Despite the considerable amount of discussion devoted to the athletics department's new financial plan, trustees also debated new enrollment figures, delayed a vote on the proposed site of the new Honors College and heard presentations by the new student trustee and IU Student Association president Friday. \nAfter suffering a drop in enrollment the previous year, resulting in financial constraints across the campus, IU President Adam Herbert said this year's University-wide enrollment figures are nearly identical to last year's. For the entire University, Herbert said there are only two fewer students than last fall. \nHowever, the IU-Bloomington freshman enrollment is up 9.3 percent to a total of 7,761 from last fall when it dropped to 7,102, partly due to the problems with the PeopleSoft software that prevented IU from sending out financial aid awards.\nThe higher enrollment numbers is good financial news for IU, as the University is still reeling from last year's budget shortfall that resulted from the drop in enrollment. \nThe jump in freshman enrollment means IU will receive about $2.5 million more in revenue from the fall semester than officials expected, said Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Judith Palmer.\nHowever, she added that because of lower-than-expected summer enrollment, the net income will be approximately $500,000 more than the projected budget. \nNot only is this year's freshman class larger than last year's, there have been increases academically as well. Charlie Nelms, vice president for student development and diversity, announced that IU experienced increases in all campuses with regard to SAT scores as verbal score averages moved from 516 to 520 and math scores increased from 523 to 529. Also, five IU campuses saw a rise in the number of students coming from the top 10 percent of their high school classes. \nEnrollment for several ethnic minorities also showed increases at the Bloomington campus, as the number of Asian-American students increased 5.8 percent from last year and African-Americans climbed by 9.6 percent, although black students still only account for 4.4 percent of the total campus population.
Honors College \nvote delayed\nWith a vote of 6 to 2, the trustees voted to table a proposed measure to build the new Honors College building on a nine-square block on the northwest corner of the intersection of Seventh Street and Woodlawn Avenue. The proposal will be reheard in November when the trustees have their next meeting.\n"I'm a big believer of the Honors College, but I just don't have enough information," said IU trustee Vice President Patrick Shoulders. "It is our duty as trustees to not just think about the next 30 days, but the next 30 years."\nShoulders also said they could tear down the two buildings housing the Honor College now and build a bigger one there, and that they should discuss alternative plans for the use of the nine blocks in front of the Union. \nTrustee President Stephen Ferguson and trustee Thomas Reilly Jr. tallied the two dissenting votes on the issue.\n"I already know what I want to do there," Ferguson said. "Unlike some of the newer trustees, I have spent the last seven years learning about it and I am comfortable moving forward."
IUSA advocates \nservice learning\nIUSA President Alex Shortle delivered the student report to the board during the meeting outlining several issues and initiatives for the board to consider.\nAfter congratulating the athletics department for their new financial plan and for furthering school spirit through the revived football program, Shortle challenged the board to consider bolstering the service learning programs on campus. \nShortle proposed that the University should increase the number of service learning courses so all students can participate while maintaining their academic progress. He also said the University should create a center for civic engagement, as IU is the only member of the Big Ten that doesn't have one. \n"We talk consistently and constantly about engaging the students and the community and yet we do not offer these facilities," Shortle said. "It would be wise for the University to put many of the initiatives and programs that we have ongoing with service learning under one roof to give it some direction."\nCommenting about University transportation, he said the campus bus program, which uses student fees to provide free transportation, has been going strong as there has been an increase in ridership throughout the campus. However, he cited concerns from the unforeseen circumstances of the rising price of gas. \nShortle also updated the board on several IUSA initiatives, including the college readership program and measures to expand free-speech zones throughout campus to places like the arboretum and the Sample Gates.
Student trustee makes \nhis mark\nMarking his first address to the board, student trustee and former IU Student Association President Casey Cox said the board should consider bringing back, in some form, the "campus committee" to allow students outside of the student government some access to the board. Cox also announced the addition of an IU blog on the trustee Web site to keep students informed on trustee issues.\nCox added that he is interested in learning about curriculum-based civic engagement efforts and how this impacts the retention and recruitment at IU campuses.
