United As One: Presidential Priorities

The Kirk and Thornton Administration is excited to present, United As One; the priorities for the 65th Session (2022-2023). As a Fine Arts student, Student Body President Kirk currently sings in the WSU Concert Chorale, which recently sang a song titled, "All As One." The message behind that song is "you sing as one, we are united as one, and we come together to effectively achieve the same goal." This message inspired President Kirk to name his agenda: United As One. United As One represents the idea that everything we do in Student Government, should come from a place of unity to help the most students we can. 

Drawing inspiration from his past service as a Senator, Speaker of the Senate, and from previous executives, President Kirk and Vice President Thornton have curated a platform to best serve the student body in the coming term.

A light beams in the darkness, brightly shining for the world. Light will guide us on the path to come as one.
Kourtnee Cude
All As One
Invest in Free Menstrual Products

Objective: Develop a plan to finally secure funding to place free menstrual products in all restrooms

Update Due: By December 2022

Cabinet Leads:

  1. Mary Elizabeth Thornton, Student Body Vice President
  2. Clarence Albury, Community Engagement and Outreach Director
  3. Noah Carter, Health and Wellness Director
  4. Alice Fitzgerald, Sustainability Director
Project Update
Establish a Restroom Map for Product Placement 
  1. Vice President Thornton, Directors Fitzgerald, Thompson and Albury are meeting to regroup the planning group of university leaders and SGA leaders to evaluate initial placements of product 
  2. A draft of a restroom map has been developed, will seek feedback from Senate prior to formal implementation that would decide which products we will be placing around campus 
Finalize proposal for approval 
  1. SB-65-107 was presented to the Student Senate on December 7th, 2022, with its primary sponsor being Director of Health and Wellness Noah Carter, and cosignees being Director of Sustainability Alice Fitzgerald, Director of Community Engagement and Outreach Clarence Albury, Vice President Mary Elizabeth Thornton, and Student Senators Landyn Patterson and Valeria Paunetto.
Submit funding request to Senate to secure funding for upfront costs
  1. In Senate on December 7th, 2022, a motion was passed to suspend the rules and vote on SB-65-107 following its first read. The legislation was passed with a vote total of 36-5, securing $15,730 from the SGA Reserves for the procurement and placement of Menstrual Products in strategic, high-traffic restrooms on campus.

 

Robust Sustainability Efforts

Objective: Seeing what we can do as a campus to make sure that we are effectively recycling and doing what we can to benefit the campus/planet

Update Due: By March 2023

Cabinet Lead:

  1. Alice Fitzgerald, Sustainability Director
Project Update
Conduct an sustainability audit to review University practices related to sustainability that would lead to the University to set policies and practices to establish sustainability efforts and a consistent review process to ensure that practices are being followed
  1. No Update 
Review other sustainability efforts such as solar panels, etc. 
  1. No Update 
Host Earth Day events in the Spring 
  1. Earth Week Event has been adjusted to Earth Day events on April 20th-21st.
  2. An Academic Session will be held Thursday, April 20th, from 1-3PM.
  3. The Earth Day festival will be held on Friday, April 21st, from 4-8PM.
  4. Anyone who would like to volunteer for the Earth Day Events can contact: sga.sustainability@wichita.edu or greengroup@wichita.edu.
Work to Ban the Use of Styrofoam Products 
  1. Director Fitzgerald and Director Thompson, with the support of Senators, have drafted legislation to ban Styrofoam products used by RSOs and Student Fee departments. The Senate Bill has been introduced. 
  2. Director Fitzgerald and Director Thompson, with the support of Senators, have drafted a Association resolution to request that the University ban the use of Styrofoam products. The Association Resolution has been introduced. 
  3. Director Fitzgerald has authored a policy guide to support implementation of this legislation  
Work on legislation that would establish a Green Fund 
  1. Director Fitzgerald and Treasurer Brand are working on a proposal to create the Green Fund. Formal introduction will be presented as an Executive proposal during the Student Fees process
 
Estalbish a Center for Sustainability on Campus
  1. Director Fitzgerald is drafting a proposal.

