The leadership of Student Government Association officially changed Wednesday.
Campus Alliance's government of the student body concluded, and it was not bad. The slate was put together in 10 days after 2008's first SGA nomination convention failed to yield a single slate, but it was still able to come away with a successful term.
A platform was assembled in only 10 days, a very short time to come up with relevant, accomplishable ideas. Not every platform idea was possible, but the slate also addressed issues beyond its initial platform.
Originally the slate wanted to waive the Writing Competency Exam, however, former President Frank Hood said the slate discovered the exam plays a role in Ball State University's accreditation, so instead of waiving it the slate focused on computerizing the exam and making it available year-round.
One of the most important, relevant changes Campus Alliance brought to SGA was pledging to increase the amount of co-sponsorship money available to student organizations from $12,000 to $15,000. By the end of its term, Campus Alliance had given out $17,000, Hood said.
Co-sponsorship money will not be why most students remember this slate, though.
Most students, if they remember Campus Alliance at all, will remember the fan buses to football games.
However, Hood said he would prefer to be remembered for things like taking a stance on JuicyCampus, Intellectual Property Rights or organizing the early voting shuttle bus for students.
"SGA isn't programming, it's issues," he said.
The slate accomplished most of its platform goals without legislation, which the group was proud of.
"Legislation is used when administrators don't say 'yes,'" he said.
By first speaking with administrators, Campus Alliance worked within the system to reach as many goals as possible faster than legislation could work.
Cardinal Impact should try this tactic throughout its term, as it seemed to be successful and work well for Campus Alliance.
There is one area where Campus Alliance could have done better. The committees and caucuses within SGA were disorganized and lacked purpose. Often committees and caucuses would not have anything to report at meetings.
Senators should have something to report at least once a week. If the committees and caucuses don't have reports they likely do not know precisely what they should be doing.
The accomplishments and misfires of Campus Alliance earn the slate a B-level grade for the year - definitely above average but not quite excellent.
Grades
Community - B+Academics - AThe Writing Competency Exam could not be waived, but it will soon be computerized thanks to Campus Alliance. In addition, professor evaluations will soon be available throughout the semester to assist students who are having difficulties with their professors.
Multiculturalism - AThe Multicultural Council received money for programming and a student forum about multiculturalism are the two main events that make this category a complete success.
Pride - AFan bus. Pre-game pep rally. Enough said.
Unity - CIncreasing co-sponsorship money was in this category, however, Campus Resource Awareness Week and implementing a how-to section on the Ball State Web site are underway and not accomplished before the end of Campus Alliance's term.
Students - A-A RedBox movie rental station should be on campus soon, former president Frank Hood said. Legislation was written in the last few weeks of Campus Alliance's governance to accomplish two important items in this category: increasing operation hours for residence hall fitness rooms and computerizing the night check-in process for visitors at the residence halls. However, many variables with construction prevented getting parking passes for students in one of LaFollette's parking lots. Bringing a big-name artist to Emens was unachievable because of the slow economy.
Platform plus - ACampus Alliance truly shined when it came to issues beyond what their original platform included. The slate worked to relaunch the Student Saving Club started by Team Lisec that gave students discounts at local businesses. In addition, the group also kept the SGA Web site updated and accurate. Campus Alliance worked to get an early voting center on campus but was declined by Muncie and instead had a bus take students to the early voting site while also issuing a brochure to students detailing the early voting process.The slate also assisted the university in revising the wording of the Intellecutal Property Rights policy.
Overall: B
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