Voting begins today for the next executive slate to represent Ball State in the Student Government Association.
SGA is the only student group on campus that directly represents student’s opinions and desires. Also, money from each student’s tuition every semester goes to fund the programs and events sponsored and created by SGA.
This yearno breaches of election code have occurred, in stark contrast to last year’s election season when one slate was fined $499.
A total of 4,985 students voted last year, almost double the votes in 2012.
Students can vote for either Cardinal Connection or Empower, on Feb. 24 and 25, by following a link found in their university webmail.
Empower
SAFETY
Point: Inquire about holding campus-wide tests of procedures with follow-up surveys to gauge student satisfaction.
Talked to: Tony Proudfoot, vice president for Marketing and Communications
Feasible: Conversations are possible, drills are unlikely
Why: Conversations with administrators are possible. Proudfoot said they are “willing and eager” to talk with students about campus safety.
Point: To establish an additional bus route during midterms and Finals Week
Talked to: Sue Weller, director of Transportation
Feasible: Yes, with funding
Why: Empower has now specified what they want the expansion to look like, but expansion and changes to bus routes have
been made in the past through Student Government Association. Funding is a concern.
DIVERSITY
Point: Look into integrating international students into other residence halls aside from Shively and Studebaker Hall East.
Talked to: Alan Hargrave, director of Housing and Residence Life
Feasible: Yes and no
Why: The slate recognizes that they cannot move international students into other residence halls because they are not open all year. They can, however, promote activities in other parts of campus to international students.
Point: Develop a multicultural council that meets regularly
Talked to: Small multicultural organizations like Belly Dancing Club and Spanish Club
Feasible: Yes
Why: The Multicultural Center already has a multicultural council. If Empower wants to put together a group of students from multicultural organizations, they can do this. What this council will do is unspecified.
LEADERSHIP
Point: Partner with Excellence in Leadership to develop an Emerging Leaders Retreat
Talked to: Lauren Berger, assistant director of student life
Feasible: Yes, with funding
Why: Empower said they are willing to use grassroot methods to raise money for this retreat. Finding funding may prove to be a problem. Berger said that her office can help them plan it and model it after Excellence in Leadership’s existing retreat.
Point: Introduce an annual scholarship open to all students, who exemplify the essence of Frog Baby: scholarship, goodwill, and tradition.
Talked to: Not applicable
Feasible: Yes
Why: The executive board can allot money for this scholarship in their budget.
TRADITION
Point: Continue sponsoring Countdown to Kickoff, the Homecoming Village, and Benny’s Birthday Bash
Talked to: Not applicable
Feasible: Yes
Why: SGA always cosponsors Homecoming Village. Sponsoring and working towards Countdown to Kickoff would involve following groundwork laid by this year’s executive board.
Point: To be an executive board that truly is students for students. We hope to Empower our peers by investigating student-based issues, and innovating ideas for positive change.
Talked to: Not applicable
Feasible: Yes
Why: Empower talked about having a Blitz Week at the beginning of the semester as part of this initiative. They can fulfill this platform point however they choose.
Cardinal Connection
Embark – We want to embark on new ideas
Point: Campus Camp Out — Bracken Library open 24-hours during Finals Week with food and snacks available on every floor and Charlie’s Charter services throughout the night
Talked to: Arthur Hafner, dean of Bracken Library
Feasible: No
Why: Hafner said it would be unsafe for students to walk home late at night, and custodians would not have adequate time to clean the library. Also, computers are reset at 5 a.m, meaning students would lose their work.
Point: Collaborate with Office of Orientation to start a new tradition for incoming students – Create a Ball State “B” on the football field
Talked to: Lindsey Speer, associate director of Admissions and Orientation
Feasible: Yes
Why: It will take colaboration between Student Government Association and Athletics, However, it is possible because freshmen already create a tunnel on the football field, Speer said.
Point: Hold a mixer during Welcome Week for students to meet the new university President
Talked to: Not applicable
Feasible: Maybe
Why: The new President has not yet been chosen, so it is difficult to specuate on future events, said executive director of Public Relations Joan Todd,.
Point: Create application for incoming freshmen to receive sponsorship for summer bridge programs
Talked to: Not applicable
Feasible: Yes
Why: The executive board chose to fund this.
Engage – We want to engage with other organizations
Point: Partner with Second Harvest Food Bank to start an on-campus food pantry
Talked to: Tim Keane, CEO of Second Harvest Food bank
Feasible: Maybe
Why: SGA would have to register as a nonprofit partner with Second Harvest, although Keane said he is not sure there is a need for the food bank because there are several distribution areas in Muncie. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis has a food pantry for students on campus.
Point: Partner with student organizations to hold community service events twice a semester
Talked to: Not applicable
Feasible: Yes
Why: Members of the slate can chose to fund this and work with members of student organizations to make this a reality.
Point: Partner with Excellence in Leadership to hold an Emerging Leaders Retreat
Talked to: Lauren Berger, assistant director of Student Life
Feasible: Yes
Why: Berger said she would work with members of the slate to create a new retreat, but the biggest challenge would be securing the necessary funding.
Point: Partner with student organizations to spotlight a leader once a month
Talked to: Not applicable
Feasible: Yes
Why: The slate can accomplish this if it chooses to.
Envision – We want to envision a better campus
Point: Hold an on-campus Student Employee Appreciation Week
Talked to: Not applicable
Feasible: Yes
Why: The slate would have to plan and fund the event if it chooses to host it.
Point: Display Ball State banners year round to beautify campus
Talked to: Not applicable
Feasible: Yes
Why: Ball State already displays banners during Family Weekend. The executive board would be responsible for funding and purchasing the banners.
Point: Update the environment of Bracken Library
Talked to: Arthur Hafner, dean of Bracken Library
Feasible: Yes
Why: Hafner said he was open to the idea, but the slate would have to fund the endeavor.
Point: Return to the original rules of the Ball State T-shirt Trade In
Talked to: Not applicable
Feasible: Yes
Why: The slate can work with SGA to change the rules of the event and work with Ball State athletics.
Point: Bring NOH8 campaign to Ball State
Talked to: Not applicable
Feasible: Yes
Why: The slate would need to provide the funds for the photo shoot.
Commit – We want to commit to all of you
Point: Issue a public executive report on slate’s progress once a month
Talked to: Not applicable
Feasible: Yes
Why: The slate can accomplish this in several ways including: email, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Point: Work with administration to re-evaluate emergency preparedness
Talked to: Tony Proudfoot
Feasible: Maybe
Why: Tony Proudfoot, associate vice president for Marketing and Communications, said he is willing to work with the slate to make students feel safe and to better understand safety procedures. The slate wants to create a set response for what to do during and after emergenices, such as the recent snow closures.
Point: Create an SGA Vote Box on a website for students to vote on key topics
Talked to: Not applicable
Feasible: Yes
Why: The executive board can work to create this.
Point: Cardinal Connection — hold monthly on-campus event to stay connected with students
Talked to: Not applicable
Feasible: Yes
Why: The slate can create these events, although they will be responsible for funding.
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