Steps were taken Wednesday to increase ties between Student Government Association and Resident Hall Association as representatives from both organizations attended their counterpart's meetings to address two on-campus issues.
Campus Alliance is attempting to realize its platform points that include computerizing each residence hall's night security system and increase fitness room hours - both of which fall under RHA's authority. At Wednesday afternoon's meeting, SGA adviser Lynda Wiley clarified the fine line that exists between the two entities.
"When it comes to procedures that strictly involve residence halls, it really is the responsibility of RHA," Wiley said. "Not that [SGA's] input isn't valuable, but that issue really falls under RHA's jurisdiction."
SGA Vice President Carrie Cozad and President Pro-Tempore Jimmy Faroh met with RHA's Issues and Facilities committee Wednesday evening to further advance their platform efforts. Issues and Facilities Director James Robinson said that while no formal resolutions came from the meeting, a lot of positive dialogue took place.
"There were lots of good ideas on both ends," Robinson said. "We hope to try to make those ideas in a shape that would really benefit the residence hall students, and something Housing [and Resident Life] would seriously look into."
Before any measures can pass Housing and Residence Life, Robinson said RHA will first have to review realistic ways to enact the two proposals.
Robinson said Cozad and Faroh will next come forward to RHA's general assembly to propose the two platform points but no date has been set. Robinson described such interaction between RHA and SGA as "crucial" and long-overdue.
"It's something that is a little unfortunate it started this late into the history of the two organizations," he said. "There's definitely been some respectful indifference [between RHA and SGA] - each organization has kind of done its own thing."
To better understand these differences, SGA's on-campus caucus invited RHA adviser Stacy Said to speak to the committee. She said it is not uncommon for students to initially approach SGA with issues more suited for RHA. On the contrary, she explained examples when RHA attempted to tackle issues customarily addressed by SGA. Despite the confusion, she said the relationship between the two groups has been better than typically portrayed.
"It's interesting because every time there's a new slate or SGA election, they talk about improving SGA relations," she said. "In my opinion, it's always been a healthy relationship. There's nothing that's been broken from my perspective at all."
Said still encouraged SGA on-campus senators to draft resolutions that would then go forward to RHA's Issues and Facilities committee. If approved, they would next move forward to RHA's general body before being introduced to Ball State University's Housing and Residence Life.
"There could be issues we decide to work on together," she said, describing a reciprocal relationship between the two organizations. "It kind of goes both ways - if it concerns residence halls then it should come to us, but any campus issues should come to SGA."
In order to facilitate dialogue between the two entities, on-campus caucus chair Beth Cahill serves as SGA liaison at RHA meetings. While she does not have voting rights, she said it has helped the on-campus caucus steer clear of RHA-related issues.
"Through on-campus [caucus], we work with RHA more than any other caucus or committee," Cahill said.
Cahill said the strength of SGA and RHA's relationship often depends on the executive slate for each organization, and that so far this year Campus Alliance has been successful in bringing the two student groups together - while also aiding their own initiatives.
"Giving RHA the opportunity, and saying, 'hey, we do want to work with you,' it absolutely does strengthen that relationship and the Campus Alliance platform," Cahill said.
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