Ahead of the launch party celebrating IUPUI’s transition to IU Indianapolis (IUI) on July 1, Chancellor Latha Ramchand, Faculty Council President Philip Golf and student Nolan Campbell offered a preview of what to expect for the launch and the campus’ future going forward.
The three spoke with local press at the Campus Center on June 26 regarding questions about the school’s split from Purdue. Ramchand shared her thoughts on the university's transition and the goals they have in mind.
“It’s truly been exciting to see how eager people are to see us succeed,” Ramchand said. “This is not just an aspiration for our university, but it’s something that this state, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the governor’s office, the mayor’s office, all these entities want more graduates in the state.”
With the split becoming official on July 1, IUPUI will become two neighboring universities between IUI and Purdue University in Indianapolis. The chancellor shared the goals she and the university have in mind following this change.
“To focus in separate ways while at the same time, retaining the values that brought us here,” Ramchand said. “The goal here is always going to be to do what we do and do it in the best way possible.”
Ramchand also spoke about the new additions to the IUI, including the Convergent Bioscience and Technology Institute and the Institute for Human Health and Wellbeing.
“We have the expansion now beginning to ensure construction of expanded lab facilities by about 50,000 square feet that will help us bring faculty from all over the world,” Ramchand explained.
Ramchand mentioned that the construction for this new addition of campus will take approximately eighteen months to build before it is fully operational.
Nolan Campbell attending the preview as a representative of the student body.
Nolan Campbell, an incoming junior and executive director of the 2024 Regatta Steering Committee, gave his perspective on the transition as a representative of the student body.
“Everyone is kind of going through this process in a different state,” Campbell said. “No one is really scared or anxious because we know that we're still getting the same education, same campus, same opportunities as before, just with the new name.”
In addition, Campbell spoke about the opportunity in which the name change will bring more attention and competition between IUI and Purdue University in Indianapolis.
“We're definitely seeing more opportunities come forward just like this (focus on the school and students) and all other student involvement activities making sure that they're representing this change,” said Campbell. “It's definitely just creating a little bit of healthy competition between the two schools.”
As the university prepares for this new chapter, Ramchand gave words to incoming freshmen who may be starting this semester unfamiliar with the changes occurring throughout campus.
“Student success has always been important at IUI, and will always continue to be our North Star, it's all about the students,” Ramchand said. “There's so many people on this campus who are eager to serve students, so, if you run into any issues, do not hesitate to come and reach out to us.”
Daniel Guevara is a junior studying Journalism at the School of Liberal Arts. He is a campus writer for the Campus Citizen.
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