Beginning today, students have the opportunity to decide new executive leaders for the Student Government Association. The SGA is the voice of the student body that expresses concern to the university administration. Though SGA is an important organization, many students opt not to participate in the voting process.
This year, platform similarity between Vote Bare and U.N.I.T.E.D. Initiative is a potential pitfall for student enthusiasm surrounding the elections. The SGA slate debate took place Wednesday in hopes of distinguishing one platform from the other.
Unfortunately, the debate was more like an open forum because of agreement on nearly every issue. The debate was like listening to the children's joke "Pete and Repeat" as each response was faux.
Neither slate offered a truly creative idea, but rather concerned themselves with humdrum issues already tied up in SGA. For example, the Muncie community and Ball State University relations was heavily focused upon. Each slate asserted that they would work with community leaders to build a bridge in order to create a more conducive relationship.
OK, that sounds great and something a professional politician would say. However, why is working with community leaders this time going to be different from the last time and how will it succeed? The process needs to be outlined and fresh ideas need to be brought to the table instead of regurgitating a standardized answer.
A topic that was actually debated during the night was the issue of parking in the Village. U.N.I.T.E.D. Initiative put forth the idea of creating Village parking vouchers issued by businesses while Vote Bare offered a late night shuttle for students. Though parking is important, the issue should have developed into an in-depth discussion of the Village itself.
Instead of pinpointing the real issue, both slates merely brushed the surface of Village shortcomings. The nightlife of the Village could be greatly improved if the Village were expanded. The social aspect of Ball State is something that continually decreases with every year. What could SGA do to transform the village into a hot spot that would attract more students besides creating better parking arrangements?
The most significant issue each slate stressed was the importance of student involvement. Students need to know the functions, purpose and influence of the organization. U.N.I.T.E.D. Initiative put forth a new advertising campaign to educate students about the ongoing issues while Vote Bare offered a StudentSoapbox where students could voice concerns.
First, the function of SGA is already listening to student concerns. Are the slates suggesting that the organization doesn't already do this? If this is true, should SGA even exist? Furthermore, how can somebody cast a vote of confidence for either seeing how each slate is presently involved in SGA?
Both groups create the impression that they simply want to put something on the r+â-¬sum+â-¬ rather than deal with pressing issues. For example, one issue that continues to plague Ball State is diversity. The new Multicultural Center was an issue briefly touched upon during the debate. Once this building is relocated into the Student Center, how will it improve race, gender, sexual orientation and religious relations between students?
In the end, the SGA election will come and go with many students not participating or caring about the representation of the student body. In fact, many students won't even hear anything about SGA until next year during election time. Hopefully I'm wrong and a progressive mindset overcomes the winning slate, but don't hold your breath.
Write to Travis at tjoneill@bsu.edu
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