FORT WAYNE – The presidents of both Purdue and Indiana Universities sounded off on realignment plans that would split the IPFW campus Monday afternoon.
The News-Sentinel reports that during a joint question-and-answer session, both IU President Michael McRobbie and Purdue President Mitch Daniels spoke in favor of realignment. Daniels stated it’s time for a “reset” in Fort Wayne.
IPFW has seen dwindling enrollment and budget shortfalls to the tune of $2.8-million.
IPFW Chancellor Vicky Carwein and Indiana Senator David Long were also in attendance, with Long calling IPFW the “red headed stepchild” of Purdue and IU, before saying lawmakers and the public should give both universities “cautious support.”
Long’s also calling for both schools to come up with a way to retain the IPFW name, even if it disappears as a school.
The IPFW Warsaw location closed in May 2013. School officials cited technology advancements eliminated the need for students to travel to a central location.
The Purdue Board of Trustees will make a final vote on the school’s fate on Friday.
