This study was undertaken to investigate and discuss the use of the soil conservation service runoff equation as a design guide for residential development design. The objectives of the study were (i) to determine the extent to which a hypothetical residential development scheme affected the site's runoff volume and peak discharge rate, (ii) to use the existing SCS runoff equation to predict hypothetical pre- and post-development runoff volumes and rates, (iii) to apply the above findings to a design revision of the residential site plan in order to produce less runoff modification as a result of the development. The Crapo Estate in Muncie, Indiana was chosen as the site for the study. Site analysis data and an initial design (Scheme A) from a fourth year undergraduate design studio were used with the runoff equation to predict pre- and post-development runoff volumes and rates. Curve number (CH) maps were then constructed by overlaying site land uses and soil types. These maps indicated where the site's most permeable soils were located according to land use, and were used in conjunction with the equation as a guide to the design of a second residential development. This second design (Scheme B) fulfilled all design requirements while producing a slightly smaller runoff modification than Scheme A.This study showed that residential development caused a substantial and measurable increase in both runoff volume and rate. The SCS runoff equation was useful for both accurate runoff measurement and as a means of guiding design decisions in order to reduce runoff in residential development. / Department of Landscape Architecture

Nutrition knowledge, Locus of Control, and dietary practices were assessed and compared among male and female athletes at Ball State University with the goal of designing an appropriate nutrition education program. Members of the men's basketball (n=ll), track (n=12) and women's basketball (n=12) and track (n=14) teams were selected as participants in this study. Each participant was required to complete nutrition knowledge, Locus of Control and food frequency questionnaires in addition to completing three 24-hour food recalls on separate occasions.Comparison between gender revealed that female athletes had greater nutrition knowledge levels than male athletes. Women averaged only 90% of advisable caloric intake whereas men exceeded their advisable caloric intake.Male athletes were found not to have better dietary practices than female athletes as previous research suggest. In fact, males exceeded the percent of advisable intake of protein and fat. While, women exceeded advisable protein intake, they consumed less than the maximum advisable fat intake.Comparisons made between sport form revealed two trends: (1) track athletes had greater nutrition knowledge than basketball players and (2) track athletes tended to consume a greater percent of kcalorie intake as protein than basketball athletes.It can be concluded from this study that greater nutrition education should be given to male athletes to encourage lower fat and protein intake. Female athletes need to be educated in the areas of approximate caloric and protein intake. All the athletes need to be educated in general nutrition and nutrition as it relates to physical activity. Further investigation is needed to evaluate the effect of Locus of Control on the dietary practices of both male and female athletes. / Institute for Wellness

This is the documentation of my thesis -in which the project designed was a performing arts center for Muncie, Indiana. The project includes a 1,000 seat theatre, a gallery, several shops and studios, exhibition areas, restaurants, stores, offices, and a parking structure.The art center is proposed for the southern end of Walnut Plaza in Muncie. It is bounded by Howard Street on the north, High Street on the west, Mulberry Street on the east, and Seymour Street on the south.The site chosen was of particular importance, since the activities that would take place in the Muncie Art Center would attract more people to Walnut Plaza. Also the relocation of the Muncie Civic Theatre into the Muncie Art Center would offer more cultural services to its patrons.The Muncie Art Center would act as a catalyst for the cultural development of the greater Muncie area. / Department of Architecture

Collaborative ethnography is an innovative outgrowth of the postmodern debate and is defined as a "...co-conceived and/or co-written text (with local collaborators) that consider[s] multiple audiences outside the confines of academic discourse, including local constituencies..." (Lassiter n.d.:11). As a research and writing method, collaborative ethnographies seek to address ethical issues of authority, ownership, audience, relevance, reciprocity and representation. In this respect, I document and critically reflect on the collaborative process of the Other Side of Middletown project (OSM)—a collaboratively based ethnographic venture which involved local experts (community advisors), ethnographers and BSU students. I present the OSM project as a case study that adds to the existing data on the approaches to collaborative ethnography and explore how collaborative ethnography is useful to the negotiation of current postmodern debates. Furthermore, I track and document the collaborative process, and then synthesize the ways that collaboration was both effective, and not effective through data collected via structured and semi-structured informal interviews, focus groups and participant observation of the project collaborators.The significance of my thesis rests in documenting the collaborative process to reflect on the political, moral and ethical intricacies of present-day ethnography and to offer criticism, suggestions and/or techniques for better and more clearly articulated collaborative research and epistemology. Morespecifically, the value of this thesis is supported by the critical reflection of how the black community was represented by the OSM project. The OSM project is an interdisciplinary, intercultural, collaborative response to the debate of Western historical thinking. The collaborative approach used in the OSM project is an experimental method from the postmodern reflections and critiques that aim to resolve our ethical trepidations.While the collaborative approach is not relevant to all ethnographic research, the results of my research will be vital to the continuation of ethnography for academic purposes, and more importantly, for communities and consultants. / Department of Anthropology

