Posted 2/27/09

A debate among executive slates running for Student Government Association on Thursday gave the candidates a chance to answer questions from the audience and ask questions of each other.

Unlike the moderated presidential and vice presidential debate Wednesday evening, Thursday’s town-hall style debate was a more casual conversation between the three slates.

Cardinal Impact, Cardinal Collaboration and University Coalition questioned each other’s platform items, leadership experience and funding plans.

A main issue of contention was diversity and multiculturalism. While all three slates said they want to promote on-campus diversity, they had differing views about how to achieve it.

Cardinal Impact vice presidential candidate Mandy Mills emphasized platform items like a push to get more money for multicultural organizations and diversity training for admissions tour guides.

“That would be our way of exposing freshmen to different cultures,” she said.

Cardinal Collaboration questioned Cardinal Impact’s ability to make sure any additional funds would be spent efficiently, and University Coalition emphasized the importance of improving Ball State University’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender resources.

The slates took questions from the audience about issues that have been on students’ minds in recent months, such as environmental measures and the right to carry a concealed weapon on campus.

Cardinal Collaboration vice presidential candidate Alyson Tennant and Cardinal Impact presidential candidate Beth Cahill said they would hold referendums to find out students’ opinions on concealed carry. University Coalition treasurer candidate Derrick Stalbaum said his slate would work to make sure the growing campus group supporting concealed carry would have SGA representation so its voice could be heard.

Senior pre-nursing major Brittany Bower said she thought all three slates did well at the debate and they kept the arguing to a minimum.

“They did a really great job of informing the students what’s on their platforms,” she said. “I knew that I wanted to come out and I wanted to be educated. I’ve never been educated before in our SGA elections, and if I’m going to be encouraging my friends to vote then I want to make sure I’m encouraging them to vote for a slate who actually has the student body in mind.”

The two slates that came forward for the election race after the first nomination convention, Cardinal Collaboration and University Coalition, said they came out to run because they thought a race with multiple candidates would better benefit the students.

“Even if they beat the socks off us, it’s more fair,” Cardinal Collaboration presidential candidate Nathan Meeks said.

Cardinal Impact, the first slate to come forward to campaign, discussed how it is looking ahead after a controversial start involving an election packet denial that prompted a second nomination convention.

“We did everything to be honest and to make everything right,” Mills said.

Cahill said she expected to be asked about the controversy, but it was still the hardest question to answer.

“I think it was just probably the hardest question to answer just because we are past it and we want the students to be past it,” she said. “We want everybody else to just know that that’s behind us and that we’re campaigning as a new slate.”

Overall, the three slates said they were proud of their performance in the debate.

University Coalition’s Stalbaum said he felt his slate did well because each member was able to step in if another needed help fielding a certain question.

Meeks said his slate did well because it was so familiar with its platform.

“I think there were some very interesting questions,” he said, “and I’m glad to see that the students here were showing interest.”

Cahill said having all four members of her slate on stage was better than just herself and the vice presidential candidate as in the previous debate.

“I think it went well,” she said. “I think it felt a lot better having Nick [Turner, treasurer candidate] and Carson [Lance, secretary candidate] up there with us and being stronger as a slate.”

When faced with the question of how they would handle student apathy and lack of voter turnout in the past, the slates emphasized ways they would reach out to students with only a few days until voting begins Monday.

“Now it’s time to start looking at what they want,” University Coalition secretary candidate Megan Veit said.

Bower said after watching the slates face off, she was still unsure who she would vote for, though she felt better informed.

“I have not made up my mind,” she said. “I think they’ve all got really good points, and I wish I could just squish them all into one.”

Joe Lanane – Ball State Daily News

Posted: 2/26/09

Debate over approachability, interorganization relations and leadership experience drove Wednesday evening’s Student Government Association presidential and vice presidential candidates forum.

The event, which aired live on WIPB, featured the top candidates from the three competing slates - Cardinal Collaboration, Cardinal Impact and University Coalition.

Each pair outlined their respective platform points, while debate moderator David Studinski relayed questions from Ball State University campus media outlets. Among the questions, Studinski asked which platform point each slate considered its top priority.

University Coalition presidential candidate Kerri Cropper said she would propose a “We are all SGA” membership card, which would track well-attended events, speakers and overall student involvement. She said this card could be kept on a key chain or correspond with each student ID.

“We are bringing innovative ideas to the table that not many SGA slates have ever brought forward,” Cropper said. “We feel these changes would bring a positive impact, and we can’t wait to hear what students have to say.”

Both Cardinal Collaboration presidential and vice presidential candidates Nathan Meeks and Alyson Tennant, respectively, stressed the need to increase funding for the Learning Center. They did not elaborate on where such funds would be drawn, but Meeks said more emphasis must be placed on educational assistance.

“It can be very hard to get a tutor around finals, so by increasing (the Learning Center) funding they can get help they need during those hectic times,” Meeks said.

