The summers are warm and moderately humid, the winters cold but endurable. Sailing, boating, fishing, bicycling, and cross-country skiing are seasonal sports enjoyed by many area residents. The university has an excellent reputation for the variety of its academic programs and for its humanistic philosophy of education. It has a physical fitness program that is regarded as one of the finest in the country. Indoor swimming and jogging facilities are available throughout the year.
Musical programs are numerous and diverse, featuring pop, country, and classical artists.
Ball State has one of the finest university jazz bands in the country. Broadway shows and other theatrical productions are regularly featured in Emens Auditorium. Shopping facilities in the area are adequate for most purposes, and a large shopping mall is readily accessible. The city of Indianapolis, fifty miles southwest of Muncie, offers a wide variety of opportunities for dining, shopping, theater, sports, and music. The community is a comfortable, relaxed, moderately sized mid- western city that lends itself to a healthy degree of personal and professional freedom.