Purdue News

February 29, 1988 Computer Education Building In Calumet West Lafayette, Ind. -- The Purdue University Board of Trustees Friday (1/29) let construction contracts for a total of $3,779,959 for a new Computer Education Building to be erected on the Calumet Campus in Hammond. Including the architect's fee, insurance and other expenses, the total estimated cost of the project is $4.5 million. Ziolkowski Construction Inc., South Bend, won the general construction contract for $2,312,000. Other successful bidders were O.J. Shoemaker Inc., South Bend, plumbing and fire protection, $204,000; Fieldhouse Inc., Highland, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and piping, $626,659; and Hyre Electric of Indiana, Highland, electrical construction, $637,200. The Computer Education Building will house computer teaching and study laboratories, offices and the campus' mainframe computer. The 18-month construction project will start in the spring. The two-story building will be connected by enclosed passageways with the Gyte Building and the Potter Building. Construction will be financed through bonding authority granted by the 1987 Indiana General Assembly. "The Computer Education Building will strengthen overall academic computing capability on our campus," said Richard J. Combs, chancellor of Purdue Calumet. "It will provide necessary facilities for the improvement of ongoing as well as new and changing technological programs, including our recently initiated degree offerings in manufacturing engineering technology. "Additionally, it will enhance the development of specialized training and outreach programs for local business and industry." The Purdue trustees also let a contract for remodeling Room 105, Gyte Building. The contract went to Vic Szurgot General Contractors Inc., East Chicago, for $66,495. The total project cost is estimated at $132,000. In other action related to the Calumet Campus, the Purdue board approved a new program which will enable students to earn a bachelor of arts degree with a major in philosophy. The program would be offered jointly with Indiana University Northwest and would begin next fall if approved by the Indiana Commission on Higher Education. The program would draw upon the expertise of faculty of both regional campuses to make available a course of study that neither university alone could offer. "We have cooperated previously in a good many ventures with I.U. Northwest, but this is the first time both universities have collaborated in creating a new joint academic program," Combs said. "It is assumed that the joint development of additional academic programs between Purdue Calumet and I.U. Northwest is in the offing." Another new option will become available to Calumet-Campus students through the Department of Behavioral Sciences. The board approved a master's-degree program in marriage and family therapy. The program would provide students with the academic preparation and clinical experience necessary to practice family therapy in clinics, mental health agencies and other settings. The program is subject to approval by the Indiana Commission on Higher Education. The board granted emeritus status to four faculty members who will retire this year. The retirees are Louise Buechley, associate professor of nursing; Richard R. Fryer, associate professor of chemistry; Walter Hartmann, associate professor of psychology; and William Smead, professor of education. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page