Candidate Profile
Kelly Burton 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 to stay 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 predicted 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 continue to promote its fine programs and schools. Our professional schools in medicine, dentistry, nursing, optometry and law provide exemplary instruction on par with other major institutions while graduating professionals needed by Indiana residents. Also, IU needs to be positioned to lead the way in developing skills that will be used in generating exciting business ventures in life sciences and informatics.
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.
