Presidential Prelude

IU is no stranger to change, Michael McRobbie said as he officially became IU’s 18th president Thursday.\n“Indiana University’s history is a story of change in response to the demands of the time,” McRobbie said to a crowd of about 1,800. \nStudents, faculty and delegates of universities from around the world gathered in the IU Auditorium to hear McRobbie’s vision for the future of IU.\nSpeeches from Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan, among others, preceded the presentation of The Jewel and Chain of Office, a symbolic necklace worn by the president of the University on ceremonial occasions. \nMcRobbie laid out his plans for the University in his inaugural speech following the ceremonial presentation. He said his vision is to enhance IU’s primary missions of education and research by renovating dorms, building new facilities and attracting a world-class faculty, among other things.\n“In recent years IU-Bloomington has done much to improve and modernize the learning environment,” McRobbie said. “However, the living environment, specifically student housing, has remained largely unchanged since the 1960s.” \nIUB and IU-Purdue University Indianapolis will need about 5 million square feet of new research space over the next 10 to 20 years, according to a report commissioned by McRobbie in August 2004. He commissioned the creation of a master plan to guide future construction on both campuses about a month ago.\nMcRobbie thanked the Indiana General Assembly for their financial support, but said he realizes money for new buildings and dorm renovations must come from other places. \n“It is simply impossible for the state to fund all of our needs for space if we are to join the very top tier of the 21st century’s public research universities,” McRobbie said. \nStudent trustee A.D. King said he is personally excited about the goals McRobbie outlined in his speech, but believes IU must be creative when it comes to generating funds for future projects.\n“We have to challenge the IU family to step up and try to help make these goals and dreams reality,” King said. \nMcRobbie has created a matching gift program to encourage support from IU alumni and friends. IU will match donations presented to the University, but details will be worked out on a case by case basis, McRobbie said. \n“We must aim high in recruiting senior scholars, and the (new) Wells Presidential Professorship will be a critical tool for making that possible,” he said. \nMcRobbie said he accepts the challenges he set forth during his inaugural speech and harbors no illusions that they will be easy.\n“I ask every faculty member, staff member, and student,” McRobbie said, “every alumnus and friend of IU, indeed every citizen of Indiana to join me in this pursuit of excellence.”