While much of what the Student Government Association accomplishes might be done "behind the scenes," its future leaders showed their passion about the importance of the organization when speaking on WCRD's "Radio Sweetheart" show Tuesday night.
"It's not something to laugh about," Velocity vice-presidential candidate Zeyne Guzeldereli said. "I honestly feel that we as a student government are there as facilitators. It's our responsibility and we should be held accountable for really trying to communicate with all members of the campus and all organizations."
Alliance presidential candidate Chris Wilkey says his involvement with other campus organizations helps him understand why people might not take SGA seriously.
"A lot of stuff SGA does, no one has any idea they've done it," Wilkey said. "They've been a part of the major changes on campus, but from an everyday, average student's [perspective] they could think they're just playing politics. But it never has and never will be ‘a toy government,' because it has very passionate senators."
Alliance said part of its platform deals with "branding" SGA, so students across the University can feel connected with the organization and understand the influence it can have. Velocity's Guzeldereli countered that while his slate would also work to promote SGA, nothing he or its leaders do is done for the recognition.
It was a statement all those in attendance agreed with.
"It's all about the betterment of the university," Heather Closson, Alliance vice-presidential candidate, said.
The presidential and vice-presidential candidates for each executive slate used part of their hour on the radio show to talk about the specific ways in which they hope to better university life, highlighting several of the platform points and expanding on a few.
Velocity discussed its plans to generate student involvement in the 2012 general elections, implement the Eco-cell electronics recycling program that has been popular at Indiana University, make it possible for students with meal plans to be reimbursed for meals they miss due to university-approved excused absences and create a new executive position: a secretary of the environment to take charge of sustainable development.
Guzeldereli said Velocity would also work to form a presidents' council where the leaders of all campus organizations could come together to discuss their concerns and brainstorm ideas in an open environment. Presidential candidate Chad Griewank said the slate would focus too on increasing school pride.
"We have so many great opportunities as students here at Ball State," Griewank said. "Sometimes we're not always made aware of those opportunities or we just don't happen to come across them. We as a slate want to promote that there is something out there for every student. We really want to inspire students to get involved and become passionate about something that means something to them."
Alliance said it would work to repaint and purchase new furniture for the multicultural center, clean up and beautify the Village, fix up left-behind bicycles and use them in a campus-wide bike-sharing project and form a social media hub where organizations could get online publicity for their activities.
Closson said Alliance would also host an "SGA day" that could feature free food and activities such as corn hole and volleyball, where senators could interact with other students and emphasize that SGA isn't the intimidating organization it might appear to be based on its formal weekly senate meetings, where business casual is the mandatory dress code. Wilkey said Alliance would work to burst the "bubble" that is the common misperception of SGA as nothing more than a financial resource for organizations.
"The stuff they [SGA] have been doing obviously isn't getting out to everybody," Wilkey said. "We're trying to bring new and fresh perspectives."
All four members of both slates will address current SGA senators at the weekly senate meeting, held at 3:15 p.m. today in Cardinal Hall B. Voting begins on Monday.
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