Student Advisory Council-July 16 2026

The Student Advisory Council (SAC) of the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) convened on July 16, 2026, to discuss the proposal of reestablishing a student lobbying entity, tentatively named the Kansas Student Association (KSA). The discussion focused on creating a political infrastructure to advocate for student interests at the state legislature, especially in light of recent funding cuts and legislative actions affecting higher education. The proposal includes hiring a full-time lobbyist funded by contributions from student governments based on their population, with an estimated budget of $40,000 to $60,000. Concerns were raised regarding budget constraints, legal and jurisdictional authority of SAC to manage such an entity, and the effectiveness of existing advocacy efforts like Higher Education Day. The council agreed to continue exploring the feasibility of the initiative, including legal consultations and coordination with university administrations, while also planning strategic advocacy activities for the upcoming legislative session. No formal votes were recorded, but there was consensus on the need for further discussion and planning.