Herbert to address University faculty

The University Faculty Council meets today for the first time this year to update the board on the activities at IU. This will also be President Adam Herbert's first UFC meeting, although he has already met many of the board members. \nThe UFC consists of faculty members from all eight regional campuses. David Daleke, co-secretary of the board, said today's meeting will be a chance to introduce many of the important topics that the board will address this year.\n"This early in the year, we just ask people to give updates," he said. \nThe meeting will begin with Herbert's opening remarks. Daleke said many of the committee members have already met Herbert, since he's traveled to all of the regional campuses, so there won't be any need for introductions. \nThe meeting will then proceed to committee business. The updates will be followed by a short question and comment period. \nThe board will also hear from Rebecca Porter, associate vice chancellor for student services, about the six-year-long PeopleSoft project. The $40 million dollar software system will help to streamline information and integrate the several different systems that the University has been using.\nMartin Spechler, professor of economics at IU-Purdue University Indianapolis, said he believes this meeting will be an important proving ground for Herbert. \n"IU isn't exactly swimming in money, and we'll be interested in how President Herbert manages the financial situation," Spechler said. "He's new, and he's been listening. He's been well received, but as time goes on, he's going to have to make decisions that won't please everybody. We all want Herbert to succeed. As time goes by, we're going to raise these issues in a constructive manner, and see which way he'll go. I expect that during the question period, someone will raise the Web log issue."\nHowever, Daleke said he isn't expecting any questions regarding the Web log of business professor Eric Rasmusen. IU-Bloomington Chancellor Sharon Brehm asked the UFC to look into the policies regarding "mypage" Web sites connected to the University server at last Monday's meeting of the Bloomington Faculty Council. \nThe issue will be addressed by the UFC later rather than the BFC because the server is University-wide and not just limited to the Bloomington campus.\nAlthough the changes aren't on today's agenda, Daleke said that they will be reviewed by the Technology Policies Committee, which meets Oct. 14 in Bloomington. \nAlso on the agenda is an integrated image presentation from Bill Stephan, vice president of public affairs and governmental affairs, and Lisa Townsend, executive director for marketing. \nThe UFC will not be discussing plans for reorganizing the School of Continuing Education, Daleke said, because President Herbert hasn't had time to fully analyze the situation, although he has asked for the UFC's input on the plans.\nMary Popp, co-chair of the UFC Student Affairs Committee, said that this meeting will be a chance for the UFC to hear what Herbert has planned for the year. \n"There will not be a state of the University address, which we usually have at the first meeting of the UFC, but this year, President Herbert is too new," Popp said. "He'll probably talk about what he's thinking for his first year."\n-- Contact staff reporter Kehla West at krwest@indiana.edu.