The WKU Student Government Association granted $750 in funding Tuesday to assist the WKU Food Pantry as a response to recent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cuts.

The bill’s author, SGA Senator Amelia Tucker, said she’s working with Chief Financial Officer Gabriel Jerdon to purchase the food for the pantry in the coming days.

“I have a heart for hungry people,” Tucker said in an interview with the Herald. “And I’m all about all of the wonderful and fun things that SGA funds, but I think we need to fund things that really matter too, and I put this in the box of things that really matter.”

The bill comes as a response to recent cuts to SNAP benefits around the country. SNAP has provided aid to over 645,000 people in Kentucky, according to state data. Recent cuts have brought uncertainty for many people who rely on the benefits for food. 

Tucker began her proposal by passing out 24 slips of paper to senators, six of which were marked with a star.

“One in four young people, ages 18 through 26, experience hunger at some point throughout the year,” Tucker said. “Six out of these 24 would be experiencing hunger.”

Tucker originally introduced the bill asking for $123, but after multiple amendments by her fellow senators, they decided to grant $500 from emergency assistance funding. An additional $127 in standard SGA funding was granted in the last amendment. 

Student Life Bills

Two bills from the Enrollment and Student Experience Committee also passed at the meeting.

The first was resolution 4-25-F, which calls for the university to install drinking water fountains and printers in every dorm building on campus. 

“85% of our student respondents requested both a computer and a printer in residence halls,” said Committee Chair Jakob Barker. “There are also five out of 16 residence halls that do not have functioning water fountains at all.”

The second, resolution 5-25-F, calls for the implementation of a 24-hour study space on campus.

Both resolutions now await approval from the Faculty Senate.

Meal Swipes

This was the first SGA meeting since the implementation of the Swipe It Forward Program, an initiative that allows students to donate extra meal swipes to others who run out.

Chief Communications Officer Preston Jenkins addressed the importance of this program. 

“This is going to help so many hilltoppers in need… This is a very important program and we need to spread this word,” Jenkins said.

Swearing In

The meeting saw the swearing-in of two new senators, with Jacob Thomas as Senior Senator and Tyreesha Morris as First Gen Senator. 

Additional Bills

Two other bills were passed at the meeting:

• Bill 12-25-F. Funding for 2 Student Exercise and Work Stations in the Raymond B. Preston Health and Activities Center.
• Bill 18-25-F. A Bill to Fund Raffle Prizes for The Hive Tabling Event.