As an independent, I sometimes feel underrepresented in Student Government Association, since Greek students hold a lot of the organization’s leadership positions.

Of course, not being a member of any official groups outside of the newspaper probably contributes to this feeling.

If independents like myself want to see better representation in leadership positions, we have to better organize ourselves in this SGA election.

Some groups, like Greek houses, do have more natural organization, especially if the members are living together, but no one has reason to cry foul when Greek houses vote for their members.

Instead, independents need to get to know the candidates the old-fashioned way, like watching the Collegian’s debate online.

Some independents perceive discrimination against themselves.

It is beyond the scope of this column to argue either way on that issue.

But one way to improve the representation of independents on campus is for them to simply take part in the campaign and events in general.

Butler University is a small community, and non-Greek students make up a large majority of the student body—as much as 75 percent, according to Butler’s website.

Two of the four current candidates for SGA president specifically placed independent concerns in their platforms.

“As SGA president, I would work relentlessly toward increased communication and cooperation between Greek students and independent students,” sophomore Katie Palmer said.

Junior Kelsa Reynolds agreed.

“I will strongly support Greek philanthropy events and independent students’ sponsored programming,” Reynolds said.

Independents clearly have a stake in this election and candidates have taken notice.

Yet some independents still feel they are underrepresented.

Members of Greek houses hold a lot of leadership positions, but this is a consequence of their natural organization.

Especially for Greek houses, the chapter members frequently live with one another.

That spells out more exposure to potential Greek candidates.

This cuts both ways, of course.

Anyone who knows a candidate outside of his or her political aspirations is just as guilty as any fraternity or sorority member.

To be perfectly honest, I voted for Al Carroll last year because I know him personally.

That is not to say that anyone, Greek or not, picks their candidate based on friendship alone.

But knowing the presidential hopeful personally gives the voter insight into which candidate he or she is choosing.

Attend the SGA meeting on Wednesday, go to the debate and read up on the platforms of the candidates.

The campaign is only just getting started, so we have plenty of opportunities.

The SGA presidential candidates are geared up for their final debate, taking place tomorrow from 6 to 8 p.m. in PB 150.

This will be the last chance for students to hear the candidates publicly debate before Monday’s vote.

Last Sunday, The Collegian’s staff members met with the four student politicians and conducted a separate debate.

The candidates each had a turn to answer the following questions:

How do you plan to address the divide between Greeks and independents on campus?

Josh Grant said he would allocate more funds for independent Council, allowing it to host more events.

Michael Keller said giving residence hall government more responsibility is the key to getting Independents more involved on campus.

Keller suggested making the hall governments’ BUmail listservs similar to Greek listservs. Keller also wants to continue to pair up Greek houses and residence halls during homecoming.

“We need to quit thinking this campus is Greek and non-Greek,” he said. “We’re Bulldogs.”

Kelsa Reynolds said she would give Inter-fraternity Council a bigger voice through SGA.

Katie Palmer said that Independent Council should be more involved with the meetings of chapter presidents.

Palmer also said that she plans to reform Spring Sports Spectacular, keeping the traditional teams of  Greek houses while also giving large clubs their own teams.

How do you plan to address the issue of communication within SGA assembly?

Grant said the key to improved communication within SGA is giving the freshman representatives a louder voice.

“We need to encourage the freshmen to speak their minds,” Grant said. “I think that’s the main group of people who aren’t talking.”

Keller said that in order to increase SGA efficiency, SGA representatives need to understand their responsibilities at the beginning of the semester.

He suggested spending the first assembly of each semester explaining what is required of representatives and holding them more accountable throughout the rest of the year.

Reynolds said, “If elected as SGA president, I am going to go back to the vice president of operations and strongly encourage them to make a presentation of what a representative should be.”

Palmer said the best way to improve SGA communication is for SGA organizations to specifically outline what they want their members to do and hold their representatives more accountable.

“SGA is as strong as its members are,” she said.

