An audience member at a meeting needed six words to describe her feelings about President Blaine Brownell's departure.
"I just think it's a shaft."
She was referring to her opinion that the Ball State Board of Trustees wasn't giving Brownell enough credit.
Faculty and students expressed sadness, shock and disappointment as word of the president's impending resignation permeated the campus.
Brownell invited faculty members to speak at the meeting Monday afternoon when he officially announced he would be leaving.
"I want to compliment you on your grace under pressure," Kevin Smith, associate professor of history, said.
Smith's compliments sparked applause for Brownell.
Despite faculty saying they would miss the president, they laughed as he joked.
"I'm still president until Feb.1 so you all still have to be nice to me," Brownell said.
News had already spread before the meeting though, causing similar reactions.
"I am crushed," Nancy Carlson, chairwoman of the Department of Telecommunications, said. "I thought he would stay for 16 years."
Carlson, a member of the committee that nominated Brownell, said that most faculty would miss him.
"All I've heard is disappointment and sadness that he's going, at least from the faculty around me, maybe even shock," Carlson said.
Marilyn Buck, the chairwoman of the University Senate, said she had mixed feelings because she liked the president but was glad he has this opportunity.
Administrators, along with faculty, lauded Brownell for his work.
"I think his support of athletics has been terrific," Bubba Cunningham, athletics director, said.
AN OPEN LINE TO STUDENTS
"I heard weeks ago that there were issues," Jayson Manship, president of Student Government Association, said.
"We're going to continue with our agenda as if things haven't changed," Manship said.
Manship said SGA's contact with the president has been limited since his slate took office, but communication lines were open if SGA members had concerns, he said.
"President Brownell always made time for us," Adam Ittenbach, vice president of SGA, said.
Morenike Aderiye, president of the Black Student Association, said she was surprised by Brownell's decision.
"I've seen the changes Ball State has made since 1999 until now," Aderiye said. "The campus has been beautified. He definitely made a change while he was here."
Students say Brownell maintained open lines during his presidency, but now they have to think about keeping the lines open as the search for a replacement begins.
"I hope the students selected are highly motivated, interested and taken seriously on the committee," Ittenbach said.
Ben Tietz, president pro tempore of SGA and president of the Interfraternity Council, said students need to get on the search committee.
Katie Carlson, chairwoman of the Student Campus Life Council on University Senate and press secretary for SGA, suggested the committee should include newer or younger students.
"They are ones who will be working with them (university officials) the longest," Carlson said.
In February, an interim president will take Brownell's place until someone is found to fill the position permanently. Organization members said they plan to work with both the interim and the new president.
"We're going to work very closely with the interim president," Ittenbach said. "We will also speak with his (Brownell's) replacement as soon as possible."
When the new president is selected, Ittenbach said SGA's contact with the president will not change.
"We're pretty set in stone," Ittenbach said. "We have goals set for ourselves and goals set for the Ball State students that won't change with a new president."
Carlson said the role the president plays in University Senate will also remain unchanged.
Carlson said senators had direct contact with the president, though senators did not have much reason to take issues to the president outside of senate meetings.
Students also expressed concern for the university's loss.
"President Brownell was very well liked by faculty and well liked by students," Manship said.
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