Ball State’s Student Government Association (SGA) called its senate meeting to order Nov.13. To begin, SGA welcomed Vice President Angel Esquivel Vazquez from Man2Men.

Man2Men is a program run by the Multicultural Center that focuses on helping Black and Hispanic men by “empowering participants with academic, leadership, and professional opportunities,” according to its website. Vazquez said these groups on campus “have the lowest GPA, retention and graduation.”

Vazquez also said the program was able to help around 40 students with over $14,000 in grants and scholarships. He said due to this, students' GPAs rose over 25% on average, and 93% of the members either graduated or signed up for the next two semesters of college.

Vazquez clarified the program is not an organization since Men2Men is not all student-run.

Students interested in joining the program can reach out via email  at Man2Men@bsu.edu.

Following Vazquez’s presentation, first-year business administration major Anaya Ford presented why she would be a good fit as a senator. Ford said she wanted to be part of SGA for three reasons: improving student experiences, having better dining options and creating more study and green spaces for students.

To help improve the student experience around campus, Ford wants to have an annual spring  festival. She also wants to limit the fried food options at dining halls in order to have healthier options. 

“In dining, I would say less fried food and sugary drinks and more lean proteins,” Ford said. 

The senate voted her in 28-5 with two abstentions. 

After Ford was voted in, the senate moved on to the four budget requests. The first one was from Student Engagement Chair Noah Clark who pitched a Community Collective event. Clark requested $1,186.56 for the event. The cost covers fall harvest charcuterie for $600.00, sweets for $187.50, drinks for $107.50, cutlery that for $32.00, and labor that costs $259.56.

Clark said the event will have vegetarian and gluten-free food options for people who require accommodations. 

This event will be held on Nov. 21 from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Multicultural Center. 

“I promise it is worth it for the expense, the experience and the connection we can give the student body,” he said.

At this event, there will also be giant sticky notes with topics on them, as well as a box for students to suggest things anonymously. 

“[It’s for] groups that feel like sometimes they get left behind,” Sen. Jack Correa said.

Clark hopes that this will be a recurring event. The request was approved 32-3 with two abstentions. 

The second request came from Ball State’s Student Engagement Secretary, Liam Horan. Horan requested $120.39 for prizes and candy for the Community Collective. 

The request included a 300-count of stickers that cost $13.99, 100-count stickers that cost $9.99, three Crave Boxes that cost $24.99 each, a 75-count of candy that costs $11.44, and $10.00 for miscellaneous items.

The Crave Boxes will be raffle prizes that students can try to win while the other items will be handed out to students who show up. 

Horan’s request was approved 31-3 with three abstentions. 

Following Horan’s request, Student Engagement Senator Gavin Gifford requested $150.00 in advertising for this event.

Gifford said student engagement worked with Publicity and Design Coordinator Caytlin Collins to help get high-quality ads. Posters will be in the dorms, along with digital signage. 

Sen. Correa brought up how even if all 200 students they project  show up over the 20,000 plus student body,that's still less than 1%. 

This request was approved 27-7 with three abstentions. 

The final budget request was from  Governmental Relations Committee member Holley Hannegan. 

Hannegan requested $130.00 for ten boxes that would be put around campus for a winter clothing drive. The clothes will be donated to Muncie Mission. 

The boxes can be reused if the senate approves the budget. The boxes will be collected on Dec. 9.

With a vote of 34-1 and with two abstentions, this request was approved.  

After all of the budget requests, SGA moved into executive reports.

President Noah Poole encouraged the senate to take the University Parking Survey, since many senators campaigned on wanting to improve the transportation systems on campus. Poole brought up how the survey has questions about TransLoc and bus tracking. 

Advisor Abby Haworth talked about the  University's Strategic Plan Destination 2040: Our Flight Path. The plan is now having an open forum for students. At the forum, President Geoffrey Mearns will be there for students to have a discussion about what Ball State may look like in five years. This event is on Tuesday Nov. 19 from 6 p.m.-7.pm. In room 301 of the L.A Pittenger Student Center.

With no new or unfinished business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting open to the public is on Nov 20 at 3:15 p.m. at the L.A Pittenger Student Center. 

Contact Shelby Anderson via email at sanderson9@bsu.edu.

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