Student Government Association appointed a new Credentials Board chairman, Kyle Ellis, at its weekly meeting Wednesday, after Matt Walker resigned from the position earlier this week. Executives discovered problems with Senate seat applications and records and asked Walker to resign.
As chairman, Ellis said he planned to implement a checks and balances system within the Credentials Board, to make sure each member can verify that potential senators follow the proper application process.
"From here on out we can demonstrate that all our senators have gone through the proper procedures," Ellis said.
SGA President Asher Lisec said the checks and balances system will prevent any error in the future and prevent opportunities for system abuse.
"Now the application requires all five signatures of the credential board members," Lisec said. "They all have to prove that the applicant meets all the requirements."
Files for some senators who have served on three executive slates may have been lost through disorganization, Ellis said.
"We want to have records up-to-date and that we have this new system of checks and balances to maintain organizational integrity," he said. "Everything is good now."
Today's Black Women was represented at its first full meeting after being granted a seat. Due to the problems TBW went through to get a seat, the Organizational Caucus is working on legislation to clarify the by-laws concerning organizational seats. Organization Caucus member, Cara Schuler, said a few of the senators on the caucus discussed what they could do to make it fair for all student organizations who want to apply.
"We just want to open the doors for organizations that have always wanted a seat but don't have a paid adviser," she said.
SGA adviser, Lynda Wiley, said if the bylaws aren't clear enough, SGA should be prepared for the possibility of having all 325 student organizations on campus apply for a seat.
"Seats should still be open to student groups," Wiley said. "Right now there are no specific guidelines to help senators or the credentials board decide on seat."
However, the Organizational Caucus doesn't agree that the legislation changes would change the number and rate of which organizations apply.
"We don't think that just because we're writing this legislation, all 325 organizations will jump and try to get a seat," Schuler said.
The organizational caucus stands by their legislation, she said, but they will do research what other student governments are doing and compare it to what Ball State is doing. Then, the caucus will decide what works best for the university before it changes the legislation.
Lisec said she isn't concerned about the exact wording, but wants it to be clear and organized for people who are not in SGA.
"I would just like to see clear explanations of the by-laws," she 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
