Trustees approve campus building renovations, budget

The IU Board of Trustees convened at IU-Purdue University Fort Wayne Thursday and Friday to discuss and vote on the University budget and various construction projects, among other things.

The next board meeting is set for August 8-9 at IU-Purdue University Indianapolis.

That meeting will mark the first time new trustees Randall Tobias, James T. Morris and student trustee Janice Farlow will join the board.

All were recently appointed by Gov. Mike Pence.  

Tobias and Morris will take the place of outgoing trustees Bruce Cole and Bill Strong, while Farlow will follow in student trustee Cora Griffin’s footsteps.

1. The budget  
A $3.1 billion budget for fiscal year 2013-2014 was approved by the trustees.

2. Old Crescent upgrades
The board approved the estimated $21 million Franklin Hall renovation project, part of a probable merged journalism, telecommunications and communication and culture unit to be housed in the building. Asbestos and lead paint removal, roof upgrades, classroom renovations including new digital equipment and entryway and restroom updates for accessibility will all be a part of the “complete renovations.”

The vote for the proposed merger is slated for the next board meeting in August, Board of Trustees Chair William Cast said. 

“It’s not the notion of the trustees in any way that journalism would loose its self-determination,” he said.

3.  Wells Library research area
Old card catalog areas in the East Tower of the Herman B Wells Library will be converted to a research commons for graduate students and faculty, to a tune of $2.4 million, $1.2 million of which was already approved. The project also includes fire sprinkler installation to certain parts of the building.

4. Kelley School of Business
Phase II of the Kelley School of Business renovations and expansions were greenlit by the board. The $29 million project, funded through gifts and grants, will include Hodge Hall administrative and academic space renovation where aging mechanical systems will be replaced and classrooms will be updated.

5. New degrees
A Bachelor of Science in animal behavior, a BS in international studies and a Bachelor of Arts in central eurasian studies will now be offered on the IU Bloomington campus.

6. Repair and rehabilitation
Board members approved the 2013-2014 Repair and Rehabilitation Plan. Currently just more than $700 million, the deferred maintenance total will lessen to around the mid-$500 million mark in the next two years.

“We’re grateful to the legislature for funding some important items,” Cast said.  
The temporary repair and rehabilitation fee students have seen on their bursar bill in recent cycles is something of a user fee, Cast said.

“It’s a way to keep the legacy of IU going,” he said.