Last week, Student Government Association took the right step. It made a plan for addressing Ball State's flawed presidential search.
Today, SGA will keep the ball rolling. Sarah Atkinson, the student representative on the presidential search committee, will attend the SGA senate meeting to listen to students' questions and comments.
Students, especially those representing campus organizations, should make sure they are there. They must insist that the new president is sympathetic to their interests.
It is important for senators and other students, going into this meeting, to understand that Atkinson is not the enemy in this. She never asked to be in her position. But she is there, and she has only shown indications that she is dedicated to fulfilling her responsibility.
Senators and students in attendance, however, must show passion in their insistence that the Board of Trustees shows respect to the student body. They must give Atkinson the message that they will not let the Board take advantage of them.
They must demand another representative on the search committee. Last week's addition of a faculty member proves there is no reason it can't happen. Atkinson will do well, but it will be hard for her to fight for the rights of the students in a room full of elders with advanced degrees all fighting for their own interests.
They must also insist that the Board embraces the full spirit of Indiana's open meeting law. If the Board doesn't want to reveal the names of the presidential candidates, then it should follow the model set by Indiana and Purdue universities. Keep the community involved as much as possible.
Most importantly, SGA cannot let things end here. Talk is cheap. If SGA is serious about wanting more representation, it must make a decision on a course of action.
It must rally. It must take the fight outside Cardinal Hall. It can't sit and wait for words to win.
For years, the Board has proven that it won't listen to words.
It is time to act.
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