Chancellor chats with students

IU-Bloomington Interim Chancellor Kenneth Gros Louis had some advice for his successor. \nHe told a group of students in front of the fireplace in the South Lounge of the Indiana Memorial Union Wednesday that the next chancellor must first understand the climate and traditions of the Bloomington campus to be an effective administrator.\n"(Former IU President Myles Brand) was not a successful president because did not take the time to understand the culture of the University," he said. \nIn the first of a series of "fireside chats" sponsored by the Union Board, Gros Louis regaled a group of about 20 students with tales from his more than 40 years of experience at IU. He addressed issues like student apathy and the University's academic future as he fielded questions from the participants.\nGros Louis said if the state continues to cap tuition while not increasing the University's funding, the government will tie IU's hands behind its back.\n"IU will not be able to thrive in research and academics if the state does not continue to give it monetary support," he said. \nHe said the University deserves support from the state because IU adds a great deal to Indiana's image. Gros Louis told a story about a student from Columbus, Ind., who came to IU as a freshman on scholarship. After spending a summer in Bloomington, Gros Louis said, the student developed a whole new understanding of what the state could offer.\n"His dream as he was growing up was to leave Indiana," Gros Louis said. "(At IU), he wrote his brother and said, 'I'm not in Indiana anymore.'"\nThat realization is thanks in large part to the vision of former IU President Herman B Wells, Gros Louis said, who turned the University into a major cultural center of the state. \nThat vision also has allowed the University to grow into what it is today, Gros Louis said. When he first came to IU, he said fewer than half of the buildings now standing on campus had been built. But he said the biggest change has been they way business on the campus is conducted.\n"At many of the meetings I go to," he said, "I feel like I'm working for a major corporation and not a university."\nThe chancellor also spoke about the changes in students' political leanings. He discussed the history of protest at IU and compared Vietnam-era protests with protests today. He said the reason might be that students have a better understanding of the complex issues affecting them today.\nGros Louis also said one of the biggest issues confronting students today is the decreasing number of college students coming from the lowest echelons of society. He said although it might not be the soundest advice he has given, a possible solution would be for students to march on Gros Louis' office and demand more money for scholarships for low-income applicants.\nAllen Andreas, the director of debates and issues for the Union Board and the organizer of the event, said he was happy with the 20-student turnout.\n"Each session is intended to be an intimate discussion," he said.\nIUSA President Tyson Chastain, who attended the talk, said it was a great forum for the chancellor.\n"It's nice for students to be able to ask an administrator how things at IU work," Chastain said. \n— Contact Staff Write Michael \nZennie at mzennie@indiana.edu.