Kelley nearly complete

This fall the sidewalks on 10th Street and Fee Lane will be clear of debris, fencing and construction materials. The covered walkway will be gone, and with it, the heavy machinery. These eyesores, a constant since construction of the Kelley School of Business Graduate and Executive Education Center began, will be eliminated with the opening of the state-of-the-art facility in August. \nThe project, which has been under construction for almost two years, will be completed for the next academic year. Paul Robbins, director of special programs and projects for the Kelley School of Business, said construction is behind schedule, but the building will open in time.\n"The project is currently three weeks behind schedule," he said. "We expect to be moving in early June 2002, and we will hold class in the facility in August."\nThe new center came with a hefty price tag of $34 million, most of which was privately funded. Robbins said $13.5 million was contributed by the state, and $30.5 million was raised from private funding. Some funds were used to renovate existing classrooms in the Kelley School of Business. Robbins said the project is currently on budget.\nThe new facility is necessary because of crowding in the business school, Robbins said. \n"The current building is operating at full capacity, forcing us to use off-campus facilities," Robbins said. "The new building will permit us to reunify operations and permit us to grow our graduate programs."\nBoth faculty and students are excited about the new facilities. Senior Kristen VanderVelde, who has been admitted to the MBA program, said she is impressed with the new home of the graduate programs.\n"We went on a tour, and it is so impressive," she said. "There are thousands of ethernet ports and other technological advantages. I am thrilled to be able to use such wonderful facilities."\nBruce Jaffe, professor of business economics and public policy in the Kelley School of Business Graduate Programs, said he anticipates the move.\n"We are all anxiously awaiting moving in to what nobody but me calls the West Wing of the business school," Jaffe said.