With one debate down and one to go, Student Government Association executive slate candidates are gearing up for another week of campaigning.
Thursday's debate between the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of both slates demonstrated a number of similarities between the contending groups.
Both Alliance and Velocity stressed the importance of communication, developing school pride and working with the Muncie community.
The slates both said they plan to strengthen communication between the student body and SGA; however, they have different ideas of how to go about it.
Alliance vice presidential candidate Heather Closson said after joining SGA last year, she was surprised just how much students can accomplish if they take the initiative. She spoke of Alliance's goal to increase students' involvement in the organization from the moment they come to the university.
"One of our platform points is freshmen involvement," Closson said. "We want to work during orientation to express to students that SGA is an organization that is here for them, that they can join, that they can truly make a difference in. We want to emphasize that SGA is here for them, that it's not just another organization on campus.
"We're a resource and a tool they can use to get where they need to be in their education."
Velocity said it plans to increase student communication and involvement in SGA by forming a president's council that would unite the leaders of all student organizations.
"We understand that students are involved in several different organizations on campus and we want to utilize that," Velocity vice presidential candidate Zeyne Guzeldereli said. "[The presidents' council] would allow for an environment where all organization presidents can come together. But in order for that to be successful, the organization presidents need to understand that they're on the same level as one another."
Guzeldereli said that means the SGA president wouldn't necessarily be the one leading the discussion in the council. He also said Velocity would want the council to maintain the same "free-flowing environment" he said he sees in SGA senate meetings now.
Late in the debate, candidates discussed how they would promote student involvement in the Muncie community.
Alliance said it would facilitate a program to beautify the Village and encourage students to take advantage of that area. Members also said it would work to put on dance workshops for Muncie children under the direction of Closson, a dance major.
Velocity said it would like to establish connections with the Muncie city government and develop a relationship with Mayor Dennis Tyler.
The final question of the debate asked the presidential candidates of each slate to say what they believe Ball State needs to improve the most.
Alliance's Chris Wilkey said collaboration, communication and motivation and noted the points in his slate's platform that would serve to improve these areas.
Velocity's Chad Griewank listed school pride and student participation, and said his slate has already begun talking with football coach Pete Lembo about ways to increase student attendance at football games.
Griewank said Velocity would work to apply the lessons learned in these discussions to all areas of campus and increase student attendance at various organizations' events.
All four of each slate's candidates will participate in the second and final debate of the campaign season at 7 p.m. Thursday in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center Cardinal Hall A.
When to see the slates:
Radio discussion
WCRD 91.3
9-10 p.m. Tuesday
Second Debate
7 p.m. Thursday, Cardinal Hall A
Websites:
bsualliance.com
bsuvelocity.com
Platform Points:
ALLIANCE:
Alliance with students:
Revamp the nest
Community Cycles
Support Cardinal W.I.N.G.S
Continue existing SGA programs
Alliance with organizations:
Help new organizations start up
Create social media hub
Reorganize activity fairs
Meet the people
Alliance with our community:
Serving in September
Village Beautification Day
Walking the dogs
Dancing workshop
Alliance for diversity and awareness:
Beautify the Multicultural Center
Reallocate funds
Campus leadership alliance workshop
Four-Tier Awareness campaign
Stronger alliance within SGA:
Freshmen involvement
SGA Day
Bylaw revisions
Traveling Senate
VELOCITY:
Passionate:
Encourage participation in 2012 election
Increase school pride
Form program to help students with advising needs
Inspiration:
Create president's council
Create senator mentoring program
Continue T-Shirt Trade In
Courageous:
Establish cooperation with Muncie community
Sponsor a Fitness Challenge team
Address issues concerning suicide and depression awareness
Approachable:
Reimbursement for meals missed during excused absences
Talk with students through social media
Help better acclimate transfer students
Efficient:
Create cabinet member to focus on green initiatives
Collect used cellphones through Eco-cell
Educate students about SGA budget
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