Simply put, 48 hours is not enough.
Had a story in the Indianapolis Star not run Saturday, the Board of Trustees would have, and legally could have, waited until Wednesday to announce they were considering increasing freshman tuition by 21 percent - $1,000.
That would have given students and faculty just 48 hours to write a formal letter to the Board of Trustees asking permission to speak at the meeting. This constitutes a very difficult task that effectively kills any incentive to respond.
The administration should not be necessarily criticized for its hefty increase. Ball State currently lacks about $26 million in state funding, and the money must originate from somewhere. The $1,000 increase is just one possible venue, one that both Indiana University and Purdue University have employed.
It is, however, a considerable increase - one worthy of consideration by faculty and students.
Should every issue that comes before the board be given time for public address? Perhaps not, for the simple sake of some efficiency. Still, an issue of this magnitude warrants public enlightenment.
Now that the vote has been delayed until Sept. 26, Ball State administration should take its time and present its case, and students should take the time to try and comprehend the problem they face, and not just complain about it a day late and $1,000 short.
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