How can SGA get more students involved on campus?

Grant said that as president, he would make sure more students are going to events.

“If only five people show up to an event, that’s horrible,” he said. “That’s actually happened to me before, and it was a horrible experience. I would never want that to happen to anyone.”

Keller said utilizing new technology is the best way to get students updated on what’s happening on campus.

“When I found out that our IT department was seriously looking into doing a smart phone app, I nearly jumped out of my chair because there is so much potential there, and SGA needs to play a big role in seeing that developed,” he said.

Reynolds said a high number of programs available on campus is the solution to student  involvement.

“For me, it’s very hard to define over-programming as a good thing or a bad thing,” she said.

“One of your main roles is trying to reach out to the most students possible, and in regards to that, you’re going to have over-programming.”

Palmer said, “We can’t solve [event attendance] just by using technology.”

Communication barriers between clubs need to be broken by using programs like the Butler Beat and YouTube, but word of mouth is also an important part of publicizing an event, she said.

Vice President for Student Affairs Levester Johnson addressed the difference in involvement between Greek and non-Greek students at the most recent town hall, and it has caused a buzz among students.

The university has conducted no formal studies, but  it seems as though it is widely-held idea that Greek students are more involved with leadership positions.

Johnson said this is due to the structure and stated goals of Greek organizations.

“Greek organizations have very intentional and direct programs; their missions and goals are founded in giving back to the community,” Johnson said. “It is easier for a Greek house to organize 60 members than non-Greek students to organize thousands.”
Irene Stevens, dean of student life, said this imbalance has a negative effect on student life.

“You always want your student life to reflect your student body,” Stevens said. “Independent students have different views and perspectives and should be represented.”

The Independent Council was founded in 2008 by student Sarah Morefield to help bridge the gap between non-Greek and Greek students, particularly in terms of all-campus events, according to the Independent Council’s website.

The organization began with 15 interested members and has grown to 94 members today, according to the website.

Senior Amie Wright, president of the Independent Council, said the reason for the lack of independent voices among leadership positions is because leadership positions are often passed down.

“Those who hold certain positions are more likely to pass them down to people within their own house,” Wright said.

Wright said there must be a continued dialogue between the administration and Independent Council to ensure the independent voice is heard.

“It’s a matter of the information getting out to independent students who don’t have the same level of organization Greek students have,” Wright said.

The Independent Council hosts and collaborates with organizations for many senior events through the year, according to Hannah Wysong, an executive board member.

“We get members involved through events like the Spring Sports Spectacular, which is our biggest event,” Wysong said.

Wysong said a stated goal of Independent Council is not necessarily to increase independent student leadership but to increase involvement.

“The reason for such a high percentage of Greek involvement is networking,” Wysong said. “The IC hopes to provide this sort of networking to an extent but most importantly help independents become more involved.”

Wright said the PuLSE Office is important in passing along leadership information.

“PuLSE can send IC leaders information on leadership positions, which can then be passed along to other members,” Wright said.

PuLSE Office Director Caroline Huck-Watson said she hopes to continue the dialogue with independent students to help increase their involvement.

“Campus is more vibrant and powerful when as many voices are heard,” Huck-Watson said. “Every voice is important.”
Johnson said this situation should be viewed in context.

“Although there is a difference between Greek and non-Greek involvement, Butler students as a whole are more involved than the national average,” Johnson said.

The National Survey of Student Engagement found Butler to be higher in many areas of student involvement, including service projects and volunteer work — something Greek organizations particularly excel in.

“Students don’t need organizations around them to be more involved,” Johnson said. “Oftentimes the division between Greek and non-Greek students is due to competitive events that are based on places of residence.”

Johnson said in the future the administration might try to create smaller residential communities and be more intentional in leadership training programs.

Wright also said it is important to get independent freshmen and sophomores involved so that they may pursue leadership positions in the future.

“We need to continue to try and get independent students involved,” Wright said. “The 65 percent of independent students is definitely not represented.”