Wichita State Student Senate Approves Fee Budget Cuts

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Wichita State University's Student Senate approved a recommended budget for student fees allocations, which included cuts to several student services and scholarship funds. The budget cuts six items completely and partially cuts seven other items, despite over an hour of debate. The changes were made to fix a clerical error and change a condition on one item, but no other major changes were made to the recommended budget.

Why it matters

The student fee budget allocations impact a wide range of student services and scholarship programs at Wichita State. The cuts to these programs could significantly affect students, particularly those relying on scholarships and support services. The debate and decision-making process around the budget also highlights the role and power of the Student Senate in shaping the university's priorities.

The details

The Student Senate approved cuts to six items completely, including debate scholarships, esports scholarships, Varsity Esports, Disability Support Services scholarships, Student Outreach Services, and the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing. Seven other items received partial cuts, including first-generation student scholarships, non-traditional student scholarships, Student Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, HOPE Services, Campus Recreation, and the Student Government Association office expenditures. Several of the cut items have other funding sources, such as grants or administrative funding.

• The Student Senate approved the recommended budget at its Wednesday evening meeting, which went into the early hours of Thursday.
• The Senate voted to forego a second read on the budget, meaning no further changes to the allocations can be made at the next meeting on March 25.

What’s next

The Student Senate's next meeting is on March 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the Rhatigan Student Center, where they may make changes to the provisos, or conditions, placed on the budget items, but cannot make any further changes to the allocations.