This annual Performance Report arrives as IUPUI reaches an important milestone: its fortieth anniversary. What began as an idea in the late 1960s–to merge the local campuses of Indiana´s two major state higher education institutions into one great university for Indianapolis–has taken shape and matured into a campus that is integral to the life of our city, region, and state. A young university at 40, IUPUI continues to advance rapidly in every area of its mission, surpassing its own past accomplishments year after year and amassing an enviable record of achievements. For example:
- In 2007–2008, IUPUI experienced record numbers of applications and admitted a record number of students. In Fall 2008, enrollments exceeded 30,000 for the first time. These students are our most highly qualified ever. Fully 65 percent of new freshmen in 2008 ranked in the top third of their graduating high school classes.
- Two–thirds of our graduates remain in Indiana, bringing cutting–edge knowledge and skills to the state´s workforce. Half of Indiana´s physicians, 85 percent of its dentists, and similar percentages of other health professionals were educated at IUPUI. Hoosiers depend on IUPUI and its graduates to meet their health care needs.
- Externally funded research topped $300 million for the first time in 2007–2008. These funds and research efforts contribute to the vitality of the local economy, creating new jobs and businesses that, in turn, attract more highly educated professionals and innovators to Indianapolis. Our Signature Center and Translating Research into Practice initiatives–focused on interdisciplinary, practice–based research?are helping to sustain this trajectory.
- IUPUI may be the nation´s most widely recognized institution for contributions to its community. In 2006, we were one of three universities named to the President´s first Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. In recent years, we have been cited by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the New England Board of Higher Education, and Campus Compact for the quality of our academic service learning programs, commitment to civic engagement, and impact on the local economy and quality of life in our community.
Several months ago, U.S. News & World Report named IUPUI number 14 among 70 "up and coming schools in the U.S." These institutions were selected by college presidents and other administrators who were asked by the magazine to identify schools that have made "striking improvements or innovations" and are "firmly focused on improving the job they´re doing today."
Improvement, growth, and transformation of lives have been integral to our mission for 40 years now. Step onto the campus today and the evidence is all around you, from advanced research and teaching facilities to our stunning Campus Center, which serves thousands of people every day. Much remains to be accomplished, particularly the renovation and expansion of outdated classroom and laboratory spaces?and, like the rest of our community, state, and nation, we face a challenging economy and competing priorities. But, in the long run, the future is bright for IUPUI. The commitment of our faculty, staff, and students to creativity, innovation, and practical solutions will make it so.
Among IUPUI´s priorities is a commitment to integrity and accountability. This annual Performance Report is an example of that commitment. I welcome your comments on the report, which is available online in expanded form at http://www.iport.iupui.edu/pr/.
Charles R. Bantz
Chancellor of IUPUI
