Trustees approve restructuring measures at Fort Wayne campus

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue University Board of Trustees on Friday (Dec. 8) approved the establishment of three new schools within existing colleges at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW). The new schools come as a result of continuing academic restructuring on campus and in preparation for the pending realignment of IPFW into Purdue University Fort Wayne and Indiana University Fort Wayne, which will take effect July 1, 2018.

“As we look to the future and transition to Purdue Fort Wayne, creating these three new units with the unique designation of ‘schools within colleges’ makes us more attractive to prospective students,” said Carl Drummond, vice chancellor for academic affairs and enrollment management. “By expanding our academic offerings, we can expand our reach with the goals of increasing enrollment and producing more graduates to meet the needs of the northeast Indiana region and beyond.”

In the College of Engineering, Technology and Computer Science, the Department of Manufacturing and Construction Engineering Technology (MCET) and the Department of Computer, Electrical and Information Technology (CEIT) will be merged to form the School of Polytechnic.

“Having a School of Polytechnic provides a clear difference between us and other universities in the region,” said Manoochehr Zoghi, professor and dean of the College of Engineering, Technology and Computer Science. “It sends the message that we are an institution that engages our students in applied learning, theory and research that is critical to our future in business and society.”

The College of Visual and Performing Arts will establish a School of Music, thanks in part to a $1 million grant from the English-Bonter-Mitchell Foundation and a $1 million allocation from the state of Indiana as part of the 2017-2019 biennium budget. The School of Music will offer new degrees in music technology, commercial music and music business; graduate programs in music therapy and music education; an international performers certificate; and will host national music festivals on campus.

“The new School of Music on the Fort Wayne campus will be the first and only one in the history of Purdue,” said John O’Connell, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. “The music program has built a strong foundation, including world-class faculty and staff, so being able to grow from a department to a school will attract more students nationally and internationally.”

The current College of Education and Public Policy will be renamed the College of Professional Studies and will include the newly created School of Education. The School of Education will consist of the current Department of Educational Studies and Department of Professional Studies.

“We are extremely excited to launch this new School of Education,” said James Burg, associate professor and dean of the College of Education and Public Policy. “With one out of every seven students being an education major, combining the graduate programs in counselor education, educational leadership and special education with our master’s and bachelor’s programs in teacher education creates something bigger and more visible on campus and highlights our diverse education offerings.”

Other changes include:

* moving the Department of Human Services and Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management from the College of Health and Human Services to the College of Professional Studies;

* merging the departments of Fine Arts and Visual Communication and Design, part of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, into the Department of Art and Design; and

* merging the departments of anthropology and sociology, part of the College of Arts and Sciences, into the Department of Anthropology and Sociology.

The IPFW realignment is pending approval by the Higher Learning Commission.

In other action, trustees approved Purdue Fort Wayne to offer a bachelor of science in psychology. The degree will emphasize the development and implementation of scientific skills within the context of the study of behavioral and mental processes and is better suited for students headed to psychology graduate programs, medical school or careers that involve knowledge of behavior and mental processes, along with data analysis and research. The university also offers a bachelor of arts in psychology. The new degree program will require approval by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.

“I am very excited about the work that has been done as we prepare for a very bright future as Purdue Fort Wayne,” said Chancellor Ron Elsenbaumer. “There is a clear passion for providing our students with the best tools available to help them pursue their dreams and have the best higher-education experience possible.” 

Source: Carl Drummond, 260-481-6105, drummond@ipfw.edu