President Whitten wraps up 92-county tour, shares “lessons learned”
When Indiana University President Pamela Whitten first took office, she made it a priority to hear directly from citizens across the state.
So, she packed her IU duffle bag and set off to visit all 92 Indiana counties for a truly first-hand look at how the state’s flagship university positively impacts the everyday lives of Hoosiers.
With a final stop in Posey County late last month, Whitten wrapped up her tour, which confirmed for her the extraordinary impact IU is having not just on its students but also on Hoosiers from all corners of the state and all walks of life. Whitten also came away with several lessons, which she shared in a recent op-ed for the Indianapolis Star, about the important roles IU plays in workforce development, college readiness, talent attraction and retention, and creative placemaking through arts and culture.
“Hearing feedback from people throughout the state was crucial,” Whitten wrote, “because at a time when debates abound about the value of higher education, IU must play a key role in the future success of Indiana.”
Read President Whitten's op-ed
President Whitten presents IU's budget request to the Indiana State Budget Committee
IU President Pamela Whitten presented her second IU biennial budget request to the Indiana State Budget Committee on Nov 13. Whitten started by highlighting the tremendous progress the university has made in the first year and a half of implementing the IU 2030 Strategic Plan, with specific examples of achievements in IU’s three pillars: Student Success and Opportunity, Transformative Research and Creativity, and Service to Our State and Beyond. She gave the Budget Committee an update on the IU Indianapolis campus, which is now in its first year of operation. Finally, she provided some context for IU’s FY 2025-2027 budget request, approved by the IU Board of Trustees, and the critical role the state can play in helping the university achieve some ambitious goals.
IU’s request included:
- Continued support of the work of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s outcomes-based funding formula
- Updates to current line items, including inflationary adjustments
- Increased funding for the Indiana Geological and Water Survey to account for new legislative duties due to the creation of the Center for Water and the Center for Energy
- Increased funding for the Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute to support expanded cancer research
- Funding requests for two new special state line items
- The state’s matching investment of $1.3 million per year for IU Innovates
- The state’s matching investment for staffing needs for IU Public Safety
- Support for IU’s capital project requests
- President Whitten thanked CHE for recommending the funding of IU’s Priority 1 capital project, the Science Learning Initiative Phase II: IU Bloomington Biology Building renovation and utility upgrades, using fee replacement
CHE’s budget recommendation, along with the seven public institutions’ individual requests, will next be considered by the House Ways and Means Committee once the Indiana General Assembly reconvenes in January 2025.
Read the IU biennial budget request
Watch the IU biennial budget request
State Update
On Nov. 19, the Indiana General Assembly reconvened for Organization Day to officially kick off the 2025 budget session. This capped off a late summer and fall of interim study committee meetings in preparation for the legislative session.
Read the State Update
Federal Update
After former President Donald Trump won the Presidential election and Republicans gained control of the Senate and House, members of the 118th Congress returned to Washington last week. Before members of the new congress take office come the new year, current members still have several issues they must address before the end of this Congress—most notably FY25 appropriations and the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act.
Read the Federal Update
Economic Engagement Update
IU awarded $4 million in READI 2.0 funding for microchip development
Indiana University has been awarded $4 million from the second round of Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative to advance its microelectronics research and development capabilities. The funding will allow the university to acquire specialized equipment that will enable IU researchers working in microelectronics to accelerate the development of resilient microchips and support the growth of the Indiana Uplands microelectronics sector.
Learn more about the impact of the READI 2.0 funding
IU microelectronics innovation to help fuel formation of new $285M national semiconductor institute
IU is a member of the team that was selected this week by the National Institute for Standards and Technology to launch the new Semiconductor Manufacturing and Advanced Research with Twins USA (SMART USA) Institute. Led by the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) and poised to receive $285 million in federal funding, the SMART USA Institute will develop, validate and use virtual, computer-generated models, known as “digital twins,” to improve domestic semiconductor design, manufacturing, advanced packaging, assembly and test processes. It will also reduce the time and cost of chip design, create a more fertile climate for domestic chip production and provide training opportunities for the next generation of semiconductor workers.
Read more about how IU’s microelectronics expertise will support the new institute
U.S. Department of Labor approves IU to lead K-12 teacher apprenticeship program
The U.S. Department of Labor recently approved Indiana University as a group sponsor for a new Registered Apprenticeship Program, an innovative career pathway for aspiring K-12 educators. Spearheaded by the IU Office of School Partnerships, the Registered Apprenticeship Program will integrate on-the-job learning with academic instruction and professional mentoring, preparing educators to serve Indiana communities and students.
Read more about the K-12 educator apprenticeship
Indiana economy on a sustainable path to growth, finds 2025 Futurecast
Following a year marked by stronger than expected output and improvement in tackling inflation, the U.S. economy will reach its equilibrium growth rate in 2025 and supply and demand will finally come back into balance after taking major hits during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an economic forecast from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. This week, the school’s annual Futurecast, which has been sharing its economic forecasts for more than 50 years, concluded a fall tour of 11 cities across Indiana.
Discover the results of the Futurecast
IU in the News
“The Jim”
The Indiana University Board of Trustees voted on Nov. 15 to name the planned athletics center on the Indiana University Indianapolis campus after the late James T. Morris. An alumnus who earned his political science degree from IU Bloomington, Morris served several terms on the Board of Trustees spanning multiple decades.
Read the full story
Trustees approve updates to IU’s Expressive Activity Policy
The Indiana University Board of Trustees approved updates to IU’s Expressive Activity Policy, UA-10, that clarify overnight restrictions on certain activities. Trustees approved the changes Friday during their business meeting.
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IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center again receives National Cancer Institute designation
The National Cancer Institute has renewed the prestigious comprehensive cancer center designation to the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, awarding it a five-year, $14.2 million grant.
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New student success platform implemented for 3 campuses; additional campuses to follow
A new student success technology platform is being launched for three Indiana University campuses: IU Columbus, IU East and IU Fort Wayne. The platform, designed by vendor partner Stellic, helps students build their degree plan, track their progress and visualize the impact of different decisions along their path to graduation.
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O’Neill Leadership Fellows gain experience, help Hoosiers through community organizations
Whether alleviating poverty, enhancing sustainability, helping patients, advancing the arts or protecting the environment, 120 fellows through the Indiana University O’Neill Leadership Program are helping 65 Monroe County institutions improve the lives of Hoosiers.
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