March Cabinet Update

The Western Student Association has continued to find new ways for students to stay engaged, informed, and empowered. Mental Health Week was a success! Students were pleased with opportunities to learn more about mental health as well as participate in activities such as therapy dogs, virtual yoga, stuffing stuffed animals, etc. to mentally prepare for midterms. Cabinet members have partnered with administrative champions to carry out our student-led social justice fund—aimed to eliminate educational disparities for Black and Brown students as well as raise WMU’s retention and graduation rates. This initiative is broken up to satisfy four components for effective change: the creation of new scholarships and affinity spaces, expansion of undergraduate research opportunities, and analyzing policies in place for the retention and recruitment for faculty of color. We hope to have some of the components of this fund launched by Summer II. Your student leaders on this year’s WSA administration have successfully hosted another joint cabinet meeting with the President’s cabinet. In this discussion, we were able to get updates from select Vice Presidents on efforts being made to better our university and students’ lives through financial support and different lobbying advancements. We were also able to open up the discussion to analyze the current university mission statement in hopes of reworking it together to be more reflective of our intentions and our community.

Our Vice President for Sustainability has held WSA accountable when negotiating and fighting for environmental justice, ending environmental racism while advancing sustainability. With a firm backing from our administration, the University has resurrected the Carbon Neutrality Committee to assist our university in becoming a champion in ending the climate crisis for humanity. As students, it is important to raise consciousness on the short-term harmful effects and more permanent long-term effects that climate change can have on our generation and generations to come. Our Vice President for Sustainability has successfully used her platform, in collaboration with the Office of Sustainability to host the first annual Student Sustainability Summit with 70+ participants engaged and passionate towards ending climate change. We have more projects scheduled this semester underway to educate, empower, and lead students towards positive change as well as some fun ones! Mark your calendars:

Environmental Justice Panel Event: Thursday March 11th and March 18th from 4-5:30pm

Dinner with the Delegates: Friday March 19th from 2-4pm

WSA Prom: Saturday March 20th at 7pm

Election Voting Week on Experience: March 22th at 8am – March 26th at 5pm

If you’ve missed any of our meetings this year, you are able to view them on our YouTube channel. This semester alone has been jam packed with presenters and speakers to inform you on volunteering, business and engagement opportunities. Make sure to check out a meeting. Last but not least, elections are underway! Student leaders are in the race to be your new student body president and vice president. Voting takes place the week of March 22nd on WMUExperience so, make sure to follow us on social media @wmuwsa for information on candidates and reminders on when are where to vote! Remember that your student government is the place to collaborate, share ideas, advocate and to empower other students. Be sure to tune in!