New Dean of Students office to open in July

Students who pass the Student Technology Center and the Back Alley will notice a fenced construction site across the hall. A sign standing on the ground answers any inquiries of what students can expect soon.

The Offices of Dean of Students, Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Veteran Support Services will move to the Indiana Memorial Union spot in June, leaving current homes in Franklin Hall.

Dean of Students Pete Goldsmith said the project is scheduled to be completed by June 29, which includes both offices. The cost will be slightly more than $400,000.
Goldsmith said he always wants to build more connections with students.

A new and “more visible and accessible” location for his office will accommodate his intention soon.

Bruce Jacobs, executive director of the Union, said the roles of the Dean of Students and the Union is to unify the campus.

“Having the Dean of Students in the building will help to achieve that goal,” he said.
Goldsmith said changing the location increased the accessibility of the office to students.

He also said the location of the Dean of Students Office in Franklin Hall was thought to be too remote from the significant student areas on campus.

Margaret Baechtold, director of Veteran Support Services, said their office will move with the Dean of Students Office at the same time. She said this move will give the Office of Disability Services for Students, who are sharing a large unit office with them, more space to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities.

Baechtold said the new office in the Union will also allow the about 375 veteran students to enjoy services in a more convenient setting. Veteran services are currently in the lower level of Franklin Hall.

“The new location is perfect for our veteran students to access the student center and better facilities provided within,” she said.

Baechtold said the new home for veteran students also carries a deeper meaning.
“It relates to the history of the Indiana Memorial Union,” she said.

The Union building became a reality in 1932 and was formally dedicated to “the sons and daughters of Indiana University who had served in the wars of the Republic,” thus becoming the Indiana Memorial Union, according to it’s Web site.

Baechtold said the new office will allow veteran students to “go back home.”