Professor hopes to improve colleges, universities

By Amy Murphy
Staff Writer

A Purdue agricultural economics professor was chosen as the representative faculty member to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.

Over the next two years, Otto Doering, who was appointed by Gov. Frank O'Bannon, will assist the commission in improving public colleges and universities throughout Indiana.

As explained on their Web site, the goal of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education is to "define the education missions of public colleges and universities (in Indiana), plan and coordinate Indiana's state-supported system of post-high school education, review budget requests and approve or disapprove for public institutions the establishment of new programs or expansion of campuses."

At this time, the focus for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education is community colleges in Indiana and the specific budgets for Indiana universities.

"The two critical things on the agenda are the community college system — trying to make sure it works — and university budgets," said Doering.

Doering explained that the educational budget for public universities, including Purdue, is on a two-year cycle that was passed last year. Therefore, the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 will not immediately affect the money allotted to Purdue, but budget money may decrease as the general economy decreases.

"Higher education will feel the unhappy impact of the budget situation, however, not directly affecting state budget with Purdue," said Doering.

Doering is a public policy specialist who has done extensive work abroad. He will continue to teach agricultural economics at Purdue, and his work on the Indiana Commission for Higher Education will replace the research projects he is currently completing.

Doering explained that any faculty member could apply for a position on the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. A group of team representatives read over applications and send two or three names to the governor who then makes his final selection.

Doering's appointment to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education continues until June 30, 2003.

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