The week long anticlimatic Student Government Association executive slate elections will most likely come to a swift and equally anticlimatic ending this afternoon.
As the only slate running in this year's race, Student Connection's fate will be decided in a room filled with about 40 student senators deciding whether the slate should be voted into office or given a vote of no confidence. It's not exactly the great democratic process.
However, the non-general election this year means that if Student Connection gets elected by the necessary two-thirds vote, it will have more to prove than any other SGA slate in recent history.
One slate submitting their name at the Nomination Convention was the worst thing for SGA. If two slates had run, we would be in the middle of an election in which campaign items are debated in an open forum. In addition, if no slates were nominated at the convention, it likely would have resulted in such a large outcry in the student government community that multiple slates would have formed.
However, Student Connection was the only group to step up. Perhaps it is the best group of leaders for the organization. Maybe they are simply the only ones who even remotely wanted the job. These are questions that will go unanswered.
No one can blame this slate for these things. It's not its fault it was the only one to run. It's not its fault the only sponsored SGA debate wasn't an opportunity for the average student to question the group on its platform. Luckily though, we learned they could debate a group of debaters because of that event. It's not the slate's fault this election has to be decided in the SGA Senate instead of through a campuswide vote.
Not needing to campaign means the slate will have to continue to campaign throughout its term in office. This slate will have to prove it deserves to be in office, and the best way it can achieve that is through keeping all of its promises and platform items.
Student Connection had a platform that was different from most slates in recent years — it was realistic. In previous elections, slates campaigned promises too good to be true such as a news ticker in the Atrium and free refills on soft drinks. It was only a matter of time before a slate promised to bring peace to the Middle East.
The overwhelming majority of Student Connection's platform items are doable. Items such as a multicultural day of service, scholarships for one male and one female student from a Muncie Community School to attend Ball State University and a community day at a home football game are not only achievable but will be a great benefit to Ball State.
And while it doesn't have any items that are shiny and way out there, achieving a free guest pass for every student for a football game might be tough. It could lead to tuition hikes for students; It's doubtful anyone would willingly increase the money they already pay to attend Ball State. The digital signs idea is nice, but they are expensive and we aren't that large of a university. Walk in a straight line for 20 minutes and you'll find the other end of campus.
The ability of Student Connection to achieve these goals and platform items will be the ultimate factor as to whether it was the right group chosen to represent the students. This afternoon's vote won't determine that — it will only give the slate the chance to prove itself to the student body for 12 months.
Read More
ICC: Indiana unveils first draft of overhauled school accountability system to replace A-F grades
By Indiana Capital Chronicle / 21 hours agoIndiana education officials presented the first draft of a sweeping new school accountability framework Wednesday, marking a major step toward replacing the state’s previous A-F grading system with a model that instead “values the unique skills and strengths of each student.”
Ball State holds public hearing, will not increase tuition prices
By Kylee White / YesterdayOn June 6, Ball State University held a public hearing regarding its stance on tuition and fee increase rates.
Comm Center Catch-up: What you may have missed!
By Ball State Daily / YesterdayWith the hustle and bustle of summer internships, catching up with your friends/ family, and the endless distraction that is the internet -- it’s easy to miss some crucial announcements from Ball State’s Communication Center! This week’s catch-up highlights buying diapers to help your community, Ball State Men’s Basketball Camp, and the groundbreaking for The Village South Residential Development.
