March 11, 2021
SGA introducing resolution regarding the Action Plan for a More Inclusive K-State
This week at Student Senate, Student Governing Association will hear a resolution regarding the Action Plan for a More Inclusive K-State. This resolution was developed by student government leaders in conjunction with both students at-large and K-State administrators to outline additional recommendations for the Action Plan for a More Inclusive K-State.
Students are who interested in the resolution can get involved in multiple ways. Any student currently enrolled at K-State can sign the resolution as an additional co-author. Students wishing to sign the resolution must complete the following form.
Students who are interested are also invited to either attend Student Senate or SGA's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee if they wish to learn more or speak about the resolution. Student Senate meets at 7 p.m. CST Thursdays via Zoom. Students who would like to attend Student Senate should email Speaker of the Student Senate, Nathan Bothwell, at ndbothwell@k-state.edu. SGA's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee meets at 6:45 p.m. on Mondays via Zoom. Students who would like to attend the committee should email the committee chair, Natalia Rodriquez, at rodriguezns@k-state.edu.
The resolution currently contains the following recommendations:
1. Kansas State University Student Governing Association, or KSU SGA, recommends that the Action Plan for a More Inclusive K-State have all steps enter the "Launched" phase by May.
2. KSU SGA recommends that university administration develop a communication plan for the Action Plan for a More Inclusive K-State which would include biweekly updates to the Student Senate and monthly updates to the K-State student body.
3. KSU SGA recommends that the university administration explore implementing sanctions for individuals who commit online or in-person acts of incitement against protected communities.
4. KSU SGA recommends that the newly created Student Ombudsperson's Office compile and publish a centralized report of aggregated data on an annual basis regarding incidents of discrimination from the Office of Institutional Equity, the Student Ombudsperson's Office, the Office of Student Life and the Clery Act Federal Compliance office.
5. KSU SGA recommends that university administration look to implement mandatory intercultural and dialogue-based educational experiences such as:
A. A revamped Wildcat Dialogues-style event that takes place over multiple days in order to foster constructive conversation and dialogue among students.
B. A mandatory, online learning module similar to ASAP training, through the use of OpenMind, a free nonprofit platform originally developed at New York University for all students, faculty and staff.
C. An updated course list for the K-State 8 area of "Human Diversity Within the U.S." to ensure that students learn to identify and discuss diverse perspectives and experiences.
The resolution will be introduced to Student Senate this week. After the resolution is introduced, it will be discussed at the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee meeting on Monday, March 15. After that committee meeting, Student Senate will formally vote on the resolution on Thursday, March 18. Once approved by Student Senate, the resolution shall be distributed to university administration.