We are a part of the post-Columbine generation. We grew up with lockdown drills, barricaded doors and lessons on when to run or attack. Every room we enter, we look for the exit. We look for places to hide. We wonder if the textbooks in our bookbags will stop a bullet.
Every year, The Daily News assigns a grade to the outgoing Student Government Association (SGA) executive slate based on how effective it was in accomplishing its goals, along with its impact on the Ball State community. This year’s slate, RISE, consisted of Tina Nguyen, who completed her second term as President of SGA and Vice President Monet Lindstrand, who will be returning as vice president in the 2023-24 school year. RISE ran on the main points of increasing diversity, improving campus transportation, increasing awareness for sexual assault and raising student wages.
The editorial board hopes the RISE ticket can further the progress Strive has made and cement itself as SGA leadership that listens to the student body, however, with Strive’s term ended, we must assign the previous slate an incomplete grade.
More than a century ago, Carter G. Woodson traveled from his home in Washington, D.C. to Chicago, where he celebrated the 50th anniversary of emancipation with thousands of other Black Americans at Chicago Coliseum. The exhibits inside commemorated Black achievements since the abolition of slavery, and what Woodson saw inspired him to highlight and memorialize Black heritage while educating others through developing curriculum, journals and organizations dedicated to Black History.
On Sept. 17, 1787 — 234 years ago today — the Constitution was created. However, that was just the beginning for what has since become the document that has allowed student journalists like us to have the voices we have now.
Despite entering the 2020 SGA election with some favorable plans, the editorial board believes the Bold slate repeated many of its predecessor's mistakes. It is our hope future slates will not continue to make the same mistakes year in and year out — a change that will only come when SGA is able to understand its limits and responsibilities as an organization.
The Daily News does not feel the grading of Elevate is appropriate. Rather, we are left questioning the effectiveness of SGA as an organization in its current structure.
Each year, The Daily News analyzes and assigns a grade to the outgoing Student Government Association (SGA) slate.
During its campaign, Amplify promised to complete 16 platform points.
