TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Calling it a “huge accomplishment,” Indiana State University President Deborah Curtis announced that the $12 million “budget reallocation process” had been completed.

“Any losses are painful, of course, yet fewer than 10 positions have been eliminated with people in them,” Curtis said. The president added that 42 retirements by the end of the year also were a factor in the reallocation process.

When discussing declining enrollment and efforts to combat that issue, the president highlighted the Indiana State Advantage initiative.

“Universities that are attacking the declining enrollment challenges realize that recruitment and yield are everyone’s responsibility,” Curtis said. “We are asking each of you to be ready to assist with yielding the admitted freshmen students for this fall and beyond. Our currently scheduled Preview Days are full. Our Bridge Program sign-up is exceeding prior levels.” 

Curtis also touted advances such as making the MBA available online through an 8-week course format that reportedly resulted in the addition of 100 new students.

Other efforts to attract new students include expanding study-abroad opportunities with 20 faculty-led trips planned for the academic year 2024. Curtis said they have emphasized the expansion of Cybercriminology, psychology, as well as healthcare-related fields such as the online LPN to BSN program.

Curtis expressed optimism about moving forward and discussed the status of the institution.

“This intuition is stable, we’ve made modifications to live within our means and we’re going to be able to do that going forward. Now the key piece is to invite more citizens of Indiana into the opportunities that are provided at Indiana State,” Curtis said. “We’re encouraged, we’re excited, and we all take this on as our responsibility. So we’re looking forward to what comes next,” Curtis added.