Purdue’s new president is adjusting to the job.
Mitch Daniels says even after months of studying higher education issues and learning about the university, he plans to ease into his new position.
One thing he won’t do is represent Purdue at the Statehouse during the budget process.
“I won’t. I’ll be interested in it, of course, but I think for this session at least, my anticipation is I’ll have others represent the school.”
He did respond to Governor Mike Pence’s proposed 1% funding increase for higher education in the next state budget. Daniels says he’s glad it’s an increase and thinks Purdue will work with whatever the legislature and governor decide.
He plans to continue to gather input from the campus community has he transitions into his new job. Daniels says he’ll be communicating with students, faculty and staff in a few days on a course of action for the near term.
“And suggest, at least, some themes and some questions. Some things I want to hear from even more people about. I’ll lay out at least a few aspirations that I think we should have as a school, at that time.”
Daniels says some possible themes are greater accountability, administrative costs, moving technologies to the marketplace, and placing a value on what is taught at the university.
He says all of those present opportunities to economize, which should lead to reinvestment in students and faculty.