Purdue in Indianapolis to open July 1

With the launch of Purdue’s Indianapolis satellite campus July 1, Purdue is looking to bridge the gap between student life in the state capital and its home in West Lafayette, said Chris Krull, a director at the new school.

Following 53 years of joint education, it was announced last year that what was formerly IUPUI will be split into Purdue University in Indianapolis and Indiana University Indianapolis. Independent operations are set to begin in August.

The merger will come with benefits to Purdue students, said Chris Krull, Director of Teaching and Learning Programs for Purdue University in Indianapolis.

“Since West Lafayette and Indianapolis are extensions of the same campus, there won’t be distinctions about which location a student studied at like we currently see with IUPUI and Purdue,” Krull said via email. “Students at each location will have the same access to research, internships, service-learning opportunities, study abroad experiences, faculty, student success programs, and student life experiences.”

In addition, the degree plans will be the same for students in Indianapolis and West Lafayette, allowing students to collaborate through classes and experiences.

Currently, Purdue has engineering and technology buildings in Indianapolis, but the splitting of the campus will come with new additions geographically, said Derek Schultz, Senior Strategic Communicator and Media Relations Specialist at Purdue.

“Purdue received $60 million from the Indiana General Assembly to fund an academic and student success building on its 28 acres,” Schultz said. “Purdue will also create additional locations throughout Indianapolis, including housing the Mitchell E. Daniels Jr. School of Business Executive Education program at High Alpha.”

High Alpha is a venture studio located in Indianapolis that helps fund and support innovative ideas. The partnership will give Purdue Indianapolis students access to High Alpha’s portfolio companies and experiential learning opportunities.

Similar to the academic integrations, there are already plans in motion for integrating students into life in Indianapolis.

“Student Life has been working with student government to propose an undergraduate student government structure that includes representation in Indianapolis and West Lafayette,” Krull said. “Housing is currently interviewing current Indianapolis students to be Purdue RAs next year.”

Along with this, Purdue Indianapolis is set to hold its version of Boiler Gold Rush to help get students acclimated. While it intends to highlight what makes BGR special in West Lafayette, the university is also looking to take advantage of the campus’ location when planning the event.

“We have major sporting and concert venues along with Fortune 100 companies all within walking distance,” Krull said. “Right now, there are many great ‘what ifs?’ for BGR in Indianapolis.”

With this, a major aspect of student life in Indianapolis that will change is student athletics. For now, Purdue Indianapolis will not have sports teams.

“IUPUI’s athletic programs will be maintained solely and independently by Indiana University, and those student-athletes will represent the new IU Indianapolis,” Schultz said. “Work is underway with the NCAA to minimize disruption to existing IUPUI student-athletes.”