Despite losing federal funding this month, administrators approved a proposal to institutionalize the Office of Victims Services, which includes the Victims Advocate Program.
June Payne, director of counseling and health services, said after learning about the loss of the federal grant, administrators approved her proposal to keep the services, which are projects of the Campus and Community Alliance to Support Safety and Advocacy for Victims.
"Basically we wanted to make the program just as much a part of the university as the Health Center and the Student Center," she said.
OVS began operating on campus in 2005, and the Victims Advocate, Michele Cole, followed in 2006.
Cole said violent crime victims could call her any time, and she would help them take the appropriate steps with the police, take them to a hospital or shelter if needed and provide mental and emotional support.
Ball State University administrators have been supportive of the program since it began, she said.
"I think it's a phenomenal move by the administration to make sure this service sticks around," she said. "I have enjoyed providing victims with a voice and making sure their rights are upheld."
Kay Bales, vice president of student affairs and dean of students, said administrators found available funding for the program this year in the Student Dedicated Fee Fund, which also provides money for services such as the Amelia T. Wood Student Health Center, the L.A. Pittenger Student Center and the Counseling Center.
Bales did not specify how much was needed to fund the program.
Payne said the loss of federal funding could be beneficial to the program and to those who would take advantage of it.
"Students are essentially paying up front for the services so that there will be no charge when they actually use them," she said.
Under federal funding last year, the victims advocate could only assist victims of sexual assault, stalking and domestic violence, Payne said. Now the advocate can assist victims of all violent crimes, she said.
"We want students to be able to get the best possible services if they are victimized," Payne said. "We have seen our program do great things for students so far and hope to move in a direction that provides even more safety through educational outreach."
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