Jayson Manship has not been getting much sleep since taking the position as Student Government Association president in March 2003, but he is not complaining.
With a schedule that clears at 11 p.m. and a title that requires constant mingling, Manship said he sleeps between three and four hours per night.
"It's my job to stay in contact with students," Manship said.
His schedule is filled with administrative meetings, athletic matches, classes and the SGA office. He also serves on University Senate and the Miller College of Business' advisory board.
Manship said he attends Greek and organizational events to find student feedback.
At the Feb. 16 nomination convention, Manship announced he will be running for a second term as SGA president. Manship selected SGA president pro tempore Meghan Newlund as his vice-president, Sarah Atkinson, student representative on the presidential search committee, as his treasurer, and Mysch-Hurst resident assistant Jared Carey as his secretary.
"I think it's very important to be as close-knit a group as possible," Manship said. "I have some fresh faces and fresh ideas to bring in on some issues."
Manship said students' complaints provoked him to enter last year's SGA election. After hearing SGA senator Nick Loving was running unopposed for president, Manship said he organized a slate in two days.
"It was about allowing students to have a choice," Manship said. "We honestly didn't know what was expected of us. It was something we were willing to learn and try."
Manship had no prior experience with SGA but was involved in his high school. Tommy Rector, Ball State graduate and 2001-2002 president, said Manship called him asking for a job description and some advice on campaigning.
Rector said he's supported Manship ever since.
"He's very intelligent, and he does things for the right reasons," said Rector. "He makes decisions based on how they'll affect the people around him."
Rector said Manship has learned how to push legislation through the administration using connections he's formed.
"SGA can pass legislation, but without enforcement, it doesn't mean anything," said Rector. "It would just be a recommendation. The president makes it happen and sells the ideas on behalf of the students."
Manship's campaign manager Ryan Stemen said he's encouraged Manship to visit residence halls more often during his campaign to explain SGA.
"There's definitely a big voice out there that hasn't been heard and doesn't know too much about SGA," Stemen said. "He's been talking to everybody. He wants to hear students' concerns about the university and what he can do to make it better."
Stemen described Manship as "a people person."
"He wants to listen to what you have to say," Stemen said. "He's very open to different opinions and thoughts, and he wants to hear them."
SGA secretary Rich Garcia said after campaigning with Manship, Manship became his friend and taught him about life.
"That's one thing with Jayson, you start out business and end up being his friend," said Garcia. "There's really no one out there that does business with him and doesn't consider him a friend."
Manship said he plans to attend graduate school after receiving degrees in accounting, entrepreneurship and management information systems. His minors are French and political science.
"I'm a technology guy," said Manship. "I'm into stocks. I'm a nerd."
Manship and presidential candidate Ben Tietz will address student senate at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday at SGA's meeting in the Student Center.
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