Halting a planned renovation on campus could save Ball State $12 million, which could mean more money for research projects down the road.
The savings would come from postponing updates to the Applied Technology Building, thus stunting part of a major renovation project. Renovations to North Quad and later to Teachers College are included in the project and will still take place.
President Jo Ann Gora is hoping these savings will help garner an additional $2.8 million in support from the state over the next two years. The current biennium appropriations are $277 million for Ball State.
Gora also wants more money for research, but for that Ball State needs to be recognized as a research institute.
The state uses an incentive formula to determine how much money a university can ask for, said Bernie Hannon, Ball State associate vice president of business affairs. The formula measures graduation rates, enrollment and research support, he said.
"We're saying that's too restrictive," Hannon said. "We want to generate more money by taking part in more of the formula or creating a new formula to recognize efficiency."
The committee seemed open to making exceptions. Luke Kenley, chairman of the Indiana appropriations committee, told Gora to submit a prioritized list of changes to the formula that would support Ball State's best interest. Hannon and Gora are compiling a list.
Hannon noted last week that Ball State's graduation rate has increased 63 percent since 1996, and enrollment on campus peaked this year at 18,183 students. Retention rates are approaching 80 percent, he said, and freshman SAT scores are up about 50 points since 2003.
Gora presented this and other information during an initial hearing Wednesday with the State Budget Committee, a group that makes funding recommendations for Indiana public universities.
"The story Ball State wants to tell legislators is that we are doing good things on campus," Hannon said.
Looking ahead:
Dec. 15 - CHE will make recommendations to the budget committee
January - Daniels will pass along funding recommendations to the Indiana House of Representatives
February - The House will review recommendations
March - The state Senate will consider recommendations
April 30 - Budgets will be determined at the end of the Indiana General Assembly
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