Student Government Association: A voice for the students

<p>SGA President Isaac Mitchell &nbsp;posed questions to students at the SGA and BSA "Hear Our Stories: A Student Forum" &nbsp;on August 21 in the Student Center. The forum regarded the use of the n-word in public. <strong>Rebecca Slezak, DN</strong></p>

SGA President Isaac Mitchell  posed questions to students at the SGA and BSA "Hear Our Stories: A Student Forum"  on August 21 in the Student Center. The forum regarded the use of the n-word in public. Rebecca Slezak, DN

Editor's note: In honor of the university's centennial year, The Daily News is counting down 100 days to the university's celebration Sept. 6 with 100 of Ball State's most famous traditions and figures. Check back each day to read about Cardinal history.  

The Student Government Association (SGA) is a student-run organization that serves the students by voicing their concerns to faculty, administration, community and other students, according to its website. 

Students are elected to serve SGA in some capacity each year. To be a member of SGA, one must have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA, full-time status at the time of nomination and be in good academic and disciplinary standing. 

Once elected, the students serve in a variety of roles such as senators, cabinet and executive to pass legislation, create programs and promote student rights, according to its website. 

Through doing these things, SGA has a mission to “continue this student impact and provide a long-lasting legacy that will carry on well past our time here at Ball State.”

SGA is split into three branches: legislative, executive and judicial to carry out its duties. 

Editor's note: In honor of the university's centennial year, The Daily News is counting down 100 days to the university's celebration Sept. 6 with 100 of Ball State's most famous traditions and figures. Check back each day to read about Cardinal history.  

The executive branch is comprised of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and executive cabinet. When applying, these members must receive 400 signatures. Once officially on the ballot, an executive slate runs against others based on a platform of ideas and improvements they wish to see during their tenure, should they be elected. 

After being elected by the student body the slate is responsible for conveying student opinion and various legislation to administration and university officials. 

The legislative is made up of the senate, president pro-tempore and the senate president. To be a senator, a student must obtain 50 signatures. Once the senate is elected, its members are split into four caucuses that represent the interest of students: on-campus, off-campus, at-large and organizational.

Additionally, student senate has six standing committees — governmental affairs and student awareness, community and environmental affairs, academic affairs, student safety, student services and diversity and multicultural affairs — to make legislation to improve different areas of campus. 

Elections for these various positions are held each year in February. 

Read more centennial content here.

Contact Brynn Mechem with comments at bamechem@bsu.edu or on Twitter @BrynnMechem.

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