LAWRENCE, Kan. — Haskell Indian Nations University held a special Student Senate election Thursday, Oct. 15, in Curtis Hall to fill vacant leadership positions and begin restoring student government operations after disruptions that affected campus organizations throughout this fall semester.
Austin Boykin, Student Government Association sponsor and retention technician at Haskell’s Student Success Center, said the election was necessary because the Student Senate lacked an executive board responsible for approving student organizations and conducting official government business.
Boykin estimated that approximately 12 Student Senate positions were vacant but could not confirm how long those positions had remained unfilled. Having recently assumed his role as sponsor, he has been reviewing the Student Senate constitution and existing records to determine what changes may be necessary.
The Oct. 15 ballot included Cody Peters for president, Tristan Tenorio for vice president and Marijayne Cournoyer for junior representative. Amyah Galloway and Emma Battiest appeared on the ballot for two freshman representative positions. Haskell students were also permitted to vote for write-in candidates.
A three-day appeal period is required before election results can be finalized and incoming representatives sworn into office.
Vacant Leadership Affects Student Organizations
The absence of an executive board has created challenges for student organizations seeking official recognition, commonly referred to as sanctioning.
According to Boykin, Haskell student clubs must renew their sanctioning every fall semester through the Student Senate. Without an executive board to approve their applications, he said, student clubs have remained unsanctioned during the 2026-27 academic year.
Boykin explained that the lack of official recognition limits student organizations’ ability to access funds held in the student treasury, conduct fundraisers, hold formal meetings, and participate in certain university-related activities.
Angel Antone Elizarraras, who served as Haskell’s SGA president during the 2025-26 academic year, estimated that roughly 30 to 40 student clubs received official sanctioning during that period.
The annual sanctioning process is rooted in Haskell’s Student Senate constitution, which Boykin said contains provisions dating back to the university’s junior college years. Although the process has continued over time, the absence of elected representatives has prevented student organizations from completing their annual recognition requirements this semester.
Boykin also expressed concerns about recordkeeping and the need to restore established procedures for maintaining student government documents. While reviewing Student Senate filing cabinets, he was unable to locate certain historical club sanctioning records.
Elizarraras indicated that paperwork from the previous academic year was available, although Boykin said copies were not among the records he examined.
As the new SGA sponsor, Boykin hopes to improve documentation and ensure student organizations receive clearer guidance about their responsibilities. He acknowledged that some organizations may not have received adequate instruction about sanctioning requirements under previous SGA leadership and sponsorship, before he assumed his current role.
Once seated, the incoming executive board will be responsible for determining how to address previous procedural concerns as student organizations seek official recognition.
Student Senate Prepares for First Meeting
Following the Oct. 15 special election, the incoming Student Senate representatives are scheduled to be sworn into office Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 5:30 p.m. in the Haskell library.
Alex Red Corn is expected to attend and administer the oath of office to the incoming Student Senate members. The ceremony will be followed by the first Student Senate meeting, which will be open to students and university staff.
One of the Senate’s first priorities will be reviewing sanctioning applications from student organizations that have been unable to renew their official recognition this semester.
Boykin said clubs seeking sanctioning should bring completed application packets containing all required signatures to the meeting. Once their applications are approved, organizations would be able to resume activities and access resources authorized through the student government process.
The first meeting is also expected to address the frequency of Student Senate meetings and potential changes to the constitution.
Looking Ahead: Changes to Student Government
Beyond restoring student organization recognition, Boykin hopes the incoming Senate will examine its constitution and consider changes to improve student government operations.
According to Boykin, the Student Senate constitution currently requires four meetings each month, consisting of two general assembly meetings and two Senate meetings.
Boykin questioned the necessity of attending four meetings per month as SGA sponsor and plans to recommend reducing the schedule to one general assembly meeting and one Senate meeting per month. He intends to present the proposal to the incoming Student Senate at its first meeting Oct. 20.
The proposed change would reduce the sponsor’s monthly meeting obligations while maintaining regular opportunities for student government representatives to conduct business.
The decision will rest with the incoming representatives, who will determine whether to maintain the existing requirements or pursue constitutional changes. Boykin anticipates that reviewing the constitution may require multiple meetings because of the number of provisions that need attention.
Another proposal involves restoring the involvement of Miss Haskell and Haskell Brave in student government. Boykin hopes their participation could provide additional leadership and continuity when executive board positions become vacant, although their possible return would require consideration through Student Senate procedures.
He also expressed interest in expanding leadership development opportunities for elected representatives, including attending conferences in Washington, D.C. These experiences, he hopes, would help students develop skills they can carry into their future careers and communities.
While these plans remain proposals, the incoming Senate will have an opportunity to establish its own priorities and determine how the student government should operate moving forward.
Boykin encouraged students to attend Student Senate meetings and bring forward concerns affecting campus life, emphasizing the importance of elected representatives in communicating student concerns to university leadership.
The Oct. 20 meeting will provide an opportunity for students and campus organizations to engage with their new representatives as the Student Senate begins addressing club recognition, reviewing government procedures and establishing its priorities for the remainder of the academic year.
