Comission recommends increased funding for IU

IU saw a promising first step toward snagging more state funding Nov. 20, when the Indiana Commission for Higher Education made its state budget recommendation. \nThe executive-appointed committee called for a 2.5 percent increase in state appropriations for the University in 2007-08, said J.T. Forbes, IU director of state relations. Since 2000, the annual growth has been 1.5 percent, according to a report the IU Office of Government Relations issued.\n"The good news about this recommendation is that it is trying to take a step in reversing the trend," he said, referring to the smaller budget appropriations IU has seen in recent years. \nForbes added that this is a good starting point for what will be a long project.\nHowever, once again this year, the proposed growth will fail to keep pace with the national inflation rate of 3 percent. The University was still encouraged by the recommendations because they showed an "upward trend" in funding, said Larry MacIntyre, IU director of Media Relations.\n"We've been very encouraged by everything the governor has said about higher education," he said. "We don't see this as a negative. We see this as a very positive first step." \nEven with the recommendations, the funding increase still faces a tough road ahead. Gov. Mitch Daniels will issue his recommendations when the legislative session begins early next year, Forbes said. Following the governor's proposal, both houses in the Indiana General Assembly will take up the budget proposal.\nThough Forbes said there is no way to be certain what the General Assembly will do, he said he is confident that legislators will make the necessary appropriations. \n"I think there is a strong desire by everyone at the Statehouse to invest in Indiana's economic development," he said. "But without educated residents, this becomes very difficult."\nIf the increases are reflected in next year's budget, the additional funds will be distributed throughout the University and will affect things such as "financial aid, faculty salary and all services and programs that we offer students in classes and advising," Forbes said.\nThe extra cash would be in addition to the $80 million IU President Adam Herbert requested at the Statehouse last month to further develop life sciences at the University.