The Student Government Association’s Tuesday meeting ended with both successes and concerns.

Among the night’s developments was SGA’s announcement that it will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year.

During his report, SGA president Jay Todd Richey said SGA did not sign a contract with Uber, and SGA did not have a role in bringing Uber to Bowling Green or WKU. 

During Tuesday’s meeting, two bills passed, one executive proposal was approved and one resolution was tabled. 

Bill 1-15-F to recognize the WKU Elizabeth/Ft. Knox Student Body Association at the WKU Elizabeth/Ft. Knox Campus, together with Bill 2-15-F to support the MyCampusToo Initiative, passed unanimously.

“I am extremely excited about MyCampusToo,” said Richey. “We can lead campus inclusion efforts across the United States.”

SGA will be assembling the MyCampusToo task force as part of their next step.

Executive Proposal 1-15-F to create a sustainability committee also passed unanimously.

SGA tabled Resolution 1-15-F to concur with the University Senate concerning the Confucius Teacher Training Institute due to uncertainty regarding WKU’s contract with Hanban. The resolution will be voted on in the next meeting.

The Confucius Institute is a project President Gary Ransdell made with Hanban, a branch of the Chinese Ministry of Education. According to Richey, the Board of Regents approved the contract without a copy of the contract provided.

The project was signed on Dec. 6, 2014, after Hanban offered $1.5 million for construction of the building. WKU will have to match the $1.5 million that Hanban is contributing and cover maintenance and operation costs. This is a 50-year, non-negotiable contract. 

“I understand the concerns that were brought up,” said Richey. “It’s definitely one sided.”

To repurpose the building, WKU would have to receive authorization form the Chinese government, Richey said.

The University Senate unanimously supported a resolution by the Senate Executive Committee that urged Ransdell and the administration to revisit the contract. 

“The faculty opposes the construction of the Confucius Institute,” said Richey.

Richey believes it’s a good idea for the senate to wait before they make any final decisions so they can hear both sides of the story.

“I’m very firm that my opinion won’t change, and there aren’t too many positives to say about the contract as it is now,” said Richey.