Editor’s note: The Daily News invited Atlas, Cardinal Direction and Momentum to write letters to the editor for why students should vote for them.
ATLAS
An atlas is a book that shows the many possibilities for an individual to get from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’. Just like every student has his or her own unique journey while here at Ball State, an atlas reflects that path. As a slate, Atlas is not giving a student a single direction to take, but a chance to create their own path and to experience their own journey.
Jack Hesser, Richu Aby, Meagan Mullen and Austin Acel have spent the last two years creating their platform of vision, engagement and awareness. They have met with countless Ball State administrators, faculty and staff that have helped them to create the most feasible platform.
This platform consists of plans, not promises, which will positively affect all Ball State students.
Atlas strives to create a Ball State that is better tomorrow than it is today. We are so fortunate to have such an amazing campus, and with Atlas, we can keep moving forward.
It’s time to engage the campus community to build real relationships with the student body. It’s time to raise awareness about the issues some may not want to talk about. And it is time to work with students to create a new vision for a better Ball State.
It’s the combination of experience and passion that sets Atlas apart from the other slates. There are three amazing slates this year and twelve great student leaders. Only Atlas, however, has spent the past two years working to make their platform a reality, if elected.
The candidates for Atlas have held leadership roles comparable to what would be expected of an SGA executive board.
Meagan has served as the Treasurer of the Residence Hall Association and has been the financial director for two regional-level business conferences. Austin has been a secretary for two other organizations including Men’s Club Volleyball and his fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi. Richu Aby has served as the Associate Vice President for Phi Gamma Nu and also the Assistant Director of the Student Government Coalition’s National Conference. Jack Hesser has served as the President of the Homecoming Steering Committee, the International Travel Society, and currently Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
With experience, passion, and commitment to Ball State, Atlas is the best choice to keep moving forward.
CARDINAL DIRECTION
Cardinal Direction is a group of students who have come together to create a new DIRECTION for Ball State. We are here to improve transparency and communication between the Student Government, Administration and Ball State’s students. We are excited to share our vision with the student body and to discover all of the things that #BSUCAN do. We believe that through our strategic planning and collaboration we will be able to show that #BSUCAN Advocate, #BSUCAN be Safe, #BSUCAN be Active, and #BSUCAN be Visionary.
As the Presidential candidate, Jacob Cash has mainly covered the importance of how #BSUCAN be Visionary. One of the ways that Cardinal Direction is going to create this vision for Ball State by implementing a “Dead Week.” Dead Week means that students wouldn’t have any tests, projects, or homework assignments due the week before finals. So instead of having one day to cram for all of your final exams you will have an entire week.
Vice Presidential Candidate, Wesley Crouch, has predominantly talked about how #BSUCAN be Active. He is passionate about how Cardinal Direction will collaborate with the Exercise Science Club to create a new program called “Cardinal Fit." Cardinal Fit will give students the opportunity to have a mentor who can help in every process of living healthy lifestyle.This program will help students on every spectrum of their health journey.
Jessica Sharkey, the secretarial candidate, is passionate about how #BSUCAN be Safe. Cardinal Direction is literally going to brighten the streets surrounding Ball State’s campus. We realize that Ball State is a safe University but the areas surrounding it could be more secure. With the help of Mayor Tyler and the City of Muncie we will make our students and prospective students feel more comfortable with more lights.
Treasurer candidate, Destinee Burrell, has focused on how #BSUCAN Advocate. Cardinal Direction is here to listen to every student at Ball State’s concerns. What better way to do that than through social media? We will start a social media campaign called “#Chirp4U." Students are never more than a tweet away from telling us their concerns about campus when using this hashtag. This way we will be able to track complaints and compliments, which will allow us to focus on what needs to be done.
Cardinal Direction is here to give you the message that no barrier or roadblock can stop our student body from accomplishing the things that we believe in. It is time for a more positive message, and that message is that BSU CAN. So join us in our journey and let's break down these barriers; let's show all of those who have doubted us that through pure service to our students and our university that BSU CAN, and we will.
MOMENTUM
Monday and Tuesday are election days. Ball State students vote for a new slate to take office for the Student Government Association. This year, we are asking that you vote for Momentum, a slate that includes Quintin Thompson for President, Bonu Dustova for Vice President, Patrick Jennings for Secretary, and Dayna Arnett for Secretary. All four slate members come from very different backgrounds, and when together, form a coherent slate that serves every single, unique Ball State Student.
Momentum specifically wants to make sure that all student voices are represented, no matter how large or small. Every year, amazing organizations do not receive the kind of help they need because they float under the radar. Our organizations are Ball State’s best-kept secrets. For example, the 4-H club this year is making blankets and stuffed animals for patients of the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital. Momentum can bring awareness and resources to these types’ organizations, and help them do amazing things across Indiana. We are for those who are underrepresented, whose voices are not heard, or whose needs are not being met.
Momentum does not only want to help all organizations, but also those who are not a part of an organization as well; whose goal is to get a degree, get a job and increase their quality of life. Just because these students are not part of an organization, does not mean their experience should be ignored. Momentum wants to work for all students: from commuters, to first generation students, to the non-traditional students coming back for an education. Momentum stands for every student.
Every year, SGA slates run promising to give platforms that can bring change to Ball State. Unfortunately, year after year, this does not happen, and instead, the students are left with empty promises. Momentum has decided to run with eight realistic and feasible platform points instead: eight points that have been approved with the administration and are guaranteed to happen. Momentum has a ninth point where we are willing to adopting another slate’s idea if it is realistic.
Last year only about 10% of students voted. Voting can have a serious influence on your experience at Ball State and it only takes about 30 seconds. Vote for Momentum this year, and let’s take a step in the next direction.
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