Ecological restoration techniques are increasingly employed along urban stream corridors. In the past, flood-control projects had negative impacts upon our urban streams and many of these streams suffer from degradation. Cardinal Creek, a stream that flows through Ball State University's campus is one such example. With an increase in urbanization, and subsequent loss of habitat, the stream has become nothing more than an open drain, often carrying bacteria that pose a serious health risk. Following a review of stream restoration principles and "aesthetics of care" principles, the application of these ideas is explored. This project will incorporate, both stream restoration principles and "aesthetic of care" principles in order to produce a potentially ecologically healthy and visually appealing community amenity. / Department of Architecture

The goals of this project were to: (1) combine the ARC/INFO Geographic Information System (GIS) software with the TIGER data files and tree inventory data files, (2) demonstrate GIS as a tool in street tree inventory management, (3) answer a management related question, specifically the identification of dead and hazardous trees within the city, with the use of the GIS tool, and (4) prepare an article based on the project for submission to the Journal of Arboriculture.Dead and hazardous trees located along a city street are a major accident liability to a city. It is vital, for both safety and aesthetic purposes, that a community know the location of dead and hazardous trees. As a management tool the GIS can utilize the inventory data to aid the urban forester in interpreting the urban forest by identifying these tree locations. Through the use of point-in-polygon analysis and choropleth maps, these specific management concerns can be highlighted throughout the city.The power to visually demonstrate certain parts of town with higher concentrations of work needed is one way that GIS can provide the management tools necessary for better care of our urban forests. / Department of Landscape Architecture

In this thesis, an environmentally sound and human scale set of design principles, which values ideas like environmental friendliness, human comfort and locality, is formulated, examined and justified. These principles are inspired by experiences in Latin America and South Asia and their universal significance is illustrated through case studies from several countries around the world.In the design project, these principles are applied in a local setting, in this case a residential hall on the Ball State University campus in Muncie, Indiana. The design embraces a ‘green’ approach to campus facility renovation as part of the holistic movement to make the campus more sustainable.The design focus will be on the reuse and revitalization of materials thrown away on campus. Projects in which economic limitations enhance this specific creativity serve as role models. Through the reuse of material, the renovation process of campus facilities can be linked to the recycling program and the curriculum of the university. / Department of Architecture

As new methods of communication have been created by technological advances, it has become important to examine how students use these methods to interact with other students, the campus community, and the world. This study at Ball State University helped researchers understand how students communicated online in order to create policies regarding online communication. Data were gathered using the qualitative methodology of responsive interviewing. Students and administrators were interviewed (luring May and June of 2006. The data were analyzed by identifying important themes, trends, and concepts among the data according to Rubin & Rubin's (2005) model. The study found that institutions should create educational opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to learn about online communication technologies. These educational sessions should include how to use the technologies, the potential for their misuse, and the responsibilities attached to their use. The study concluded that existing policies should be used to address online policy violations. / Department of Educational Studies

In order to find a plausible adaptive reuse solution for the former Federal Building and Post Office In Muncie, Indiana, which has been vacant and deteriorating since 1979 despite its significance, the characteristics of the building are analyzed in regards to the concept of historic preservation. A substantial graphical presentation is employed to assist the analysis.Five alternatives are identified as appropriate forms of adaptive reuse for the building. These alternatives, ranked in order of appropriateness, are:museumcultural-study centerart galleryconference center with office spaces showroom-office buildingImproving the reuse probability of the building is provided in five categories:adding usable floor areaupgrading building's thermal controlprovision of proper vertical transportationimproving historical integrityutilizing the advantageous environmentA proposal for converting the former Federal Building into a facility for the Ball State University Art Gallery is also included in the thesis in the form of spatial layouts, conversion work and cost estimation. The probable cost in converting the building according to the proposed plans is in the range of $1,307,516 - $1,451,812 or $40.26 - $44.70 per square foot. / Department of Architecture

There is no abstract available for this dissertation.