For a school of approximately 4,000 undergraduate students, Butler University has a vibrant extracurricular student life.

When I first visited Butler’s campus as a prospective student in fall 2010, around 115 student-run organizations exist.

Now there are over 150 student-run organizations, according to the university’s website.

There needs to be a consolidation of student-run groups on campus that focus on identical or similar issues.

Overall, student-run organizations are a good component of Butler’s climate.

However, when separate organizations for a similar cause are present at the same time, changes need to be made.

For instance two similar yet separate groups are Fall Alternative Break and Alternative Spring Break.

Also there are the Earth Charter Butler and Environmental Concerns groups, as well as Colleges Against Cancer and Bulldogs against Breast Cancer.

Each of these groups has the potential to receive  Student Government Association grants, which stem their money from the student body.

While groups like Bulldogs Against Breast Cancer and Colleges Against Cancer may not have the same constitutions or mission statements, they are both addressing a nearly identical issue.

“I know everybody wants to blaze their own trail,” said Laura Spieth, president of Bulldogs Against Breast Cancer. “But I think it would be smart if everybody that wants to start a group that has similar missions to other groups on campus looked into joining a similar group.”

Bulldogs Against Breast Cancer decided to take the independent route when it formed a year and a half ago.

Spieth said that during the formation of the organization, Bulldogs Against Breast Cancer heard suggestions that they join the Colleges Against Cancer group as a subcommittee.

However, Spieth wanted the freedom to choose where the money it raises goes, since Colleges Against Cancer works mainly with the American Cancer Society.

Situations like these show the importance of having multiple groups on campus.

However, with funding, it would be best if some of these groups came together and teamed up to cut down on costs and increase resources.

“We’re planning on doing stuff with Bulldogs Against Breast Cancer for Paint the Campus Purple and Pink Week,” said Kelsey Mulverhill, advocacy chair for Colleges Against Cancer.

“We are co-sponsoring a breast cancer survivor speaker that week;” she said, “and we’re doing tailgates right next to each other.”

The best solution to this issue could come from the organizations themselves.

“The best way for moving forward would be a resolution through the assembly asking the PuLSE Office and Student Affairs to review their guidelines on maintaining student organizations and on becoming a student organization,” Student Government Association President Mike Keller said.

Keller also said that since SGA is made up of representatives of student-run organizations, change coming from the SGA assembly would be change from the bottom up.

Such change would be better than reform from an SGA president, which could be perceived as an overextension of executive power.

This change needs to come soon so student money can be used by student-run organizations as efficiently as possible.

On Sep. 19, Student Government Association assembly voted and passed the SGA budget proposal.

This familiar procedure took place in a matter of minutes with little debate or concern raised about where approximately $750,000 would be going.

This all-too-common scenario illustrates an issue that assembly must face—SGA representatives need to take their jobs more seriously.

Student representatives are not in assembly just to warm a chair and keep their organization intact.

They are there to represent students and voice their concerns about campus issues.

By ignoring the power behind their positions, SGA representatives disenfranchise the student body.

“If everybody (in assembly) is quiet about issues, then the students aren’t being represented since their representatives aren’t speaking with them about these issues,” SGA President Mike Keller said.

The apathy displayed by SGA representatives not only silences students’ voices but also misuses students’ money.

Students pay $288 per semester to SGA through activity fees.

So when representatives don’t even spend five minutes discussing the details and provisions of the SGA budget, they more or less have thrown aside $288 of each student’s money.

This flippant attitude is appalling coming from a student organization that is supposed to act as the students’ megaphone to the administration.

Keller notes how the current assembly does not recognize the influence it holds.

“The student representatives don’t realize how much power they have,” Keller said. “If they wanted to, they could have completely defunded the Program Board.”

The SGA executive board has attempted to stir discussion over assembly votes.

From providing background information to representatives before each meeting for each vote to breaking up larger votes—like the budget—into chunks, the executive board has done all it can without forcing itself into the debate.

