Topics: Administrative, Board of Trustees

January 29, 2016

The Ball State Board of Trustees today finalized the academic plan for the university’s new College of Health.

The school will offer seven degree tracks: counseling psychology, health science, kinesiology, nutrition/dietetics, nursing, speech pathology and audiology, and social work. The college will offer bachelor’s degrees in each discipline, master’s degrees in all programs but health science, and doctoral studies in counseling psychology, kinesiology, nursing, and speech pathology and audiology.

Also in the College of Health will be 19 clinics, centers or labs, including the audiology clinic, currently housed in the Arts and Communications Building, and the Fisher Institute of Health and Well-Being, currently in the Health and Physical Activity Building.

“Given 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, our new College of Health will help establish Ball State’s leadership in this vital field, while setting our students apart in the job market,” said Board Chair Rick Hall.

“Adopting the academic portfolio brings the new college one step closer to completion,” said Ball State Acting President Terry S. King. “The need for skilled, adaptable health care professionals is only going to continue to grow, and our students will be prepared to meet that demand.”

Recruitment report shows positive trends, strong fall enrollment potential

Ball State’s trustees also heard a positive recruitment report that bodes well for enrollment.

First-time freshman enrollment/recruitment figures show an increase over the same time last year for the number of first-time freshmen who applied, who have been admitted and who have ultimately confirmed for classes starting fall 2016.

The report, based on data through mid-January, shows a nearly 9 percent increase in the number of first-time freshmen who applied to Ball State and a nearly 10 percent boost in the number of admitted students who have officially confirmed to be members of the Class of 2020.

Award-winning BSU Achievement App reaps results

Finally, the board heard a report on the success of the BSU Achievements App. The app, which in 2015 garnered an Innovator Award from Campus Technology magazine, engages Pell Grant recipients in more than 350 experiences that are proven to have a positive impact on student persistence toward degree completion.

At the conclusion of the first full year of offering the app, data show a promising outlook for the app’s positive impact on retention and engagement rates. In just the first year targeting freshmen, students using the app had higher retention rates and higher engagement rates, and they earned more credit hours. A higher percentage of users improved their grade point averages compared to nonusers.

Officer election

The board also elected the following officers, who will serve two-year terms:

  • Rick Hall was re-elected to a second term as board chair.
  • Renae Conley was elected vice chair.
  • Tom Bracken was re-elected as secretary.
  • Matt Momper was elected assistant secretary.