Ball State University has one of the brightest and most selective classes of freshmen ever, but most of them are living in the oldest residence halls on campus -ยก- LaFollette Complex.
As with any old building, it needs a lot of upkeep to stay in livable condition. That's understandable, as long as the work gets done. But elevators break on a regular basis (sometimes with people in them), walls sport holes that allow residents to peek into other rooms, mold is allowed to create its own ecosystem behind dressers and asbestos has been found in residence halls in recent years.
This is where we put most freshmen for their first year on campus, their most impressionable year. The university requires them to live in a residence hall. It's a wonder they even stay at Ball State.
Living at LaFollette does have its perks. Many residents leave doors open, inviting new friends to stop by and introduce themselves. Hall staffs plan dozens of relationship building activities to foster a fun living atmosphere. Clusters of students studying communications, business and other subjects provide an academic support system for each other.
Those benefits don't negate the fact that LaFollette needs a lot of renovations.
Housing and Dining is wrapping up renovating Woodworth Complex and preparing to start North Hall, but LaFollette needs to be next on the list. There is (at last check) $44.5 million in a surplus fund for future dining and residence hall buildings and maintenance of current ones. That should be used to improve LaFollette's run-down condition.
A well-kept living space show students Ball State cares about them. Smart students have many college options, and if Ball State only offers them space in a deteriorated residence hall, they will choose a school with better accommodations.
According to the university's Strategic Plan, by 2012 Ball State wants "80 percent of total incoming freshman class holding academic honors diplomas or equivalent." Those smart freshmen will be looking for a school where they are treated with respect, and that includes being offered nice residence halls.
Not everything at LaFollette is fixable, but repairs that can must be done. Students deserve safe, clean residence halls, and Ball State has a duty to provide them.
Fix LaFollette Complex. A friendly environment can't cover up cracks and mold.
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