Executive board members and SGA advisers cannot instigate discussion in assembly meetings.

“I really do appreciate when there is discussion, but if assembly doesn’t feel a need to discuss, then that’s up to them,” SGA Adviser Caroline Huck-Watson said.

This is sensible since forcing assembly conversation would be akin to the United States executive branch breaking into a Senate vote and dictating how to go through the process.

Ultimately, the student representatives alone are responsible for their attentiveness during assembly.

Honestly, no clear solutions exist except for student representatives to accept the role they took on.

Considering significant issues—the Council on Presidential Affairs’ list of proposals and the capital improvement list—are going to be addressed down the line, the student body better hope its representatives shape up soon.

If not, then students can count on a continued lack of progress.

Pouring rain did not stop Butler University students from coming out to Clowes Memorial Hall and jamming to Smash Mouth and Chiddy Bang last weekend at ButlerPalooza.

The concerts committee, a part the Student Government Association, did an exceptional job dealing with planning issues when bad weather rolled in.

However, there is room for improvement.

The concerts committee should take student opinion into account when selecting bands.

“Smash Mouth was someone that could work well at Butler and get people to come see Chiddy Bang,” said senior Maddie Silverstein, co-chair of the concerts committee.  “We had to get someone that would draw people that didn’t listen to Chiddy Bang.”

Smash Mouth did just that, bringing out everyone who loved them when their hit “All Star” was featured in “Shrek” and flooded the airwaves.

“I enjoyed Smash Mouth more than Chiddy,” sophomore Michael Deloria said. “A big part of that was because of the nostalgia.  I listened to Smash Mouth a lot as a kid.”

The problem lies in how obsolete Smash Mouth is.

“All Star” was a single off Smash Mouth’s 1999 album “Astro Lounge,” and Shrek came out in 2001.

Smash Mouth has been irrelevant for a decade, and since then other great bands and acts have risen to fame.

The nostalgia factor was certainly a big draw, but when Smash Mouth’s lead singer, Steve Harwell, said that they would be playing songs from their new album, I zoned out.

It’s hard to get excited about a band’s new music when people only know one or two of its previous songs.

Freshman Hanna Holman said while the nostalgia drew some people, knowing most of Chiddy Bang’s songs is what made the hip hop duo enjoyable.

Silverstein said that multiple factors go into selecting acts for ButlerPalooza.

The bands’ schedules, the combination of bands and the costs of booking a band are taken into consideration.

The concerts committee can’t really afford to book acts like Eminem or Skrillex.

While Smash Mouth fit into all those requirements, the concerts committee ought to poll students on who they want to see.

Silverstein said that the committee has tried taking student opinion in the past but that the feedback they received gave them expensive musicians like Coldplay, Lady Gaga and Lil’ Wayne.

“They could get a poll of bands in their budget,” Deloria said. “They’d get a much better turnout.”

While Smash Mouth might not be the ideal band to bring to campus, dancing around to “All Star” and the cover of The Monkees’ song “I’m a Believer” was a blast.

The concerts committee has room for improvement, but all things considered, it put together a success.

While people across the nation find themselves embroiled in political debate, Butler University locks itself out of the conversation.

The campus lacks frank political discussion.

Current policies block funding to overtly political student organizations on campus.

This moratorium on public debate harms student experience and scholarship.

Students on both ends of the political spectrum think a sweeping change to Butler’s political climate is essential.

“A lot of people come in here with the biases their parents gave them,” the College Democrats President Cole Collins said. “If they do think about their own political views, they don’t participate.”

One of the changes both political groups recommended is releasing previously blocked funds.

“I think the blocked funding to political student groups on campus harms the student body and its ability to discuss these issues,” the College Republicans Chairman Stephanie Hodgin said.

Without money from Student Government Association, these organizations have to seek funding from outside sources, such as Organizing for America and the College Republican National Committee.

This makes it far more difficult for these organizations to create events that involve students in political discussion.

Both Collins and Hodgin said they want to set up debates, host student forums and invite political candidates to campus.

