INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana University's commitment to build one of the nation's premier urban research universities in the capital city took a historic step forward as trustees from both Indiana University and Purdue University approved a definitive agreement today that paves the way for IU to transition its operations at IUPUI and officially begin as Indiana University Indianapolis in fall 2024.
IU plans additional investment in expanded research and laboratory space on the Indianapolis campus. Photo by Liz Kaye, Indiana University On the heels of the joint signing ceremony, IU announced plans to double enrollment in key tech-focused academic programs; invest in expanded research and laboratory space; and expand the ranks of its Indianapolis-based STEM faculty. The university also announced that faculty with appointments in what will become the IU School of Science in Indianapolis will lead $11.7 million in research funded by the U.S Department of Defense. These steps build on an array of initiatives underway over the past nine months that will shape the future of IU Indianapolis.
IU will double Indianapolis enrollment in the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering - the nation's first school of informatics. Drawing on dedicated funds appropriated by the Indiana General Assembly, the university will also invest $60 million to significantly expand and renovate research and laboratory space and up to $10 million to attract 30 new STEM faculty.
"Innovating in response to the needs of our city and state is a hallmark of Indiana University's rich history on the Indianapolis campus," IU President Pamela Whitten said. "With investments in key academic programs, faculty, research space, and the creation of the SciTech Corridor at IU Indianapolis, we are creating a world-class urban research university with global reach and impact."
The $11.7 million in research grants from the U.S. Department of Defense will fund research led by the university's Indianapolis-based biology faculty to shape the development of new treatments for hydrocephalus, a common complication faced by patients who have suffered traumatic brain injury or stroke.
To accelerate the pursuit of new treatments and support these research efforts, the IU School of Science in Indianapolis is also creating the Hydrocephalus Research Center, which will serve as a national center for collaboration among researchers involved in discovering solutions to these debilitating conditions, including colleagues at Johns Hopkins University and Purdue University.
Whitten hailed the new research initiative as indicative of the type of impact IU Indianapolis will deliver on its trajectory to become one of the nation's preeminent urban research universities.
Growth, research and innovation already having an impact
Over the past several months, IU has announced significant new academic and research initiatives for IU Indianapolis that will drive student success, vital research and state impact.
- IU will establish a Science and Technology Corridor on its Indianapolis campus to serve as a focal point of Central Indiana's science and technology ecosystem. The SciTech Corridor will leverage expanded research programs, new laboratory space and robust STEM degree programs to attract faculty talent and grow enrollment, bolster the talent pipeline for Indiana employers, and foster new industry collaboration.
- The university is doubling instructional capacity at the IU School of Nursing, which will allow for a 50% increase in the school's enrollment and help address a crucial health care talent need for the city and state.
- The Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering, the nation's first school of informatics, has expanded from IU Bloomington to IU Indianapolis to create a unified identity. The university will expand STEM offerings - including in applied computer science - while prioritizing related research and economic development.
- A new direct path to enrollment from the IU School of Science to the IU School of Medicine will make the dream of becoming a physician more attainable and accessible to Indiana students. The Pathway to Medicine program at IU Indianapolis will invest in growing health care talent at a time of significant need for more Hoosier physicians to study and practice across our state.
Continuing a legacy of service
Noting that Indiana University has served Indianapolis beginning in 1891 and that 85% of IUPUI students are currently enrolled in programs that will transition to IU Indianapolis, university leaders also highlighted what residents from across the state can expect from IU Indianapolis in the years to come as the campus officially transitions from IUPUI and implements its IU 2030 strategic plan.
- A focus on accelerating innovative degrees and programs that meet key talent needs and equip students for meaningful careers. Currently, approximately 90% of the university's Indianapolis graduates build careers in Indiana.
- An even stronger research enterprise that drives economic growth and attracts top talent, while boosting a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship to strengthen Indianapolis' position as one of America's great urban centers.
- A commitment to collaboration with civic leaders and industry and community partners that drives economic development and reflects the university's emphasis on serving the state of Indiana and beyond.
"Our efforts to expand the reach and impact of IU Indianapolis are well underway with the addition of new degree programs, robust research initiatives and enhanced collaboration with partners," Whitten said. "With leading faculty across disciplines - from the sciences and the arts to medicine, business, law, nursing, social work and more - IU's Indianapolis campus will be an increasingly crucial source of Hoosier talent while offering expanding contributions to the vitality of our city, state and nation."
Following a final year of operations as IUPUI, which will serve as a period of transition, Indiana University will officially begin operation of IU Indianapolis in fall 2024.
