.Student Life Programs Taking Shape in Indianapolis
Fall 2024 marked the launch of Purdue University in Indianapolis – the university’s new, comprehensive urban campus. Student Life and its partners have worked diligently to develop and refine experiences to help students in Indianapolis find community and support beyond the classroom.
The year began with the inaugural move-in for 806 Boilermakers living in University Residences housing at Purdue in Indianapolis. University Residences operates two facilities for students at the Indianapolis campus – North Hall, a traditional residence hall, and LUX on Capitol, which features apartment-style living. Residents have access to the same experiences and resources found in housing on the West Lafayette campus, including hall clubs, leadership opportunities, residential life staff, learning communities and more.
Residential programming provides key opportunities for residents to create connections within their residence halls and with the Indianapolis community. Resident assistants have collaborated on community-wide events for residents of each facility while learning communities and other residential organizations have traveled off-campus to attend Indiana Fever games and visit other attractions in the city.
Residents have also built connections with their peers from the West Lafayette campus through programs such as the Jay Severson Retreat, which was attended by members of the Indianapolis Crane Club – the first residential student organization on the Indianapolis campus. Overall, University Residences hosted 235 programs during the fall semester with an attendance of nearly 13,000 students.
“One of the key pieces of our work is trying to find a balance between what we can do on campus and how we can connect to the city,” says Sara Dickey, associate dean of students, Purdue in Indianapolis. “We want to take full advantage of our location and the cultural benefits that offers our students.”
Opportunities for students to join student organizations continue to grow weekly, with over 30 student organizations based on the Indianapolis campus. In addition, nine organizations currently include members on both the Indianapolis and West Lafayette campuses. Some organizations, such as Purdue Student Union Board, include a committee for Indianapolis students while others, such as Purdue Student Government [PSG], host virtual and in-person meetings.
During elections this spring, PSG will be hosting in-person call-out sessions and debates on both campuses – part of their commitment to representing students on both campuses effectively.
“My experience has truly reinforced the idea that we are ‘One Purdue,’” says Shekinah Glory, vice president of Purdue Student Government. “From a student government perspective, it has been incredibly enriching. For example, I recently went to West Lafayette for an interview with one of the student organizations, who were making a documentary. What I’ve enjoyed most is the sense of belonging – knowing that irrespective of which location I find myself at, I belong and my contributions are valued.”
PSG’s work led to a bill that improved the Purdue Campus Connect Shuttle, which offers opportunities for students to travel back and forth between the Indianapolis and West Lafayette campuses to participate in events and programming. For example, several residential groups traveled to West Lafayette to attend the Homecoming football game, while other students have used the shuttle to attend student organization meetings and other events. Student organizations such as Purdue Graduate Student Government, and the Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Student Association hold joint meetings and events for residents of both campuses on the Indianapolis campus.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and the Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) are among the departments offering critical services and support to students. CAPS’ presence includes two full-time therapists and a psychiatrist who is on campus one day per week. CAPS provided outreach at multiple events to connect with students, faculty, and staff, and held 255 appointments for students during the fall semester. ODOS services, such as Student of Concern reports, help connect staff with students who may need support. ODOS staff in Indianapolis also share a floor with other student support staff, including the Disability Resource Center, Academic Success Center and academic advisors, making connections to these easy and seamless for students.
Student Life also continues to collaborate with partners at IU-Indianapolis on endeavors such as campus recreation, dining and student health services. When options are available, however, it is apparent that Boilermakers in Indianapolis take pride in experiences that are uniquely Purdue.
“We’re seeing that our students prefer to use Purdue channels when available,” Dickey says. “For example, our students can join IU student organizations and our new students, for the most part, are not interested in that. Our new students are especially excited about Purdue things.”
Many programs and initiatives on the Indianapolis campus continue to evolve and take shape as student needs and expectations are assessed. Listening to students, responding to their needs and implementing programs will help Student Life and its partners fulfill the promise to deliver a high-quality residential campus experience in Indianapolis.
“We’re constantly building and learning new things,” Dickey says. “We have an agile group of people who are quick to jump in, respond and help out however needed. Oftentimes, when we do something, it’s new – and that brings in extra layers of problem solving. We’re extremely thankful for the flexibility and commitment our staff have shown to help us build something new.”
Student Life will expand its residential presence in Indianapolis in fall 2025 with University Residences’ full lease of LUX on Capitol, completed in partnership with Administrative Operations. Fully leasing LUX on Capitol will contribute to an increase in University Residences’ housing capacity in Indianapolis to more than 1,100 residents.