'We will not rest on our laurels'

In his annual State of the University address Tuesday, President Myles Brand unveiled a long-range plan to strengthen IU's research programs. \nHis vision involves attracting top-notch faculty, juggling administrative roles and seeking more money from the state. \n"IU is proud of its commitment to research and of its achievements," Brand said. "We will not rest on our laurels, however."\nDuring the 1990s, sponsored research at IU tripled from $113 million in 1990 to $397 million in 2001. The high point came with a $105 million grant from the Lilly Endowment supporting the Indiana Genomics Initiative. \nBrand said IU has received little from the state in the way of research initiatives. \nThis year he is joining with the Commission for Higher Education to lobby the legislature for money to add one million square feet to the IU Medical School, replace or repair Ballantine Hall and move forward with the construction of a new science building. \n"The Hoosier state needs to take immediate steps," Brand said. "It has not funded its research universities competitively."\nAt the same time, Brand named Vice President for Information Technology Michael McRobbie the new vice president for research. In addition to overseeing research University-wide, McRobbie will unite and streamline the information technology and research divisions.\n"McRobbie is an absolutely outstanding researcher," said Bob Eno, president of the Bloomington Faculty Council. "We should achieve some massive efficiencies." \nBrand said he hopes the strategies will "enable new research initiatives" for IU. \nRichard Shiffrin, who has conducted research in cognitive science at IU for over 30 years, said he was energized by Brand's speech. He called it "far-reaching" and "forceful." \n"I am encouraged to hear the president speak up on a subject that at times in the State of Indiana, administrators have been fearful of addressing," Shiffrin said.\nShiffrin said the speech is a good sign that Indiana is finally beginning to appreciate the importance of research. \n"This is a very apt time for Myles to give his vision," he said. "Maybe the climate is changing. I'm hopeful that IU will pull itself up by its bootstraps and make strides in research."\nBrand also hinted at change in his speech.\n"Now more than ever before, research is a collaborative activity that transcends geographic barriers, crosses disciplinary boundaries and scales the ivy covered walls that previously separated the academy from the private sector," he said.\nBrand said breakthroughs in research at IU will enhance the quality of life and economy for Indiana citizens. He cited the medical school's work in studying tooth decay, heart attacks and testicular cancer. \nBrand wants to increase the number of programs like the Science, Technology and Research Scholars program, which allows students to take part in four years of research with faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences. \nHe said he sees student participation in research projects as a future hallmark of an IU degree. \n"Engagement with faculty members in research provides the best opportunities for learning," Brand said. "If we proceed thoughtfully over time, we can affect the culture of the university"