June 14, 2024
Dear Colleagues:
This morning, the Board of Trustees met to adopt our operating budget for next academic year. I am pleased to report that this operating budget includes a three-percent increase in the salary fund pool for all eligible faculty, staff, and professional employees who have received a “satisfactory” or better performance evaluation.
The Board also approved my recommendation to provide Days of Beneficence once again to our employees in December 2024. Providing these extra days for you with family and friends is a tangible manifestation of our gratitude for your sustained commitment to our University. This year’s Days of Beneficence will occur on Thursday, December 26, 2024; Friday, December 27, 2024; Monday, December 30, 2024; and Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
In other business, the Board approved revisions and amendments to various institutional policies to ensure that they align with key provisions of Senate Bill 202 (SB 202). As you may recall, SB 202 was passed by the Indiana General Assembly this legislative session and signed into law by Governor Holcomb on March 13, 2024.
Among the policy and procedure changes approved by the Board to become effective July 1 include:
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Amendments to the scope of our existing diversity committee, which will now be called the President’s Council on Inclusiveness. This Council will review policies and make recommendations on various issues related to cultural and intellectual diversity on our campus.
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Updates to our Freedom of Expression policies to reflect changes in the new law, including a statement of neutrality that distinguishes official positions of our University from individual viewpoints of our employees, students, and graduates.
- Revisions to our Faculty and Professional Handbook including additional assessment criteria and a post-tenure review process of tenured faculty members every five years.
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Finally, the Board approved the naming of our East Mall in honor of Jim Lowe. Jim is retiring this month after 37 years of exemplary service to our University, most recently as our associate vice president for facilities planning and management.
During his tenure, Jim managed numerous construction, renovation, and campus beautification projects, including our forthcoming Performing Arts Center, the Foundational Sciences Building, the Health Professions Building, the Brown Family Amphitheater, and the East Mall. Jim also played an instrumental role in implementing our geothermal heating and cooling system. His service beyond our campus has included his involvement as an inaugural member of the Muncie Community Schools Board of Trustees.
I am grateful to Jim for his many contributions to our University, and I thank him for his loyalty and commitment to this institution.
Finally, permit me to thank all of you for your service. I hope that you have a restful, productive, and safe Summer.
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Geoffrey S. Mearns
President
Ball State University
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