The school financials bill has ramifications for all schools in Indiana. But for Muncie, it will mean approving a state university to run a local school district for the first time in the state's history.

Ball State University officials are planning an $18 million project to build a new campus parking garage to replace an aging facility

University President Geoffrey Mearns says he believes the emergency management role is a temporary fix for Muncie Community Schools. He wants Ball State to be part of the long-term solution.

The U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service announced Monday that the university is receiving an African American Civil Rights Grant for the project.

The bill has already been approved by the House. It now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

The organization said it changed its stance because the university would be less likely than the state-appointed emergency manager to cut art, music and other classes.

The bill now goes to the Senate side of the General Assembly for consideration.

Ball State University President Geoffrey Mearns says the school hopes to offer the new degree by fall 2019.

Just this year academic year, Ball State enrolled 22,513 students - the largest in the school's 99-year history. Mearns iterated that the new brand is a tool to help Ball State communicate growth and relevance to stakeholders.

According to the school, tuition and fees for a Hoosier resident student will be $9,774.