But they lack solid funding to do so.

Butler’s  reluctance  about bringing these discussions to the forefront is understandable, especially if it’s to avoid the appearance of taking sides.

Yet encouraging political debate will ultimately benefit the campus.

If student political organizations had the money to explain their platforms, students would better analyze their own stances and better understand others’ stances.

If political debate and action happened on campus, students would become more involved in the community and unlearn the stereotypes they may have about the “other side.”

If Butler invited politicians and political activists to campus more often, more students might be willing to enter the political foray.

Another problem is that the administration does not allow SGA members to openly express their opinions in the public sphere.

SGA President Mike Keller said he notices the lack of honest political conversations and hopes to rework the policy.

“I think it would be an improvement to the campus to relax the policy a little bit since it’s a little broad,” Keller said.

Keller formed a new SGA position, the director of external affairs, in order to bring more candidates to school and involve students in the political process.

Butler administrators are currently considering reworking this policy with SGA.

But for now,  students are waiting to see some concrete changes.

“They should just fund College Democrats, College Republicans and Student for Liberty equally,” Collins said. “Even $100 would help each group set up events.”

The Student Government Association’s office in Atherton Union has a new look.

The door was open, and boxes were scattered everywhere as SGA President Mike Keller stood atop a step stool, remodeling the room.

“I have no complaints about last year’s SGA group,” Keller said, “but this year we’re going to focus on some new goals.”

Keller said SGA wants to make changes that are more than cosmetic.

“We’re working with Butler IT right now to make a nicer, easier-to-use website,” Keller said.

Keller said the website will be online in September, and students can volunteer to receive a weekly newsletter via email.

Keller said his biggest goal was being physically accessible.

“I really want students to feel like they can just stop by the SGA office any time,” Keller said. “Our door will always be open.”

After two summer retreats and multiple mini assemblies, SGA has come up with a list of over 100 goals for the 2012-13 school year.

“We definitely want to continue on the great foundation that was left for us,” said Scott Nemeth, vice president of administration. “We’re going to inherit some really cool grants and projects this year.”

Those projects include new Brita water stations as part of the Council on Presidential Affairs Green Operations sector and a new bike rental system that will give students the opportunity to check out bikes.

“We want to make more big projects out of student ideas,” Nemeth said.

SGA has already begun scheduling coffee chats in Starbucks, where students will get a chance to talk to SGA and Butler officials about changes and ideas they would like to see implemented.

SGA also wants to distribute more surveys to students to help prioritize the projects for the year.

One of SGA’s largest annual projects is the Butlerpalooza concert.

Butlerpalooza is scheduled for Sep. 7, and while the artist may soon be revealed program board chair Stevan Tomich said he is sworn to secrecy.

“I really can’t tell anything, but this year there will be an after party in the Reilly Room after the concert,” Tomich said.

Time will tell if SGA is ready for its latest challenges, but Keller said he has tremendous faith in the group.

“I’m just constantly amazed by this new group’s enthusiasm,” Keller said.

“If we keep it up, I really think that we’ll be able to make some positive changes to the campus this year.”

About 51 percent of students disagree that Butler University is diverse,  according to results from a new survey by  Student Affairs.

About 37 percent somewhat disagreed that Butler is diverse, and 14 percent strongly disagreed with that statement.

The survey gauged Butler’s diversity and students’ perspective on campus atmosphere.

There were 527 students who participated in the poll. Seventy percent were women and 29 percent were men.

A fifth to a quarter of each class was represented, according to the study.

Student Government Association President-Elect Mike Keller said this is because people only think of diversity as involving race.

“Diversity is a broad definition,” Keller said. “It was intended for broader areas other than race.”

Dean of Student Life Irene Stevens oversees the committee responsible for assessing the data. She said there are a number of things the campus can improve upon.

“We need to diversify campus more through admissions, and then help individuals take advantage of cultural-related activities,” Stevens said. “When students get into the real world it’s a lot more diverse than Butler.”

