August 2021 News
Indiana Academy Updated Mask Policy
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Please see the document linked below for an important message regarding a change to the Indiana Academy’s mask policy. These changes go into effect when students arrive on campus the week of August 9.
Download Updated Mask Policy Notice
See other Indiana Academy COVID-19 Pandemic information at academy.bsu.edu/covid19.
Important Update: Return To School Plan
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
The Academy has published its Return to School Plan & Guidelines for the fall of 2021. You may read the plan here, or download a copy to print here.
Indiana Academy Commencement Information
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Dear Indiana Academy 2020 and 2021 Graduates and Families:
We are excited to announce that we have secured a venue that will allow for an on-campus in-person commencement ceremony for the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021. The commencement date is Saturday, May 29 @ 11:30 a.m. and will be held in Worthen Arena on Ball State University’s campus.
The Class of 2020 missed their commencement ceremony last year and this larger venue will allow for their return and adequate spacing of all students and families. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there is an attendance limit inside the arena and we will need to ticket the event. We anticipate at least 6 tickets per graduate (and possibly more). To help us determine if more tickets are possible and assist in the distribution of tickets, we are asking all students/families to complete the following survey.
Please answer all of the questions in the survey, including the address you would like tickets sent to. Students not on campus will have tickets sent to the address provided. Students on campus will be given their tickets directly prior to the commencement ceremony.
Please complete this survey no later than Friday, April 23, 2021. Additional details on this year’s commencement will be provided in the coming weeks.
Please note that additional changes to this year’s commencement are possible due to the continually changing COVID-19 pandemic. The Indiana Academy will follow all recommendations provided by Ball State University and the Delaware County Health Department.
Dain Kavars
He/Him/His (What is This?)
Interim Executive Director
Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities
Ball State University
Muncie, IN 47306
765-285-8126
Indiana Academy Prom 2021
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Greetings Indiana Academy Students and Families:
We are pleased to announce that the Indiana Academy will host Prom on Friday, May 14th from 7-11 p.m. in Ball Gym here on Ball State’s campus. This event will provide many of the elements of a typical Indiana Academy Prom including an open dance floor, music, photography, snacks, prom court, and more.
As part of the Academy’s ongoing response to COVID-19, there will be some notable changes to this year’s event including, but not limited to: COVID-testing, mask-wearing, room capacity limits, physical distancing considerations, and food service. Only current Indiana Academy students will be able to purchase tickets and attend this year’s Prom.
Now that the event is approved, we are working hard to nail down all of the details. You will be receiving more in-depth information on the schedule, ticket sales, event protocols, and school policies over the coming weeks.
Paul Douglas & Bridger Fetters
Office of Residential and Student Affairs
The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities
Office: 765-285-8127 & 765-285-8123
Front Desk: 765-285-8125
Indiana Academy Spring Break Information
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Dear Indiana Academy Students and Families:
Spring Break is almost here!!! A message was sent last week with requirements all students must meet before returning to campus after the break.
The following requirements must be met before students can return to the residence hall on March 14.
- All students returning to campus, including non-residential students, must complete a COVID-19 self-certification form. This form will be similar to the one students completed before moving into the residence hall in August. This form can be accessed here:
COVID-19 Self-Certification Form - Students who travel outside of Indiana during spring break must submit a COVID-19 test before returning to the residence hall. Students can submit their test results through Canvas in the course titled “COVID-19 Test Result Submission – Spring 2021.” Additional instructions on submitting test results are here.
Additional quarantine restrictions are in place for students who travel out of the country during spring break. If you are traveling outside of the U.S., please contact me (see contact information in signature) ASAP to discuss these restrictions.
Students who remain in Indiana may get a COVID-19 test before returning to the Academy, but this is not a requirement.
We thank you for your patience and understanding. We will continue to communicate with our community any further pandemic issues or decisions that have implications for our students, faculty/staff, and families as they become available. For more information about COVID-19, please visit our website.
Dain Kavars
He/Him/His (What is This?)
Interim Executive Director
Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities
Ball State University
Muncie, IN 47306
765-285-8126
Indiana Academy Spring Break Update
Friday, February 26, 2021
Dear Indiana Academy Students and Families:
Ball State University is not having a spring break this year, but both the Indiana Academy and Burris will have a spring break. Academy students living on campus will move out of the residence hall on Friday, March 5, and return to the residence hall on Sunday, March 14. Additional information on moving out is forthcoming from Paul Douglas, Director of Residential and Student Affairs.
