Code changes improve SGA elections, adviser says
By Rachel Podnar / February 24, 2014This year’s Student Government Association election season has been noticeably different from the previous campaign.
This year’s Student Government Association election season has been noticeably different from the previous campaign.
KIEV, Ukraine — From the moment protesters claimed to control Ukraine’s capital until the triumphant release of their blond-braided political heroine from jail Saturday, it was a momentous day for this country. President Viktor Yanukovych’s fate is in the balance, along with the direction of his nation. Each development has been more dramatic or more confusing than the last. DIVIDED COUNTRY As the crisis has deepened, concerns have grown that it might split the country in two. Protests began in November when Yanukovych abruptly refused to sign a long-anticipated political association and free trade agreement with the European Union, opting instead for closer ties with Russia.
“”:http://With more than 50 gender and three pronoun options now on Facebook, some students think the addition is promoting conversation and will help society recognize different genders. With new choices, including transgender and male-to-female, users have more freedom to express themselves as whichever gender they identify. Carli Hendershot, a sophomore political science major, said she doesn’t identify with the traditional male and female genders. “I think it’s great that Facebook is taking this step forward to allow different options for gender, instead of the binary female and male options,” Hendershot said. Hendershot said because Facebook is a place where a lot of college students go to connect, adding more gender options will be a way for people to talk about gender. “I think it’s definitely going to start a conversation within our generation and other generations, as well,” Hendershot said.
1. ENTEBBE, Uganda (AP) — Uganda’s president on Monday signed an anti-gay bill that punishes gay sex with up to life in prison, a measure likely to send Uganda’s beleaguered gay community further underground as the police try to implement it amid fevered anti-gay sentiment across the country. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said the bill, which goes into effect immediately, was needed because the West is promoting homosexuality in Africa. Museveni may have defied Western pressure to shelve the bill, four years and many versions after it was introduced, but his move — likely to galvanize support ahead of presidential elections — pleased many Ugandans who repeatedly urged him to sign the legislation. Nigeria’s president similarly signed an anti-gay bill into law just over a month ago, sparking increased violence against gays who already were persecuted in mob attacks.
One sorority on campus is proving that being small doesn’t mean they can’t out do larger sisterhoods.
When the final amount raised for Dance Marathon was announced, the entire room bursted into cheers and tears. The event raised $344,801.21 for the Riley Hospital, almost $100,000 more than the goal of $250,000. Last year, almost $200,000 was raised.
With a little more than two hours to go, the dancers at Dance Marathon are staying strong for the kids. Junior professional sales major Andrew Sharp said he wanted to do Dance Marathon because he wanted to give back to a great organization. “This is a great organization and a lot of the stories are really motivational,” Sharp said.
Even before the annual Dance Marathon kicked off at 2 p.m., the energy was surging. Every time new students joined the group in the Field Sports Building, they were greeted with cheers and high-fives.
Chaos in the Atrium is fairly normal for Ball State students, but today student activists made it even more chaotic.
Platform points took center stage in the final debate of the Student Government Association election season with voting to start Monday. Presidential candidates for Cardinal Connection, Nick Wilkey, and Empower, Jes Wade, went back and forth during the debate, challenging each other’s platform points. Debate moderator Payne Horning said voting decisions will come down to platforms and not personalities. “When you look at these two slates it’s rather stark,” Horning said.
A report that The Village Promenade has announced its first business for the 22,000-square-foot first floor are false, said Marc Fortney, president and CEO of Brothers Bar and Grill. “We are looking at the viability of the Ball State and Muncie area at this time,” Fortney said.
Police are investigating an apparent burglary at Grandma Betty’s Ice Cream Shop in the Village but said the main suspect in the case said he was given permission to take items from the store. Jeannine Lee Lake said she walked into her not-for-profit dessert shop and found tables lying on their sides.
Last year, Ball State University Dance Marathon raised almost $200,000 for Riley Children’s Foundation. For the BSUDM president, raising this much money and awareness has become her life. Emily Probst, a junior child life specialist major, said she has spent around 140 hours in meetings this school year. The meetings plan various fundraising events the group sponsors, including the annual dance that starts at 2 p.m. Saturday and lasts for 12 hours.
Presidential nominees will face off tonight in the final debate of student government election season. Nick Wilkey, Cardinal Connection presidential nominee, will debate against Jes Wade, Empower presidential candidate, at the presidential debate at 7 p.m.
Midterm Course Evaluation Expansion • Senator James Wells and President Pro Tempore Jack Hesser authored this legislation • Recommends the university encourages students to use midterm course evaluations • Students will have the option to complete midterm course evaluations for every course • Those evaluations will be sent directly to the professor, who could make adjustments to their teaching style Blackboard Testing Labs • Wells authored this legislation • Encourages the university to continue using walk-in testing labs and to continue phasing out inQsit in favor of Blackboard tests
TODAY “Think You Know Social? – How Social Media is Changing Marketing Strategy” Ball State alumni Jeffrey Cohen, Chris Ulm and Jenny Yarbrough will discuss social media as part of the Miller College of Business’ Dialogue Days.
Grandma Betty’s Ice Cream Shop, the only not-for-profit business in the Village, was broken into late Tuesday night and $30,000 worth of equipment was stolen.
Tonight, all four members of each SGA slate had the chance to defend their platforms with answers to questions from SGA members, students and Ball State staff.
A 60-year-old Ball State alumnus will experience a simulation of life on Mars, and he’s bringing some fourth-grade students along for the ride. Ron Williams, director of the neuropsychology department at the Fort Wayne Neurological Center, and five other scientists from around the world will join together as an astronaut crew March 21 to simulate life on Mars. This is in conjunction with the University of Hawaii as part of its Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation program.
Members of Ball State University Dance Marathon doubled their goal during a fundraiser Tuesday. The group, which raises money to donate to Riley Hospital for Children, raised $15,090.03 in 24 hours. During the fundraising event, the Facebook page for the organization posted videos every hour that showed people who have benefited from the services of Riley Hospital.
