The Student Government Association held an “Executive Town Hall” in the senate chambers Wednesday night to provide students running for executive positions in the SGA Spring 2024 election the opportunity to stand before the student body to discuss their leadership plans.
Student Body President Sam Kurtz, Chief of Staff Donté Reed and Junior Senator Ethan Taylor are running unopposed for the roles of student body president, executive vice president and administrative vice president, respectively.
Kurtz, a junior business management and administration major, currently serves as student body president and student regent.
Outside of SGA, Kurtz is part of the Mahurin Honors College, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Inter-Fraternity Council, Order of Omega and Omicron Delta Kappa.
Reed, a junior biology major, currently serves as the chief of staff.
Outside of SGA, Reed is involved with the Biotechnology Center and the Pre-Dental Society, and serves as a Student Alumni Ambassador and a biology coach.
Taylor, a junior finance major, currently serves as a junior senator.
Outside of SGA, Taylor is part of the Mahurin Honors College, Spirit Masters, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Midnight on the Hill, Order of Omega and Omicron Delta Kappa.
Chief Justice Isaac King led the judicial council throughout the discussion in asking Kurtz, Reed and Taylor questions about their leadership plans.
Kurtz said he, Reed and Taylor intend to create more voucher programs like the Uber voucher program initiated in February and plan to continue to grill burgers during SGA tailgates and events to increase general student involvement and beneficence for students who may be financially or food-insecure.
“We can directly impact these students and be able to give them a burger and a smile, say ‘what’s up’ to them and hopefully make their day,” Kurtz said.
Kurtz, Reed and Taylor emphasized their intentions to encourage all WKU students to become involved with SGA.
Kurtz said SGA’s meetings are open to everyone, not just the elected representatives. He said he enforces an “open-door policy” for SGA’s meetings and in the SGA offices and said students are always welcome to reach out to him, Reed and Taylor with questions or ideas.
“You don’t have to be in SGA to write a bill, you don’t have to be in SGA to write a resolution,” Reed said. “If you have an idea or you want to create change, you can do that.”
SGA spring election voting will be open on April 15 and 16 on TopNet. Results will be released virtually on April 17 at 12:01 a.m..
Assistant News Editor Ali Costellow can be reached at [email protected]
