Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct facts about Trump accounts. 

Staff senators gathered in the SGA Chambers Wednesday to talk taxes and grant awards.

Chair of the Department of Accounting Stacy Bibelhauser addressed changes made by the recent 2025 Tax Act. Bibelhauser explained that the premium tax credit is set to expire Dec. 31 after being excluded from the One Big Beautiful Bill.

“In my opinion, this is a bad thing. It’s a very bad thing,” Bibelhauser said. “It’s one reason that we’ve got the shutdown right now.”

The credit covers the premiums for health insurance for low-income individuals and families whose employers don’t provide healthcare.

WKU employees have health insurance subsidiaries in a group plan.

“The average cost for a 50-year-old person who does not have health insurance through their employer is anywhere from $666 to over $800 a month,” Bibelhauser said.

Bibelhauser also discussed Trump accounts, savings accounts that can be created for children under the age of 18 starting on July 4, 2026. Children born between 2025-2028 will have $1,000 deposited into their accounts by the government. The accounts are not taxed until the holder turns 18 and may make their first withdrawal.

The accounts are intended to become Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA), and will be taxable when funds are withdrawn

Military Student Services Director Kent Johnson introduced and presented the Christopher Ware Staff Star Award to staff members at the beginning of the meeting. Three staff members are recognized at every monthly senate meeting.

“The Staff Star Award is designed to celebrate those individuals who consistently go above and beyond in their roles, demonstrating outstanding commitment, teamwork and excellence,” Johnson said.

Academic Advisor for International Students Wes Watkins nominated Katie Bush, manager for global programming and student services with WKU Global. Watkins, along with International Student Office Assistant Director Toni Dye, presented the award to Bush.

“Katie has been our palm tree in the office,” Dye said. “She is grounded, but yet is very flexible when a lot of challenges come our way.”

Academic advisor Crystal Bufano received the second award. Academic advisor Paige Hiltner nominated Bufano, and complimented Bufano’s ability to advise over 200 students within the Ogden College of Science and Engineering and train student desk workers.

“It is not uncommon to see her advising students while simultaneously addressing challenges at the desk, balancing both her professionalism and her care,” Hiltner said. “I hope she knows how deeply valued she is.”

The third award recipient, Jarrett Murphy, associate director of the WKU Transfer Center, along with Allison Montgomery, who nominated him, were not present.

“When I started this job a little over six months ago, I had just moved to Bowling Green. He made WKU feel welcoming and like a home,” Johnson said while reading Montgomery’s remarks.

Three senators made reports at the end of the meeting.

Chair Leslie Vanderpool met with President Timothy Caboni on Sept. 23 following his visit to the Senate’s September meeting. They discussed the Budget Executive Committee’s role and importance, good department leadership, and the unity of WKU.

Treasurer Andria Henry motioned for $400 to cover the full expenses of the November meeting, including printing the Staff Star certificates and holding a meet and greet event afterwards. The motion was seconded and carried.

Staff Regent Jennifer Hammonds received an evaluation to complete on Caboni and has started the process.

Hammonds also met with the academic calendar committee to finalize the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years and create a tentative schedule for the following two years.

The Senate will meet again on Nov. 5 at 10 a.m. in the Senate chambers. A meet-and-greet event will follow at 10:30 a.m.