By next fall, the Student Government Association hopes to have its Web site become the central hub for all browsing Ball State University students.
After weeks of preparation, Cardinal Impact announced at Wednesday's SGA meeting that its new online home is up and running. The page, linked at Ball State's site or accessed via thecardinalimpact.com, offers students a variety of interactive features and direct access previously unseen on SGA's Web site.
Jeff Higgens, the site's creator, said he drew inspiration from another government Web site to create this new model.
"I looked at other schools' Web sites, but I wanted to make this really big and interactive so I really took a lot from Barack Obama's White House Web site and what they have going," Higgens said. "It's really designed in a similar fashion."
Higgens was recently appointed to Cardinal Impact's cabinet, but he is no stranger to SGA this year. Prior to his work with the current administration, he served as the Web designer for University Coalition, the past election's runner-up slate.
"I was picked up by University Coalition, did their Web site and I guess Cardinal Impact got a look at that and said, 'Hey, maybe we want him doing our Web site after they won,'" Higgens said.
After Cardinal Impact recognized his work during the campaign season, SGA President Beth Cahill said Higgens was a natural fit for the information technology post. So far, she said Higgens has exceeded expectations.
"To have the Web site up and running and looking the way it does this early in the game is really exciting, and we're so proud of [Higgens]," Cahill said. "Jeff has worked so hard, and he is in contact with us every day."
Higgens, a junior telecommunications major, said the Web site is in its beta stage leading up to next school year, but he said it is essential that students test the site's accessibility now to iron out any kinks.
Currently, Higgens said up to 100 students can apply online to help test the Web site's interactive features, and by the fall he said he hopes to digitalize SGA's "Ask A Senator" campaign so anyone can post a question online. All these efforts correspond with "Cardinal Call," a list of platform points Cardinal Impact intends on accomplishing this term.
BREAKING FOR SUMMER
SGA Vice President Mandy Mills said Cardinal Impact has seen its platform worked on "piece-by-piece" in the early stages, and the new Web site will allow the slate to focus on additional endeavors.
"We have seen a lot of good things going on in just the last two weeks of this year, so that means we're going to have an awesome year next year just by the types of things going on now," Mills said.
After concluding SGA's final meeting of the school year Wednesday, Mills said some "groundwork" has already been laid for certain platform points, and she and SGA Treasurer Nick Turner would remain in Muncie this summer to continue Cardinal Impact's efforts.
Cahill said she will not be on campus between semesters, but the break will allow everyone to conduct research and realize the logistics behind each platform point.
The summer will mark the second phase of the L.A. Pittenger Student Center renovations and as a result SGA will be forced to re-locate in late May. It will be housed at the Arts and Communications Building, and are expected to hold meetings in Park Hall until Spring 2010.
"I've loved being in [the Student Center] ... people know where we are, and senators have popped in just to help out," Mills said. "I think it may be a bit awkward to do all that in a different area, but I don't think it's going to affect our work and what we get done."
Be the first to comment on this article!