Daniels talks with student leaders

Conversation proved to be friendly yet intriguing Wednesday in the State Room East of the Indiana Memorial Union, as Indiana Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels enjoyed lunch with 16 student leaders.\nWith silverware clattering as people ate, sophomore Rebeca Hernandez posed a question to the governor, who was sitting across the table.\nShe asked Daniels how he thought the education system needed to be improved. She said there is a lack of preparation for high-school seniors making the move to college.\n“You’re absolutely right,” Daniels said. “The system needs improvement from end to end.”\nIU Student Association President Betsy Henke and Vice President Andrew Lauck, along with president-elect W.T. Wright, also attended.\nThe Interfraternity Council, Black Student Union, OUT, Residence Halls Association and Twenty-First Century Scholars attended the lunch as well.\nDaniels welcomed the campus leaders, commending them for their leadership and saying he was happy to see the campus groups.\nStudents actively questioned Daniels about higher education, the domestic-partners benefit act and the privatization of the lottery.\n“If someone has a better idea about the lottery, then I’d say let’s hear it,” Daniels said. He said the lottery is intended to invest money in research and provide potential growth for IU funding such as scholarships.\nDaniels said higher-education standards are rising everywhere, and Indiana schools are no exception. But with the higher standards comes a higher percentage of students who enroll in a four-year university but don’t finish, Daniels said.\n“Indiana has a long, long, long way to go,” Daniels said. “I don’t think any of the schools should be satisfied with where they are.”\nSenior D’Anna Wade, president of the Black Student Union, asked Daniels if he thought incoming IU president Michael McRobbie’s goal to double minority enrollment is realistic.\nDaniels said that in addition to preparing students for the transition to college, high schools need to provide extra programs for minority students who might need it.\nSenior Kim Ruggles, president of OUT for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Services, asked Daniels what he thought of the Domestic Partner Benefits Program and what will happen if it passes.\n“The passion is high, and I would hope that the folks on each side recognize the sincerity of the other party,” Daniels said. \nRuggles expressed concern for the future of IU and the GLBT program. If the plan does pass, she said, as it might prevent some students from considering IU.\n“I hope that won’t happen,” Daniels said. “The last thing this state needs is further division.”