If you build it, they will come

Collegiality on many fronts defines IUK as the place for obtainable and affordable higher education

More and more traditional-age students are attending IUK. A deeper student pool and economic realities may be factors. And with younger students in the classroom, faculty have been presented with challenges the campus i s well equipped to meet.

More and more traditional-age students are attending IU Kokomo. The campus currently has its highest number of freshmen, 389, who have matriculated directly from high school.

While no singular reason may be attributed to this trend of the last few years, several factors play into the explanation.

• Deeper Student Pool: IU Kokomo’s service region has witnessed a significant rise in college-bound high school students. Fifty-four percent of graduating seniors in the region are going off to college.

• Economics: According to national statistics released for the 1998-99 academic year, average costs of residential campuses were much higher than those of regional campuses—especially IU Kokomo. The cost of a four-year degree program at a public residenti al college is $10,458 per year as opposed to $8,505 at a regional/commuter campus. Even greater on the spectrum of cost is a private residential university totaling $22,533 per year.

Compare this to the cost of an IU Kokomo degree at approximately $4,000 per year, and many students are avoiding steep financial loans.

“Parents and students view college as an investment,” said Jack Tharp, IUK vice chancellor of student services. “For the student who is undecided about the college experience, a regional campus offers them a comfortable opportunity.”

• Public Awareness: The message of an IU Kokomo degree being obtainable and affordable is a message that has found diverse ways to reach the public. Whether by traditional advertising, creative marketing, special programming and events, or simply by word of mouth, the story of IU Kokomo continues to find an audience.

“I know our presence in the community is growing,” said Catherine Barnes, campus climate director. “Through the events we sponsor, we are able to bring entire families onto campus, and we can show them, by means of scholarships and financial aid, college is attainable for their child.”

Barnes said barriers hindering potential first-generation college students from “even considering college as an option” are rapidly falling.

“The biggest obstacle for the first-generation student to overcome is fear,” said Barnes. “The fear that they do not belong within higher education. Programs such as 21st Century Scholars and College Preparatory Initiatives (CPI), designed for at-risk you th, help in paving the way for a freedom from fear.”

• IU Faculty…IU Quality…IU Degrees: Convenience and an opportunity to earn a degree from Indiana University while staying close to home is great enticement for area residents. It also offers students the academic excellence of a Big Ten faculty while rec eiving more personalized attention.

Challenges being met

With younger students in their classrooms, faculty have been presented with a few challenges.

“A faculty member may not have as many mature students to lead group conversations, and the points of references change because there is a whole new generation who may not know who Humphrey Bogart, Dwight Eisenhower, or even Reggie Jackson are,” said Stua rt Green, IUK vice chancellor for academic affairs.

“ You also shift from mature students, who have a good idea of their goals and are focused, to younger people with other distractions. While they may be very excited about their future, the younger students may not have a sense of direction…or even know w hy they’ve enrolled.”

Green said responsibility of administration goes far beyond just registering students and generating numbers.

“We have a great responsibility to assist our students in their development intellectually and personally,” said Green. “What is wonderful about having so many young students is they are very receptive and open to suggestions, taking what you say at face value. I am very confident that our faculty and staff are up to the task of helping students in their transition from young adult to a mature, effective, decent, hard-working and civilized individual.”

Part of sculpting the well-rounded student is providing a sense of community. The Student Activities Office sponsored a week-long “Campus Kickoff” to welcome new and returning students this fall. Free food, entertainment and activities were offered to stu dents who had an opportunity to socialize with new classmates. Event organizers promise this opportunity will not be limited to the first week of classes.

“During the last few years, we had seen a need to increase activities offered to students,” said Sarah Hawkins, director of student activities and campus life. “We’ve been able to triple our budget to offer activities that will provide students with more to do while on campus.”

Hawkins said a major remodeling project of the student activities offices, completed in 1999, gives students added spaces to congregate. New outdoor furniture also has decorated the campus lawns and courtyards providing a scenic and relaxed area for study ing and socializing.

“Just because students don’t move to a residential college doesn’t mean they don’t want to spend a significant amount of time on campus. We are providing them a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere to do this,” added Hawkins.