Cardinal Impact presidential candidate Beth Cahill suggested her slate would tackle an issue previously addressed by SGA. While it was unsuccessful in 2005, Cahill said she hopes the organization can help open restrictive and metered parking lots from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“We’ve talked with past SGA slates, and we know President Jo Ann Gora was receptive toward the idea,” Cahill said. “This idea is not exhausted, and we just need to do more research.”

Each candidate also stood strongly behind his or her leadership background. Cahill and her vice presidential running mate Mandy Mills praised Cardinal Impact’s prior SGA experience, while Cropper and University Coalition vice presidential candidate Michelle Voss touted their slate’s broader campus ties. Both Meeks and Tennant also have prior SGA experience, but Meeks said he felt SGA should be about more than just organizational experience.

“Instead of reciting my resume, it’s important to also have a personality that students find approachable,” Meeks said. “That’s a key factor - approachability.”

All three slates also looked beyond SGA, pointing out the need to advance ties with the organization’s on-campus counterpart, Residence Hall Association. Cahill, SGA on-campus caucus chair and RHA liaison, said her familiarity with both groups will only strengthen those efforts.

“They have had a relationship in the past, we just feel the relationship could be improved upon,” Cahill said. “I know how to handle those situations through both organizations.”

Tennant also said a distinction must be made between the two groups if any slate intends on realizing its platform points.

“Both organizations are so big on campus that its’s hard to pick up on what’s going on between them,” Tennant said. “We need to figure out what residence hall students really need.”

Cropper and Voss also suggested expanding the RHA-SGA liaison role, and that University Coalition would push to create an RHA senate seat within SGA. On top of that, Cropper said she would facilitate socials between the two groups to potentially increase communication.

The second and final election debate will feature all members of the three slates and will take place at 7 p.m. in Art and Journalism Building Rm 225.

Originally published: 2/25/09 at 2:26 AM EST

Last update: 2/25/09 at 2:23 AM EST

The three Student Government Association slates presented their platforms and answered a few questions for about 30 people in Botsford/Swinford halls Tuesday evening.

Student Honors Council presented the town hall-style meeting, President William Jay said. A member suggested having the event at the council’s meeting Monday. The council discussed whether it would be able to book all the slates on such short notice, Jay said, and he was happy with the turn out.

Each slate addressed the crowd separately with the others not present. Each outlined a few points from their respective platforms before fielding questions. Students asked each slate to address, among other issues, diversity, parking and dining on campus. Slates were also asked what points they liked and disliked from their opponents.

Jay said he was happy with the audience’s questions and particularly enjoyed when it asked slates about their opponents.

Every presidential candidate said the meeting went well.

Kerri Cropper, presidential candidate from University Coalition and resident of Botsford Hall, said she was happy to see so many people there because getting information on all three slates is important to casting an educated vote.

Junior telecommunications major Brian Bauman said he couldn’t distinguish between the slates. They presented “interchangeable” platforms, he said, and didn’t seem to be well informed of each other’s ideas.

“I was incredibly underwhelmed,” Bauman said. “I found nothing on their platforms that were particularly inspiring.”

Nathan Meeks, presidential candidate from Cardinal Collaboration, said he was happy with the presentation, and students seemed enthusiastic. He said the audience seemed to like the platform and was receptive to the slate’s laid back style. Cardinal Collaboration probably gained a few supporters, he said.

Beth Cahill, presidential candidate from Cardinal Impact, said she was proud of her slate. It went through its entire platform and received a good response from the crowd.

She said the platform is well researched and hoped students would recognize that and give their support.

J. Ashley Smith, a senior sociology and women’s studies major, said she was disappointed that Cardinal Impact didn’t address the controversy surrounding the slate in the past week. She said it should have given some reassurance that the members know what they are doing.

She said the slates didn’t sound like they researched what past SGA administrations have tried to do and has heard the same ideas from previous slates. Most were denied, she said.

Bauman said the presentation enforced the idea that SGA is impotent and serves as a think tank for the administration rather than a legislative body.

Cropper said she thought University Coalition gained support from the audience. She said students have faith in the platform.

Originally published: 2/25/09 at 1:33 AM EST

Last update: 2/25/09 at 12:43 PM EST

Beth Cahill, Cardinal Impact
sophomore public relations major, telecommunications minor
Hometown: Monroe, Ohio
Future goals: Politics or “image control” public relations

What is the one thing not in your bio that students should know about you?
I like to have fun, be with my friends and, with that, I like to devote myself to organizations and be professional. Overall, though, I want students to know I am young and I like to be a student just like them.

Why did you decide to run for SGA President?
I’m so passionate about this organization. I love working for the students - I want to represent the student body. I’m younger than people might want in a student body president, but I am ready to work for the students and I’m passionate about that.

What separates you from the other presidential candidates?
I have the SGA experience. I’ve been there for two years, and this year I took on the leadership roles. I think that’s mainly the overall difference - I’ve been there and see what’s been going on.

What role should president play within SGA?
Connect with the senators, be there at the meetings and represent the student body in the best way possible. Make those relationships and connections with administration and just be a good overall image for the student body and yourself.

Name one thing about SGA you would do differently, if elected.
With that, I would love for student government to have an even better relationship with RHA. This year, we’ve had a pretty good relationship with them, but I would just like to keep improving that.

