Steve Hinnefeld's article of Oct. 18 regarding the relationship between Vincennes University and Ivy Tech Community College as community college system partners was accurately reported. When a Vincennes University presence arrives at our Bloomington campus, the VU associate of liberal arts degree will be added to the menu of Ivy Tech degree offerings currently enjoyed by our students.

Higher Education Commissioner Stan Jones' assessment that the partnership could come as early as next fall may prove to be accurate, but that will require movement on a number of fronts including action by a policy committee established by the community college system legislation.

I would offer a subtle but significant correction, however, to the story's headline: "Next fall, Ivy Tech could (italics added) be a community college."

While local implementation of the partnership with Vincennes University may eventually happen, Ivy Tech State College-Bloomington is already a comprehensive community college for the six counties we serve.

Our exploding enrollments, up 16.7 percent over last fall semester, is testimony to the fact that both traditional students, coming to us in greater numbers directly from area high schools, and workers seeking training or retraining view us as their access point to public higher education.

Our expanding dual credit offerings for area high school students, as well as the relationships we are cultivating with our middle schools to create unique summer educational opportunities, already position Ivy Tech as a partner in developing a seamless educational system that will benefit students from our service area communities.

Our growing corporate training and continuing education area is working to meet the training needs of area businesses as well as the needs of individuals for courses for personal enhancement and enrichment.

This year, we continue our focus on the individual learner, the workforce development needs of our corporate partners, and our relationships with K-12 and Indiana University-Bloomington. But we have also expanded our goals to include outreach to our minority communities, and the creation of a "service oriented learning environment" through a campus "Center for Civic Engagement." The center will provide an opportunity for our students, our faculty and our staff to give something back in service to our local communities.

We are a "work in progress." The theme of our 40th anniversary celebration on Nov. 15 is "We've Only Just Begun." The addition of a Vincennes degree will bring another educational option for local students. The reality, however, is our true local partner in seamlessly bridging K-12, our community college associate degrees, and four-year baccalaureate programs is Indiana University-Bloomington.