGA will be driving students to and from the polling stations.

The SGA has partnered with the Ride To Vote campaign to make this opportunity possible.

The SGA Chief of Staff James Line said SGA will be picking up students at the Kentucky Museum parking lot, outside of Subway at Bates Hall and the Hugh Poland lot.

Amy Wyer, Academic Affairs Committee chair, said in her university committee report the Preston Center will be closed from Monday, Dec. 12, to Monday, Jan. 2, to redo the floors.

If a student would like to exercise during winter break, Wyer said he or she can bring a valid WKU student ID to one of the two Total Fitness Connections on Three Springs Road or Russellville Road.

“It’s actually kind of awesome because it has a few more amenities,” said Wyer.

The SGA is also looking for alternatives to the SGA Safe Ride program for next year. The bus service that is available on evenings on the weekends could be replaced.

One alternative to the program could be the Uber taxi service. Students would be able to request an Uber ride and get 25 percent off with a promotional code.

Some universities, like the University of South Carolina, offer this promotional opportunity to its students.

Richey emphasized this is just an option, and the SGA is looking toward other alternatives to the SGA Safe Ride program as well.

The SGA voted on and passed Bill 13-16-F giving funding to the WKU Horticulture Club, the WKU Indian Student Association, the Women in Science and Engineering, the WKU/AHEC Student Rural Health Association and the WKU German Club.

Reporter Brandon Killian can be reached at 270-745-6011 and [email protected].