Newbern discussed the Alumni Association’s “Career Consultants” program, which allows students and recent graduates to connect with experienced ambassadors in their desired career fields.

The program gives students transitioning into their new careers advice and networking opportunities.

Newbern said he hoped to better promote the “Career Consultants” program through SGA and took suggestions from senators on ways they think students could better be reached about the program.

“We’re always talking about what we can do to make life for students better,” Newbern said during the meeting.

Students interested in the program can contact the Alumni Association at alumni@wku.edu.

Three bills were also passed during the meeting.

Bill 5-24-F approves the allocation of $150 for the HilltopPeer program participation incentives for the month of November. 

The HilltopPeers is a newly introduced program sponsored by the Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Committee to help students connect based on their academic interests, professional goals and hobbies.

The bill allows spending for $10 Spencer’s vouchers for the on-campus location. The vouchers are limited to the first 15 HilltopPeers pairs, although all students are encouraged to participate.

“As the weather gets a little colder, we’re all feeling a little more depressed. We need a friend,” Megan Farmer, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee head and senior senator, said in her speech of affirmation for the bill.

“I think this is a good way for people who might not talk to people in their classes or talk to people in person to get connected and get excited about making a friend,” Farmer said.

The vouchers will be kept in the SGA office located in Downing Student Union 2081 and will require the signature of both HilltopPeer student pairs. 

Bill 6-24-F approves funding for TopperChef, a one-night cooking class to explore how cooking can promote mental health and physical well-being.  

The money will be used to purchase ingredients, utensils and cleaning supplies.

The event will be hosted on Thursday, Nov. 4 in the Academic Complex 2002 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The cooking class will be limited to the first 21 students who sign up through a Microsoft form that will be posted on the official SGA Instagram and website.

Bill 7-24-F approves funding for the SGA Hill-O-Ween event. The event will feature tables from the Campus Improvements and Sustainability Committee, the Enrollment and Student Experience Committee and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee for Halloween-related activities.

Registered student organizations will also be invited to table alongside SGA via email.

The event will be held Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. in Centennial Mall in front of Downing Student Union.

All bills passed unanimously. 

Demani Bell, a musical theater major, was appointed as senator-at-large, and Sydney Rettig, a hospitality and tourism major, was appointed as non-traditional/transfer senator by Student Body President Sam Kurtz after he received their nominations to fill some of the empty senate seats by current SGA members. 

The graduate senator and ISEC senator seats have not been filled and are open for nomination. 

Additionally, four SGA senators were subjected to the Judicial Council due to excessive absences of three or more.

SGA members are required to submit an excuse for missing weekly meetings or required events according to a statement made by Chief Justice Ellen Henderson during her Judicial Council report. 

“Please make sure you are committed to the organization that you are in. You guys chose to join this,” Henderson said, “Senate meetings, committee meetings, office hours, those are mandatory events. They are not optional.”

The names of the four senators subjected to the Judicial Council were not released during the meeting and will be contacted by the Judicial Council privately to set up a meeting.

News Reporter Libby Simpson can be reached at  elizabeth.simpson736@topper.wku.edu.

The panelists included Assistant Chief Jason Scott of the Bowling Green Police Department, Agent Micheal Johnson from Homeland Security Investigations, Chief Deputy Kevin Wiles of the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, Agent Jamie Gordon from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and Chief Mitchell Walker from the Western Kentucky University Police Department. 

The discussion included topics such as the role of their agencies, advice for aspiring law enforcement professionals, education and training experiences and the perception of law enforcement in the media.

“There are many other job functions within any law enforcement agency,” Johnson said to attendees,  “So computer forensics, intel analysis, there’s a whole plethora of other job functions that go with the law enforcement investigations side.” 

Gordon and Johnson emphasized the importance of honesty and awareness when posting on social media. 

“Social media is a big downfall for us, as far as new recruits,” Gordon said, “That is one of the things a lot of students get jammed up halfway through the academy from social media, so be careful with that. It does come back on everybody.” 

The panelists also discussed how their different agencies are affected by the media. 

Scott and Walker talked about the appreciation they receive and their positive relationship with the Bowling Green community and local media. 

“We have an excellent relationship with our local news outlets. I can’t think of too many, if any, negative stories that have been made against the Bowling Green police,” Scott said, “I like to think that we have a very good name in the community, and that’s echoed in the interactions that were having with people when we’re out to just normal calls.”

Scott asked students to do their own research about topics including law enforcement in the media. 

“Anything you see in the media always, whether a big case or its against an officer, I challenge you to try and do some independent research first before you jump to conclusions,” said Scott. 

The discussion ended with a segment open for students to ask any questions they may have for the panelists. 

When asked a question about how to refrain from letting their job affect their personal life, Gordon responded with “It’s a challenge.” 

Wiles highlighted some common struggles that people might face while working in law enforcement and shared how he copes. 

“Alcoholism is a problem in law enforcement and you have a lot of divorces, so I do think it’s something to be aware of if you’re going into this field,” said Wiles, “For me, it’s running. I love to run, so I run just about every day. It helps with my mental health.” 

The event concluded with a reminder from panelists of available internships for students with a passion for law enforcement and that students can contact their offices if interested. 

News Reporter Libby Simpson can be reached at elizabeth.simpson736@topper.wku.edu.

The Brown Bag lecture series allows for a showcase of work in progress in a casual setting.  The presentations encourage attendees to bring their lunches and are free. 

“The goal is to offer professional development opportunities for students, faculty and friends of the department who need an informal space to exchange ideas, explore new research, or work through relevant problems,” said Dr. Jean-Luc Houle, the faculty member facilitating the series. 

