Welcome to Indiana University

Welcome to the Bloomington campus of Indiana University! 

We are delighted that you’re here. Visiting our beautiful campus is the best way to experience Hoosier traditions and to learn about all that Indiana University has to offer. During your visit, we hope you will have the opportunity to meet current students and staff, to see our state-of-the-art facilities, and to experience the IU community and spirit. 

In this Campus Visitors Guide, brought to you by our award-winning student newspaper, the Indiana Daily Student, you’ll learn a bit about the history of our campus, the vibrant arts scene at IU and in the Bloomington community, opportunities for recreation and entertainment, and some of the culture and traditions of this flagship campus. 

Many visitors to our campus are taken with the beauty of its natural woodland setting. Herman B Wells, our legendary 11th president, insisted on the retention of green spaces on the campus. He once said, “To cut a tree unnecessarily has long been an act of treason against our heritage and the loyalty, love, and effort of our predecessors who have preserved it for us.”

You’ll want to be certain to visit Dunn’s Woods, the historic eight-acre woodlot which is at the center of our old campus crescent. Nearby, you’ll find a bronze statue which depicts Herman Wells in his prime, sitting on an IU park bench.

We are also home to an incredibly vibrant arts community. Our Jacobs School of Music is consistently praised as being the finest in the nation. Our IU Auditorium hosts performances and lectures by leading artists and thinkers. Our Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center presents engaging theatrical performances. The IU Art Museum, which you can read more about in this guide, is home to treasures from around the world. 

Among the many notable alumni of IU Bloomington are Oscar winners, broadcast journalists and sportscasters, authors, leaders in politics and government, athletes, scientists, musicians, and business leaders.

Of course, outstanding academic programs are at the heart of Indiana University. The distinguished faculty members who teach in those programs combine scholarship and professional experience to foster every student’s full potential. One of our faculty members, Elinor Ostrom, is the latest recipient of the Nobel Prize in Economics and was the first woman to receive the prize.

In this issue, you’ll also read about  local artists, locally grown and prepared food, and support for local business and services are important aspects of this dynamic community.

Whether you are here for an athletic event, to attend a performance, visiting a current student, or exploring all that IU offers, we are glad you’re here and we hope to see you here often.

Enjoy your visit to Bloomington and Indiana University.  

Sincerely,
Karen Hanson
Provost and Executive Vice President