Thinking back to the 2006 Student Government Association election, we're reminded of the similarity between The Cardinal Movement and Team Lisec in terms of platform ideas.
In the end, professionalism scored Team Lisec the Daily News Editorial Board's vote, though the casual nature of Cardinal Movement's members made us wonder what fresh blood could do for SGA.
One year later, we step back to look at Team Lisec's time in office, reaffirming a trend in student politics we've pointed out before: If you want to be successful in SGA, you need to look at the small tasks within the frame of the bigger picture.
Former President Asher Lisec, Vice President Rodney Blount, Secretary Michele Faroh and Treasurer John Boone stepped into office with grand hopes, and a list of platform items waiting to be accomplished. Ask those students what they know now, and they're likely to respond with "It's not as easy as you think it is."
Politics, in no uncertain terms, suck. A system of checks and balances, hierarchies and committees plague the governmental process at Ball State, and for that matter this country. But hey - that's how democracy works.
Lisec and associates quickly learned that not everything takes place at the drop of the hat and the snap of a finger.
What Lisec's slate did accomplish, however, is worthy of noting.
Continuity is essential in SGA, and Lisec's team worked to keep previous initiatives rolling through their tenure. When students asked for a continuation of the Blue Loop shuttle route, Lisec's slate worked with the university to ensure its return for at least one more winter. Thanks to their efforts, students east of campus had a warm ride to class throughout the frigid winter months.
Students also received access to Ruckus, a free, legal music downloading service originally suggested by Team US. Though it wasn't on Lisec's platform, the slate faithfully followed the process to fruition - give or take an Apple product, that is. Still, the effort was a good step in bringing an additional service to students and the university at no cost.
One of Team Lisec's original initiatives called for discounts at local businesses for Ball State students. Because of Lisec's work, students are eligible for discounts at Muncie businesses with their student IDs. The effort can't stop, however - future slates need to diligently watch over the program to ensure it continues to work properly.
Likewise, Team Lisec's proposed Atrium news ticker is still working its way through the political fray, and U.N.I.T.E.D. Initiative has the responsibility to push for its full completion and implementation.
Large-scale ideas are nearly impossible to establish and execute in the time of a slate's tenure, but that's where initiative comes into play.
In fact, there's an entire slate named for it.
As U.N.I.T.E.D. Initiative begins its first full day in office, there is one main lesson they can learn from Team Lisec and previous slates: It's the little things that make a big difference.
We applaud Lisec and her team for accomplishing those little things, and challenge Betsy Mills and her slate to carry on the legacy of continuity - little by little.
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