When the U.N.I.T.E.D. Initiative slate campaigned to be elected to the Ball State University Student Government Association, they had 33 platform ideas they wanted to complete.
Each item was put into one of three tiers with all of the items needing to be addressed by the end of October.
Below is an update SGA President Betsy Mills and SGA Treasurer Zac Davis gave on each of those issues' progress:
U is for University
Extension of the Red Loop: Meetings with transportation have shown it is not financially worthwhile to extend the route, but the Blue Loop's time will extend as a replacement for the Red Loop. The loop will run from Thanksgiving to Spring Break.
Lights on Cow Path/Sidewalks in Quad: Because of the Letterman Building's construction and its LEED certification, adding different lights on the Cow Path would not be possible. Senators are discussing legislation on fixing the Quad sidewalks.
Night Class Parking Pass for students, faculty and staff: Passes are already implemented, but there will be a meeting next week with Nancy Wray, the parking services office manager, on how to get the passes for better parking lots.
Campus Revitalization Plan: The Community and Environmental Affairs Committee is working on this.
N is for Networking
Village Parking Vouchers: After the first meeting with Miles Ogea, who owns most of the businesses in the Village, he seems optimistic about the possibility of creating these vouchers, but two meetings have been canceled. Discussions will continue when a meeting can be set.
Improvement in Dining hours/New name brand eatery in the Student Center: SGA Press Secretary Jen Regnier has been meeting with Director of Campus Dining Jon Lewis and they have been researching the item.
Improved Ticket Appeal Process: Meetings have been underway with Parking Services to address this and other parking issues.
Combined Ball State recycling initiatives with Muncie's recycling branch: The Mayor's Commission has been working on this issue and blue bags will be in the fraternity houses and residence halls soon.
All-President Student Forum: This item was combined with the Student Government Association State of the Student Body Address and at the end of November there will be an event where organizations can get together and discuss ways SGA can help them.
Student Forum with campus leadership: This was switched to the Political Speaker Series as a way to increase civic engagement because it was realized that students already have the ability to meet with campus leaders when they want to.
I is for Innovation
Spring Tradition: This item was passed to the Office of Student Life and will happen during a weekend in Spring Semester. The main event will be a bike race, with a sibling weekend to go along with it.
Left Turn Arrow at the Scramble Light: When a new mayor is elected on Nov. 6 this issue will be brought up again.
Online Visitor Registration for Anthony/Scheidler Apartments: The apartments' parking lot hours have changed so visitors can park there without a permit after Parking Services closes.
Parking Decals sent in the mail before school begins: This will be addressed in the Parking Services meeting.
Designated Path for Bikers: This is being looked into by the At-Large Caucus.
Off Campus Roommate Search Program (online): The Off-Campus Caucus started researching this item about two weeks ago.
SGA Daily News blogs: A blog already is posted on at bsu.edu/sga, but now SGA is looking into where else it can be linked.
T is for Technology
Irving/Ball Recreational Facilities and Health Center Online Tracking and Online Sign-up for Specialized Equipment: SGA Secretary of Governance Matt Lacy has been meeting with Jason Adamowicz, associate director of recreation services, and they are researching this item. Mills and Davis said a test run in Ball Gym could happen before the end of the school year.
Bigger E-mail Inboxes for bsu.edu Accounts: University Computing Services wants to know what students want technology-wise so a survey will be sent soon where items such as the student portal, having a larger e-mail box and a personal homepage can be ranked in order of importance. Mills and Davis said when they get the results they will share them with UCS.
Cardinal Cash Payments for all pop and vending machines/Residence Hall Washers and Dryers: The At-Large Caucus is working on this item now. Mills and Davis said they would have to contact the vendors to see how the pop and vending machines could be handled.
Free Fax Service in the SGA office: Mills said all she has to do is go and buy the machine. Students faxing locally can use it for free, but if it is long-distance, a small fee will be applied that will go toward the fax machine's maintenance, she said.
Computers in the Amelia T. Wood Student Health Center: Laptops could appear in the waiting room by early next semester.
E is for Education:
Dead Week: A policy has been drafted and sent to department chairpersons for feedback and suggestions.
Personalized Ball State homepage/All-Inclusive Events Calendar Online: The calendar is already inclusive, but SGA wants to work on promoting it better. The Ball State homepage will be in the survey for students to rank its importance.
Mandatory Professor Evaluations: This item is being worked on by the Academic Affairs Committee.
Interactive 3-D Tour of Campus: Lacy is meeting next week with Tom Taylor, vice president of enrollment, marketing and communications, about getting this started.
D is for Diversity
Multicultural Council: This was started in September.
Multicultural Academic Advisers for Minority Students: This was given to the Multicultural Council to be completed.
Added Diversity Statement to all Ball State course syllabi and accountability of diversity in the classroom: This was given to the Multicultural Council to be completed.
Increased funding for Early Start Programs, including EXCEL and Class: These programs already have received increased funding.
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