Candidate Profile
Kelly B. Smith
Attorney
I spent most of my academic career at IUPUI, with one year down in New Albany at IU Southeast and received my JD here in Indianapolis. I am currently a registered patent attorney in the area of biotechnology and work in the Intellectual Property Litigation department at Barnes & Thornburg.
In the current economic climate, fiscal responsibility is of utmost importance. The cost of tuition is outpacing the rise of inflation, making it difficult if not impossible for middle income families to send their children to IU. Furthermore, the quality of instruction and research is not increasing proportionally along with the rise in tuition. The trustees need to take a more active role in examining IU’s finances, seeing that more money is spent on providing top professors in smaller classes.
In addition, IU has a huge challenge in staying competitive with other big 10 and Ivy League schools and competition for research talent is huge. Recognizing that biotechnology is a growing field, Indiana began the Biocrossroads program, which forecasts 40,000 new life sciences jobs by 2012. IU can further Indiana’s status in the biotech field by attracting more research talent with grant funding, which will then lead to more intellectual property, biotech companies and jobs.
Finally, IU needs to focus on restoring the reputation and integrity to the athletic program. IU needs coaches who will not only follow the rules but who will also work to ensure their athletes focus on their education as well as winning. The department needs to encourage their athletes to complete their coursework and get their degrees.
If elected, I will do all I can to keep IU competitive with other universities and help families afford the quality education IU can provide.
For more information, please contact me at kbsmith@btlaw.com
