MUNCIE, Ind.-- The Ball State University Board of Trustees gave its blessing Friday to an administration plan to strengthen classroom instruction with new technology both on the university campus and in public schools.

The plan was included in the university's budget request to the legislature for the next biennium totaling $126.8 million in state appropriations for 1999-00 and $138.5 million for 2000-01.

Those figures are up from $117.7 million in state appropriations this year.

"One of the most exciting new ideas is the creation of an interdisciplinary Visual Imaging Center," said President John E. Worthen. "Mastering visual imagery will be a fundamental skill our graduates will need in the not so distant future."

The budget request covers inflation, the cost of unfunded state and federal mandates, and additional funds to increase financial aid, as well as quality improvements in the use of technology to improve teaching.

Worthen said the Ball State request was developed in cooperation with all the state's public universities working in conjunction with the Commission for Higher Education.

"Our proposal provides funding for a new technology education/training center, money to strengthen the renowned Midwest Entrepreneurial Education Center at Ball State, and funding to recruit and retain key technology personnel particularly in computer-related jobs," said Worthen.

The trustees also called on the legislature to continue a one-time appropriation for technology approved during the 1997-99 biennium. Ball State used the funds to create a Center for Teaching Technology that has provided assistance to 350 public school teachers and administrators, 90 undergraduate and graduate students in teacher education programs, 25 high school technology students, and dozens of Ball State faculty and staff.

The university is asking for more than $3.5 million a year to continue operation of the center.

Worthen said the proposal supports the goals and objectives stated in the university's strategic plan adopted in 1996.

In other action, the board approved departmental allocations from the $197 million operating budget passed in May. The allocations include $78.2 million for academic affairs, $56.1 million for employee benefits and institutional support, $22.8 million for facilities, $21.1 million for academic support for information technology, $8.1 million for general administration, $8.2 million for student affairs and $2.5 million for university advancement.

Also approved were operating budgets for the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities, and for auxiliary services such as residence and dining halls, the Student Center, intercollegiate athletics and the bookstore.