Executive members of Murray State’s Student Government Association traveled to Frankfort recently, to participate in the Student Rally for Higher Education.
According to a Facebook post made by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, the event was organized by state presidents of university student body organizations. Aaron Thompson, the CPE president, also attended.
Ali Khatib, SGA president, said that he and the executive members of SGA met with various legislators, CPE representatives and members of other student government groups across Kentucky, who he must meet with once a month.
In particular, they met with Rep. MaryBeth Imes, R-Murray, Rep. JT Payne, R-Uniontown, Rep. Adam Moore, R-Lexington, Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray and Majority Leader Steven Rudy, R-Paducah.
Khatib said members of SGA spoke to legislators about House Bill 490, advising them to vote against it. The bill seeks to require the board of regents and trustees of postsecondary education institutions to create a means to remove faculty members based on certain specified requirements, which are chiefly financial. The parameters for removal include financial hindrances, low enrollment of a particular program or major and the misalignment of revenue and costs in a program, college, department or major. Khatib said that Imes had voted against the bill; however, it has already passed the House of Representatives and is to be voted on by the Senate.
Khatib also said that SGA spoke out against House Bill 500, which proposes a budget to manage the allocation of the state of Kentucky’s funds. This entails a 16% cut to postsecondary institutions, translating to a $9 million reduction towards Murray State University. The bill also stipulates the amount given in bonds towards maintenance and renovation to Murray State. It has also passed the House of Representatives and awaits Senate approval.
Khatib stressed the significance of these bills and said that many more minor legislative documents were discussed with representatives. He also said that an increased emphasis has been placed on members of SGA to lobby on behalf of the University following the departure of Jordan Smith, the former assistant vice president of public affairs, to work at Eastern Kentucky University.
Maggie White, SGA vice president of administration, spoke of their meeting with legislators.
“We were able to thank them for their previous support and for their support for the vet school,” White said. “We also encouraged them to continue their support for the Murray State/Louisville Medical School initiative and asset preservation.”
House Bill 153 was proposed last year and later approved, allowing Murray State University to offer a doctorate in veterinary and medical sciences, along with a $60 million state grant to construct Jackson Hall. Murray State later received permission from CPE on Jan. 26, during a committee meeting.
Kade Gambill, Brooklyn Williams and Cameron Wright were also in attendance, but did not respond to questions.
