Three years ago, Student Government Association's Tommy Rector administration worked to create a link to nurture Ball State and Muncie relations. Hence, the Muncie Coalition was born. But now, years older, the coalition has stopped meeting, students have lost their original focus, and the coalition has simply fallen apart.
Wednesday, Mayor Dan Canan confirmed his plans to create a Mayor's Commission to better connect Ball State students and Muncie officials. Ten Ball State students, two from each class status including graduate students, will represent the school each month when reporting to Canan and the city.
Canan's efforts, along with SGA President Ben Tietz's to foster this relationship, should be applauded. In a time of stressed tensions between Ball State, its students and the Muncie community, the effort is another step in closing the gap that has drawn a line for so long.
It's important for the university to have a direct connection with Muncie's government; it's further encouragement to see that connection involve the students who populate the bulk of its campus.
In looking to the future, though, the past should be kept in mind.
The positives and failures of the previous attempt to connect should be used as heavy guidance in determining what develops with this effort. It seems as if Tietz and Canan might be looking to do just that.
Students, previously given year-long stays, will be given two-year terms to keep continuity that was lacking in the initial coalition. For those still interested after their first term, their status can be renewed for a second. That lack of continuity is said to have killed the focus of the first coalition.
Focus itself is key in making the commission successful, and as of right now, it appears as if there is not one. Without a specific goal in mind, the commission may find itself heading (again) towards a dead exchange of ideas. We hope that, by the commission's first meeting, this focus will be found and aimed for.
Other changes include the students themselves, as no longer will the group be exclusive to SGA members. The change will hopefully allow the commission to better represent the needs and concerns of all Ball State students.
It's a large responsibility for the commission: properly expressing the views of the students who call Ball State home and, more importantly, seeing to it that those views make a difference.
Canan's commission has great potential as it begins the second attempt for Ball State and Muncie to improve the communication between each other.
How much of an effect it will make, though, is up to the students who lead the way.
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