The Manship and Tietz slates outlined their platforms in 10 minutes at Student Government Association's meeting Wednesday.
Unlike last year's senate address, slates had the option of answering senators' questions. The Tietz Slate answered one question before its time ended. The Manship Slate answered three.
"It's not that I didn't choose to answer questions," Ben Tietz said. "I didn't realize I'd take up that much time talking. I thought our time was well-used."
On-campus senator Stephanie Brown asked how the Manship Slate could effectively represent students living in residence halls when its members will live in apartments next year.
"It's impossible for the four of us to be involved in everything on campus," Manship said. "What we can do is fill the room with every one of you to represent those constituencies."
Secretaries from each slate, Jared Carey (Manship) and Kathy Spenos (Tietz), are resident assistants at LaFollette Complex. Manship and Tietz said every member of their slates has experienced life on campus, so representation wouldn't be an issue.
Each slate's platform includes academics, safety and Muncie relations. Each wants to increase campus lighting and extend shuttle routes. Manship said he plans to work with the Muncie Indiana Transit System (MITS) to create a west-east shuttle route from Studebaker residence halls to Riverside Avenue. "This would open up more parking on campus and get people out of their dorms," Manship Slate vice-presidential candidate Meghan Newlund said.
Tietz said his slate will work with the city of Muncie to eliminate some of the campus's no turn on red signs.
"I know these are very complicated, difficult issues," Tietz said. "I promise we will not let things drop."
Tietz said he wants to increase SGA's communication with organizations and students through monthly open forums.
"They can come in and ask about what's going on in senate," Tietz said. "I want to go back to organizations and see how we're doing. That was promised last year, and that's something we're not going to let drop."
Manship said he wants to extend dining hours on weekends and put an ATM machine in the Atrium.
The platforms differ on environmental and diversity issues. Tietz said 30 different organizations are represented among his slate members. Manship said four people can't embody total diversity.
"In the past, executive groups have put together a photogenic group to best represent minorities," Manship said. "There's no way four people can represent total diversity."
Manship said he assembled a slate that could be "as close-knit as possible."
"(If elected) we're going to be in touch with each other 100 percent of the time," Manship said.
The Tietz platform addresses the environment, where Manship's deals with the core curriculum. Tietz Slate vice-presidential candidate Olufunmbi Elemo said recycling bins need clearer labels and a more uniform distribution.
"At Burkhardt, for example, you walk in and there's a bin," Elemo said. "But the placement isn't uniform. You have to walk up a few floors before you can find another one."
Tietz said he would also like to have a furniture sale during move-in, where students and community members can buy used furniture from each other at low prices.
Manship proposed a student-run DVD rental store on-campus. He said the library's movie collection is limited and geared more toward research.
"This is something I've been working on for a couple of years," Manship said. "The College of Business is excited about it. It'd provide opportunities for students to run a business."
Treasurer candidate Sarah Atkinson said she wants to implement a Lunch and Lesson program with the University Police Department, where she works.
"There's a growing displacement between officials on campus and students," Atkinson said.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
