Investing in IU's future

It seems as though our prayers have been answered. The national economy, as a whole, is improving. \nWall Street posted its first winning year since 1999 -- unemployment fell in December to the lowest in 14 months. U.S Secretary of Treasury, John Snow, said improved job growth is on the horizon.\nBut even with all of the improvements, there are two groups that still have trouble balancing their budgets -- Indiana and IU.\nIndiana's tax revenue during the past six months is $150 million below what was projected, and as a result, administrators are worried about what that might mean for higher education funding.\n"With rare exceptions, every school is in a very tight financial situation and looking at a negative balance," IU-Bloomington Interim Chancellor Ken Gros Louis told the IDS.\nGros Louis said top officials at IU are looking at ways of cutting costs, including postponing several pricey projects until after July 1. IU is trying to make do with what it has to make sure the quality of education does not slip. Professors and graduate students are taking on more classes. This might seem unfair to the already overworked faculty, but at least students aren't suffering.\nIU President Adam Herbert is also looking at ways to cut costs. As shown in previous IDS articles, Herbert wants to look at the salary structure of the University and whether certain officials deserve the big bucks they're raking in. We admire Herbert's courage and hope he follows through. It seems ridiculous that former IUB Chancellor Sharon Brehm will be receiving $261,375, even though she resigned from her position. Does a senior adviser/professor need that much cash when students are struggling?\nProbably the biggest challenge IU will face in trying to receive more state funding is the fact that IU Director of State Relations Don Weaver retired this October, taking with him more than 40 years of connections with officials in the statehouse. Although Weaver has been IU's top man in Indianapolis for years, the University has put lobbying on the top of its list by recruiting the help of Kathy Smith, the associate director of state relations, backed up by IU Spokesman Bill Stephan, Chief Financial Officer Judy Palmer, former House fiscal analyst John Grew and former Deputy Budget Director Mark Brown. \nHerbert has put the future of state relations on his priority list, as well. He is expected to make his decisions regarding filling Weaver's position after the legislative session.\nHopefully, Herbert will continue to recognize the importance of state funding. Last year's tag team effort between Interim President Gerald Bepko and Weaver resulted in a meager increase in funding, when a cut was expected by many. A similar contribution combined with a cut in spending could be just enough to ward off any substantial tuition increases.