MUNCIE — How does someone get on the board of trustees at Ball State University, which one trustee calls one of the most coveted appointments in the state?
The governor is responsible for all nine appointments, but alumni, students and the Ball family are also involved.
Political science/communications major Dustin Meeks was one of 22 Ball State University students who applied to be the latest student representative on the board, whose members are appointed by the governor, currently Republican Mike Pence.
Meeks submitted his resume, wrote several short essays and became one of three finalists after passing two rounds of interviews, the first conducted by the director of student life and the next handled by President Paul Ferguson and Dean of Students Kay Bales. The 20-year-old student, who comes from Fishers and votes in Republican primary elections, was appointed to the board by Pence from the list of three finalists.
Two other trustees, Hollis Hughes Jr., South Bend, and Wayne Estopinal, Jeffersonville, were nominated for the board by the Alumni Council.
Outraged by the board's payment without explanation of a severance payment of more than $450,000 to President Paul Ferguson, who mysteriously resigned on Jan. 25, the BSU Faculty Council is drafting a resolution calling for change in the presidential appointment statutes.
The proposed resolution recommends that three of the trustees be elected by alumni and the other six remain gubernatorial appointments, The Daily News student newspaper reported on Friday. That's the way it's done at Indiana University.