IU President Adam Herbert announced his goal for the University to become an international leader in life sciences research, a proposal to raise faculty salaries and plans to strengthen arts and humanities as he delivered his State of the University address Tuesday. \nBefore a crowd of more than 200, Herbert declared new University-wide priorities for the upcoming year in his second annual speech since his inauguration. Herbert said the University can't "rest on our laurels" but instead should become increasingly more effective and efficient.
Life Sciences Research\nAs one of his main priorities since entering office, Herbert restated his goal of making IU a world-class research institution. He said he has asked for the creation of a new strategic plan to improve IU's life sciences programs.\nUnder this plan, the University would work to secure additional funds from the federal and state government in order to elevate the status of the department. Herbert also stressed the need for collaboration with faculty on the Bloomington campus, the IU School of Medicine and science departments at IU-Purdue University Indianapolis. \nOne specific goal Herbert declared was to make IU a leader in cancer research.\n"We have such an array of strengths in cancer research, diagnosis and treatment that I established a goal for Indiana University to become one of the top five cancer centers in the nation," Herbert said. "Last week, in collaboration with Clarian Health Partners, we broke ground for a new cancer hospital in Indianapolis that will bring us closer to this goal."
Faculty Issues\nStating that IU's average faculty salary ranks ninth in the Big Ten, Herbert said he wants to aggressively address this situation to attract and retain faculty who are at the top of their field. \nHerbert said he will be submitting a proposal to the University Faculty Council within a few months that will increase the minimum salary increments attached to promotions at each professorial level and will create a new faculty rank beyond professor. \nHerbert also offered a warning that IU must devote attention to the predicted upcoming wave of faculty retirements.\n"We must prepare to recruit and retain IU's next generation of intellectual leaders and other institutional leaders," Herbert said.\nTo strengthen the faculty at IU, Herbert also encouraged leadership development to be a main focus for the faculty. Working with School of Public and Environmental Affairs Dean Emeritus Chuck Bonser, Herbert said a leadership development initiative for the University has been in the works for the past 10 months. The program is targeted to attract new leaders, build leadership "bench strength" throughout the University and identify potential leaders, specifically among minority groups. \nHerbert also restated his claim that he is optimistic the recommendations for the next IU-Bloomington chancellor and senior vice president for academic affairs will be named prior to the November trustee meeting. He added that the process is in the final phases of screening the candidates.
Mission differentiation\nHerbert announced that the University is approaching the conclusion of the first phase of the IU mission differentiation project, as each campus has developed a proposed mission statement, as well as one for the entire University. These proposals will be submitted to the trustees during their November meeting. \nHerbert said the second phase of the project, led by Charlie Nelms, vice president for institutional development and student affairs, has identified recurring policy issues that will be discussed, including student admissions requirements, the offering of associate and graduate degrees, the development of student housing and efforts to achieve full diversity.\nTo help address initiatives like mission differentiation, Herbert also announced the creation of the Office of University Planning, Institutional Research and Accountability to gather and analyze University data. \n"In short, the activities of this new unit will enable us to plan more effectively, measure our progress more accurately and represent the University to our internal and external constituents in ways that more clearly illustrate our impressive accomplishments," Herbert said.
Arts and Humanities\nSaying that IU must remain at its foundation a liberal arts university, Herbert included strengthening IU's arts and humanities program as one of his top priorities.\nDuring the previous year's State of the University address, Herbert announced an IU-funded plan to increase research and creative activity in arts and humanities. After receiving $5 million from the Lilly Endowment, IU has now created the New Frontiers initiative, aimed at providing grants to several of the school's fine arts programs. \nIn addition, Herbert proposed expansion of the Moveable Feasts of the Arts, a program offering performances by IUB students throughout the state to include theater, dance performances and traveling art exhibitions.
Advancing Indiana\nAs the title of his speech, "Creating a Future of Shared Purpose," strengthening the economy of Indiana was fittingly among Herbert's goals outlined during the address. \nHerbert said it should be IU's goal to create, attract and keep more high-wage jobs in the state to help Indiana's economy. \n"If we are to create a future of shared purpose for Indiana University, we must become increasingly more strategic in our priority planning and investments," Herbert said. "We must find new ways to advance IU and the state of Indiana."
National and Global Challenges \nAs European, Asian and Australian institutions are now rivaling American higher education, Herbert said IU should compete more aggressively for top faculty and graduate students, prepare its students for a global economy and expand partnerships to continue globalization at IU. \nHe went on to list national issues that are threatening IU. He blamed the war in Iraq, federal spending and tax priorities, rising health care costs and the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as reasons why he expects less federal funding to arts and humanities and medical research than five years ago.
