The nine members of the Board of Trustees are appointed by the governor of Indiana. The board's primary duties are to:
- manage, control, and operate Ball State
- borrow money, issue bonds, and let contracts
- prescribe conditions for admission
- grant degrees and issue diplomas or certificates
- set fees, charges, fines, and penalties
- define the duties of and provide compensation for faculty and staff of the university
- receive and administer all donations, bequests, grants, funds, and property that are given or provided to the university
- possess all the powers in order to effectively operate the affairs of Ball State
The board is made up of two Ball State alumni, one full-time student, and six members appointed at large. Appointments are for four-year terms.