January 22, 2024
Dear Colleagues,
I hope you had a relaxing winter break and that your spring semester is off to a great start. Winter has finally arrived. Many thanks to our facilities staff who have been working so hard this past week to keep our campus operating through the challenging weather. We appreciate all you do for our Titan community.
Spring 2024 Enrollment
I’m pleased to share that IU South Bend is again leading all of IU in enrollment increase. Our enrollment headcount has increased 5.5% compared to last spring, and our credit hours have increased 6.2%. These are the highest one-year percentage increases across all of the IU campuses. Our hard work these past few years is truly starting to pay off. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to our success!
The Balancing Act
Despite our enrollment growth this year and significant progress using financial sustainability strategies, approximately $2.2M in underbudgeted items remain, and must be addressed. To help increase awareness and transparency around our budget we launched the in December. This tool allows the members of the campus community to gain insights into the tough decisions required to create a balanced budget. We plan to demonstrate the Balancing Act tool at the next Coffee with the Chancellor, along with a summary of savings that have resulted from our financial sustainability efforts these past two years.
Academic Organizational Design Implementation (AOD-I) Steering Committee
Many thanks to the Academic Organizational Design Implementation (AOD-I) Steering Committee for hosting an informative campus update session on January 12. The session provided updates on where we are in the process and included responses to questions we have received from the Transition Monitoring team. The are available for anyone unable to attend or who would like to revisit the materials. I’m energized by the innovation happening in the implementation of AOD and look forward to the increased collaboration, synergies, and efficiencies that will create opportunities for future growth. I’m proud of the way in which we are taking charge of IU South Bend’s future.
Breakfast with the Chancellor
Starting in February, I will be hosting monthly breakfasts to bring faculty and staff together for a meal and conversation. Like the birthday celebrations I hold throughout the year, these are an opportunity to build relationships and community. Each month, a randomly selected group of faculty and staff will be invited to join me, with the goal of everyone being invited to a breakfast over time.
Finally, the next Coffee with the Chancellor will be on February 14 from 3:00pm to 4:30pm in the University Grill. In addition to discussing the Balancing Act and savings from our financial sustainability efforts to date, we will celebrate some recent faculty and staff award winners and hear an update on efforts to enhance campus safety. As always, I look forward to seeing you there!
With Hoosier Spirit and Titan Pride,
Susan Elrod
Susan Elrod, PhD
Chancellor
ÂþÂþߣ South Bend