IUPUI approved to be dissolved, two separate education entities created

Margaret Christopherson, Lafayette Journal & Courier
·5 min read
16

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. − On Wednesday, IUPUI was approved to be dissolved as of June 30, 2024.

Initially announced in August last year, Purdue and Indiana University have officially agreed to split their previous joint venture of a shared campus in Indianapolis, known as Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis, or IUPUI.

IUPUI had existed since 1970, when Purdue and Indiana University first entered into the agreement. In August 2022, it was announced that each university "has decided it is time to start on a projected two-years-to-completion realignment plan."

Indiana University President Pamela Whitten signs documents during a meeting and signing to address the separation of IUPUI into Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University Indianapolis, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at the IUPUI Campus Center in Indianapolis.
Indiana University President Pamela Whitten signs documents during a meeting and signing to address the separation of IUPUI into Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University Indianapolis, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at the IUPUI Campus Center in Indianapolis.

“This new vision will enable the number of Purdue’s STEM graduates to grow and also provide more opportunities to our students and faculty both in Indianapolis and in West Lafayette," Mitch Daniels, president emeritus of Purdue University, said in 2022. "What we are announcing today responds to calls we have heard from Indianapolis and across the state for a bigger and more visible Purdue in Indianapolis. Our state and its largest city require a world-class, high-technology research presence of the quality Purdue represents."

IU assumes responsibility and authority over the School of Science at IUPUI, the Music and Arts Technology department and programs that are currently operated by IU within the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI. It also retains all other schools, departments and IUPUI programs with some exceptions. In addition, IU will have responsibility for providing certain administrative services for both academic organizations and for maintaining the intercollegiate athletic program, the release said.

Purdue assumes responsibility for the the existing engineering, computer science and technology programs at IUPUI and confer Purdue West Lafayette degrees

When one door closes, another opens

Purdue University Board of Trustees Chairman puts on a hat with the logo of the new Purdue University campus on it during a meeting and signing to address the separation of IUPUI into Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University Indianapolis, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at the IUPUI Campus Center in Indianapolis.
Purdue University Board of Trustees Chairman puts on a hat with the logo of the new Purdue University campus on it during a meeting and signing to address the separation of IUPUI into Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University Indianapolis, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at the IUPUI Campus Center in Indianapolis.

Purdue still has plans to expand its presence in Indianapolis, with a new institute branch near the previously-known IUPUI campus.

"In addition to its new urban campus, Purdue intends to open a branch of its Purdue Applied Research Institute on or near the current IUPUI," Purdue said in 2022. "Overall, Purdue anticipates growing today’s Indianapolis enrollment by more than 1,000 students."

According to the announcement last year: "This new institute will harness the power of the universities’ collective academic and research strengths and ongoing collaboration between Purdue’s Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering and other Purdue health-related disciplines, and Indiana University’s School of Medicine and health-related disciplines to develop new life-enhancing therapies and technologies while simultaneously creating a highly sought-after pool of professionals whose unique research and training will create startups and attract new companies to Indiana."

Purdue received $60 million from the Indiana General Assembly to fund the first academic and student success building on the newly available land.

"Purdue University in Indianapolis students and faculty will continue to have access to all campus and academic facilities for the foreseeable future,' Purdue said in a release last year. "Purdue is also exploring additional locations throughout the city of Indianapolis for expansion of academic and research programs."

FAQs

How will current or newly admitted students enrolled in IUPUI programs up to July 1, 2024, be impacted?

"Until July 1, 2024, IUPUI student programs and services will continue to be offered as they are today," Purdue said. "Commitments made prior to July 1, 2024, to IUPUI students pursuing Purdue degrees, including but not limited to scholarships, university-funded fellowships, tuition reciprocity agreements, the opportunity to complete degrees and (subject to adjustments) tuition and fee rates, will be honored through the standard time allotted to students to complete their degree programs."

Attendees watch from above during a meeting and signing to address the separation of IUPUI into Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University Indianapolis, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at the IUPUI Campus Center in Indianapolis.
Attendees watch from above during a meeting and signing to address the separation of IUPUI into Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University Indianapolis, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at the IUPUI Campus Center in Indianapolis.

What will be different for prospective students contemplating enrolling on or after July 1, 2024?

"Prospective future undergraduate students seeking to attend Purdue University in Indianapolis on or after July 1, 2024, will apply for admission to Purdue university using the process in place for Purdue University West Lafayette. Prospective students can expect admissions standards to be those of West Lafayette. Students at Purdue University in Indianapolis will be wholly part of the Purdue West Lafayette flagship ecosystem and ordinarily able to participate in student organizations and activities at both locations."

How will services be provided to Purdue University in Indianapolis students?

"(These students) will have access to - and the ability to join and participate in - student services and extracurricular activities offered by Purdue University in Indianapolis as well, in some cases, IU Indianapolis. Examples include student housing and dining; parking; student organizations, associations, groups, clubs and societies; library access and usage; health, wellness and counseling services and other student support resources; athletics, recreation and intramural sports as well as other such extracurricular activities, services and resources."

What tuition will Purdue University in Indianapolis students pay?

"For new students beginning on or after July 1, 2024, Purdue University in Indianapolis will be the same as those for Purdue West Lafayette."

What will happen to current IUPUI athletic programs?

"IUPUI athletic programs will be maintained solely and independently by Indiana University, and those student-athletes will represent the IU Indianapolis. Work is underway with the NCAA to minimize disruption to IUPUI student-athletes."

What facilities will be assigned to Purdue?

"We will independently operate a 28-acre new site, in addition to current engineering and technology buildings offering nearly 150,000-square-feet of space to support research, teaching and learning. We will also create additional locations throughout Indianapolis."

Purdue University President Mung Chiang holds up the signed document during a meeting and signing to address the separation of IUPUI into Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University Indianapolis, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at the IUPUI Campus Center in Indianapolis.
Purdue University President Mung Chiang holds up the signed document during a meeting and signing to address the separation of IUPUI into Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University Indianapolis, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at the IUPUI Campus Center in Indianapolis.

Many leaders from within Purdue, Indiana University and the state spoke on behalf of this historic moment for both schools, but Purdue University President Mung Chiang may have summarized it best.

"Today launches a transformational growth for our state's land grant institution, and Boilermakers are excited to serve the people, businesses and communities of Indianapolis," Chiang said. "...Today begins an uplifting future for all of us. Boiler up, and Indy up."

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue and Indiana University will serve as two separate educational institutes in Indianapolis.