October 4, 2024
Dear Colleagues:
I write to share a few highlights from today’s meeting of the Board of Trustees.
During the meeting, Paula Luff, vice president for enrollment planning and management, shared an update about enrollment. This Fall, our University enrolled more than 3,650 new freshmen, a number that is comparable to our pre-pandemic ten-year average. Approximately 90 percent of our incoming freshmen are Hoosiers. This Fall’s freshman class is academically well prepared, with a median high school GPA of 3.56. And this class is also very diverse. Approximately 29 percent are first-generation college students, and approximately 30 percent are underrepresented minority students.
Jason Rivera, vice president for student success and dean of University College, also informed the trustees about our positive retention trends, which are on an upward trajectory for the fourth consecutive year. Approximately 78 percent of students who enrolled as freshmen last Fall registered for classes again this Fall, a six-percentage point increase in this critical metric in just four years.
After a pandemic-induced decline in our undergraduate transfer enrollment, our new undergraduate transfer enrollment increased for the third consecutive year. This Fall, we also enrolled 5,920 graduate students, the largest graduate enrollment in our University’s history. Our graduate enrollment has grown 28 percent over the past decade, far outpacing the modest 4.5 percent increase in national graduate enrollment over that same time period.
And our total Fall enrollment—for new undergraduate students, returning undergraduate students, new graduate students, and returning graduate students—has grown to nearly 20,000 students, which is approximately 1,100 more students than just two years ago.
The Board also received an update from Chuck Reynolds, director of public education and CEO of Muncie Community Schools, and Jim Williams, MCS board president, about our University’s ongoing partnership with MCS.
Six years into the partnership, enrollment at MCS has stabilized after decades of decline. In these first six years, enrollment in the district’s pre-kindergarten program—a strong predictor of future success—has increased 378 percent. And kindergarten readiness scores have increased from 45 percent to 79 percent over the past decade. MCS is also now operating from a strong financial position, with a $31.4 million cash balance. As a result, MCS has been able to increase teacher compensation by nearly 40 percent and to invest more than $60 million in new and renovated facilities.
At the meeting, the Board also heard a presentation about the new Center for Innovation, which is among the major sites in our Village Revitalization Plan.
Professor Jennifer Palilonis reported on how the center will become a central hub of collaboration and experimentation. A group of initial collaborators will begin operating inside the building once it opens in Summer 2026. Community members also will be invited to use the building to develop inventive ideas that contribute to the economic and cultural vitality of our region.
In other business, the Board approved the structure and premium rates for the healthcare and dental plans that will be provided to current employees and retirees in 2025.
Modest premium increases will be necessary to cover our medical claims and expenses. For those who select the high-deductible HSA plan, increases will range from $1.70 per paycheck for the single plan to $4.41 per paycheck for the family plan. For those selecting the PPO plan, increases will range from $2.91 to $7.58 per paycheck. The average per paycheck increase will be $4.23, with these changes taking effect beginning January 1, 2025.
The Board also approved a modification to our tuition remission benefit, effective January 1, 2025. The new change will make this benefit immediately available for spouses and dependents of new hires. Previously, the benefit was available only after a one-year waiting period from an employee’s hiring date.
As is customary, I made a few comments at the end of the meeting. I encourage you to read my remarks.
I am fortunate to have the opportunity to serve you.
