Indiana State University Newsroom

Indiana State University had a "banner year" in 2012-13 and made substantial progress toward many of its strategic goals, said Randall Minas, president of the university's Board of Trustees.

Minas made his comments at the board's meeting Friday following a day and a half annual review of President Daniel J. Bradley.

"It is impressive to see the impact that a well-construed strategic plan led by a dynamic leader can have in a relatively short period of time," Minas said. "Measurable progress has occurred in so many areas. The trustees are pleased with the direction the University is headed and are appreciative of Dan Bradley's leadership and the dedicated work of faculty and staff across campus."

Highlights of the year included:

• Sustained growth in enrollment with a 5.8 percent increase in new freshmen coupled with a 2.5 percent improvement in first-year retention overall and an 8.5 percent increase in retention of African-American students.

• Continued development of health-related programs designed to address a critical workforce shortage in Indiana. The most recent additions are graduate programs in occupational therapy and social work.

• Upgrading of student housing with construction of the first new residence hall in more than 40 years underway and a renovated Erickson Hall set to re-open this summer. A downtown housing project to be developed by local contractor Thompson and Thrift and leased to the university is also moving forward.

• Opening of Federal Hall as the new home of the Scott College of Business. The renovation preserved the historic elements of the former Federal Building while creating the high-tech environment needed for a top-rated college of business.

• Approval of $16 million in cash funding by the Indiana General Assembly to renovate Normal Hall, the former Indiana State Normal School Library and one of the oldest buildings on campus. The legislature also approved $4.5 million for the renovation of science labs, $2.7 million in repair and rehabilitation funding. The legislature also voted to establish the Principal Leadership Institute at Indiana State University and provided $1.2 million over the biennium for professional development programs for public school principals throughout Indiana.

• Creation of the John W. Moore Welcome Center in the former Family and Consumer Sciences building. Adjacent to the Dede Plaza, the center houses the admissions office and serves as a welcoming spot for prospective students and their families as well as alumni and visitors.

• Success across the majority of the University's athletics programs with an individual national title in women's weight throw, three conference championships, post-season play in both men's and women's basketball, coach of the year honors for two coaches, and six track and field student athletes competing in the NCAA Division I National Championship finals.

• Implementation of several affordability measures including the Sycamore Graduation Guarantee that promises students who meet the requirements of the program that they will complete their bachelor's degrees in four years. If the student has met the responsibilities of the program and has not completed a degree in four years, the University will cover the tuition of any additional required classes. During the past two years, the university has also kept tuition increases at the lowest levels for more than 25 years.

• Enhanced student employment opportunities including competitive pay for on-campus positions, increased opportunities for internships and the creation of a variety of job skills certifications. The Career Center has also moved into renovated space located in the former computing complex directly across from the new Welcome Center.

• Extension of voting rights to faculty on multi-year contracts and the approval of a new process to ensure timely development of campus policies which includes opportunities for campus-wide input into the proposed changes.

• Approval by campus and the Board of Trustees of a bachelor of applied science program which is now under consideration by the Commission for Higher Education. The B.A.S. degree will provide a pathway for an individual holding an associate's of applied science degree to earn a bachelor's degree.

• Opening of the University College which will aid first-year students with the transition to college.

"It has been a great year thanks to the hard work of so many of my colleagues across campus," said Bradley. "I am looking forward to building upon this progress during the coming year. It is an exhilarating time to be at Indiana State."

Minas indicated the trustees have asked President Bradley to stay on track with The Pathway to Success strategic plan as it has served the university well with a focus in the coming years on improving retention, graduation rates and, at the same time, maintaining affordability.

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Events/Welcome-Week-2012/March-to-the-Arch-2012/i-Vm69pQC/0/L/08_19_12_march_through_arch_2012-4017-L.jpg - A long line of incoming Indiana State University students waits to "March through the Arch" Aug. 19, 2012. Continued enrollment growth, including a nearly 6 percent jump in new freshmen, was among accomplishments that made 2012-13 "a banner year," according to Randall Minas, president of the university's board of trustees.

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Other/marketing/Federal-Hall-Scott-College-of/i-8CWLh75/0/L/09_13_12_Federal_Hall-3510-L.jpg - The move of the Scott College of Business to Terre Haute's historic Federal Hall is among many accomplishments that made 2012-13 "a banner year" for Indiana State University, according to Randall Minas, president of the university's board of trustees.

Media contact: Dave Taylor, media relations director, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3743 or dave.taylor@indstate.edu