Herbert plans for IU's economic future

Under the pressure of a struggling economy and decreases in government funding, IU President Adam Herbert said he plans to establish better state relations and increase IU's marketing value in an effort to secure academic funding.\nDuring his first meeting with the IU board of trustees in August, Herbert noted one area he plans to focus on in the upcoming months is IU's economic outlook.\nNow his plans are taking shape.\nHerbert has implemented an economic development task force, which will attempt to stimulate the state economy by accruing additional funding and resources for the University as well as creating a larger state job market for IU graduates.\nHe also said he will look into methods in which the University can enhance its relations with government officials with the hope of receiving additional federal grants. \nHerbert said he hopes to increase the number of donations by more effectively communicating to residents the University's importance within the state. \n"We need to spread the word so citizens and officials can see the value we add to the state," Herbert said. "We need to continue to make the cause to our donors that we need them now more than ever."\nBut with the economy struggling at all levels, Herbert said it can become increasingly difficult to raise funds because of decreases in government support and private donations.\nIn light of the current state of the economy, Herbert said the most significant challenge will be to generate funding without increasing tuition. He said he plans to face this challenge by strengthening the focus of the University's priorities and by doing a more effective job of marketing the University on a local and national scale.\nBoard of trustees President Fred Eichhorn said tuition hikes usually occur after the state legislature decides how much it will fund for higher education.\nHowever, when the University is determined to boost academic excellence, Eichhorn said tuition increases are sometimes unavoidable. Such was the case over the summer when the board of trustees approved a $1,000 "commitment to excellence" fee for all incoming freshmen.\n"You don't get excellence dollars from the legislature," Eichhorn said. "You get money to cover basic needs. So you're only going to get excellence dollars by increasing tuition or through grants."\nContinuing to develop the research facilities at IU is a strong motivation behind Herbert's economic plan. He said people will notice an increase in fundraising efforts in order to cultivate additional research dollars for the University.\nSpecifically, he said he plans to focus his attention on securing grants and contracts so IU can continue to compete as one of the top research universities in the nation.\nAlong with expanding the research facilities, Herbert said the added revenue will benefit students by allowing the University to provide more undergraduates with the opportunity to actively engage in research projects.\n"By securing additional funding, we can continue to offer the high quality resources necessary for students to conduct cutting-edge research," he said.\nAlthough Herbert's plans for economic growth have not yet gone into effect, the administration said it has been impressed with his ideas and efforts thus far.\nSince working with Herbert, Eichhorn said he has been impressed with the energy Herbert has displayed.\n"He's shown more concern than past presidents in his plan to deal with the government, especially at the federal level," Eichhorn said. "And with his past experience (in Washington, D.C.) as a White House fellow, I'm sure he is up to the task."\nIU-Bloomington Chancellor Sharon Brehm said Herbert's experience as an academic administrator will provide him with the capacity necessary to continue the academic excellence at IU while increasing the efficiency of economic operations.\n"(President Herbert) will be a great asset in working with state and federal government, private donors and private foundations to ensure that IU continues to be one of the great universities in this country and around the world," she said.\n-- Contact senior writer Colin Kearns at cmkearns@indiana.edu.