The following requirements must be met before students can return to the residence hall on March 14.
- All students returning to campus, including non-residential students, must complete a COVID-19 self-certification form. This form will be similar to the one students completed before moving into the residence hall in August. Instructions for this will be sent next week.
- Students who travel outside of Indiana during spring break must submit a COVID-19 test before returning to the residence hall. Instructions on submitting a COVID-19 test will be sent next week.
Additional quarantine restrictions are in place for students who travel out of the country during spring break. If you are traveling outside of the U.S., please contact me (see contact information in signature) ASAP to discuss these restrictions.
Students who remain in Indiana may get a COVID-19 test before returning to the Academy, but this is not a requirement.
We thank you for your patience and understanding. We will continue to communicate with our community any further pandemic issues or decisions that have implications for our students, faculty/staff, and families as they become available. For more information about COVID-19, please visit our website.
Dain Kavars
He/Him/His (What is This?)
Interim Executive Director
Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities
Ball State University
Muncie, IN 47306
765-285-8126
Indiana Academy Return to School Date Change
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Dear Indiana Academy Community:
We are excited to see students return to classes virtually this week after the winter break. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to accelerate its pace in Indiana and across the nation, requiring us to continue to make decisions that keep the safety and welfare of our community at the forefront. Much of Indiana currently has a Weekly 2-Metric Score of “Red”, the highest COVID-19 advisory level. This means the number of positive COVID-19 cases and the test positivity rate are both very high.
The first extended weekend of the semester is two weeks after students are set to return to the residence hall. Given the high COVID-19 numbers and the necessity for all students to move out of the residence hall on an extended weekend, we have decided to extend virtual learning for two additional weeks. The extended weekend will remain on the calendar with no virtual classes scheduled on Monday, February 1, and Tuesday, February 2. Students will return to the residence hall on Tuesday, February 2.
The requirement to submit a COVID-19 test dated no more than 7 days before returning to campus remains in place. Reminders and instructions on submitting a COVID-19 test will be sent out the week of January 18-22. Move-in procedures will be sent out a week before February 2.
We thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to evaluate the data and make decisions. We all want Academy students back and learning in-person, but the safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our first priority. We will continue to communicate with our community any further pandemic issues or decisions that have implications for our students, faculty/staff, and families as they become available. For more information about COVID-19, please visit our website.
If you have any questions about academics, please contact Dr. Jeff Smith, Director of Academic Affairs at 765-285-4136 (jsmith4).
If you have any questions about the residence hall, please contact Mr. Paul Douglas, Director of Residential and Student Affairs at 765-285-8127 (pcdouglas).
For all other questions, please contact Dr. Dain Kavars, Interim Executive Director at 765-285-8126 (dwkavars).
Sincerely,
Dain Kavars
He/Him/His (What is This?)
Interim Executive Director
Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities
Ball State University
Muncie, IN 47306
765-285-8126
Indiana Academy Spring 2021 COVID-19 Update
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Dear Indiana Academy Community:
Ball State University has implemented a new COVID-19 protocol requiring all students to submit a COVID-19 test before returning to campus for the start of the Spring 2021 semester. This applies to Indiana Academy students, including students who do not live in the residence hall but are attending in-person classes.
Requirements
Every student is required to:
- Submit a COVID-19 test result administered within seven (7) days before arriving on campus; and
- Self-quarantine between the date the test is administered and the return to campus.
Specific information about testing locations and the availability of free testing may be found here.
After obtaining test results, students must upload an image of the test result to the Indiana Academy. Upload instructions will be provided the week of January 4th–8th.
Negative Test Results
Students with a negative test result may return to campus on January 17, 2021 as scheduled.
Positive Test Results
Students with a positive test result cannot return to campus. Students must isolate for at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms, and must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications before returning to campus. If asymptomatic, students must isolate for at least 10 days from the date of the COVID-19 test.
Exceptions to Pre-Arrival Protocol
A student is not required to submit a pre-arrival test result if one of the following applies:
- The student tested positive for COVID-19 in the 90-day period prior to returning to campus for Spring 2021, and the positive test result has been provided to the Indiana Academy.
- The student is enrolled entirely online for the Spring 2021 semester, is not residing in the residence hall, and will not be physically present on campus in the spring semester.
Compliance
Students are required to comply with this protocol unless the student meets the criteria for an exception. Students who fail to submit the test results will not be permitted to move-in to the residence hall, and will not be able to attend in-person classes until a test result is submitted.
