Talk of a new student center has been circulating since the mid-1990s. The new building, however, has yet to arrive.
According to Douglas McConkey, vice president of Student Affairs, plans for the new building, slated to be connected to the Art and Journalism Building, are still underway. He said the financial situation is not stable enough to begin construction.
"If we had the funding, we could proceed," McConkey said. "We are still seeking contributors."
Kevin Kenyon, associate vice president of Facilities, Planning and Management, said preliminary planning has begun, but there is no set time for construction to begin. Kenyon said the university can only pay for it through private donations or student fees. The state, he said, will not fund recreational facilities.
"We can get state funding to build a music building, but not a parking garage, football stadium or student center."
The possible cuts in state funding, equivalent to about 13 percent of Ball State's budget, must also be addressed before more plans can be created.
"How high or how low or whether there will be any cuts at all is up for discussion," Kenyon said.
Funding for the new student center is managed by the Above and Beyond campaign, which was launched in 1999 and is set to end this summer. Money from the campaign does not have to be designated for a specific product. The university could put the funding toward any project. Donors can also give money to be used for planned projects, or they can donate for a project of their own, like the Shafer Tower.
Tolu Olowomeye, the vice president of Student Government Association, said construction will cost anywhere between $20 million to $33 million, depending on how elaborate the design is. According to Olowomeye, $10 million has been allocated for the new student center, but money has not been specifically allotted for construction.
Olowomeye said the proposal for the new building has to be approved by state legislature, but the university won't be going to the legislature soon because of the recently approved music instruction building.
A task force has been created to help collect students' views and support if the student center is brought before the legislature.
"We are trying to get student opinions and input and garner interest," Olowomeye said. "We want to make sure we have student support because we do not want to present (state legislature) with something it feels the students don't need."
Olowomeye said students would have to pay a fee in order to support the building, which would range from $30 to $75 a semester.
Olowomeye said she is optimistic about having a new student center, and groundbreaking is projected for 2003, with completion between 2005 and 2006.
"It is something that is needed and something that will happen," Olowomeye said. "It's simply a matter of time and money."
According to McConkey, all plans are tentative. Currently, the university has identified 10 or 15 administrative offices that can be placed in the building, such as the Continuing Education office.
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