The series will include 3 dates with presentations from faculty and students: 

• September 27: “Working with Faculty: Research, Mentorship, and Job Skills” with Dr. Marcus Brooks, Kaylee Hawkins and Keziah Monk.
• October 5: “From Classroom to Field: Archaeology in Mongolia” with GiGi Lamb, Julius Aylin and Madison Butler.
• November 15: “Floaties for Krakens: How A Podcast About Monstrosity Teaches Us About Humanity” with Camille Acosta, Folklife Specialist. 

All lectures will be held in Fine Arts Center 249 from 12:40 p.m. to 1:40 p.m.  

News Reporter Libby Simpson can be reached at elizabeth.simpson736@topper.wku.edu. 

Resolution 1-24-F allows for SGA to support four fundraisers throughout the semester to raise $2,000 for Potter Children’s Home holiday expenses.

SGA will hold a series of events and booths to help reach the two thousand dollar goal. Each event will have a QR code directing students to a GoFundMe where they can donate to the cause.

“The whole goal is to mix having students on campus engaging with not only SGA but also organizations outside of SGA and Western Kentucky University,” said Jade Ismail, sophomore senator and author of both resolutions.

One event will be held in September, two in October, and one in December.

Resolution 2-24-F details “Soarin’ in September,” the first fundraiser in the Potter Children’s Home Initiative.

The fundraising event will be held for WKU students at Jump Air Zone from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25. Students will pay a $10 entry fee to participate, which includes the full two hours and socks. All participants will be required to sign a safety and liability waiver.

Ismail said 40% of all proceeds will go towards the Potter Children’s Home Fund.

“I think this is a really phenomenal idea,” Sophia Bryant, Potter College of Arts and Letters senator and student mental health and wellbeing committee chair, said. “I think making this open to all students for a common goal of raising money for a really good program is just an amazing idea.”

Both resolutions passed unanimously.

Caroline Yates was also appointed and sworn into her position on the Graduate Advisory Council at the meeting.

Chief Justice Ellen Henderson gave an update on the fall 2024 election, announcing 20 students running for freshman senator, one for the Gatton Academy senator, one for international senator, and zero for the graduate senator.

Fall 2024 elections will be held on Thursday, Sept. 26, and Friday, Sept. 27 on TopNet.

News Reporter Libby Simpson can be reached at elizabeth.simpson736@topper.wku.edu. 

The event offers connections with over 20 local nonprofit organizations, which will allow students to have one-on-one conversations with agencies whose missions include a variety of social issues, according to an email sent by Holli Drummond, department chair of society, culture, crime and justice studies, on Wednesday, Sept 11.

“We hope students of disciplines across WKU will walk away with an understanding of the diversity of nonprofits in our community serving social and human needs, as well as how they may join with them through volunteer experiences, educational internships, and employment opportunities,” Drummond said in the email.

The nonprofit organizations to be present at the event are as follows:

• BRACAC (Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center)
• BRADD (Barren River Area Development District)
• BRASS (Barren River Area Safe Space)
• Bowling Green Freedom Walkers
• Boys and Girls Club of Bowling Green, KY
• CAREUSTZ
• CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates
• Center for Courageous Kids
• Community Education, Bowling Green and Warren County
• Glean KY
• Hope Harbor, Ind.: A Sexual Trauma Recovery Center
• The International Center of Kentucky
• Junior Achievement
• Kentucky Legal Aid
• KY Kids on the Block
• Lifeskills
• Light of Chance, Inc.
• The Love and Grace Center
• South Central Area Health Education Center
• Refuge BG

 The event is described in the email as “drop-in style” for smaller, more personal connections.

 “Networking with Nonprofits” will be held at Downing Student Union 3024-3025 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m on Monday, Sept. 16. 

News Reporter Libby Simpson can be reached at elizabeth.simpson736@topper.wku.edu.

Bill 50-23-S reaffirms SGA’s commitment to serve as a representation of the student body and not as a political group. The bill continues to emphasize SGA’s role as a student organization and its duty to “only put forward nonpartisan legislation.” 

Bill 50-23- S passed in the Senate unanimously. 

Many members were also appointed and sworn into their new committee seats.

Chief Financial Officer Ethan Taylor appointed multiple members to the Organizational Aid Board. Additionally, Rush Robinson was named the chair of the Campus Improvements and Sustainability Committee and Hadley Whipple was sworn in as Secretary of the Senate.

Student Body President Sam Kurtz also appointed Hailey Stapleton to the Judicial Council. 

Chief of Staff Anne-Marie Wright spoke about the Borrow-A-Calculator program started in collaboration with the Center of Innovative Teaching and Learning, the Department of Mathematics and Ogden College of Business. 

The program allows students to borrow brand-new TI-84 graphing calculators for their coursework free of charge. Students can borrow the calculators for one week and have the option of renewing for an additional time. A valid student ID is necessary for checkout. 

The details provided in the meeting followed an announcement email sent by White on Aug. 29.

The calculators can be picked up at the SGA front desk, located at DSU 2045, Monday-Friday from 9 p.m. to 5 p.m.

News Reporter Libby Simpson can be reached at elizabeth.simpson736@topper.wku.edu.

From recreation to education, WKU offers over 250 Registered Student Organizations open to all students. According to WKU’s website, RSO’s are opportunities to form and create student-led organizations based on shared interests, passions and hobbies.

“Involvement in an RSO will allow individuals to meet new people, develop their interest, become engaged and have fun,” WKU’s website states.

DiscoverFest will be located in the Downing Student Union Courtyard Lawn, located between DSU and Minton Hall. 

News Reporter Libby Simpson can be reached at elizabeth.simpson736@topper.wku.edu.