Idea for a Student Government (abt. 1928 - 1954)

First Thoughts

The first recorded idea for a student government at EKU was proposed by President Herman L. Donovan (1928-1941). He made a speech before the student body and faculty in November 1928 during which he laid out the values he observed that they need to strive towards. These goals included personal honesty, protection of public property, sobtriety, a higher degree of "comradeship" between students and faculty, and a student government. The Eastern Progress would subsequently publish a Progress Platform in each of their issues for nearly ten years which included a call to organize a student government. 

While President Donovan would end his tenure at Eastern before a student government was established, he did continually push for student involvment in administration by placing at least one student on nearly every university committee. 

First Organizations

The Open Forum Committee (OFC), founded during the Summer of 1924 (four years before President Donovan's tenure began), was the closest organization on campus said to have resembled a student government. Sponsored by faculty member, Dr. Anna Schnieb, the committee's purpose was to provide a line of communication for ideas and concerns between the administration and student body. This committee was the first of its kind in Kentucky, and was composed of all members of the student body. They sponsored a number of events, speakers, and initiatives until they fell into obscurity around 1930.

Their most substantial contribution was the revitilization of a small student loan fund, which awarded at-need students with scholarships of no more than fifty dollars. One of the students who took advantage of this new fund was a young Robert R. Martin, future president of EKU, who recieved a loan of thirty dollars in 1934.  

The Student Relationship Council (SRC) was founded in 1936 as a semi-successor to the Open Forum Committee. Their purpose was to bring about a better understanding between students and faculty members, primarily through the examination of university policy. They also hosted numerous events such as formal dances, fundraisers, and social drives.

In May of 1938, a university committee comprised of students and faculty, presided over by SRC President Otwell Rankin, was formed to study the possible establishment of a student government and write a constitution. Along with the Eastern Progress, the SRC sponsered a vote for the ratification of this constitution on May 28th, 1938, however this vote was defeated by a margin of 335-371. W. J. Moore, who was Dean of the College, suggested that the failure of this vote was due to it being "slanted towards faculty and administration." 

The Second World War

Eastern's ROTC program was one of the largest in the state, boasting nearly 250 students divided into three batteries and six chosen for Army Air Corp flight training in 1941. When the war began all members were called into active service, and Eastern became a training school both for the Women's Army Auxillary Corp (WAAC) and the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP). During this time period Eastern saw a large drop in enrollment, with the majority of civilian students enveloped by a sea of the olive green uniforms of the trainees housed on campus. However, these few civilian students still on campus continued to advocated for student representation in administration. One editorial published in an issue of the Progress in 1942 proclaimed, "We would like to see some real results," in their demands for a student government. However, with campus focused on the war and other matters, it would still be another 12 years until these efforts would come to fruition.