I hope this finds you all well. I am a junior majoring in animation at Ball State University. As someone deeply passionate about animation and committed to this program's growth, I care deeply about the success of my peers and the dedication of our professors. I am writing to share some concerns and issues that many of us have been facing due to recent changes, with the hope of fostering a stronger environment for our community.

One key issue is the overbooking of classes, where the number of enrolled students sometimes exceeds the available computers. For instance, in my storyboarding class, this has occasionally left some students without access to necessary equipment during instructional time. Additionally, much of the studio equipment is showing signs of wear: some computers fail to load essential software, others have display problems such as persistent green lines and issues like full disks or high CPU usage make them slow and unreliable. Powerful computers and up-to-date software are needed for animation education, as they allow for students to develop skills aligned with industry standards. Many of us, including myself, do not have access to these specialized programs at home and depend on the university's facilities to complete our work. My love for this field drives me to invest fully in my studies, and I want nothing more than for my classmates to have the same opportunities to excel without these barriers holding us back.

Last year, scheduling conflicts arose as required courses filled up quickly, raising concerns among students about potentially needing an extra semester to graduate. To accommodate everyone, professors took on additional classes, which speaks to their incredible commitment. I can’t express the appreciation and gratitude I feel towards Ball State staff including our one technician and professors in their hard work and accommodations for students. However, more classes being held has resulted in studios being occupied throughout the day, leaving them available primarily after 9:30-10:00 PM until 8:00 AM. With the standard expectation of spending two hours outside class for every hour in it, this means dedicating significant time to late-night sessions in the Atrium.

Previously, the Junkyard provided a flexible workspace despite its limitations, such as frequent crashes and limited machines. This year, however, it lacks the necessary software (e.g., Toon Boom, Maya, Storyboard Pro, After Effects, Z-Brush, Adobe Suite Products), rendering it unusable for our assignments. As a result, my roommate—also a junior animation major—and I have been working in the Atrium until 1:00-3:00 AM most nights. This involves a 12-minute walk from our residence, which, combined with the late hours, has affected our sleep schedules and overall well-being. Research indicates that sleep deprivation among college students can lead to lower grade point averages and heightened emotional challenges. Moreover, as women, these nighttime commutes raise safety considerations; statistics show that four out of five women feel unsafe walking alone after dark in streets. These challenges weigh heavily on me because I believe so strongly in the potential of this program, and I want to see all of us succeed in a safe, supportive setting.

I truly appreciate the dedication of our faculty and the university's efforts to support the program. Sharing these experiences stems from my genuine investment in its future and my desire to contribute positively so that every student can reach their full potential. Thank you for taking the time to read this—I value your role in guiding our department and would welcome any thoughts you might have.

Best regards,  

Hayley Rawlins  

hayley.rawlins@bsu.edu 

Junior Animation Major  

Ball State University