In June, the Board of Trustees from both Indiana University and Purdue University approved a definitive agreement to formalize the separation of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). As part of this agreement, Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) will transition to Indiana University Columbus over the course of the next year.

 

“As we become IU Columbus, this is the beginning of a new era for the campus and a continuation of our focus on serving south central Indiana,” said IUPUC’s Vice Chancellor and Dean, Reinhold Hill. “Our steadfast commitment to students across our community will never change, but we’ll do so unmistakably linked to the state’s most comprehensive university.” 

 

IUPUI has had a presence in Columbus for more than 50 years, beginning as the Columbus Center of IUPUI, then transitioning to IUPUC, and now to IU Columbus. The campus currently offers 11 undergraduate and two graduate degree programs. Its transition to IU Columbus will officially take place July 1, 2024, but the use of the IU Columbus identity, name, and logo will begin in the coming months. 

 

“IU Columbus will reflect the university’s proud history of creating opportunity for students, including those here in south central Indiana,” said Carol Anne Murdoch-Kinch, IU executive vice president and interim chancellor of IUPUI, who began her role July 1 and has responsibility for both IUPUI and its affiliated academic centers in Columbus and Fort Wayne. “We are grateful for the community’s support of our Columbus campus, reaffirm our commitment to collaboration with local civic and industry partners, and look forward to our continued focus on educating the region’s next generation of leaders.” 

 

IUPUC currently offers two Purdue degree programs that will be affected by the realignment: biology and mechanical engineering. While no changes to academic offerings will take place in the 2023-2024 academic year, the IU Columbus campus will not offer a mechanical engineering degree as of fall 2024. Purdue plans to offer new work-integrated learning pathways to Purdue Engineering degrees in Mechanical Engineering and additional majors. Also in fall 2024, IU Columbus will offer an Indiana University biology degree. All students currently enrolled in biology and mechanical engineering will have the opportunity to complete their degrees in Columbus. No other degree programs are affected.