Some IPFW leaders have taken issue with remarks made by Purdue University President Mitch Daniels about the role of regional colleges.
During a radio broadcast this week, the former governor told a Merrillville public radio host that higher-education advocates in Fort Wayne are mistaken about their mission.
“The (Indiana Commission for Higher Education) continues to remind folks, you're not there to offer doctoral programs. You're not there to do research. We have other places for that,” Daniels said.
“You are there, in the regional setting, to provide an affordable option that prepares young people well for the careers that are available and the jobs that are being sought in the area where you live,” he added.
Members of IPFW Senate – Janet Badia, Peter Dragnev, John Niser – and Presiding Officer Andrew Downs objected in a memo they emailed to Daniels on Friday.
“Clearly, regional colleges can't do the kind of research as larger schools like IU, but the commission's preamble allows for research and scholarly activities,” said Downs, director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics and associate professor of political science at IPFW.