Search for next IU president to start after university's bicentennial in 2020
Editor's note: This story from The Bloomington Herald-Times is being published here as a courtesy for readers of IU in the News.
By Kat Carlton
A search for Indiana University's next president will begin following IU's bicentennial in 2020. University president Michael McRobbie's contract has been extended through June 30, 2021, in order to allow the university to complete its bicentennial goals before officials search for the president's replacement.
The IU Board of Trustees Friday voted to approve a one-year extension of McRobbie's contract, which originally ended in the bicentennial. Until recently, the plan since 2010 was for the president's term to end in 2020. That's according to IU spokesman Mark Land.
In his 2014 State of the University address, McRobbie outlined university goals for 2020 in his Bicentennial Strategic Plan.
Its vision includes three broad tenets: Providing an excellent, relevant and responsive education across a wide range of disciplines in baccalaureate, graduate, and professional education to students from all backgrounds from Indiana and around the globe; Pursuing excellent world-class research, scholarship, and creative activity; and Engaging in the economic, social, civic, and cultural development of Indiana, the nation, and the world by building on the base of excellence in research and education.
In his last State of the University address, McRobbie said IU has undergone its most extensive academic transformation since the Bryan era. During McRobbie's term, eight schools have been established or reconfigured at IU.
“President McRobbie has done a superb job elevating Indiana University’s standing as one of the premier public universities in the country,” said board president Randall Tobias. “This extension will ensure successful completion of the university’s ambitious strategic plan and associated bicentennial activities and allow for a smooth transition of leadership.”
The details of a new contract have not yet been worked out, but are supposed to be completed by trustees Jim Morris, Andy Mohr and Pat Shoulders in the coming months.
McRobbie is IU's 18th president, having served since 2007. In 2006, he served as interim provost and vice president of academic affairs.
At the trustees' meeting, the board also voted to approve an amendment to IU’s retirement plan that will allow all eligible employees to defer some of their compensation for retirement. The plan previously excluded employees working less than a 50 percent full-time equivalent.
In addition, the board approved a $14 million career services design addition to the Kelley School of Business and a $10 million project for a new building for IU's Marching Hundred Band, along with all other committee meeting action items.
The next IU Board of Trustees regular meeting will take place Feb. 5, 2016.