Sam Hoyt

President Jo Ann Gora says closed meeting about intelligent design won't affect university

University officials are scheduled to meet privately with state lawmakers on campus Thursday to discuss the legislators’ concerns about faculty freedom of speech over the intelligent design dispute. “We really believe it is better to talk through these issues with folks,” said President Jo Ann Gora in an interview with the Daily News last week. “We have written lots, frankly, so we thought it would be much more effective to sit down and engage with a conversation which might lead to a better understanding.”

Ball State drops 12 spots in safe sex ranking

Ball State’s ranking for sexual health resources and awareness has fallen 12 spots from last year, and 26 spots from 2011. The rankings are sponsored by Trojan condoms and are based on how effective university health centers are at providing services and information about sex to campuses.

Evidence refutes claims of tornado myth

Muncie’s supposed lack of tornadoes has been attributed to Indian roots and luck, but some experts explain Delaware County is no exception to twisters. Cailin Murray, an associate professor of anthropology, said she heard the myth that Chief Munsee blessed the area to keep severe weather away when she first came to Muncie. “I was very concerned about tornados coming from the Pacific Northwest,” she said.

Students don’t hesitate to return to Student Recreation and Wellness Center

In 24 hours, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center went from a place to work out to an evacuated building swarmed with police, and then almost seamlessly back. The building, one of four in the shut down sports and recreation complex, was closed for about three hours as police responded to a report of someone yelling “gun” in the Health and Physical Activity Building.

Family, friends honor student Michael McKinney a decade after death

Jim Campbell can’t recall the first time he met Michael McKinney, but he remembers he was laughing. The alumnus hasn’t heard his fraternity member and friend’s laughter in 10 years, but it is still clear in his mind. “I miss him, but the tears are gone,” Campbell said.

Ball State social media policy looks to protect university reputation

A concise two-and-a-half-page document establishes exactly what is and what is not acceptable on social media in regards to Ball State. Tony Proudfoot, a university spokesperson, said the policy may have been a record-setter when it was established November 2009. “We believe that we are possibly the first institution to establish a social media policy in the country,” he said. Proudfoot said the policy has spread beyond the borders of Ball State. “We have nearly 30 organizations that use our social media policy, either in whole or in part,” he said.

Ball State alumni hope Gora's successor will bring new ideas

Ball State alumni and benefactors expect whoever succeeds President Jo Ann Gora to continue working with them to keep raising Ball State’s reputation. Gora, who became president in the summer of 2004 and plans to leave in the summer of 2014, has worked with alumni and benefactors to raise funding and awareness for many projects at Ball State in the last decade. One example of Gora’s fundraising is the “Ball State Bold Capital Campaign.” In 2008, the university aimed to raise $200 million.

Ball State Board of Trustees approve $800,000 increase in planetarium project funding

The Board of Trustees approved a roughly $800,000 increase in funding for construction on the new planetarium Saturday. Based on construction bids from Oct.

Plan to replace President Gora unclear

The process for finding a new university president is still unknown. The Board of Trustees has not announced its plans for hiring a president following the announcement of Jo Ann Gora’s retirement in June 2014.

Gora leaving will be loss for university, faculty says

The best replacement for Jo Ann Gora would be a clone of Gora, said Jim Lowe, director of engineering and construction operations. “You want that person that’s in that leadership role,” he said.

Gabe Weaver, a sophomore visual communications major and Katie Clark, a sophomore hospitality and food management major, crouch in the snow near Bracken Library. The two built the fort a few hours before the winter storm intensified. DN PHOTO SAM HOYT

Snow problems

Colin McIntire, a junior computer science major, passes Bracken Library in the snow. McIntire said he had trouble crossing McKinley Avenue, but doesn

Gabe Weaver, a sophomore visual communications major and Katie Clark, a sophomore hospitality and food management major, crouch in the snow near Bracken Library. The two built the fort a few hours before the winter storm intensified. DN PHOTO SAM HOYT

Gabe Weaver, a sophomore visual communications major and Katie Clark, a sophomore hospitality and food management major, crouch in the snow near Bracken Library. The two built the fort a few hours before the winter storm intensified. DN PHOTO SAM HOYT

Students atop a parking garage ambush unsuspecting walkers with snowballs. The group said many of their victims played along with the prank. DN PHOTO SAM HOYT

Colin McIntire, a junior computer science major, passes Bracken Library in the snow. McIntire said he had trouble crossing McKinley Avenue, but doesn