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Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower

Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower

Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower

Sen. Evelyn Lewis raises her hand to ask a question during an April 2 Student Senate meeting.

SGA pushes for Wichita State to offer student diversity training

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor April 18, 2025

Wichita State’s Student Senate voted for an act asking the university to create an optional diversity training for its students at its Wednesday night meeting. “Our campus is relatively diverse,...

Sen. Josh Mallard introduces the Bike Rack Installation and Commuter  Kindness (BRICK) Act on April 2.

Student Senate asks for more bike racks on campus

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor April 17, 2025

Wichita State’s Student Senate voted to ask the university to install more bike racks on campus and make other changes to make campus more “commuter-friendly.” Sen. Cynthia Pizzini said at the...

A screenshot of the update, shared via WSU's faculty and staff newsletter. (Courtesy of Wichita State University)

Wichita State issues update on budget following shortfall concerns, close of legislative session

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor April 17, 2025

Kansas officially passed its state budget after Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed sections, and the legislature overrode most of those vetoes. The budget’s finalization means a clearer picture of the budget outlook...

(Photo illustration)

I can read CLEAR-ly now: state literacy initiatives shape School of Education curriculum

Riley Sipes, Reporter April 17, 2025

Based on 2024 state testing scores, about 33% of Kansas third graders exhibit limited literacy skills. This is a significant jump from 2015, when only 20% of students fell into this margin. To deplete...

Student Body Vice President Matthew Phan presides over the April 16 Student Senate meeting, in the absence of the speaker. Phan co-sponsored a bill amending funding regulations.

SGA makes several changes to how it allocates funding, including new $20,000 cap

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor April 16, 2025

Wichita State’s Student Senate spent the better part of two meetings discussing several proposed changes to procedures for funding students and organizations. At its Wednesday night meeting, the Senate...

AFT Kansas Director of Member Services Amy Jensen gives a banana sticker to Joe Hanford. Jensen and other member passed out banana stickers to passersby in the Rhatigan Student Center, asking them to show their support for the union's request for increased wages.

‘It’s bananas’: Unionized university staff gear up for pay negotiations

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor April 16, 2025

A small group, primarily of WSU employees, handed out banana stickers to people at Wichita State’s student center on Tuesday, telling recipients to wear them the following day. The bright yellow symbols...

Graduate Student Parker Binns acts as a blower at the prescribed fire.

‘Being out, hiking, and setting things on fire’: Students help with environmental work

Sophia Best, Reporter April 16, 2025

There is a lot that Wichita State students can do to help the environment: joining the Green Group, a sustainability organization, remembering to recycle on campus, or, like biology student Alex Dudley,...

A Wichita State University police car parked on campus (file photo)

Car stolen from campus over the weekend

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor April 15, 2025

A vehicle was reported stolen from a Wichita State parking lot on Saturday, according to campus police. The vehicle was stolen from Lot 1, a student and visitor parking lot, along Hillside Street at...

The Kansas State Capitol building. (File photo)

Kansas legislators seek study on higher education efficiency

Kami Steinle, Reporter April 14, 2025

A Kansas bill would create a commission to evaluate the efficiency of higher education. Outlined in the bill, members of the commission would provide recommendations to the legislature in an attempt to...

A screenshot of the virtual town hall with Student Government and university leaders on April 10. Student Body President Kylee Hower and Vice President Mathew Phan posed questions for university President Richard Muma, Provost Monica Lounsbery and Vice President for Student Affairs Teri Hall.

Budget shortfall, DEI and changes to campus: Here’s what students asked university leadership at a recent town hall

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor April 13, 2025

Wichita State University leadership addressed several issues relating to campus in a virtual town hall with student government leaders on Thursday. The president, provost and vice president for Student...

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Lesly Hernandez addresses the student body during the State of the Student Body on Sept. 4.

SGA confirms chief justice for second term

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor April 11, 2025

Lesly Hernandez, a junior majoring in political science, serves as the chief justice for the Wichita State Student Government Association’s Supreme Court. After being confirmed by the Student Senate...

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