Herbert still adjusting to new home

IU President Adam Herbert left his Florida home in July on a Wednesday. \nJust two days later, with almost 1,000 miles of travel in between, Herbert hit the ground running when he began his first day in office Aug. 1.\nNow one month later, Herbert has focused on becoming oriented with the University by trying to meet a number of the students and members of the faculty and administration. He has also come to understand the University's fiscal affairs and the nature of the budget more closely.\nHerbert said he believes his most important roles to IU will be as a strategic thinker and an overall leader for the University.\n"I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead of me," he said. "And I can't wait to interact with the students and faculty here."\nWhen Herbert addressed the IU board of trustees for the first time Aug. 15, he outlined some of the first-order initiatives he will focus on improving. Among the initiatives, Herbert plans to:\n• Work closely with IU-Bloomington Chancellor Sharon Brehm in order to make a more in-depth evaluation of the structure of the School of Continuing Education.\n• Improve the University's relationship with government officials at all levels.\n• Initiate an analysis of the school's organizational structure in the field of graduate studies.\nIn executing his goals for the University, Brehm said the most difficult aspect Herbert will face is securing both the financial resources and human talent necessary for the University to reach its full potential. \nBut Brehm added that Herbert is already "building the foundation for meeting that challenge vigorously and successfully."\nAmong Herbert's other priorities in his first weeks as president has been to introduce himself to students.\nLast week, Herbert drove around campus in a golf cart, meeting freshmen and their parents as they moved into the dorms. After addressing the new students at Wednesday's Freshman Induction Ceremony, Herbert took time to chat with the students at a picnic outside of Alumni Hall.\nAfter hearing Herbert's speech, John Brumbaugh, a freshman from Carmel, Ind., said Herbert seemed like he fit right in with the University.\n"He's a great speaker," Brumbaugh said. "It seems like he's been working here his entire life."\nHerbert also said he plans to have regular meetings with the student governments at each IU campus, and he hopes to improve the quality of campus life for students.\nKumble Subbaswamy, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said the efforts Herbert has put forth in his first month exemplify his dedication to the students and the University.\n"He is meeting people, reading reports and attending events almost continuously," Subbaswamy said. "Thanks to his extensive experience in higher education and background in public policy, he has already learned a great deal about IU and I feel very positive and optimistic about his presidency."\nBrehm echoed Subbaswamy's thoughts and said she has been impressed by Herbert's quick start in office and the way in which he has approached a better understanding of IU.\nBefore he came to IU, Herbert worked as the executive director and Regents Professor at the Florida Center for Public Policy and Leadership at the University of North Florida. Herbert was also the chancellor of the State University System of Florida, and served as the president of the University of North Florida for nearly a decade.\nBrehm said the combination of Herbert's personality and intellectual background benefits the University with an approachable and capable leader.\n"President Herbert is very warm and personable in his interactions with others," Brehm said. "His sense of humor, in-depth knowledge about higher education and dedication to the advancement of IU all make for great discussions. He's a good listener and a good teacher."\nAnd while Herbert said he enjoys his new home in Bloomington, the quick move hasn't come without some degree of stress. He said he and his wife, Karen, are still settling in their new home, the Bryan House, on campus.\n"It's been a hectic period (over the last month)," Herbert said. "There are still a lot of boxes around the house, and I'm not yet used to all the one-way streets. But it's still early, and that will all pass in time."\n-- Contact senior writer Colin Kearns at cmkearns.