Ball State President Jo Ann Gora met with U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly Wednesday morning on campus to discuss the geothermal project, university veterans and higher education funding in Indiana.
“We shared with him an update on our geothermal project, which is a national model and something that puts Indiana on the map for its forward thinking approach to the use of alternative energy,” she said.
Donnelly was brought up to speed on the project, which began in spring 2012. The earth heats water to power the heating and cooling system through campus.
“We talked about the concept of spreading the good news of that to other schools, to other areas,” he said. “This is a way we can have more American energy, less expensive American energy, and Hoosier jobs, so it’s a real plus all the way around.”
The two leaders also discussed Ball State’s focus on its veterans, as he is on the armed forces committee in the Senate.
After winning the election in November for the U.S. Senate seat of former senator Richard Lugar, Donnelly is ready to jump start his education agenda for Hoosiers.
“We want to try to make sure there is a job for everyone who graduates and that our economy continues to grow,” he said. “For our students, just make sure your skill level is the highest it can possibly be and when it is, there will be three or four employers lined up waiting for you as opposed to the other way around.”
State funding was a topic of conversation that both the senator and president say needs to be addressed. Hoosier students have been struggling with the financial woes of a college education, with universities losing state funding. Ball State lost $13 million in state funding during the current biennium, which ends this year.
Tuition and other costs have doubled since 2001, going from $3,510 to $7,072 in 2011, according to an Indiana Commission for Higher Education agenda report.
Donnelly hopes to help keep costs down for students.
"One of the things we want to try to make sure is to continue to have Pell grants, to continue to have educational opportunities,” he said. “I’ve been a strong supporter of Pell grants and will continue to do so.”
Although based in Washington D.C., Donnelly plans to be back in Indiana as much as possible, and “bring Hoosier common sense to D.C.”
Discussing college students and their funding, he said Hoosier students should know how proud he is of them for taking the time to get an education, despite the financial burden it can sometimes place on families.
“You’re education is going to make all the difference in the years ahead,” he said. “It is probably the most worthwhile and important thing you can do with your time right now.”
