Building and improving connections between people and organizations is what Matt Whitlock and his aptly named slate, Student Connection, want to do if elected today.
Student Government Association's lone presidential candidate said connecting organizations and communities is the group's most important goal.
The four members of the group come from different backgrounds and organizations. They noticed a common theme when putting together the platform: bringing people together.
"At our foundation, at our core, that's what we stand for," he said. "It's in the name, it's what we stand for. We are a big believer in connecting and working together in different areas."
The people and organizations the slate hopes to connect with think the platform will work well.
SGA adviser Lynda Wiley said she thinks the slate's initial platform is solid and the members have done their best to develop ideas they can achieve.
"One thing that impresses me about the platform is that it's manageable," she said. "It isn't too far reaching. They did their homework and really narrowed it down to a select list of what to accomplish."
She said the point to increase representation for international students in student government is a good, feasible idea, and it's also timed well. Ball State University is beginning to see a dramatic increase in the number of international students on campus. Wiley is on a committee which looks for ways to help international students integrate into campus life.
Many of the ideas on the platform have been proposed before, she said. However, the approach Student Connection is taking is different and could lead to success. For example, rather than looking at how the Village can benefit students like some slates in the past, Student Connection wants to create a mutually beneficial relationship with property owners in the neighborhood.
The platform also calls for connecting SGA to residence halls. Residence Hall Association President John Caplinger said he has a great working relationship with Whitlock and has seen the platform. The ideas and Whitlock's inclusion of Juliana Abercrombie, the candidate for secretary, reflect his willingness to work with RHA. Abercrombie serves on the RHA executive board.
Caplinger said Whitlock showed him the platform before making it public to make sure the points involving RHA were worded correctly and displayed their goals properly.
"[SGA and RHA working together] is something that makes a lot of sense," he said. "If you've heard them talk, they talk about using what residence halls have to offer. They've all been quick to say they'll work with RHA and that's respectable. I have faith in Matt that he'll follow through with his platform ideas."
Caplinger plans to run for re-election, he said, which has given him and Student Connection a chance to talk about the direction of the organizations' relationship.
Connection to the Muncie community also is an important part of the platform for the slate. It features several points help to include the Muncie community in sporting events and to partner with Muncie Schools Corporation to create programs for K-12 students.
Adam Tschuor, director of ticket sales, said he briefly spoke with the slate about getting students a guest pass for a home football game in the Fall to encourage more people outside the university to attend. He said any legitimate proposal could possibly work, but Student Connection would have to outline the cost and logistics of the idea.
Another platform idea is to sponsor a community night. Tschuor said the Athletics Department discusses themes for some football games every year and it is open to suggestion.
He said any good ideas are possible and he appreciates the interest the slate is showing.
A representative from Muncie Schools declined to comment because no specific ideas had been proposed.
Whitlock said he was pleased with the different organizations and the administration's willingness to talk about ideas. Most of the feedback he received on the platform was positive. It helped the slate realize what was attainable and decide which goals to pursue, he said.
"We didn't promise the moon because we knew we couldn't go up and bring it down to earth," he said.
Find out more about Student Connection and its platform at bsustudentconnection.com
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