Freshman Connections is getting a new director next fall who could begin revamping the program one year earlier than expected.
Director Paul Ranieri is stepping down from the position he has held for 10 years as head of the Freshman Connections program, which helps students acclimate to Ball State University.
Ranieri has headed up the program since Ball State began it 10 years ago. All of the first-year programs are being redesigned to fit Ball State's Strategic Plan and will incorporate findings from the Foundations of Excellence study.
Switching directors may bring change earlier than Ball State expected. Changes from the Foundations of Excellence are not expected to go into effect until Fall 2008, as the results will be released late this spring. While a new director has not yet been picked, there could be changes when Freshman Connections falls under new leadership.
Melinda Messineo, assistant professor of psychology, works with the Freshman Reader part of the program. She said that she and other faculty are preparing for fall, despite not knowing what will happen.
"We're just at the point where planning for fall really gets into high gear," she said. "It's do we go, do we wait, do we go, do we wait?"
Provost Terry King gave program staff the go-ahead last week to begin planning while he searches for a director. He expects to choose one by the end of the school year so there is time for the director to prepare and become used to the program, Messineo said.
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