Officers of the returning Ball State University chapter of a national organization hope to connect cultures and involve people in their community after a 15-year hiatus.
"The NAACP has a long history of serving communities around the country," said Candice Jackson, president of the Ball State NAACP chapter. "If it wasn't for organizations like the NAACP, I wouldn't be going to Ball State."
Because the chapter is part of a national organization, Jackson said, it will allow issues that concern race to be addressed nationally.
Brent Lyle, secretary of the Ball State chapter of the NAACP, said executives of the chapter have been working since the beginning of Fall Semester to pass a constitution recognizing them as an official Ball State organization.
Ball State recognized it Nov. 5.
Although it has been recognized by the university, the NAACP will not recognize the chapter until a minimum of 25 members have paid the $10 membership fee, Lyle said.
The chapter has more than 25 members interested, Jackson said, but most of them have yet to pay the membership fee.
Lyle said the chapter will begin holding events and meetings after Winter Break.
Jayne Beilke, chairwoman for the department of educational studies and president of the NAACP Muncie chapter, was appointed professional adviser to the Ball State chapter, Lyle said.
Having Beilke on board will allow the NAACP to build a bridge of communication between Muncie and the university, Lyle said.
"NAACP offers a great opportunity for students to connect outside of the university," he said. "One of our larger focuses is service to community."
Jackson said the chapter is in the membership phase and encourages students of all cultures to look into joining the NAACP.
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