The WKU Student Government Association met Tuesday night for their weekly senate meeting where they passed three pieces of legislation, including changes to Topper Transit, a calculator borrowing program, clothing drive and were joined by a guest speaker. 

Jace Lux, WKU university spokesperson, joined SGA to speak on his role as Director of Media Relations and how SGA can reach prospective students. 

“It’s no secret you all are much closer in age to current high school students than I am, so you probably have much better insight into what appeals to them,” Lux said. “I think one thing that I can bring to the table is this reminder that for most college-going students, their parents and family members still play a pivotal role in that college decision-making process.”

Lux suggested mentioning the support mechanisms that WKU provides to students such as the counseling center, peer tutoring or advising. 

“They can read a WKU pamphlet, but no one can really sell this experience, from a firsthand perspective, like you all can,” Lux said. “You can read any kind of survey about what new college-going students want to know, who they want to hear from. They want to hear from current students.”

The SGA senate passed Resolution 2132-S to improve Topper Transit locations on campus. This legislation will create either more awnings or benches at bus stops that do not currently have these accommodations. 

The senate also passed Bill 2923-S, a “borrow a calculator” program. Bill authors Kaison Barton, senior senator, and Donte Reed, chief of staff, conducted a survey to understand the necessity of their bill. 

“17% of students surveyed do not own a calculator at all, 93% of students surveyed have taken at least one class they required a calculator, 75% said that they’d been required to use a TI-84 calculator in their classes,” Barton said, “and 76% say they participate in a program where they can borrow a calculator from the university.”

The program allows students to come into the SGA office and check out a TI-84 calculator for a week at a time. 

Marko Dumančić, assistant provost, spoke in favor of the legislation. 

“In the provost office, we believe in removing all obstacles for student success, and we think that this collaborative program is a great way to do that,” Dumančić said. “So whether from convenience or because of financial reasons, I think these calculators are super important to students. We believe in this program so much that the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning is pitching in enough money for an additional 10 calculators.”

With help from the Center of Innovative Teaching and Learning Center, there will be 15 calculators available in the SGA office for students to check out at any time.

The last piece of legislation that the senate passed was Bill 3123-S, a “dress for success drive.”

“In the (SGA) Constitution, under community relations it says that we are a liaison between SGA and the Bowling Green community,” Ethan Taylor, a junior Senator, said. “We think that this bill is exactly what we’re supposed to be doing.”

This legislation provides professional clothing, both new and used, as well as toiletry items for students to use in a professional setting such as a job interview. New items such as new shoes, socks and underwear are appreciated and gently used items can be donated as well. Items can be donated, but are not limited to, the Gordon Ford College of Business Professional Clothes Closet located in Grise Hall. 

Students can earn a maximum of five service hours with each item equalling one hour. Questions can be forwarded to the Community Relations Committee Chair Maiah Cisco. 

SGA will be continuing their Uber voucher program for the next seven weeks. Students can find more information about how to enter the Uber voucher giveaways through the SGA Instagram (@wkusga). 

News reporter Maggie Phelps can be reached at [email protected]