Next year's room and board rates for incoming freshmen are set to increase, according to plans approved by the Ball State Board of Trustees Friday.
Changes include a 4.5 percent increase in room and board rates for new students and a 3.5 percent increase for all students.
This year's cheapest rate costs $8,340 for a spot in a double room in LaFollette Complex and a 10-meal-per-week plan. Next year's proposed increase would incur an additional $375 for the same plan for new students.
For students with the premium plan, rates will remain the same.
“The residence halls and dining services are self-supporting, and rates are established to cover operating costs, as well as renewal and replacement costs,” said Bernie Hannon, associate vice president for business affairs and assistant treasurer, in a press release. “The university has emphasized renewal of these facilities in recent years in response to student feedback and to remain competitive in the marketplace.”
The board also endorsed a university-wide diversity statement, which will be the first declaration of inclusion Ball State has had. The University Senate proposed the statement.
"It is a statement that I think is very important," said Hollis E. Hughes, Jr., a Ball State trustee. "And one that will be an encouragement to faculty members and also incoming students."
Charlene Alexander, associate provost for diversity, said the Office of Institutional Diversity had also compiled a plan to increase dialogue on diversity-related issues on campus.
The plan includes assessing recruitment policies for university employment and increasing recruitment of McNair scholars. The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program provides scholarships for underrepresented students to pursue graduate school.
After losing $13 million from an investment fraud case, the board also voted on an amendment to its internal auditing whistleblower policy. The amended policy will allow staff to report complaints to a non-university entity named EthicsPoint. The company specializes in anonymous reporting and communication, according to ethicspoint.com.
A university press release said faculty will soon receive details on reporting, as well as the revised policy.
Ball State President Paul Ferguson closed the meeting with reflection on his first semester as university president and recognition Ball State recently received.
"I am proud to represent Ball State University in so many different forums and talk about the kind of success we've had and represent the reputation of Ball State University," Ferguson said.
After citing rankings Ball State received for graduate and landscape architecture majors, Ferguson said focusing on successful programs will be key in later conversations about the university's future.
In the meantime, Ferguson will go to Indiana House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee to make a case for the university's funding from the state for the next two years.
The president is set to detail his overall plan for Ball State's direction in a February speech.
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