Trustees updated on IU's progress

As the governing body of IU, the board of trustees does whatever it can to stay informed.\nThe board listened to presentations about IU's economic development and marketing plan as part of its retreat Wednesday afternoon in the Indiana Memorial Union. These informational meetings help the trustees stay current on issues that affect the University.\nTrustee member Sue Talbot said the information they received will help the board plan for the future.\n"This information is pertinent information for future planning," Talbot said. "We will take the information and go forward with it."\nLisa Townsend, who spoke on behalf of the IU Office of Marketing and Communications about IU's marketing communications plan -- "Advancing Indiana" -- said the plan will include new advertising to target specific audiences in Indiana.\nHerbert said he hopes this new plan will educate the Indiana population about the activities of the University.\n"Many folks are not aware of how good we are in addressing the critical needs of this state," Herbert said.\nThe new marketing plan has three objectives: to manage and enhance the image of IU, to pave the way for broader support of the University and to reconnect with Hoosiers on an emotional level by supporting IU's mission of civic engagement.\nThe office has identified several target audiences, including alumni and donors.\nIU President Adam Herbert's Economic Development Task Force also was presented to the board. The task force was established Aug. 21 in order to develop a University-level strategic plan for IU's role in the state's economic development activities.\n"There is a great opportunity before us," said IU spokesman Bill Stephan, who presented the information. "I think this is an effort that is long overdue."\nThe task force will provide recommendations, long- and short-term goals, coordination and implementation structures and financial considerations for the University.\nStephan identified IU's unique culture as a strength in economic development.\n"IU is distinguished because of strong cultural and arts and humanities offerings," Stephan said. "In a knowledge-based economy, people are looking for creative minds. IU is an attraction for those with great minds."\nMark Long, president and CEO of Advanced Research and Technology Institute, Inc., presented the latest innovations from the Institute. ARTI is the interface between the University and commercial enterprise, helping to support technology-based economic development.\nLong proposed a name change for ARTI during the presentation in order to associate it more closely with the University. Among the proposed names are "Indiana University Economic Development Corporation" and "Indiana University Technology Corporation."\nARTI helps IU professors receive patents for their inventions. In 2003, ARTI received 96 new patent applications and has issued 35 patents.\nAmong its projects is the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy project in Bloomington, which currently has 53 patients on its waiting list.\nARTI recently opened the IU Emerging Technologies Center in Indianapolis in March 2003. This new business incubator has created 28 high-tech jobs for the city.\nTalbot said the information the trustees learned from the presentations may not necessarily be discussed at today's meeting, but it will help them with forthcoming issues.\n"It'll take us a while to disseminate and debrief the information," Talbot said. "Our job is governance. We try not to micromanage."\nThe external relations, financial and facilities committees will meet beginning at 8:15 a.m. today. \n-- Contact staff writer Alli Stolper at astolper@indiana.edu.