We thank you for your patience and understanding as we implement this new COVID-19 protocol. We will communicate with our community any further pandemic issues or decisions that have implications for our students, teachers, and families as they become available. For more information about COVID-19, please visit our website.
Sincerely,
Dain Kavars
He/Him/His (What is This?)
Interim Executive Director
Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities
Ball State University
Muncie, IN 47306
765-285-8126
Indiana Academy Spring 2021 Calendar Update
Friday, November 6, 2020
November 6, 2020
Dear Indiana Academy Community,
Indiana Academy students, faculty, and staff have taken great care in following physical distancing guidelines, wearing masks, and taking appropriate steps to reduce the risk of COVID-19. These efforts and efficient contact tracing have allowed us to keep the residence hall open and many classes in-person throughout the fall semester. As we approach the end of the fall semester, we are officially making a change to the Spring 2021 calendar to help ensure the safety of all.
The spring semester start date of Monday, January 4th remains unchanged, but all Indiana Academy classes will be virtual for the first two weeks. Residential students will move into the residence hall on Sunday, January 17th. The holidays are a time of increased travel and family gatherings. With rising COVID-19 cases in Indiana, and across the nation, returning students to the residence hall immediately following the winter break increases the risk of COVID-19 spread. Before returning to the residence hall on January 17th, all students will be asked to quarantine for 14 days and complete a self-certification form, similar to the form completed in early August.
The extended breaks, including Spring Break, will remain in place as previously scheduled on the website calendar. Students will be asked to follow appropriate safety guidelines to return to the residence hall following each extended break. This is intended to decrease the risk of COVID-19 spread and keep the residence hall a safe place for all students.
I understand you may have several questions. In the coming days, additional information will come from Dr. Jeff Smith, Director of Academic Affairs, and Mr. Paul Douglas, Director of Residential Affairs.
I thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate and adapt to changing COVID-19 conditions.
Sincerely,
Dain Kavars
He/Him/His (What is This?)
Interim Executive Director
Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities
Ball State University
Muncie, IN 47306
765-285-8126
Procedures: Office of Mental Health and Support Services 2020
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
From the Office of Mental Health and Support Services
The Office of Mental Health and Support Services (OMHSS) strives to provide students with the support and resources in order to help them achieve their personal and academic goals while at the Indiana Academy. Counseling services are provided by Dr. Mindy Wallpe and graduate students form the School and Counseling Doctoral programs at BSU. They include Steven Scally, M.A., Tauralee Tenn, M.A., Emily Boswell Strain, M.A., LMHCA, Kalyn Gebhardt, M.A., and Lizi Zhong, M.Ed., M.A. and are under the direct supervision of Dr. Wallpe.
We encourage you to reach out to our office for support regarding any mental health difficulty, stressor, and/or life challenge. We want to be both a support and resource to you during your time at the Indiana Academy. We are available Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Given the guidelines in place from Ball State University and the Indiana Academy regarding COVID-19, counseling sessions will be done via teletherapy (online through WebEx) and not face to face. If you want to schedule an appointment with a counselor, please email Dr. Mindy at mcwallpe or call 765-285-5483.
What to expect once scheduled:
Once you are assigned a counselor you will be sent an email that has your counselors contact information, the date, time, and location for the appointment. You will be given an office room number in Elliott Hall basement and let into that office for privacy for your session. A link for your private teletherapy counseling appointment will be included.
Guidelines for session:
You will need to bring your laptop/tablet/phone and headphones/earbuds for your session. You will log on to the session in the privacy of the office and the counselor will return to their office and log on to begin the session.
Your video must remain on and showing your face during your session. Make sure you have the power cord for your phone/computer/tablet. At the end of the session the therapist will schedule you for your next session and send an email with the link that will be needed. The therapist will return to the office and sanitize the space.
For unscheduled appointments:
We are limiting in person contact, so if you need to talk to a counselor but do not have an appointment and you are not having thoughts of suicide, harming self, or others, please call Dr. Mindy at 765-285-5483 to address your current need over the phone.
If you are having thoughts of suicide, harming self, or others and unable to talk on the phone because of current distress, please walk down to Dr. Mindy’s office immediately and knock on the office door (WA160C located in guidance suite).
To utilize services in the OMHSS the consent to treatment must be on file. This includes the OMHSS Informed Consent 2020 and the Telehealth Indiana Academy Informed Consent 2020 forms. The forms were included in your registration materials. The form is attached if it has not been completed.
If you have been in counseling and are interested in utilizing services at the Academy please work with your current provider and sign a release of information so we can coordinate care.
If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask.