Topic: Administrative

July 20, 2007

New conditions of cooperation between Ball State and the bargaining unit representing hundreds campus service employees were approved by the university's board of trustees during a public meeting on July 20.

Following a protocol established by the Conditions of Cooperation between Ball State University and employee organizations, the new work agreement was negotiated for a two-year period through June 30, 2009.

The pact modifies or amends a number of previously existing definitions, rules and regulations pertaining to bargaining unit employees — including language addressing overtime, attendance and the university's anti-nepotism policy — and makes formal the two sides' understanding that they will renegotiate the agreement only in odd-numbered years.

Wage rates for service employees for the next two years will increase similar to those for other university affiliated staff.

The trustees assented, as well, to a proposed one-year renewal of the tuition reciprocity agreement that currently allows residents of Butler, Darke, Mercer, Preble, Shelby and Van Wert counties of western Ohio to enroll at Ball State at Indiana resident tuition rates (except for academic programs offered through the College of Architecture and Planning, which are exempt from the agreement).

Also approved were the specifics of the university's general fund and auxiliary fund budgets for the 2007-08 fiscal year. Each is based on the $279 million spending plan the trustees approved last May.

Up for action, too, were progress updates and revisions for the planned renovations of the DeHority Residence Halls complex and Pittenger Student Center, as well as the construction of North Residence Hall.

Board members previously authorized the trio of projects based on the scope and cost data available at that time. Since then, as part of the normal planning and construction progress, work has proceeded in conjunction with architects and engineers in developing a more detailed building program, schematic designs and updated cost estimates.

The trustees approved new costs for these projects in the light of newer industry cost experience with much higher levels of inflation than earlier anticipated. In addition, modifications have been made to the scope of each proposal with the aim of improving performance of the projects and addressing unforeseen circumstances discovered in the planning process.

The new estimate for the complete renovation of DeHority Residence Halls is $30 million, while the construction of North Residence Hall is now projected at $46.5 million.

The new estimate for renovating Pittenger Student Center is $22.9 million.