IU research funding a 'top priority'

INDIANAPOLIS -- IU President Adam Herbert and the presidents of other public universities testified before the Indiana Senate Appropriations Committee Monday and pitched their arguments for why their respective schools should receive consistent funding during tight economic times. \n"We are all aware of the difficult task you and your colleagues face and of Gov. (Mitch) Daniels' emphasis on balancing the state budget," Herbert told the committee. "Our budget request is a modest, formula-driven request where we tried to balance the state's economic situation with our most pressing needs."\nAs the state tries to stall excessive spending in an attempt to balance the budget and lacerate the ballooning budget deficit, Herbert went before the committee to press what he called IU's "top priority": the full funding of the University's technological research.\n"It is important we also not forget that there is a vital role that our research universities play in this state, and we need your support to reach the aspirations you have set," Herbert testified. "Last year our faculty members brought to Indiana more research contracts and grants than ever before. We want to double our total research dollars by the end of the decade, and it's a very aggressive goal." \nHerbert testified IU has been focused on operating as efficiently as possible, including "belt-tightening" within the University.\nFifty-five percent of last year's $413 million research money came from federal agencies, Herbert said. He added that IU wants to work closer with Daniels to secure more federal funding for the state, and noted the key is consistent state funding now to help IU researchers qualify for federal money in the future\nSenate Appropriations Chairman Bob Meeks, R-LaGrange, said the Senate's budget committee, as well as the relevant committees in the Indiana House of Representatives, have heard arguments from universities pertaining to state funding. He said his committee heard arguments Monday because they wanted "to get a better feel for what their needs are." \nHerbert told the committee that in addition to the research money the University is seeking, it also has concerns about supporting enrollment growth on IU's regional campuses and repair and rehabilitation funding. \nFollowing his testimony, Herbert said if the state cuts back too far on funding it could damage the streak of success the University has had. \n"The bottom line is you lose momentum," Herbert said. \nThe implications for students, including any potential tuition increases, will not be known for another few months. \n"It's still early," said J.T Forbes, director of state relations for IU. \nThe state government's budget process should conclude in April, Forbes said. The IU board of trustees will not consider any possible tuition increases until the budget has been passed and the University knows how much funding it will receive from the state.\nThat could come as early as the trustees' May meeting. \nIU Spokesman Larry MacIntyre said about 75 percent of IU's funding comes from tuition and about 25 percent comes from the state.\nRepeating an announcement that he made at the trustees' meeting Friday, Herbert told the committee that IU will plan host a public forum April 13 in Bloomington to discuss tuition and mandatory fees for 2005-06 school year. Those interested will have an opportunity to call in or e-mail questions and comments on the tuition and fee proposals. \nThat forum will be broadcast on the Internet and will be telecast to the administration and the public at each of IU's eight campuses.\nThe focus now, however, strongly remains with securing adequate revenue for research projects and not struggle with deep problems that other states have experienced.\n"If we can move out of this without a cut, that'd be a victory compared to other states," Forbes said.\n-- Contact Senior Writer Tony Sams at ajsams@indiana.edu.