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F.C. Richardson
Chancellor of IU Southeast
One dictionary definition of "connections" is "the establishment of logical, working relationships."
At Indiana University Southeast, we are making special efforts to assure that we have the strongest possible "connections" with those we serve and those with whom we work to achieve our campus mission. On campus we are working to improve communications among all of the various constituencies -- students, faculty and staff. I set aside two hours each Monday afternoon when anyone can meet with me in my office without a scheduled appointment. We have reduced the number of campus committees but have expanded the membership of committees to include all constituencies.
The wonderful new Ogle Center has allowed the campus to better connect with the people from communities throughout the region, including future students. The center is proving to be a magnificent addition to the campus and to the southern Indiana region. I thank all of you who helped make the center a reality.
A major group in helping us to create and nourish connections are the members of our Board of Advisors. Recently, Jack Ragland, regional president of Bank One of Indiana, was elected to be the first person from the community to serve as chair of the board. Their advice and counsel is invaluable and their support is a tremendous asset for IU Southeast.
IU Southeast is connecting with more Kentuckians through the Indiana-Kentucky reciprocity program developed through the state higher education authorities in the two states. Now in its third year, the program provides for five master's programs to be open to students from three Kentucky counties. This year, approximately 60 Kentuckians are taking advantage of the opportunity to attend IU Southeast and nearly 100 Hoosiers are attending the University of Louisville where 19 graduate programs and the undergraduate engineering programs are included.
On campus, we provide special connections with students through such things as our Children Center, our Adult Student Center, the Volunteer Center and the campus fraternities and sororities as well as the more than 40 other student organizations. Many of these organizations provide volunteer services to the campus and community while polishing their human relations and leadership skills.
Building of the Ogle Center has given us the opportunity to renovate many areas in other buildings that have been vacated by activities moved into the new center. New classrooms and offices are being created, additional library space is being created and a new multi-purpose room that should prove to be very useful for student group activities is being constructed.
Young children from elementary and middle schools are connecting to us through the Arts Institute that brings them to campus for programs and activities in music, drawing, painting and other arts activities.
Members of the regional Japanese community are connecting with us through the Japanese Cultural Center and the Japanese Saturday School, both operating on the IUS campus.
All in all, it is a grand connection for our faculty, staff and students to a community that is served well by the activities and the graduates of the campus and for the community we serve that supports our development and growth through its generosity.