Beautification and Improvements

The list of recent Ball State University campus project completions is impressive:

• The Alderdice Gates, a stunning entryway to the East Mall on the south end of campus.
• The Brown Family Amphitheater, an outdoor performance and gathering space in the heart of campus.
• The full demolition of LaFollette housing complex and installation of a green space which will complement North Dining and Beyerl Residence Hall (North Hall).
• The addition of Cardinal Central on the first floor of the L.A. Pittenger Student Center. Cardinal Central combines many key student services into one physical space—Office of the Registrar, Retention and Graduation Service, Student Financial Services and the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
• Expansion of the Dr. Joe and Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse to now include an Environmental Education Center.
• New pathways for the East Mall.

Another major renovation project is advancing. The Cooper Science Complex renovation will soon enter Phase 3. Among many next steps during this phase, the building will soon have a beautiful glass façade installed on the southeast corner which will open the building to natural light and scenes from Ball State’s historic Quad.

Additionally, shared during recent Board of Trustees meetings, upcoming plans of renovations at Ball State provide an exciting look at what is ahead.

In May, Board members were presented a $81.6 million North Campus renovation plan which includes four buildings—the Hargreaves Music Building (MU), University Theatre Building (TH), Art and Communication Building (AC), and the R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning Building (AB).

The improvements will address increased classroom demand while better centralizing classes. Currently, theatre and dance and music classes at Ball State are held in eight different buildings. Work on MU, TH, and AC will centralize those classes with spaces better designed for those programs.

At Ball State, Theatre and Dance majors have more than doubled from Fall 1996 to today with more than 400 current students.

In AB, renovations will provide additional design studio spaces, digital media labs, and new spaces for Construction Management, Architecture, and Interior Design collaboration.

The Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning has seen enrollment growth for each of the past six years.

Work on all four buildings will also bring facilities up to code, improve safety systems, improve IT infrastructure, and better meet Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.

Execution of the full North Campus renovation plan is expected to last through the Summer of 2026.