The 25th Student Government Association Senate adjourned its final meeting of the academic year with speakers and legislation.
The meeting opened with three guest speakers regarding their respective organizations.
Director of Parking and Transportation Ginny Griffin spoke about potential changes coming to WKU’s parking lots regarding lots and permits. She said that with the opening of Regents and Normal Hall next spring, permits will be ordered for their corresponding lots.
Griffin also spoke about issues they have been encountering with WKU buses and rising gas prices.
“Normally, the (bus diesel) bill is seven to eight grand a month,” Griffin said. “Last month, it was 14 grand.”
While the services are assured for the rest of the academic year, she said that transit services would have to find money somewhere if oil prices remain where they are.
Following Griffin, a junior nursing and healthcare administration major, and representative from the Miss Kentucky pageant, as Miss Cedar Creek Chloe Ralston informed SGA about her nonprofit, Petals for a Purpose. Stemming from her experience with her grandmother, the organization aims to arrange unused and unwanted flowers to give to nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
“(My grandmother) had a roommate that never had a visitor, and that was something that just tugged at my heart pretty consistently,” Ralston said. ‘When she passed away, I kind of wanted to start something and change the reality of that within nursing homes.”
To close the speakers, the president of WKU’s chapter of Planned Parenthood Generation Action, Zee Brown, drew SGA’s attention to the organization’s presence and goals on campus. They spoke about aiming to provide resources and information about sexual health for students, and make them aware of their rights and options.
“My mission is to help students be safe, so they don’t have to get off the path they’re on right now,” Brown said.
During the meeting, SGA members finalized reports and closed unresolved issues.
In his officer report, Chief Communications Officer Preston Jenkins shared updates regarding WKU’s Artificial Intelligence Committee. He said that the committee and the university are in the early stages of exploring possible enterprise solutions, such as purchasing Quad Pro or ChatGPT Pro for all students. If done, the committee would also have to consider an introductory AI course for freshmen to learn about how to use it.
SGA also unanimously passed its final three bills of the academic year:
- Bill 21-26-S. Funding for the National Panhellenic Council Preview Day in partnership with the Student Government Association of Western Kentucky University.
- Bill 24-26-S. Funding for the WKU Office of Sustainability Food Pantry.
- Bill 25-26-S. A Bill to Fund Massage Therapy Vouchers for Student Stress Relief During Finals Week.
Bill 24-26 S and Bill 25-26 S were both passed with amendments to use up the rest of SGA’s remaining yearly budget of $71.17. With the legislation from the meeting, SGA passed a total of 56 pieces of legislation during the 2025-2026 school year, the most since the 2018-2019 school year.
Legislative Operations Committee Chair Caden Lucas said that it has been “awesome and inspiring” to see those in his committee provide ideas regarding legislation and help students out.
“That’s what this organization is trying to do, and you all have most certainly done that,” Lucas said. “I’m very proud to have been able to play a very small part in that role for you all.”
As part of their last time convening, various SGA members took time to thank each other and recognize the hard work they have done throughout the year.
“This year, I felt like we’ve done so much tangible work,” said Speaker of the Senate Hadley Whipple. “I’ve been able to see so much change on campus through the Senate, and I’m really proud of that.”