Stevens said everyone has the ability to act as an ambassador for the university, which will help diversify campus.

“Students, faculty and staff are all involved in encouraging diversity,” Stevens said.

Keller said there are two areas responsible for addressing these issues: admissions and organizations on campus.

“Admissions can target more people from diverse backgrounds,” Keller said. “R.E.A.C.H. and SGA are responsible for highlighting different cultures, which comes from programming.”

Twenty-eight percent of respondents participated in diversity-related activities, which were labeled a main point in the survey’s conclusion.

Freshman pharmacy major Eric Chen said as a minority student he has not attended a “diversity-related” activity because he said it brings attention to students’ minority status.

“I think these activities make minorities feel uncomfortable,” Chen said. “The best way to make a minority student feel comfortable is to treat them as any other person.

“Minorities don’t need any preferential treatment.”

Stevens said the administration is meeting with SGA over the summer to address the findings. Focus groups will also be formed to further explore students’ perspectives, Stevens said.

Keller said the low participation in diversity-related activities is due to the target audience of R.E.A.C.H.’s programming.

“People assume diversity programming is only for minorities,” Keller said. “Next year we will try to market it to a broader audience.”

One of the areas of greatest improvement was the number of respondents who described the university as “welcoming.”

Eighty percent of respondents said Butler is “very welcoming,” which is a 6 percent improvement from 2009.

Stevens said this is due to what she described as the university’s “culture of respect.”

“We want to create a university that’s welcoming,” Stevens said. “We expect that from all of Butler University.”

Politically, the survey found most students to be moderates, followed by conservatives and liberals, with 43 percent, 30 percent and 23 percent, respectively.

Keller said it is SGA’s responsibility to encourage political discussion on campus.

“Campus is stronger when people are talking,” Keller said. “We need political discussion.”

OUR POINT THIS WEEK: Butler looks to the future with new majors, improved facilities and new administration. | VOTE: 33-0-1

One word defined Butler University during the 2011-12 academic year: transition.

From the inauguration of a completely new president to the installation of a new fireplace in the Market Place at Atherton Union, the changes kept rolling all year.

While all major changes are sure to bring about some less-than-desirable outcomes, the promising improvements on campus tend to get overlooked.

Looking back, new programs have blossomed, new facilities are being constructed and the strategic discussions on this campus have become extremely forward thinking—all during the course of one academic year.

Butler has much to be excited about and has many new opportunities to explore, but we can’t rest on our laurels. There is much room to expand on the achievements we have already made.

Dance, theater and music students will finally get a larger, necessary recital hall when the Howard L. Schrott Center for the Performing Arts opens. The budding art + design program recently received much needed studio and gallery space by expanding its program into the former Academy of Dance Annex.

Arts aren’t the only programs to gain ground this semester. Entirely new majors, such as the peace studies, risk management and communication organization programs will be available next semester.

All these new programs are ripe for inter-college collaboration, something that university administrators and deans  should focus on as Butler moves forward.

While academics are thriving, Butler’s athletic programs continue to set a high example of professionalism, despite increased outside scrutiny in the national collegiate athletic arena.

President Jim Danko and his cabinet are doing the right thing by putting an increased focus on compliance with federal and local laws. Moving forward, Butler needs to make sure that any potential violation is investigated and resolved  so that Butler maintains a clean slate.

Administratively, Danko came in ready to institute real change and listened to student concerns from his first day.

While his national tour to promote Butler kept him busy, he didn’t stop responding to student emails personally and holding student office hours. This needs to continue.

Another promising sign: When ideas have gone awry and problems have developed, Danko’s administration generally remained transparent, even though it sometimes meant answering difficult questions and admitting potential flaws.

Moving forward, Student Government Association should strive for better transparency and openness, as well as strive to hold its members more accountable to following the SGA constitution.

Butler is not perfect. We don’t live in a utopia. But we made considerable progress over this past year, especially during a transitional period.

Butler will only continue to improve as long as every member of the community continues to strive for positive, dynamic change.