 

Robust Parking Solutions

Objective: Exploring the option of making the parking garage levels 2-3 and potentially 4 part of a parking pass plus for students to make more parking on this campus, and looking into the Red spots and where they are.

Update Due: By December 2022

Cabinet Leads:

  1. Omarian Brantley, Undergraduate Student Advocate
  2. JDaijon Sumpter, Graduate Student Advocate
  3. Jay Thompson, Legislative and Policy Affairs Director
Project Update
Review Parking Regulations

President Kirk and Undergraduate Advocate Brantley met with University leadership to gather facts and data about parking practices and policies

Director Thompson has reviewed all parking policies  
Develop a Parking+ pass option to be used by students

President Kirk, Undergraduate Advocate Brantley, Graduate Advocate Sumpter and Director Thompson have developed a Parking+ pass which would allow students who pay the $75 parking green pass to park in the garage. Proposal is being worked on and will seek feedback from Senate prior to formal introduction 
Conduct an annual review of parking to determine where the needs are 

No Update 
Creation of New Agencies

Objective: Evaluate current and create new Association Agencies, specifically around the Fraternity and Sorority Life Governing Councils and the Community Service Board

Update Due: By December 2022

Cabinet Leads:

  1. Andruw Hoopes, Chief of Staff
  2. Jay Thompson, Legislative and Policy Affairs Director
Project Update
Conduct a review of current Student Organizations and determine which may want to apply for agency status. 

President Kirk, Vice President Thornton, Treasurer Brand, and Director Thompson meet and have decided to invite the Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Multicultural Greek Council, Panhellenic Council and the Community Service Board to consider becoming Association Agencie
Continue to define the agencies and their role on campus. - COMPLETE

Vice President Thornton, Treasurer Brand, and Director Thompson have meet to define agencies and expectations, will turn those into policy practices to leave behind for future Administrations. 

Treasurer Brand will be including an increase to Agency funding and the Central Office will initiate Phase 3 of the Agency plan to compensation Agency Presidents in FY24. 
Athletic Engagement

Objective: To involve ourselves with more athletic events and activities on campus.

Update Due: By December 2022

Cabinet Lead:

  1. Clarence Albury, Community Engagement and Outreach Director
  2. Mary Elizabeth Thornton, Student Body Vice President
Project Update
Meet with Athletic Director to determine what Student Government can contribute. 

No Update 
Coordinate tailgates and other events with Athletics. 

No Update
Engage in Student Panels with Athletics - COMPLETE

Several members of SGA met with Athletics for the Panel and provided feedback and issues to Athletics.

 

Expand Education on SGA

Objective: More video, graphics, and educational meetings to reach out to all students

Update Due: By March 2022

Cabinet Leads:

  1. Dalton Dicks, Public Relations Director
  2. Alyssa Pfeifer, Media Relations Director
  3. Ramon Mosate, Creative Design Director
Outreach & Constructive Base  

Objective: To interact with the community and the campus life here, and to see what the best way to do that is

Update due by March 2023

Cabinet Lead:

  1. Clarence Albury, Community Engagement and Outreach Director
Project Update
Develop a sustainable outreach plan for members of the Association to garner feedback
  1. No Update
Establish Major Events Fund
  1. President Kirk, Treasurer Brand and Director Thompson have meet to hear information about the prior major events fund with the Student Activities Council
  2. Director Thompson is formalizing a proposal to garner feedback from the Senate prior to formal introduction 
Free Food Trucks Monthly Giveback Event 
  1. No Update
Volunteering in the Campus and Wichita State Communities - COMPLETED
  1. Director Albury, representing SGA has attended several service events in the community. President Kirk will be requiring service hours for members of the Executive Branch moving forward. An Executive Order will be issued to formalize this
Launch SGA’s Annual Survey 
  1. Chief of Staff Hoopes and Director Dicks will reconvene the Survey Board to develop and create SGA’s Annual Survey to garner feedback from students about issues impacting students. Survey will launch after Thanksgiving Break
  2. The Board will meet and send the Survey out after Thanksgiving Break and will close prior to Final Exams
  3. The Board will review feedback in January and issue a report prior to Spring Leadership Retreat 
Food Insecurity + Advancements of the Locker  

