DeHority Residence Halls, originally constructed in 1960, will be renovated under a $24.6 million plan approved Dec. 15 by Ball State's Board of Trustees. The project will be funded with Housing and Dining Renewal and Replacement Funds.

The trustees also appointed Schmidt Associates of Indianapolis as the architect for the project, which is scheduled to begin in December 2007 and will continue through May 2009. The residence halls will be closed during construction.

With nearly a third of the university's students residing in campus housing, the renovation is part of an objective to provide a high-quality, comprehensive, residential experience for students, said Ball State President Jo Ann M. Gora.

"We know that by having students living on campus, we create a sense of community that fosters higher academic achievement," Gora said. "At the same time, we also know that students who are involved and make connections with peers and faculty are more likely to enjoy their college experience and graduate."

DeHority houses 600 students in traditional two-person rooms with community restrooms, showers and lounges, but the renovation will reflect student requests for more privacy and other modern amenities, said Alan Hargrave, associate dean of student affairs and director of housing and residence life.

"We want to meet the needs of today's student body, and in the coming months we will meet with the architects to determine how we can feasibly incorporate these design elements," he said. "However, since we are remodeling the facility and not constructing a new residence hall, we'll have to look at how these suggestions fit into the project's overall budget as well as the building itself."

Initial plans for the renovated building also call for expanded areas for a computer lab, study lounges, laundry facilities, as well as the development of a new central lounge and control desk area.

The project is part of Ball State's long-term commitment to upgrade its on-campus student housing options. In 2007, the university plans to open Park Hall, a 512-student residence hall north of the DeHority complex. Nearby, the renovation of Woodworth Commons is set for completion in fall 2007 to meet the dining needs of students.

The university also plans to construct North Residence Hall on Neely Avenue north of the existing Studebaker Halls. The hall is scheduled to be ready for occupancy in 2010, housing about 600 students.

The trustees also approved — effective immediately — coverage for nondiagnostic laboratory services requested by a physician or other authorized health care providers equal to coverage for diagnostic lab services by Ball State's health plan, and coverage for childbirth services provided by certified nurse midwives in state-licensed birthing centers.

In other action, the trustees:

• accepted the university's financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30. Bill McCune, Ball State controller, told the trustees that the university's financial records, policies and procedures had received a clean bill of health from the auditors.
• approved changes to the Graduate Education Assistance Program, allowing professional personnel to take six credit hours per semester or four credit hours per summer term. Previously, professional personnel were allowed to take four credit hours per semester and summer term.