Nelms chosen to lead student affairs, diversity on all campuses

Charlie Nelms, IU's vice president for student development and diversity and vice chancellor, will assume a broader role that will encompass the entire University.\nIU President Adam Herbert made Nelms' new position official at a Friday morning press conference where he announced Nelms will serve as IU's chief student affairs and diversity officer.\n"We want to be a model institution in the state of Indiana," Herbert said. "Nelms' position will advance the state in creative ways and can strengthen the University."\nSince Nelms will no longer serve as vice chancellor, he will report directly to the president instead of the IU-Bloomington chancellor.\nHis responsibilities will take him beyond IUB to the entire University, which includes seven satellite campuses around Indiana.\n"This opportunity will provide me with closer working relationships with others at all of IU's campuses," Nelms said. "It's more of a collaboration, and we can learn from each other."\nIUB Chancellor Sharon Brehm said Nelms' new position will be a positive asset to the University.\n"This position would allow (Nelms) to make sure all of IU's campuses will be coordinated so there will be some synergy," Brehm said. "I certainly see this as a gain."\nBefore coming to IU in 1998, Nelms served as chancellor at the University of Michigan-Flint and at IU-East in Richmond. \nDavid Fulton, chancellor of IU-East, said Herbert's decision to expand Nelms' position is good for IU.\n"(Nelms') appointment is an excellent one and we look forward to having his leadership and available resources," Fulton said.\nFulton said he is looking forward to Nelms' broader responsibilities because of his concern for students.\n"When he was chancellor here, he was strongly committed to creating the best opportunities for all of our students," Fulton said.\nIU Dean of Students Richard McKaig said Nelms' repertoire of administrative positions will help in his new role as student affairs officer.\n"It will be wonderful to have a voice for students at the highest level of the institution," McKaig said. "Knowing there will be someone to represent the students directly at the president's level when he meets with the vice presidents is extremely beneficial."\nAlthough Nelms has made diversity initiatives one of his main priorities, his new title as chief diversity officer in a top administrative position is important to many on campus.\n"Even prior to (Nelms') position at IU, we thought it would be good to have an administrative position that directly addresses diversity issues," said Pamela Freeman, chair of IU's Commission on Multicultural Understanding. "Now, his position will help us increase diversity awareness at all of our campuses."\nFreeman praises Nelms' commitment to the University.\n"He's said over and over again that he doesn't want to replace anyone here, yet he wants all of us to have an important responsibility," Freeman said. "It offers support for individuals and campus offices if they know there is someone at a high level that will go up to bat for these issues."\n-- Contact senior writer Maura Halpern at mhalpern@indiana.edu.