Ball State University Student Government Association (SGA) President Noah Poole said in his executive report in the Oct. 2 senate meeting the “Elevate” ticket has made progress on their transportation platform point.
After making plans with Ball State’s Transportation Department and the Athletic Department, a pilot test will be held for the Family Weekend football game, running from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a small break picking back up from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
He felt it was important to remove “the barrier to entry and accessing [campus events] in the first place.”
He cited this pilot test would help students with disabilities, students who live off campus and students who may not have cars readily available. Along with helping students, he also said safety would increase by having less pedestrians on the road and cutting down on driving under the influence (DUIs) and operating while intoxicated (OWIs).
The route will run from Studebaker West, Kinghorn, the Jo Ann Gora Student Recreation and Wellness Center, La Follette Field and North Dining, with buses stopping every 15-20 minutes.
Poole said to run the one bus it would be around $300, $50 per hour and per bus, coming out of the SGA budget. This payment funds the bus driver’s overtime and the fuel cost.
If the test is successful, SGA hopes to continue providing this service for future events, with Athletics, potentially, helping with funding.
Another topic discussed in the meeting was the budget request for the Academic Affairs Committee’s class withdrawal tabling event.
At-Large Sen. Caleb Trinoskey, the chair of the committee, requested $19.97 for the event, using the funds for two bags of candy for $5.98 each and a pack of temporary Halloween tattoos for $6.99.
During the discussion of the budget, senators felt it would benefit students, especially first-year and first-generation.
The budget passed 32-0 with one abstention.
SGA Treasurer Casey Rockel gave an update of the SGA budget: $44 went to a laminator, $108 went to new name tags for new members and $21 went to the SGA phone bill.
Homecoming Steering Committee Campus Relations Chair Andy Hopkins talked about homecoming events that are taking place during the week of Oct. 21-26.
He said the homecoming theme this year is “Cardinal Roundup,” with the dates of Air Jam being Oct. 24 in the Emens John R. Emens College-Community Auditorium and the Bed Races being Oct. 25.
To learn more about the 2025 Homecoming go to their website.
Abby Haworth, assistant vice president for Student Affairs and director of Student Life, talked about some of the opportunities she brought up were; service opportunities, Dance Marathon , Fraternity and Sorority life and Spirit and Traditions.
For more information about student organizations in the Office of Student Life and where they meet and who they are you can go through BennyLink.
SGA Vice President Brenna Large gave an update on hygiene products around campus in the Menstruation Stations. She will have more information about the election night watch party.
SGA Chief of Staff Chelsea Murdock has plans to continue with LGBTQ+ identity buttons campaign, a program SGA has done for multiple years.
They mentioned Oct.7 is the last day to register to vote, for more information you can go to Indiana Voters.
With no new or unfinished business this meeting was adjourned, and the next public meeting will be Oct. 9 at 3:15 p.m. in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center.
Contact Shelby Anderson via email at sanderson9@bsu.edu.
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