2008 Woodie Awards
President McRobbie discusses vision for IUPUI
David Grobuskas
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: College News
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Research, life sciences and IUPUI's strengths
See video. Length: 00:04:05
With 97 percent of all funded research at Indiana University at IUPUI and IU-Bloomington, the months since IU President Michael McRobbie took his office have "reconfirmed to me the vital importance of the relationship between Indianapolis and Bloomington when it comes to research and economic development," McRobbie said.
"The sheer scale of [life sciences] on this campus is going to always mean that it is the 500-pound gorilla on the campus," McRobbie said. "One cannot escape that. But, I don't think that necessarily means it overshadows other schools on the campus."
Among IUPUI's strengths, McRobbie pointed to the IU School of Law, also based in Indianapolis, and its role in developing lawyers for the state. He mentioned the Kelly School of Business and its relationships with local companies.
"The impact those other schools have both in the city and the state are considerable and formidable."
IUPUI's relationship with its city, both in terms of education and service, helps define it, McRobbie said.
"I think it would not be doing its job if it did not have robust, extensive partnerships throughout the city at all levels. And it does."
McRobbie also mentioned the Herron School of Art.
"I think they've done a superb job in terms of their advocacy for public art," McRobbie said.
Research provides a link between graduate and undergraduate work.
The cost of college
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McRobbie said IU will continue to seek ways to make education affordable for low- to middle-income families.
"As a public institution it's vital that we remain accessible and affordable."
IUPUI recently launched a $2.1 million annual program to supplement aid for need-based students who receive state 21st Century Scholar awards and aid from the Federal Pell Grant Program. A Dec. 17 press release said the average 21st Century Scholar recipient gets $2,500 from IUPUI, while a Pell Grant recipient receives $1,500.
A similar, but much larger program at IU-Bloomington, "Matching the Promise," has reduced the cost for students from families with incomes below $50,000 to $341, McRobbie said.
The IU-Bloomington program hopes to raise $1 billion for the program through the IU Foundation. The total reached $652 million in Oct. 29, according to an IU press release.
Working students who don't qualify for need-based assistance can turn to merit-
based aid like scholarships and grants, McRobbie said. The Cox Scholarship pays 75 percent of the tuition at IU or IUPUI for students with high academic achievement and who work to pay 25 percent of their tuition.
McRobbie also noted a change in the undergraduate experience.
"It is an interesting phenomena that not just at IU … but across the country, that undergraduates are seeking more research experience," McRobbie said. "I'm very pleased this campus is reacting aggressively to meet that need."
Diversity
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Since 2006 protests by the Black Student Initiative, diversity has been a major issue at IUPUI, he said.
"The senior administration on this campus needs to be more diverse," McRobbie said. "And I think the chancellor has acknowledged that."
McRobbie pointed to the announcement of Kenneth Durgans as associate vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion as a step in the right direction. He also mentioned Edwin C. Marshall - vice president for diversity, equity and affairs - who looks at diversity at all campuses.
"He's already somebody who is focusing on the issue of both the campus climate with respect to diversity, and the diversity of the university population/community."
In June 2007, McRobbie and former IU President Adam Herbert asked for campus-specific plans from the Bloomington provost and campus chancellors about minority population in the student body, faculty and staff by Dec. 1.
"I'm hoping we can synthesize those into some key strategies that [Marshall's] office can then implement across the whole university."
Student participation and student concerns
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In his time as president, McRobbie has tried to reach out to students for input on their views of IUPUI and where it should be headed.
McRobbie said the Student Vision of an Ideal Campus Environment (VOICE) Project has gone well on the IUPUI campus.
"Everything I hear so far is that the response has been pretty good."
McRobbie has held open office hours, inviting students to drop by for one-on-one interaction.
"I've been a little disappointed on this campus compared to the response in Bloomington."
Four students attended his office hours the last time he held them at IUPUI. McRobbie encouraged students to attend future open office hours.
Diversity and sustainability have been two of the issues he has heard students mention most. McRobbie said David King, a newly hired architect, will include sustainability in new plans for IUPUI and IU-Bloomington. McRobbie said he hopes King can have the plans done by the IU Board of Trustees meeting in December.
Campus Emergency Notification
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Commenting on the shooting at Northern Illinois University, McRobbie said, "I certainly hope and I believe we are in pretty good shape," McRobbie said, referring to IU Notify, the system students can register for through Onestart for notification of campus emergencies.
Having multiple methods of instantaneous contact, not just something such as text messages, is important in emergency situations, McRobbie said.
McRobbie and IUPUI
See video. Length: 00:04:05
McRobbie said he usually spends at least one day each week in Indianapolis, if not a couple or few days consecutively.
"I meet with Chancellor Bantz if not daily, every couple of days for something. So we are in pretty close touch on a range of different issues."
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