Logo for Byte Magazine at Ball State University

Byte Reviews


ACADEMICS: Athletes excel academically

After a recent report placed several Ball State University sports among the country's highest academic performers, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tom Collins said the athletics department takes academics seriously, "I think we did an outstanding job academically," Collins said.



OUR VIEW: Prudent spending

Tuition and increase are two words no Ball State University student wants to hear in the same sentence. Tuition increases are a rite of passage Ball State students take in stride, but only when the money tuition hikes bring in is used to fund valuable changes students care about.


Trustees to vote on rise in tuition

Ball State University students could see an increase of up to $525 in tuition and fees next year if the Board of Trustees approves a plan at today's meeting. Ball State officials presented proposed tuition and fee increases at a public forum Thursday. In-state students would see a tuition increase of 4.9 percent


Trustee member given award for lifetime of public service

Ball State University trustee Greg Fehribach's lifetime of work facilitating access to buildings for the disabled was recognized with the Unbreakable Spirit Award, given by the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation. The award is given to recognize contributions of groups or individuals that work to improve the lives of people with Osteogenesis Imperfecta and other disabilities through awareness, legislation, education, philanthropy and other forms of service.


Construction begins on plasma center

The sun shone overhead Saturday as more than 20 Muncie BioLife Plasma Services staff members gathered at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new building. In late October, BioLife will open a new donation center behind Best Buy, moving from its current location on Madison Street on the south side of Muncie.



Charter schools lose Ball State sponsorship

Ball State University has lost its opportunity to sponsor two Indiana virtual charter schools, as the Indiana General Assembly voted not to grant the schools $21 million in education funding. The schools are exploring alternative funding options. The Muncie-based Indiana Connections Academy and Indianapolis-based Indiana Virtual Charter School were set to open in the fall with a combined enrollment of about 2,200 students said Larry Gabbert, director of the Ball State Office of Charter Schools.


BASEBALL: Ball State records first win in May

Snapping a six-game losing streak, the Ball State University baseball team defeated Northern Illinois University 2-1 Sunday in ten innings. The win was the second in the last 15 games for the Cardinals. The victory enabled the Cardinals to avoid being swept in the weekend three-game home series after losing the first two games of the series 7-3 and 4-3, respectively.


Exhibit shows progression, change in understanding of the American West

When the Ball State Museum of Art acquired Paul Manship's "Indian Hunter and Pronghorn Antelope," a two-part bronze sculpture which portrays American Indian life through white eyes, organizers began to look for ways to expand the exhibit. The exhibit now includes other sculptures and paintings, including a reduction of Cyrus Dallin's bronze sculpture, "Appeal to the Great Spirit," which is displayed in its full-sized version at Walnut Street, Granville Avenue and McCullough Boulevard.


SOFTBALL: Cardinals take step in the right direction

The Ball State University softball team didn't win a conference title this season, but for coach Craig Nicholson, the biggest thing was getting his players experience. Ball State (22-34, 8-14 Mid-American Conference) had four freshman and four sophomores on its 12-player roster.



Porn shot at BSU now available at local adult store

The pornographic film that stirred controversy on the Ball State University campus during Spring Semester is now available in Muncie. "The Vampire Diaries Vol. 1: Night Class," which includes scenes filmed on campus, became available at Priscilla's adult novelty store early last week.


A SHOT IN THE DARK: Summer days great for love

There are so many beautiful things about summer love. Girls get to wear cute skirts and have a nice tan, guys get to appreciate those factors. The nice weather opens doors to some of the best dates and if you're lucky your dad might let you take the convertible out.


OUR VIEW: Realistic planning

Ball State University's first attempt to sponsor virtual charter schools in Indiana has failed miserably, and more than 2,000 students must find alternative forms of education as a result. Ball State agreed to sponsor two virtual schools from Muncie and Indianapolis that were slated to open this fall without finalized plans for how to fund the schools.


TURNING A BLIND EYE: Process to hike tuition needs major reform

Thursday, Ball State University held a public meeting regarding the decision to raise tuition costs for in-state students by 4.9 percent. The corresponding increase would be 6 percent for non-Indiana students. Turnout for the meeting was low, according to the Star Press, and President Jo Ann Gora told the paper she hopes the low turnout is an indication that students understand the need for such increases.



Cow Path closed until Fall Semester

A mini-icon of the Ball State University campus won't be getting much use this summer. The Cow Path, a walkway that runs north-south from the west side of the LaFollette Complex to Riverside Avenue, will be closed until the beginning of the Fall Semester, Kevin Kenyon, associate vice president of Facilities Planning and Management, said.


BEWILDERED SOCIETY: Letter home lists first year lessons

Dear Mom: Well, I did it. I survived a year at college. Literally. It's scary to think that just a year ago I was graduating from high school, and now here I am writing on the verge of my second set of collegiate finals ever. It's been a busy year down here -- but I don't need to tell you that: You get the bills.


OUR VIEW: Safety first

Inevitably, every Ball State University student has been in class when someone's cell phone rings loudly and has seen the resulting scramble to find the phone and turn it off before the professor spots the rule-breaker. Cell phones are disruptive in certain settings, but in the case of an emergency they provide an irreplaceable way to get help quickly.


MEN'S GOLF: Team to play in First Energy Intercollegiate

With three second-to-last-place finishes in its last four tournaments, the Ball State University men's golf team will try to gain momentum Saturday at the First Energy Intercollegiate before the Mid-American Conference Championships May 3-5. Joining 16 teams, the Cardinals will compete against MAC teams University of Akron, Bowling Green State University, Eastern Michigan University, Miami University, Northern Illinois University and Ohio University.


TRACK: Cardinals hope to set marks at Butler

Before the Ball State University track and field team will compete at the Mid-American Conference Championships, the team will first head to Indianapolis Saturday for competition. The Cardinals will compete in the Stan Lyons Invitational, hosted by Butler University, beginning at 10 a.


Students create interactive broadcast

Move over TiVo. Step aside CNN. Interactive television has arrived, and it's making the evening news a lot more interesting. Telecommunications students enrolled in Interactive Video Design, an advanced multimedia class, worked with computer science and journalism graphics students this semester to produce a live, interactive television broadcast that aired at the Center for Media Design on Thursday night.


Video comedy group makes its premiere

Sketch comedians will pay homage to the YouTube phenomenon at 11 p.m. Saturday in Ball Gym, as Funtime Comedy, a group started by Ball State University graduate Bobby Richards and senior Tyler Core, takes the stage. The event, which is Funtime's first public performance, will feature video shorts and live sketches written and performed by the group.