Published April 24, 2012

The joke in my family right now is that my sister is the smartest sibling, since she decided to enroll at a university in the Sunshine State, whereas I choose one in the Hoosier State.

Although I envy her and the view she will have of the Atlantic Ocean, I am saddened that she will not have the incredible and unique Butler University experience I had.
These upcoming four years at Butler would truly have been enjoyable for her.

Nevertheless, the past four years have provided me with many memories and life lessons, and I am very excited to see Butler progress.

The changes proposed or those that are already in the process of completion are much needed and will positively transform the university.

The most visible changes that my sister would have experienced are, of course, the construction projects on campus.

The new performance arts complex, the Howard L. Schrott Center, will be a nice venue that I hope will bring in more highly sought speakers.

The proposed parking garage with retail space is also a project my sister would have experienced.

Also, she could have eaten in the renovated Atherton Union dining hall, and maybe even roomed in a modernized residence hall.

But construction projects are not the only changes that are occurring on campus.

The student population has changed over the years, and I think it is necessary for certain changes to take place involving the students.

I remain convinced that the student body should change the Student Government Association and transform the format into a student senate.

Great potential is present for creating a student senate as it would involve all aspects of student organizations on campus.

The student senate would be more efficient and involve student leaders that would be driven to create change on campus, not just attend to be eligible for a student organization grant.

A great amount of research and determined energy would be needed to execute the change effectively, but ultimately it would be a sustainable project serving the Butler student population for years to come.

A majority of our peer institutions already have this format.

Secondly, if my sister should choose to become involved with Greek life on campus, then I would have hoped that she  would involve herself in the much needed changes dealing with the alcohol-related hospitalizations on campus.

I believe that in the upcoming years students associated with Greek life should devote themselves to creating a bottom-up policy dealing with the risks associated with unaccountable drinking.

The debate is always going to be centered on a policy of beer and wine only.

Rather than a decision made by administrators, chapter presidents would benefit the campus more if they were to call a meeting and create their own policy recommendations to better serve the community.

This was attempted a few years ago, but the conversation ran out of momentum.

I hope that this upcoming year, Greek leaders will find it beneficial to create a public discussion on this topic once again.

Overall, I am excited for the changes occurring on campus, and even though my sister will not be attending Butler, I have already begun to convince my younger brother.

Students are not the only ones working behind the scenes for Butler’s Student Government Association.

The PuLSE Office has four individuals who advise SGA and its various boards.

Dean of Student Life Irene Stevens said the role of an SGA adviser is to help executive members do the job to the best of their ability and help them avoid pitfalls they may encounter.

“I don’t necessarily always have the answers,” said Caroline Huck-Watson, director of the PuLSE Office. “But I can also help direct someone to figure out where those are.”

Huck-Watson advises the Council on Presidential Affairs, Finance Board, the SGA president and SGA’s Executive Board. As PuLSE director, she also helps other staff advisers when issues arise.

SGA President Al Carroll said the advisers are there to say when students are or are not on the right track.

“We don’t always agree with them,” Carroll said. “But that’s the way it is.”

She said that while there are no specific guidelines for her to follow as adviser, there are expectations in terms of the role she plays. She said the entire PuLSE staff follows university law and procedures.

She said that doing so allows the advisers to help students navigate university systems.

Other PuLSE advisers include Julie Pakenham, associate director; Rob Miller, assistant director; and Jen Agnew, assistant director.

The PuLSE staff reports to Stevens.

“I also work with the exec on some issues occasionally,” Stevens said. “It’s not unusual for me to have a meeting with the president of SGA, in particular the CPA president and vice president, about various issues.”

Stevens also said that her role allows her to attend various SGA assemblies.

“It gives me a sense of what’s going on with students and what the issues are that they’re dealing with,” Stevens said. “I do enjoy going in and hearing what they’re talking about.”

Stevens said the advisers are able to provide students with a historical perspective of SGA and the university.

