Trustees approve interim chancellor

The IU board of trustees approved Ken Gros Louis as the new interim chancellor of IU-Bloomington Friday on the IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis campus.\nGros Louis also will serve as interim senior vice president for academic affairs beginning Jan. 1 after IUB Chancellor Sharon Brehm steps down. \nPresident Adam Herbert recommended Gros Louis Nov. 21.\nHerbert said Gros Louis will assume many responsibilities as the highest academic officer, including making the transfer of credits between campuses easier and leading IU's effort to work with Indiana's blueprint for higher education.\nHerbert said he was concerned with improving campus communication for credits to establish a "seamless public education system within the state."\nHerbert said he will establish University-wide councils for this effort. \n"These councils will be set up by functional area and will be designed to discuss problems and processes, review policies and strengthen professional development," Herbert said in a statement.\nHe said these councils will be assembled by the vice presidents and will work closely with chancellors in an effort toward more efficient decision making. \nGros Louis also will work with Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Judith Palmer and Herbert to develop an annual report on the Commitment to Excellence funds. They will look at how successfully the funds are used on the Bloomington campus. \nNew students on the Bloomington campus this year are paying $1,000 toward the Commitment to Excellence.\n"There may be a need for some modifications based on new campus priorities and conditions," Herbert said. "For example, we want to assure that there is a clear relationship between funding and the availability of related facilities and support services that are essential for the success of the proposed initiatives."\nThe board also approved Herbert's recommendation for Charlie Nelms, former vice president for student development and diversity and vice chancellor for academic support and diversity on the Bloomington campus, to take an expanded role. Nelms will now serve as vice president for institutional development and student affairs, which will make him responsible for strengthening and expanding IU's college readiness initiative. This initiative seeks to enhance preparation of under-represented and first-generation students.\nHe will also lead efforts to increase the participation of women and minority-owned businesses in University activities. \nExecutive Associate Dean Judith Wertheim also was selected by the board to act as interim dean of the School of Continuing Studies. She will serve this role for six to eight months, reporting to Gros Louis.