Work on an expansion of the recreation facilities at Ball State University could move from the conceptual stage to the design stage if approved by the state legislature. To increase the likelihood of the project receiving state approval, Student Government Association is proposing legislation supporting the expansions.
"We are asking the students to take a step back and say 'Would my college experience be better if I had better access to better recreation facilities?' and I think the answer to the is yes," SGA President Steve Geraci said.
The recreation facility improvement project has been discussed for several years, but the most recent plan, which will be taken before the Indiana General Assembly, includes adding space for intramural and club sports.
The improvements are necessary to bring Ball State up to par with recreational facilities at similar universities in the Midwest, Kay Bales, dean of Student Affairs, said.
Despite the additional costs that can come with updating facilities, universities that have recently done so have had a rise in the number of students applying, Bales said. She said this is a direct correlation and reflects student values.
"The first and foremost concern should be the academic programs," she said, "but they are also concerned with the quality of life on campus and the other kids of programs and amenities the university offers."
Tom Morrison, associate vice president of Human Resources and State Relations, will present the project before the Indiana General Assembly for approval. The assembly meets January through March. There is no fixed time for its presentation, but it is good to have it ready for when there is an opportunity, he said.
"I think that's why SGA is seeing this as time sensitive," Morrison said. "The longer you wait, the longer it takes to see results."
This is not an academic project but a student project, he said, so student support is extremely important. The legislature will want to know it is something the students actually want and have helped with, and the legislation from SGA would say that.
"Having student voices on that, represented by SGA, is very important," he said. "It is one of the first things the legislators would ask for."
SGA is currently looking for more sponsors for the legislation, Geraci said, and senators will vote on the legislation supporting expansion at Wednesday's meeting.
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