News release from IPFW:
Role and Governance Recommendations Offer Possibilities; Raise Questions
(January 15, 2016) — A series of recommendations about the future role and governance of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) were released by the Legislative Services Agency (LSA) today.
The recommendations raise many possibilities for the future of IPFW, including transitioning from a single multi-system university into two distinct campus operations with Purdue as the sole governing entity on campus. IU would maintain the medical school and enhance the health science and medical education programs being offered in Fort Wayne, including plans to establish an inter-professional health sciences center.
“It’s important to remember that the recommendations from the LSA and the LSA working group are exactly that—recommendations for the future of our campus,” said Vicky Carwein, chancellor of IPFW. “While there is significant potential and exciting opportunities outlined in the recommendations, many questions, issues, and technicalities will need to be addressed. Right now there are many more questions than answers.”
Next Steps
In the coming weeks, teams will be appointed to evaluate the recommendations and develop plans for how to move forward. The evaluation process will involve discussions, negotiations, and sorting through many details as due diligence is performed.
There is no short-term impact on students, faculty, or staff members:
- Students currently enrolled will be able to complete their degree requirements and receive their degrees from the university that is currently in charge of their programs
- The current employment status of faculty and staff members will remain unchanged
“The work of the teams over the next weeks and months will be critical to charting the path forward,” said Carwein. “We look forward to active involvement in the process and exploring the possibilities for the future.”
Background on the Study
As part of the higher education funding bill passed in spring 2015, the Indiana General Assembly instructed the Legislative Services Agency (LSA) to convene a working group to examine the role and governance of IPFW. The working group included representatives from IU, Purdue, IPFW, and the region’s business community.
About IPFW
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) is the largest university in northeast Indiana, offering more than 200 prestigious Indiana University and Purdue University degrees and certificates. More than 13,000 students of diverse ages, races, and nationalities belong to the IPFW family. The 688-acre campus in Fort Wayne is home to nearly 10,000 degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students. Through IPFW’s partnerships with area high schools, almost 3,300 high school students take dual-credit courses, simultaneously earning both high school and college credits. IPFW is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access University accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. Learn more about us at ipfw.edu.
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