Objective: Focusing on initiating a Farmers market on campus as well as giving support in the Shocker Support Locker and finding what we can do to best support them

Update Due: By March 2023

Cabinet Lead

  1. Jay Thompson, Legislative and Policy Affairs Director
  2. Omarian Brantley, Undergraduate Student Advocate
  3. Noah Carter, Health and Wellness Director
Project Update
Canned food drive for athletic admission
  1. Potential Raffle for Courtside Seat, Parking Spot, etc.
Coordinate an organization food drive competition
  1. SOC Chair Jonathan Stanger will coordinate this with the Student Organizations Council and the SEAL office. 
  2. The prize will be determined based on available funds.  
Better advertising/presence of food for fines.
  1. Advocates Brantley and Sumpter are working with Director Dicks to create a series of videos advertising food for fines. 
 
Review Organization Appropriations  

Objective: Looking over the whole Appropriations process and seeing what we need to fix, as well as seeing if we need to raise the dollar amount in the fund.

Update Due: By December 2022

Cabinet Lead

  1. Jacob Brand, Student Body Treasurer
  2. Jonathan Stanger, Student Organizations Director
Project Update
Determine better transparency for the appropriations process. 
  1. The Student Organization Council will be made aware of the appropriations process.  
Make decision making clear to RSO’s 
  1. We will make appropriations changes clear.  
Institute more internal systems to ensure money is easily accessible
  1. There are ongoing conversations with the Student Body Treasurer and the SOC chair to determine the best way to improve the process. 
 
Enhance SGA's Student Organization Engagement  

Objective: Actively seeking more feedback from the students and going to org meetings/chapter meetings to see what the students are needing.

Update Due: By March 2023

Cabinet Lead

  1. Jonathan Stanger, Student Organizations Director
  2. Andruw Hoopes, Chief of Staff
Project Update
Continue to utilize the Student Organization Council to determine the needs of RSO’s. 
  1.  Student Organizations Chair Jonathan Stanger will continue to have monthly meetings with RSO’s. 
Develop a system of engagement to have SGA presence with organizations.  
  1. Chief of Staff Andruw Hoopes and SOC Chair Jonathan Stanger are developing a system for organizations to host SGA officials.  
Re-Establish the Major Events Fund  

Objective: Bring back this fund that was designed to help facilitate two large events for the students on this campus every year

Update Due: By March 2023

Cabinet Lead

  1. Jacob Brand, Student Body Treasurer
  2. Jay Thompson, Legislative and Policy Affairs Director
Project Update
Meet with the SAC and get information regarding what the major events fund was in the past. - COMPLETE
  1. President Kirk, Director Thompson and Treasurer Brand met with SAC leadership to discuss this
Looking over all documents from the past and (contracts, agreements, and the path of how we are going to pick the talent for the concerts/ shows.) - COMPLETE
  1. A framework has been created
Gather all the information from students 
  1. Going to the students and making sure there is a need  
  2. Helping SAC Create a form for students to be able to give their impute on what type of entertainment they want.  
Presenting all the information to the Senate about how we have gotten students' input and that this is for everyone on this campus 
  1. Using public forum to update the senate/ students on what we are doing and creating a link to send out to the senate for them to give their feedback on what they are wanting from this and who they would like to see.   
Invest in Financial Literacy

Objective: Helping students understand how to effectively save money and providing them the opportunity to learn how to be ready for life after college

