UNK Student government is working on several projects aimed at improving student health. Last week, the Student Senate approved Senate Bill 2025-01, which allocates discretionary funds for the on-campus sand volleyball construction project.
Sam Schroeder, UNK student regent and student body president, said student government has been working on this project for a long time.
“While the bill is very important for making that happen and providing that funding, the approval of the project last semester was huge,” Schroeder said. “They’ve been trying to do that for decades.”
The construction project will include the installation of three sand volleyball courts on the west side of campus. The courts will be available for use by the entire student body and the Kearney community. UNK athletics will also benefit from this project, specifically for the volleyball players to compete as a NCAA Division II beach volleyball team.
UNK will provide $20,000 in funding for this project, with contributions from student government, the chancellor’s office, athletics, volleyball and campus recreation. Construction will begin in 2025.
The Student Senate approved Brenden Sloup to fill the senate vacancy in the College of Arts and Sciences. Sloup is majoring in health science with minors in mental and behavioral health and healthcare management. His focus is on students’ health through improving mental and physical well-being, as well as nutrition.
This week, Schroeder and Sloup will be meeting with UNK Dining and Sodexo to discuss the options provided for students with food allergies and the nutritional value of the offerings.
Zane Grizzle, student body vice president, is organizing a campus-wide mental health discussion. Jason Sharp, a youth mental health advocate and business adviser, has been invited to speak at the event. Grizzle has been in contact with athletics, residence life and Greek life about involvement with this event.
“I’m not going to stop there,” Grizzle said. “I’m going to try to find other ways to reach out to more student organizations and get them involved.”
The Senate also held hearings for their Student Organization Investment Fund, which finances recognized student organizations. The hearings resulted in approved funding for ROTC, UNK Climbing Club, Sports and Recreation Club and a new student organization, Stomp Out the Stigma.
Stomp Out the Stigma was previously known as the American Association for Suicide Prevention Campus Walk Committee. In the summer of 2024, the committee disaffiliated with the AASP and created its own organization. The new student organization aims to expand its cause to all mental health disorders and illnesses, not just depression and suicide. Stomp Out the Stigma was seeking funds for their Mindfulness Walk that will take place in May.
Beyond projects centered on health, Schroeder and the rest of the student government are looking to preserve their accomplishments from last semester.
In November, the Student Senate reinstated international student transportation in partnership with Chance Bell, vice chancellor of UNK Global. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee has been working to get this program running for the spring semester.
“Finding the drivers has been the challenge, but there’s been good conversations and good dialogue of ways student government can support our international students and UNK Global,” said Renae Zimmer, student government adviser and director of student engagement.
In January, Gov. Jim Pillen outlined his proposed biennial budget during his State of the State address, which included a 2.07% cut to the University of Nebraska. Schroeder said there is a potential for increased tuition and program cuts across the entire NU system. As student regent, he said he will advocate for UNK at the legislative level.
“That poses a significant threat to what we have going on at UNK for a lot of students and a lot of staff and faculty,” Schroeder said.
