Herbert delivers State of University speech

As IU President Adam Herbert approached the podium in the Frangipani Room of the Indiana Memorial Union, more than 200 pairs of eyes watched him intently while just as many sets of ears waited to hear what would be his first State of the University address since he took office last year. \nThe title of Herbert's speech was "Strengthening the Foundations for Distinction," and that is exactly what he did by proposing numerous goals to improve the University.\n"There is one other characteristic of this special institution that reinforces my pride in being a Hoosier," Herbert said. "It is IU's caring academic environment that fosters such a deep level of love for the University among our students and alumni."\nOne of the first major ideas Herbert proposed to the sea of students, faculty, administrators, reporters and television cameras was a new task force he has appointed. The Economic Development Task Force is visiting 10 cities throughout the state to establish how IU might contribute to economic developmental needs in those regions, with Bill Stephan, vice president for university relations and corporate partnerships, at the helm. \nHerbert also focused on adopting general education principles for all of the IU campuses. Members of the Academic Leadership Council and campus faculty councils, along with Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and IU-Bloomington Interim Chancellor Ken Gros Louis, are taking steps to develop a set of principles that will exemplify what an IU degree means.\n"My main job among the things (Herbert) listed is to chair the Academic Leadership Council that would be defining the General Education Principle that hopefully all the campuses will be able to adapt," Gros Louis said. "It's going to be challenging because clearly it's hard enough to get one faculty here on one campus to agree, and now seven other campuses have to agree."\nGros Louis will soon be replaced as IU-Bloomington's interim chancellor, as this semester the University will begin the search for his replacement with the conclusion of that search coming during the spring term.\nIn his inaugural address, Herbert proposed the goal of doubling IU's externally-funded research grants and contracts by the end of this decade. He reiterated the importance of this goal again in his speech with the added fact that in the fiscal year of 2004, the University has had the highest amount of faculty-submitted proposals in IU's history and, as a result, has received an all-time high $413 million in sponsored research income.\nNewly appointed Director for Hoosiers for Higher Education Debbie Sibbitt attended the speech and said she felt Herbert's speech is going to make faculty throughout the entire system very excited.\n"I can't imagine (University staff) won't be 100 percent behind what these initiatives are because (Herbert) was very comprehensive in almost virtually every aspect of the University ... and how it's directed to the entire state of Indiana, not just one campus," Sibbitt said.\nOne of the final major points within Herbert's speech was the fact that IU ranks toward the bottom of the Big Ten in terms of non-class laboratory and creative space, which include a variety of areas, such as wet laboratories, art and music studios, focus group study areas and the faculty office space in which people generate ideas. Several schools within the University are experiencing problems in this area and cannot hire more faculty or admit more students.\n"Their findings require that we think creatively and act aggressively to address this vitally important issue," Herbert said. "During the academic year, we will establish a process to further analyze this data and develop a strategic, prioritized physical facilities master plan focused on research space needs over the next decade." \nHerbert appointed a task force last year "to review the structure and operations" of the School of Continuing Studies. In concurrence with the findings of the task force, Herbert and Gros Louis recommended two things be done. First, the School of Continuing Studies is to be maintained as a University school, and it will continue to award the associate's and bachelor's degrees in general studies. \nHerbert said words from former IU President Herman B Wells can encourage the University to achieve even greater things.\n"Though our problems may be many and grave ... the resources available for their solution are vast. Not the least of these is the friendship of our community and state ... Within the institution itself, elements of incalculable strength are to be found: the competence and loyalty of the faculty and administrative staff; the interest, enthusiasm and prominence of the alumni, the ability and loyalty of the student body; the generous devotion and keen foresight of the board of trustees. Cognizant of the rich resources which are ours to command, we face the future with confidence," Herbert quoted Wells as saying.\nTo see the full text of President Herbert's "State of the University" speech, visit www.indiana.edu/~pres/sou04.shtml.\n-- Contact senior writer Mike Malik at mjmalik@indiana.edu.