Role, Governance Recommendations Offer Possibilities For IPFW
John Kaufeld
Chief Communications Officer, IPFW
FORT WAYNE — A series of recommendations about the future role and governance of Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne were released by the Legislative Services Agency 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.”
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,” Carwein said. “We look forward to active involvement in the process and exploring the possibilities for the future.”
As part of the higher education funding bill passed in spring 2015, the Indiana General Assembly instructed the Legislative Services Agency 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.