Health professions building moves ahead with approval of bond issuance

Topic: Board of Trustees

December 16, 2016

The Ball State University Board of Trustees today took the next step toward construction of the health professions building, with the approval of the issuance of the finance bonds for the project.

The $62.5 million health professions building will consolidate health-related programs at the university. Located in the East Quad at the southeast corner of Riverside Avenue and Martin Street, the new health professions building is expected to encompass about 165,000 square feet of space and have classrooms, laboratories, offices, a resource hub, simulation labs/suites and clinical spaces.

These spaces will be used by programs, including those that are part of the College of Health, Ball State’s newest academic college. Launched this year, students in the college learn about, from and with one another in an interprofessional environment, integrating expertise and discovery across health-related disciplines. In education and clinical practice, collaborative teams represent the future of health care, resulting in a more unified, less fragmented system — and better patient care.

“Every day, there are near-constant reminders of the importance of health and life sciences to our state and nation, and the importance of STEM education to our students and their future careers,” said Interim President Terry King. “The creation of our new College of Health, and the continued movement on the health professions building, reinforces Ball State’s leadership in this vital field, while setting our students apart in the marketplace.”

The board also approved the naming of the Earl Yestingsmeier Golf Facility, which will serve the Ball State men’s and women’s golf teams. Funded via the Ball State University Cardinal Commitment campaign, which raised $20.6 million, the $1.7 million facility is named for the longtime former men’s golf coach who worked at the university for 36 years.

Yestingsmeier led the Cardinals to 107 tournament titles and 11 NCAA tournament appearances. A four-time conference coach of the year, Yestingsmeier is included in the Ball State Athletics, Golf Coaches Association and Indiana Golf halls of fame; he retired from the university in 1998 and died in 2014.

“I wasn’t lucky enough to know Earl personally, but his passion for Ball State athletics and the commitment to excellence he championed on and off the course for his student-athletes has withstood the test of time,” said Mark Sandy, director of athletics. “It’s a real privilege to be able to honor his dedication while securing a space that is devoted to the development and success of future student-athletes.”

The roughly 6,000-square-foot practice facility, which will include indoor simulated hitting bays, a chipping and putting area as well as locker rooms and conference space, will be built on the north side of Bethel Avenue, south of Scheumann Stadium.

The board also approved naming Marilyn Buck acting provost. Buck is currently senior associate provost and dean of University College. She formerly served as interim dean of the College of Applied Sciences and Technology. Buck received her bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University, her master’s degree from the University of Utah and her doctorate from Brigham Young University in 1989, after which she joined the Ball State faculty as an assistant professor of physical education.

In other business, the board accepted a clean audit report from Matt Momper, chair of the board’s Audit and Compliance Committee. The audit is an annual task that is conducted by the Indiana State Board of Accounts.

Finally, the board approved a 1 percent increase in the room and board contracts rate for the 2017-18 academic year. Bernard Hannon, vice president for Business Affairs and treasurer, said the move underscores the board’s broader commitment to keeping education accessible and affordable to students, adding that tuition increases have remained at their lowest rates in decades.