Student Senator Jamie Winslow introduced a bill to the student senate Wednesday evening that would create a university police advisory board to alleviate concerns about the Wichita State Police Department.
The board would be composed of 14 representatives from across campus, with members from student government, students with related majors, university police and other university leadership, and a non-voting representative from the city police department. Students would hold the majority on the board with eight seats.
Senator Winslow said that the board would create a way for students to “alleviate concerns” they had related to the police department, but made clear that it is not a board for appeals regarding criminal punishments from WSUPD or for parking citation relief. Winslow worked with WSU Police Chief Guy Schroeder to prepare the legislation. Schroeder spoke during the presentation of the bill.
“We will have an opportunity a couple of times a semester to sit down with students directly to have those conversations,” Schroader said. “We’ve tried the town hall meetings, they haven’t worked. This is one of our best avenues in, and it’s a great opportunity. I consider it a privilege to be here.”
“I’ve been here 12 years. We haven’t been able to get that accomplished.”
Off-campus activities
The bill states that there are “concerns regarding WSUPD and off-campus activity,” and that about 20% of WSUPD activity is labeled as “off-campus,” according to Chief Schroeder.
In the April 1 senate meeting, Schroeder defined off-campus activities as anything that happens outside of the main campus, often working with the city police department. This can include visits to the Metroplex, Shocker Studios, NIAR or other calls related to Wichita State. But, the priority is serving Wichita State.
“We want to keep our folks here as much as we can,” he said. “Staffing being the way that it is and being able to — finding good people to do this job is a challenge these days.”
SGA Adviser Gabriel Fonseca said that, though SGA has had similar collaborations with university police in the past, the move to create a police advisory board makes it “more permanent” and creates more student involvement in the process.
Conflicting thoughts on student seats
A few senators brought up concerns about two seats on the board reserved for students majoring in political science or criminal justice.
Senator Ismail Saeed suggested loosening this language.
“I feel in future sessions it may be interpreted as completely restricted to just these majors,” Saeed said. “And if this opportunity could serve people outside of these majors, or not in the specific criteria of political science or political justice, who are interested in police, I don’t think we should have to be restricted.”
“I am open to exploring any type of amendment that is brought up,” Senator Winslow said in response. But in this stage of the legislative process, he said he does not plan to change that language.
Senator TeRay Boyd suggested including people with law enforcement backgrounds, which Winslow rejected.
“I would specifically not want those people to serve in the student seat,” Winslow said, adding again that he would be willing to explore amendments.
The bill was referred to the Student Services Committee for approval and possible changes. It will likely return to the senate floor for debate and a vote.
The Student Senate meets every week on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Meetings are open to the public and live streamed on SGA’s YouTube. Members of the public, including students, can speak in the public forum period at each meeting.
