Student Engagement and Belonging

Student Engagement and Belonging¹ takes pride in creating and maintaining connections with various communities outside of campus and within Wichita State University. Our office cosponsors many different functions through these partnerships in order to provide our institution more variety and higher quality in multicultural events and programs. We provide dynamic programs, which range from speakers and documentaries to award ceremonies and cultural festivities — each representing a small piece of the diversity displayed on the WSU campus.

Throughout the year, the office offers an array of academic, cultural, social and outreach programs. In student programs and organizations like Promoting Academic Student Success, Ambassadors for Diversity and Inclusion, Men of Excellence and Phenomenal Women, students are given the opportunity to learn more about diversity and the resources available to provide a more rewarding college experience.

Diversity has a positive impact on all students. In fact, when students identify their college campus as a nondiscriminatory environment, underrepresented students feel a greater sense of belonging and majority students show greater support for the University's diversity efforts. Here, we highlight several benefits when students engage with our office:

• Successful student transition to college life and introduction to campus resources, such as our computer lab to enhance student learning;
• Opportunity to meet friends and connect with other faculty and staff;
• Support systems for academic success;
• Unique leadership opportunities inside and outside of the University; and
• Cultural awareness to work and lead in a diverse world.

Through the Student Engagement and Belonging, students can learn how to get involved with:

• WSU events and traditions,
• Greek life,
• Community service,
• Leadership development opportunities,
• National Student Exchange,
• Student government,
• And so much more!

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Student Government Association

Wichita State believes that one of its primary tasks is preparing students for the responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society. With this in mind, the University places an increasing emphasis on the role the Student Government Association plays on campus.

The legislative, executive and judicial responsibilities of SGA are vested in the Student Senate, the executive officers and cabinet, and the SGA Supreme Court. The senate appoints students to many university and faculty senate committees, recognizes and funds more than 300 student organizations, and allocates approximately $10 million annually in student fees to campus agencies including the Heskett Center, Rhatigan Student Center and Student Health Services. SGA also provides opportunities to fund education through scholarships. The scholarships include the James J. Rhatigan Leadership Scholarship, SGA International Student Scholarship, SGA Endowed Scholarship and the SGA Endowed Summer Scholarship.

Students come first. Each student is automatically a member of SGA and is eligible to vote in the annual elections in April. Throughout the year, openings exist on the Student Senate, as well as in many of the university committees. All students are encouraged to participate in student government through the many opportunities SGA offers.

For more information, contact the Student Government Association, 219 Rhatigan Student Center, Wichita State University; 316-978-3480, sga@wichita.edu.

Student Organizations

Student organizations may be granted the privileges of university recognition if they are registered with Student Engagement and Belonging and approved by the Student Government Association (SGA). To be approved, each organization must create a profile on ShockerSync.wichita.edu, which can be accessed through myWSU. As part of the profile, each organization must list their officers with contact information, upload a copy of the organization's constitution and bylaws, and list an advisor’s name and contact information. Once an organization has provided all necessary information, it may be granted official recognition by SGA which means it may use Wichita State in its name, use university venues for meetings/events, use university marketing resources, request funds from SGA in accordance with established procedures and guidelines, and be listed as a WSU organization in university publications. Records of recognized organizations are maintained in Student Engagement, Advocacy and Leadership.

For more information on how to become a recognized student organization, please see the Student Engagement and Belonging website.¹

For a list of currently recognized student organizations, visit the WSU ShockerSync website.¹

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