IU’s ‘master plan’ announced

A new “master plan” for the IU-Bloomington and IU-Purdue University Indianapolis campuses is in the works today. \nThe plan will be developed by an architectural firm and will serve as a guide for future construction and development, according to a press release. Space-planning task forces were created to evaluate long term space needs for research, classrooms and student living. The master plan should be completed by the end of 2008, said Vice President of Administration Terry Clapacs.\n“This is something you have to do,” said Director of Media Relations Larry MacIntyre. “You can’t make decisions on multi-million dollar buildings without having some rationale. This will make sure we have a well-thought-\nout process.”\nThe idea for a new master plan began with a report commissioned by the Office of the Vice President for Research in September 2004, according to a letter IU President Michael McRobbie sent to the President’s cabinet, deans and regional chancellors. The report concluded that 5 million square feet of new research space would be needed at IUB and IUPUI over the next 10 to 15 years. The space-planning task forces on both campuses will be activated right away, MacIntyre said. \nMacIntyre said students today have higher expectations for living facilities than \npast generations.\n“We’ve got to respond to that,” he said. “We’ve got to make sure that in 10, 20 years the living facilities we have will appeal to the kind of students we want to attract.”\nMcRobbie asked Clapacs to “prepare a services document by the end of September that describes the scope of services, objectives, desired outcomes, etc. that IU requires for the development of a master plan,” according to the letter. This document will be prepared while the task forces are making their evaluations, Clapacs said.\n“We will try to lay out various objectives the University will hold as we head into the master-planning effort,” Clapacs said.\nInterested architectural firms will submit proposals to a 17-member University master-planning committee chaired by McRobbie, Clapacs said.\n“This is a very big effort,” Clapacs said. “To do it for two campuses at the same time will require a lot of time.”\nThe master plan will be a fairly costly investment, Mac-\nIntyre said.\n“I hesitate to give you a specific number,” MacIntyre said. “It will certainly be six figures.”\nMcRobbie is interested in student participation, said University Architect Bob Meadows, who is a part of the committee. Influencing the master plan is a great opportunity for students, because it will determine where the University will go in the future. Contacting the IU Student Association is a good way to get involved with the project, Meadows said. \n“This is a real unique period of time,” he said. “I think if students are quiet, they won’t have a say, but if a group of students is interested I think it will be really welcomed.”