Kerri Cropper, University Coalition
sophomore international business major/Spanish and Chinese minors
Hometown: Elk Grove Village, Ill.
Future goals: International liaison for major corporation

What is the one thing not in your bio that students should know about you?
I am possibly one of the most driven and yet happiest people you will ever meet in your life. I’m constantly laughing and trying to make everything so much fun, which is why I’m involved in almost everything.

Why did you decide to run for SGA President?
I wanted to make sure each student did have a voice. Being able to listen to that, in English or Spanish now, I think that’s very important now. I think it’s something we haven’t really gotten to yet in SGA, and I think it’s something we’re going after. Every student can make a difference - I’m a strong believer in that.

What separates you from the other presidential candidates?
Although I do think we’re all great student leaders, I think my wide range of involvement is something I really do have to offer. I’ve obviously held a lot of leadership roles on campus and have a very strong slate of leaders along with me.

What role should president play within SGA?
There’s two main parts of the bylaws that I really am going to focus on if I were to get office. The first one is to make sure all communication lines between students, faculty and administration remain open. We want to make sure the student body is represented fairly and honestly, and everything will result in the changes (students) want to see.

Name one thing about SGA you would do differently, if elected.
I think something that’s very important for me to bring to students is the fact that this is your student government. This is the representation of the student body, and without the students we wouldn’t exist.

Nathan Meeks, Cardinal Collaboration
junior industry and technology major/construction management minor
Hometown: Fairmount, Ind.
Future goals: Law School

What is the one thing not in your bio that students should know about you?
I’m a really down to earth guy. I was raised in Fairmount - it’s just a rural farm community, we’re very laid back people up there. I want the students to know if I’m elected, or even if I’m not elected, the office door is always open.

Why did you decide to run for SGA President?
With only one (slate) showing up, I always figured two makes a better contest than one. It’s more fair to the students to have that choice, even if they’re going to beat the socks off me - it’s still more fair to the students, I think.

What separates you from the other presidential candidates?
Kerri Cropper, lovely young lady, she’s approachable; Beth Cahill, she seems more standoffish. For example, in this campaign, (Beth) has two or three campaign managers, and so does Kerri Cropper. I don’t have any campaign managers - I am my own campaign manager.

What role should president play within SGA?
It’s important to realize that he’s there to advise the senate on questions they have, which administrators to contact, and so forth. It’s important he is not a dictator, but that he uses his experiences and contacts to help the senate get done what they need to get done.

Name one thing about SGA you would do differently, if elected.
I’d love to see the senators more engaged and have more issue-driven meetings. We have work to do, we need to be working our butts off for the students and, with that being said, we need to work towards those goals.

Jennifer Wright – Ball State Daily News

Originally published: 2/24/09 at 3:10 AM EST
Last update: 2/24/09 at 1:25 PM EST

What is the one platform item you want to accomplish more than any other?
Cahill: Extended hours in Bracken Library the week before and of finals weeks

Cropper: The “We are all SGA” campaign

Meeks: Encourage cosponsorship with campus organizations

Which platform item do you think is most important to students?
Cahill: “Cardinal Call” initiatives

Cropper: Work with Dean Hafner to have at least one textbook for each course offered on campus in the library for reference

Meeks: Extend add/drop period and BSU bookstore full-price refund period by one week

Which platform item will be the easiest for you to accomplish?
Cahill: “Make an Impact Day,” a community service event in the fall

Cropper: Push for more organizations in Senate

Meeks: Diversity initiatives like Multicultural Forums, Food Fair

Which platform item will be the most difficult to accomplish?
Cahill: Change the time that restricted lots become open from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Cropper: Maintaining everything that the current SGA slate has put into action

Meeks: Increase funding to the Learning Center in order to hire additional tutors during midterm and final weeks

When campaigning for on-campus students, which platform item will you emphasize?
Cahill: Free or 25 cent refills in campus dining locations

Cropper: Increase the amount of time between classes from 10 to 15 minutes on MWF

Meeks: Work with Dining Services to make more flexible meal plans

When campaigning for off-campus students, which platform item will you emphasize?
Cahill: Off-campus living immersive learning opportunity. Merge computer science, advertising/public relations, etc., to create an off-campus classified type real estate Web site

Cropper: Host a Commuter Lot Block Party each semester

Meeks: Collaborate with university officials and Parking Services to extend parking meter maximum time

Which platform item is your personal favorite?
Cahill: Raffle to watch a home football game with President Gora in her suite

Cropper: The “We are all SGA” campaign

Meeks: Provide students who purchase parking permits one “Oops Voucher” per semester

Do you have any initiatives on your platform that carry over from Campus Alliance’s efforts?
Cahill: Continue fan buses for football (maybe other sports), fireworks during Homecoming

Cropper: Organizational spotlights, cosponsorship funds, Multicultural Forum, Campus Resource Awareness Week, co-sponsorship with Dance Marathon

Meeks: Multicultural Forums, fan buses for football games (maybe add basketball), getting students more involved in SGA