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Former names | Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis at Columbus (1970–1994) Indiana University–Purdue University Columbus (1994–2024) |
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| Type | Publicregionalbaccalaureate college |
| Established | 1970 |
Parent institution | Indiana University Indianapolis |
Academic affiliations | Space-grant |
| Vice-Chancellor | Reinhold Hill |
Academic staff | 174 |
| Students | 1,051 (Fall 2022) |
| Location | ,, United States 39°15′11″N85°54′08″W / 39.253155°N 85.902314°W /39.253155; -85.902314 |
| Campus | 15 acres (6.1 ha) |
| Colors | Cream & Crimson[1][2][3] |
| Nickname | Crimson Pride |
Sporting affiliations | NAIA –River States |
| Mascot | Lion |
| Website | columbus |
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Indiana University Columbus (IU Columbus) is a public university inColumbus, Indiana, a regional campus ofIndiana University serving south central Indiana. Prior to July 2024, it was known asIndiana University–Purdue University Columbus, and was a joint collaboration between both Indiana University andPurdue University Systems.
On July 1, 2024, following the split ofIndiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis intoIndiana University Indianapolis andPurdue University in Indianapolis, IUPUC was rebranded into Indiana University Columbus following the withdrawal of Purdue University programs.
IU Columbus was founded in 1970 as an extension ofIndiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and was originally known as Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis at Columbus. Originally, the extension had no single campus, instead offering classes in various locations throughout Columbus. An oldairport building was converted to the first centralized campus building for IUPUC, but was soon renovated for academic use in 1985. In 1994, the chancellor of IUPUI renamed IUPUI Columbus to Indiana University–Purdue University Columbus.[4]
IUPUC's firstvice-chancellor, Paul Bippen, served in this capacity from 1977 until his retirement in 2003, when he was replaced byNasser Paydar. In 2007, Jay Howard was named interim vice-chancellor. In 2009, Marwan Wafa was named the new vice-chancellor. IUPUC's most-senior executive title is vice-chancellor. The current vice-chancellor is Reinhold Hill.[5]
On August 12, 2022, the boards of trustees of both Purdue and IU announced that IUPUI would split into two separate universities. The split was finalized on July 1, 2024.[6][7] According to Andrew Klein, the then-interim chancellor of IUPUI, IUPUC would be renamed to Indiana University Columbus and would continue to be a regional education center administered through IU Indianapolis after the split was finalized.[8] Two degree programs at the school, biology and mechanical engineering, were offered by Purdue; IU Columbus continues to grant biology degrees through Indiana University, but mechanical engineering is no longer offered by the school following the split.[9]
Purdue University continues to maintain itsPolytechnic Institute campus in Columbus as it is administered through Purdue's main campus inWest Lafayette and was never a part of IUPUC.
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Students can complete several Indiana University (IU) bachelor's and master's degrees in their entirety at Columbus campus. Students can also complete a substantial number of classes toward degrees not offered at IU Columbus and then transfer to IU Indianapolis or another IU campus. The university's divisions include:
IU Columbus predominantly serves students inBartholomew,Brown,Decatur,Jackson,Jefferson,Jennings,Johnson,Ripley andShelby counties, as well as other areas in the largely rural south central and southeastern portion of Indiana. IU Columbus also offers off-campus classes at the community learning center inSeymour.
IUPUC was one of the first academic institutions to innovate a cross-institutional and cross-discipline tutoring program through partnerships withIvy Tech Community College and the Purdue Statewide Technology program (Purdue Polytechnic). The Academic Resource Center (ARC) was a one-of-a-kind, one-stop tutoring operation for math, science, writing, public speaking, Spanish, and basic technology.
The following people have led the Columbus campus of Indiana University (or its predecessors) since 1970 as Vice Chancellor and Dean:[10]
| No. | Portrait | Director | Took office | Left office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emerson Gilbert | 1970 | 1977 | ||
| 2 | Paul Bippen | 1977 | 2003 | ||
| 3 | .jpg) | Nasser Paydar | 2004 | 2007 | |
| – | Jay Howard | July 2007 | August 31, 2009 | Interim | |
| 4 | Marwan Wafa | September 1, 2009 | June 30, 2015 | [11] | |
| – | Laurence Richards | July 1, 2015 | June 30, 2016 | Interim[12] | |
| 5 | Reinhold Hill | July 1, 2016 | present | [13] |
The IU Columbus athletic teams are called the Crimson Pride. The university is a member of theNational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing as a member of theRiver States Conference (RSC) since the 2023–24 school year.[14] The Crimson Pride previously competed as anNAIA Independent within the Continental Athletic Conference during its inaugural debut season within the NAIA (2022–23 school year).
IU Columbus competes in nine intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country and soccer; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball and volleyball.
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