In the address, Herbert, who became IU's 17th president in August 2003, outlined ways the university is "Strengthening the Foundations for Distinction" and discussed the political and economic environment that will shape the near-term future of the institution.

He also provided an update on the initiatives outlined in his inaugural address in April. Those initiatives include clarifying the mission of each IU campus and the university as a whole and expanding the university's research enterprise, particularly in the life sciences and in the arts and humanities.

Key elements of Dr. Herbert's speech

• Opening remarks by professor David Daleke, President, IU Bloomington Faculty Council


• Introduction by IUB Chancellor Kenneth R. R. Gros Louis


• President Herbert's opening remarks


• IU's Strengths


• Indiana University: a City of Intellect


• Shaping Forces


• Fiscal Environment


• Building a Stronger Strategic Organization


• Office of University Relations and Corporate Partnerships


• IU Research and Technology Corporation


• Office of Institutional Development and Student Affairs


• The Graduate School and School of Continuing Studies Reviews


• Office of Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and IUB Chancellor


• President's Management Analysis Team


• Mission Differentiation


• Foundations of Excellence in Undergraduate Education


• Transferability of Courses


• Recruiting Indiana's Best and Brightest


• Diversity


• Enhancing our Research Enterprise


• Research Infrastructure


• Arts and Humanities


• IU's Movable Feast of the Arts