Bad communication is one of the main problems characters seem to have in television sitcoms.

Kara Ratliff doesn’t want the Student Government Association to look like a re-run on late-night television.

Ratliff, the Student Government Association chief of staff, said free discussion is one of the main goals she has for her potential presidency.

“I think it’s basically every candidate’s goal to have open communication,” she said.

The Berea junior is running for SGA president against Bowling Green senior Rob Watkins. Students can vote on the candidates today and Wednesday on TopNet.

Good communication would help put any problems the members have out in the open, she said. It was a lack thereof that might have caused the fighting among SGA members that Executive Vice President Mason Stevenson referred to in a letter he wrote to the governing body.

But communication isn’t the only issue Ratliff wants to focus on. She would like to have a student health insurance policy implemented and improve student safety on campus, especially in parking structure 1, she said.

The candidate would also like to open a kiosk in Garrett Center that sells Scantrons and blue books so students wouldn’t have to walk down the Hill if they forget their supplies.

Ratliff wants to improve the Provide-a-Ride system, a service of the Yellow Cab company that picks up students who need a ride home.

Ratliff said she wants to create an outline on how to achieve all her goals, which she plans to do over the summer if elected.

Ratliff was also in favor of the new $46 fee that the Board of Regents approved on Friday. The fee goes to support a wireless Internet system on campus, a health services building and renovations to the fine arts center.

She said she sees how FAC is deteriorating and that it needs renovating. Everyone can use the health services center, and wireless adds worth to a Western degree, she said.

If Ratliff doesn’t win the election, she said she would still like to be involved in SGA in some way. She could be appointed to a position, or run for a senator position in the fall.

Ratliff, a broadcasting major, joined SGA as a sophomore in the fall 2004 semester because she was looking for a way to get involved in campus and a friend recommended SGA.

As a senator, Ratliff was on the academic affairs committee, and now she’s on three university committees.

She worked on the Up ‘Til Dawn and the Dialogue Day last year. Up ‘Til Dawn is where students stay up to celebrate St. Jude Hospital’s fundraiser. Dialogue Day allows students and administrators to meet and discuss whatever questions the students have.