Reports at the Board of Trustees meeting Friday showed that Ball State University is building, renovating, accommodating, fundraising and congratulating.
The university is building Kinghorn Hall, renovating Studebaker East Complex, accommodating for varied meal plans, fundraising for the capital campaign and congratulating departments such as the College of Architecture and Planning.
The Board of Trustees is the most powerful governing body on campus, comprised of nine members from around the state.
The meeting began with a report from President Jo Ann Gora, seated at the head of the table beside Board President Thomas DeWeese. Gora briefly explained the budget reductions to the board and announced that an open forum would take place at 3 p.m. on Feb. 19 in the Art and Journalism Building Room 175.
The Financial and Budgetary Affairs Committee reported 96 suggestions in the inbox for budgplan2010@bsu.edu.
'[This committee] provides a great sounding board for [me and the cabinet],' Gora said. 'We have a lot on our plate, but it's all moving in a positive direction.'
Gora went on to discuss a 45 percent rise in freshmen applications and their high academic standings.
'The pool is not only large but very strong,' she said, citing an average high school GPA of 3.4 or higher for freshman applicants. 'This is a reflection of higher admission standards.'
She said with roughly 18 months to go in the Ball State Bold capital campaign, almost 94 percent of the goal has been met. She said the foundation is already being set for the next capital campaign with a target group of alumni donors who are committed to donating at least $1,000 each year.
Gora listed upcoming speakers, performers and university donors and highlighted achievements at the Digital Media Repository and Burris School of Technology, among others.
Giving an update on the construction schedule, Gora said the Student Center renovations should be finished in March, and Kinghorn Hall will open next fall. She said one benefit of hosting the campus forum in a few weeks is to explain to the student body the different 'pots of money' that are being utilized. For example, money for construction projects comes from excess housing and dining fees rather than the general budget, from which $7.6 million will be cut each year moving forward.
Chairman of University Senate Brien Smith then gave an update on what is being discussed within the Senate. He reported on four constitutional amendments that were passed and are now in the process of being approved by faculty.
'As always, the gears grind slowly,' he said. 'We'd like to help the university whenever we can.'
A motion was approved to begin renovations on Studebaker East Complex. The project is expected to be completed in fall 2012.
Randy Howard, vice president of Business Affairs and treasurer, said the complex was built in the 1960s. He also said renovations would be similar in scope to the changes at DeHority Complex, but the appearance would be different. Highlights include more private bathrooms and 'teaming rooms,' which would encourage students to work on group projects by utilizing technology and equipment.
Howard also reported that several of the rooms at Kinghorn Hall will be singles.
He then addressed revisions to the system of collecting outstanding bills owed to the university by faculty members and adding more specific offenses for which action must be taken. He said at any one time, around 25 faculty members have outstanding debts averaging $500.
Howard said the administration is changing its fee structure for dining in favor of varied pricing. He said this year $4,355 was allocated from the total housing and dining fee for the cost of food. He said 78 percent of students chose a 14 or 18 meal plan, and most students didn't use all their dining plus, resulting in a loss of 10 to almost 30 percent of the money paid for dining. He said next year's price structure will range from $3,594 for a 10 meal plan to $4,616 for a 21 meal plan.
He said the administration decided it was too much of a penalty to make students pay the same amount if they don't plan on eating as much.
'Students have been asking for this for a long time,' he said. 'Change is always hard.'
He said there are almost 2,000 students on the Premium Plan, and if one of these students chooses a lower meal plan next year, they will be compensated the difference.
Howard said Ball State will see a 3percent average increase in room and board rates next year, making it just shy of the average cost for room and board among schools in the Mid-American Conference.
The meeting wrapped up with a presentation of the achievements made at the College of Architecture and Planning and overall congratulations to university departments.
Board Secretary Hollis Hughes said he's impressed with how the university is handling projects and planning.
'All of it ties back to the Strategic Plan, and that's a real testament to the administration and faculty,' he said.
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