Security cameras
After the alleged gunman scare and falsified stabbing incident, the Student Government Association’s student safety committee hopes to introduce legislation to add security cameras in university parking lots and garages.
Bryan Kubel, a student senator and student safety chairperson, said he was impressed by the university’s safety account, but cameras in parking lots and garages would give students an increased sense of safety.
“Parking lots have lots of spaces where potential criminals can hide out, such as in bushes or between cars,” he said. “Parking garages tend to be poorly lit at night, so having security cameras would create a sense of security when they are being used at night, and throughout the day.”
e-textbooks
As Ball State moves into the first semester of formal adoption for an e-texbook program, SGA wants to mediate concerns that students will be forced into buying an e-textbook.
Through the Courseload eContent Readiness Program, professors opt-in to an e-textbook option and their students are automatically charged for an e-textbook, which is available via Blackboard as long as a student is registered.
James Wells, SGA academic affairs committee chairperson, said many students are accustomed to having hard copy textbooks and should have the choice instead of being forced into an e-text.
inQsit labs
The academic affairs committee also is considering legislation regarding inQsit lab registration and starting mid-semester course evaluations.
Wells said SGA has received a number of complaints about long lines for inQsit labs and wants to fix the problem by reinstating appointments.
“[We propose] the university revert back to having appointments in place with an option of holding a student’s appointment for a few minutes if they do not show up in time.”
Mid-semester evaluations
The committee is considering mid-semester course evaluations, as well, and ways to encourage students to take the already available end of term evaluations.
Wells said course evaluations are important for the university in determining how courses are presented.
“If we can get more students to take their course evaluations, that will provide the university with a well-rounded perspective from students,” he said.
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