From the Desk of the Chancellor, May 17, 2010

Chancellor Charles R. Bantz View print-quality image

Over the weekend, I was a panelist for the WBBM Newsradio 780  “Business of Getting into College” program, held in Schaumburg (a suburb of Chicago). The panel brought together more than 120 parents and high school students to hear insider tips on choosing, financing, and enrolling in college.

The session was two hours of spirited discussion about college admissions. Should my child take all advanced placement courses and risk their GPA? How do you decide among good candidates? What scholarships exist? And there were broader issues: Are there too many students going to college? The invitation is a wonderful indication that IUPUI is known in the Chicagoland area.

My fellow panelists on the WBBM program, which will be rebroadcast , were:

• Kris Kridel, Midday co-anchor and co-host of WBBM’s Noon Business Hour
• Manuel French, Associate Director for Freshman Admission – DePaul University
• Deb Donley, Post-High School Counselor - New Trier High School
• Joe Russo, Director of Student Financial Services – Notre Dame
• Stacey Kostell, Director of Undergraduate Admissions – University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

All of the panelists emphasized that students should prepare in high school for success in college. Each of us came from very different universities—Notre Dame, UIUC, DePaul, and IUPUI—yet we each pointed out that our institutions are distinctive and students should look to find the right fit.

It was great to be able to emphasize IUPUI’s distinct character—being able to learn and grow in a vibrant downtown, our strong emphasis on health and life science, and our great RISE opportunities!

The things that make IUPUI—and Indianapolis itself—a distinctive destination are exactly what Richard Florida’s “Creative Class” find attractive. A study by CEOs for Cities ("The Young and Restless in a Knowledge Economy") makes the same point: Metro areas with vital centers will fare better in attracting talented young adults. Walkable destinations, lively commercial districts, theaters, shops, restaurants, interesting streets—all are attractive to the “Young and Restless.” IUPUI’s proximity to these amenities makes us attractive to these young adults as well.

Comments? Write chancllr@iupui.edu .