Debate over approachability, interorganization relations and leadership experience drove Wednesday evening's Student Government Association presidential and vice presidential candidates forum.
The event, which aired live on WIPB, featured the top candidates from the three competing slates - Cardinal Collaboration, Cardinal Impact and University Coalition.
Each pair outlined their respective platform points, while debate moderator David Studinski relayed questions from Ball State University campus media outlets. Among the questions, Studinski asked which platform point each slate considered its top priority.
University Coalition presidential candidate Kerri Cropper said she would propose a "We are all SGA" membership card, which would track well-attended events, speakers and overall student involvement. She said this card could be kept on a key chain or correspond with each student ID.
"We are bringing innovative ideas to the table that not many SGA slates have ever brought forward," Cropper said. "We feel these changes would bring a positive impact, and we can't wait to hear what students have to say."
Both Cardinal Collaboration presidential and vice presidential candidates Nathan Meeks and Alyson Tennant, respectively, stressed the need to increase funding for the Learning Center. They did not elaborate on where such funds would be drawn, but Meeks said more emphasis must be placed on educational assistance.
"It can be very hard to get a tutor around finals, so by increasing (the Learning Center) funding they can get help they need during those hectic times," Meeks said.
Cardinal Impact presidential candidate Beth Cahill suggested her slate would tackle an issue previously addressed by SGA. While it was unsuccessful in 2005, Cahill said she hopes the organization can help open restrictive and metered parking lots from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
"We've talked with past SGA slates, and we know President Jo Ann Gora was receptive toward the idea," Cahill said. "This idea is not exhausted, and we just need to do more research."
Each candidate also stood strongly behind his or her leadership background. Cahill and her vice presidential running mate Mandy Mills praised Cardinal Impact's prior SGA experience, while Cropper and University Coalition vice presidential candidate Michelle Voss touted their slate's broader campus ties. Both Meeks and Tennant also have prior SGA experience, but Meeks said he felt SGA should be about more than just organizational experience.
"Instead of reciting my resume, it's important to also have a personality that students find approachable," Meeks said. "That's a key factor - approachability."
All three slates also looked beyond SGA, pointing out the need to advance ties with the organization's on-campus counterpart, Residence Hall Association. Cahill, SGA on-campus caucus chair and RHA liaison, said her familiarity with both groups will only strengthen those efforts.
"They have had a relationship in the past, we just feel the relationship could be improved upon," Cahill said. "I know how to handle those situations through both organizations."
Tennant also said a distinction must be made between the two groups if any slate intends on realizing its platform points.
"Both organizations are so big on campus that its's hard to pick up on what's going on between them," Tennant said. "We need to figure out what residence hall students really need."
Cropper and Voss also suggested expanding the RHA-SGA liaison role, and that University Coalition would push to create an RHA senate seat within SGA. On top of that, Cropper said she would facilitate socials between the two groups to potentially increase communication.
The second and final election debate will feature all members of the three slates and will take place at 7 p.m. in Art and Journalism Building Rm 225.
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