“I rely on Caroline quite a bit,” SGA President-elect Mike Keller said. “Al has been great with the transition, but Caroline is who I look to for knowledge of the past.”

Huck-Watson said she sees challenging students as one of her roles.

“I would hope my role is that when students are making decisions, I’m helping them see a variety of different perspectives so that they can make the most informed decision that they can at that time,” Huck-Watson said.

She said she is ever-evolving as an adviser.

“It’s such a moment of pride to see a student be a successful leader, to make change on campus, to really feel empowered, to lead a group and to make decisions that have an impact on our community,” Huck-Watson said. “That happens every year. It’s so wonderful.”

Keller said he’s already had a great experience working with the advisers leading up to his transition into office.

The advisers sat in on his vice president interviews.

“It is my decision,” Keller said. “None of them tried to influence it, but they were able to provide a lot of helpful pros and cons for each candidate.”

Carroll said he has great respect and gratitude for all of the SGA advisers.

“They make my life easier,” Carroll said. “I’m thankful for that.”

Huck-Watson said she is blessed to have the opportunity to work with Butler students in such a profound way.

“I look around sometimes at events and things that are going on that our students are accomplishing,” Huck-Watson said. “It just takes my breath away sometimes.”

Published April 18, 2012

The recent attacks on the Student Government Association have taken a turn for the worse.

The criticisms no longer are directed at the students who represent us. Now advisers are being targeted for unwarranted reasons.

The latest assault on SGA leaders and advisers was centered on the Dean of Student Life Irene Stevens for her announcement at assembly on April 4 pertaining to The Collegian’s push for recent election data.

This push has already met defeat in the student assembly. However, the agenda for obtaining the data continues and shows no signs of slowing down.

It does seem to be derailing as it has moved into a disheartening direction.

Targeting the advisers because of the frustrations felt after the failed motion to release the election data causes concern and is  misguided.

The students elected and appointed in SGA must continue seeking advice and have their advisers involved in assembly.

A successful organization thrives on incorporating the voices of many—not an enclosed few.

My three years of involvement in SGA have given me plenty of insight into the functions and actions advisers have performed.

During this time, I know the advisers have never undermined the trust of students.

Not once in the Council on Presidential Affairs meetings, executive committee meetings or student assemblies did an advisor take initiative on a project or make a decision.

The same can be said during the meetings I had with former SGA President Chris Ring, former university President Bobby Fong, former Provost Jamie Comstock and Vice President for Student Affairs Levester Johnson.

Decisions are either made by the student-elected representatives or voted on by the student assembly.

The role of the advisers is to sit in on the meetings, which are chaired and run by the student leader, and help answer any questions that may arise throughout the discussion.

The last thing I wanted when I chaired CPA was to pursue an issue that could take weeks to find an answer, only to come to a dead end.

This would have happened on a number of occasions if my advisers did not give me advice that let me  pursue the situation correctly.

I believe the action of incorporating staff or faculty advisers deserves more use, since student-run organizations would benefit from their guidance.

A student coming into the role of vice president or president has an insignificant amount of experience compared to the combined years of the involved staff advisors.

I would be dumbfounded if I learned one of the SGA officials representing me blatantly ignored advice from Stevens or adviser Caroline Huck-Watson.

Students involved in SGA must pursue advice and guidance when dealing with a $700,000 budget, and the inner workings of Butler University.

I would imagine students, and The Collegian, would be more upset that a budget was presented and went through a process in which the executive committee did not listen to any advisors.

I would also be greatly embarrassed if students elected a president who went rogue  and pursued an agenda in front of the Board of Trustees that would bring disgrace to the student body after dismissing advice from an advisor and the administrators on campus.

I urge President-elect Mike Keller and the student leaders he surrounds himself with to continue including Watson, Stevens, Johnson and any other staffers, administrators or faculty when making decisions that impact the Butler community.

Keller should also continue having them involved in student assembly.

Though outsiders might find themselves frustrated with actions performed by SGA, I caution them before they jump to conclusions.