4 to challenge incumbent trustee

Four challengers have emerged to contest Sue Talbot's position on the IU board of trustees. Talbot gained her post in 2001, but her three-year term will end June 30. \nThe challengers include Robert Cummins of Naperville, Ill., David Northern of Round Lake, Ill., Faye Tippy of Gary and David Dan Welker of Roanoke, Ind. All four challengers are IU alumni.\nTalbot, the founding director of Hoosiers for Higher Education and former president of the Alumni Association, said she has been a vital element of the board for the last three years.\n"When they elected me in 2001, I committed myself to being responsive to the alumni," Talbot said. "I think I'm a good trustee."\nHer challengers did not disagree with that assessment. \n"I think she's very dedicated to the University," Cummins said.\nTippy, a member of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center Alumni Club Executive Council, agreed Talbot is a fine trustee.\n"I have nothing but good things to say about Sue," Tippy said.\nRather than depend on smearing incumbent trustee Talbot, Tippy and Cummins said they hope the alumni will consider the value they will bring as new members to the board.\n"I think instead of looking at Talbot, they need to look at what I would bring to the board," Cummins said. "I would bring something that doesn't exist on the board and more balance."\nCummins has run for the position each of the last two years. He was defeated in 2003 by the incumbent Cora Breckenridge.\nHe said he sees the election as his chance to give back to the IU community.\n"I am a graduate of IU three times over," Cummins said. "I have a love for the University, and I'm at a point in my life where I can give something back."\nTippy, a first-time challenger, also said her advantage is her fresh blood.\n"I think I bring a different perspective to the board," Tippy said, "because of the combination of experiences I have and the networks I have."\nWelker was among seven challengers, including Talbot, to run against the incumbent Ray Richardson in 2001. Welker received 6 percent of the vote.\nThe election will be decided by IU alumni via mail-in ballots. The victorious contender will take office June 30. \nSix trustees, including a student trustee, are appointed by the governor. The remaining three slots are elected by the alumni on an overlapping basis. Jamie Belanger will be up for re-election in 2005 and Breckenridge will vie in 2006.\nTrustee President Fred Eichhorn, who is familiar with Tippy, said he will not use his position to endorse any candidate.\n"Sue has generally shown intense interest in what's going on," Eichhorn said. "And Faye is a fine person. But I am not supporting anyone specifically."\n-- Contact staff writer Rick Newkirk at renewkir@indiana.edu.