26 July 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 26, 2012

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- A veteran university administrator and a recent Kelley School of Business MBA graduate have been appointed to lead Indiana University's student financial literacy initiative, reporting to IU Treasurer MaryFrances McCourt.

Jack TharpJack Tharp will serve as senior director of financial literacy; he is currently vice chancellor for student affairs at IU Kokomo. Phil Schuman is director of financial literacy; until taking the new position, he was a staff member in the Office of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

IU officials announced in June that the university was establishing a comprehensive program to give students the tools needed to complete college without excessive debt. The program will include a dedicated website, mandatory educational modules, workshops and individual advising and counseling.

"Studies have found that the No. 1 reason that students leave college without graduating is financial stress," said McCourt, who led the effort to establish the financial literacy initiative. "We will address this issue by developing programs to positively impact students' academic success while taking steps to secure their long-term financial health."

Schuman began work on the initiative this month, and Tharp will transition to his new position in mid-August. Both will have offices at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in order to provide easier access to IU's campuses around the state.

"Jack has served our campus for over three decades. We are indebted to him for his service and deeply saddened to see him go," IU Kokomo Chancellor Michael Harris said. "However, we are pleased that he has been chosen to lead this initiative to benefit students at all IU campuses."

According to widely cited research, students report that debt and financial problems are the leading reasons for failing to complete their degrees, followed by poor academic performance and poor social fit. Student loans recently topped $1 trillion and have surpassed credit cards as the largest source of unsecured consumer debt, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Tharp has been vice chancellor of student affairs and enrollment management at IU Kokomo since 1984 and has worked in higher education for 35 years. As supervisor of the largest administrative department on the campus, he has been responsible for student affairs, student recruitment and marketing, financial aid, orientation, campus public relations and fundraising.

For the past 15 years, Tharp has represented IU regional campuses on university-wide committees, developing extensive contacts with officials at other IU campuses and Ivy Tech Community College. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from Hanover College and a master's in public administration and a doctorate in higher education from IU.

Schuman graduated from DePauw University in 2006. He worked in marketing and other fields before completing an MBA from IU through the Kelley Direct online program in 2011. He led focus groups of students at different campuses to provide information used in designing the financial literacy initiative.

He learned from the experience that there's a serious need for such a program and students are eager for more information. "Students don't know what they don't know," he said. "They don't know what questions to ask."

The IU financial literacy task force included McCourt, Tharp and Schuman along with Ken Carow, associate dean for research and programs, IUPUI; Rachel Delbridge, financial aid counselor, IU Southeast; Roy Durnal, director of the Student Services Center at IU Bloomington; Jim Kennedy, director of university financial aid; Sarah Soper, director of financial aid and scholarships, IU East; and Kurt Zorn, associate vice provost, IU Bloomington.

24 July 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. — Cougar sports fans won't have to miss one second of the action this season, with the launch of a new Indiana University Kokomo athletics website today.

Athletics' new website.

Jace Thompson, men's basketball coach, said the upgrades allow for more interaction with students and fans.

"We're focused on the athletes and what we're doing with the athletic department. We can text out scores, and we're going to be able to show live broadcasts of the games," he said. "Our fans can get instant updates on our teams."

The website, www.iukcougars.com, includes schedules for women's volleyball, men's and women's cross country, and men's basketball teams, as well as stats for players and teams.

It also includes interactive features, such as an opt-in texting service for breaking news alerts and links to social media sites. When teams play away games, there will be links to radio and/or television broadcasts.

In addition, the site features videos and pictures from games and community service projects.

"We have a dedicated fan base, and this will generate energy among them," Thompson said. "It will give the Cougar Crazies a place to show their enthusiasm for our teams."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

19 July 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. — Significant tuition discounts, together with efforts to encourage timely degree completion and a wide variety of classes offered, led to record-breaking summer enrollment at Indiana University Kokomo.

Teaching of Music in the Elementary School is just one of many summer classes being offered at IU Kokomo.

Chancellor Michael Harris said faculty and staff work hard to emphasize the value of year-round college attendance, as they encourage students to earn their degrees in four years.

He also credits President Michael A. McRobbie's 25 percent summer tuition discount with driving enrollment.

"We are delighted that our strategic approach to summer enrollment resulted in exceptional outcomes," Harris said. "President McRobbie's initiative of reducing tuition was key to our success. In addition, it was our intentional selection of the mix of courses we offered, the time and days they were offered, our enrollment growth, new programs, and marketing efforts."

With the discount, IU Kokomo students who took a full academic load during the summer sessions saved about $700.

Jack Tharp, vice chancellor for student affairs, said the number of students enrolled is up 8 percent from the 2011 summer session, and credit hours taken are up 15 percent.

"We set a record for number of credit hours taken during the summer session," Tharp said. "This is the highest number of students enrolled for the summer at IU Kokomo for at least the last 10 years."

The campus already plans to enhance next year's summer program by adding a four-week "Maymester."

"This session allows students to learn in different ways, through engaging projects, community service, and national and international travel," said Susan Sciame-Giesecke, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Advisors also are working with students to map out their course selections, leading to graduation in four years.

Harris said the campus continues to search for innovative ways to help students achieve a world-class education.

"We will continue to do all we can to ensure degree attainment for our students."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

19 July 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. — Art students at Indiana University Kokomo are making a difference in the community – one paddle at a time.

Day of Change auction. View more pictures on Flickr.

These students recently put their talent to work to support the local "Day of Change", a fund raiser for community organizations that provide a variety of services including housing, domestic violence victims, and school supplies to low income children.

Five students and two faculty members created decorated boat paddles, which were among 40 auctioned to raise more than $2,000. The money will help 10 Howard County not-for-profit organizations fulfill their missions. Paddles made by the IU Kokomo artists brought in nearly $200.

Student Cortney Jo Brown spent four days creating her paddle, including carving a moon in it and painting on several layers of paint.

"I was really excited for the opportunity to let people see my work, and it is helping a good cause," she said. "This is a good way for me to give back to the community."

Susan Skoczen, lecturer in fine arts, took the paddle given to her and ripped it down the middle with a saw, then cut smaller pieces. She reassembled the paddle, making three-dimensional sculpture out of it, calling it "Deconstructed Paddle."

Minda Douglas, assistant professor of fine arts, recent graduate Tarja Harney, and students Erin Beane, Cat Bolinger, and Katy Lewis also had paddles in the auction.

Bolinger's paddle was given to the Family Service Association as the prize for winning the boat race, which was the main event at the fund raiser. Lewis' paddle was given away as a promotional prize.

Skoczen enjoyed learning about area organizations while making her paddle

"It was a nice way to take a break from my regular work," she said. "I had never heard of some of these organizations. I'm glad to be able to use my talents to help them."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.