A new Ivy Tech Resource Development Council, formed to advocate for the state college in Bloomington, will have its first meeting today.

Made up of leaders from Bloomington business, civic and labor organizations, the 20-member council will work to help Ivy Tech's fund-raising team secure additional resources.

"A community-college resource development council has a special task," said Ivy Tech Bloomington Chancellor John Whikehart. "Its role is to assist the college in providing a complete education for its students.

"While state funding covers the essentials such as classrooms, faculty and basic equipment, additional dollars are needed to prepare students for the world beyond the classroom."

For example, he said, the council will support Ivy Tech's plan for a Center for Civic Engagement and its O'Bannon Institute for Community Service, scheduled for April 30 at the Ivy Tech campus.