Honoring Herbert

We congratulate President Adam W. Herbert on his inauguration. \nSince he took office less than one year ago, Herbert has indicated he is taking his time to examine the University's administrative structure and looking for ways it can be improved. \nThe 17th president holds higher education degrees in administration, and his knowledge should prove valuable in building a more efficient chain of IU administrators. \nWith the ceremonial bestowing of the Jewel of Office Thursday, Herbert's grace period has ended. The inauguration at the IU Auditorium now heralds a new phase of Herbert's presidency. \nHe has so far made few changes, but an administrative restructuring that includes all of IU's eight campuses promises to make major waves. \nThe community surrounded him Thursday and gave him the green light to begin putting his visions into practice.\nIn the inaugural address, Herbert identified the areas on which he plans to focus in the immediate future. \nHe noted the increasing pressures universities are under to do more all the time: to sustain academic excellence, to conduct meaningful research, to promote the arts, to be a catalyst for the economy.\nHe does not hide from these responsibilities. \nHerbert asked us to "reaffirm our dedication to freedom of inquiry and to the full flowering of the human potential."\nHe envisions IU's life sciences programs in Bloomington and Indianapolis as world leaders in the 21st century quest for "unlocking the secrets of human diseases that will make good health and longevity the birthright of all humanity."\nPenn State University is the only Big Ten school that pays its faculty less than IU. Herbert has pledged to increase salaries so IU can be more competitive in attracting the best faculty.\nIt is often noted that IU plays an active role in improving the quality of life for all Hoosiers through knowledge-based research that translates into the creation of new companies and new jobs. \nBut Herbert adds we must not overlook the contribution of IU culture in adding richness to our lives. \nThe impact of IU's first minority president was not articulated in words at Thursday's ceremony, but symbols of diversity were there. The African-American Choral Ensemble sang, and school children from Gary who participated in the state's spelling bee sat in the audience. \nThe inauguration ceremony was a turning point for the University in more ways than one. Herbert has set high goals for his presidency, and we applaud them. \nWe welcome Adam W. Herbert as IU's architect, and we fully expect him to lift this cathedral of learning to more magnificent heights.