Update Due: By December 2022

Cabinet Lead

  1. Jacob Brand, Student Body Treasurer
Project Update
Work with the office of Student Money Management to assist in financial literacy efforts for the students.  
  1. Treasurer Brand is working closely with the Office of Student Money Management to ensure that students are aware of these resources.  
Bring the Office of Student Money Management to a Senate meeting to make Senators aware of the resources available.  
  1. An invitation will be sent out to have a representative come speak in Public Forum.  
Invest in the Freshman Leadership Council  

Objective: Growing the council and having at least one service/one outreaching event a semester

Update Due: By March 2023

Cabinet Lead

  1. Mary Elizabeth Thornton, Student Body Vice President
  2. Brooke Guy, Leadership and Engagement Director
Rhatigan Student Center Renovation Project

Objective: With the current RSC Bond almost up, a conversation during the 63rd Session about renewing the Bond was had. It is the priority of this Administration that the discussion regarding the next phase of the RSC renovation continues and comes up for a vote.

Update Due: By February 2023

Cabinet Lead

  1. John Kirk, Student Body President
  2. Mary Elizabeth Thornton, Student Body Vice President
  3. Jacob Brand, Student Body Treasurer
Wilner Auditorium Renovation  

Objective: With conversations with the RSC renovation taking place and the demolition of the CAC, to better serve the needs of students, this Administration will work to include Wilner Auditorium in the project for the RSC Renovation.

Update Due: By February 2023

Cabinet Lead:

  1. John Kirk, Student Body President
  2. Mary Elizabeth Thornton, Student Body Vice President
  3. Jacob Brand, Student Body Treasurer

About John Kirk

When John Kirk took his first Oath of Office as a Fine Arts Senator during the 62nd Session (2019-2020), his commitment to the student body took life. President Kirk's vision for a student body and the Student Government took effect during his first term on the Student Fees Commission. As a Commissioner, he learned the ins and outs of the SGA Student Services Fee and made tough decisions to serve the needs of the greater student body. His dedication to the Association grew when he was re-elected as a Fine Arts Senator during the 63rd Session (2020-2021). During his second term in office, President Kirk help lead efforts to reform the Student Fees process and was integral in the creation of the Organization Appropriations Fund. After his re-election for the third time during the 64th Session (2021-2022) as a Fine Arts Senator,  President Kirk was appointed to chair the Budget and Finance Committee, leading the inaugural Appropriations Committee allocating over $100,000 to student organizations and took on a senior senator role to elevate and raise the next generation of Senators. During his final election, President Kirk was sworn in as the Speaker of the Student Senate, leading the Legislative Branch, with his primary objective of gaining and retaining the trust of students of the Student Government. Now as the 116th Student Body President, John Kirk is fired up and focused on leading the student body during such an exciting and engaging time at Wichita State University.

About Mary Elizabeth Thornton

When Mary Elizabeth Thornton began her career as an undergraduate student at Wichita State in the fall of 2019, she quickly began getting involved on campus through the Student Engagement, Advocacy and Leadership Office and on campus jobs. Although Student Government was not among the initial involvements on Mary Elizabeth’s list, her passion for serving her fellow students did not go unnoticed. She began serving in different leadership roles within SEAL during the 2020-2021 school year and her passion and vision continued to grow. After attending LeaderShape in the fall of 2021, Mary Elizabeth began working for the Vice President of Student Affairs. With the mentorship of the leaders in the division of Student Affairs, Mary Elizabeth was confirmed as an Underserved Senator in August of 2022 in addition to the several other leadership roles she held on campus. Within the first week of her confirmation, Mary Elizabeth began working with the Ways and Means Committee and helped recommend 3 new student organizations for recognized status through the university. Mary Elizabeth currently serves as a peer coach for the Office of Student Success, the Chapter President of her sorority until the end of her term in December 2022, and has most recently been elected to the position of Student Body Vice President with goals of supporting President Kirk and the cabinet in executing their priorities. Mary Elizabeth’s passion for her fellow students drives her focus and excitement for the 2022-23 school year as the Wichita State Student Body Vice President.