Students won’t be free of construction for a few years after the IU Board of Trustees approved funds to repair and restore multiple areas on the Bloomington campus.
The legislative capital that was requested for fiscal years 2015-17 and approved by the trustees when they convened on the Bloomington campus Thursday and Friday, totaled $203 million.
Part of those funds will go toward the continued renovations to the Old Crescent, including Franklin Hall, which will house the Media School. The new school is the result of a merger combining the School of Journalism, communication and culture and telecommunications into a single unit within the College of Arts and Sciences.
Media School Associate Dean Lesa Hatley Major also spoke regarding Franklin Hall spatial planning and developments, including the new home for IU Student Media. Officials expect the renovated building to be ready for occupation sometime in 2016.
Tom Morrison, vice president for capital planning and facilities, presented the legislative capital request to the board.
“We are continually looking to improve the academic and research environment of our campuses, while remaining strong stewards of the resources that are provided to us,” he said in the release.
The Board also elected new leaders. MaryEllen Bishop, who took over the role of chair of the IU Board of Trustees after Thomas Reilly resigned last month, was not elected.
IU alumnus Randall Tobias won the chair seat for a one-year term. Former chairman and CEO at Eli Lilly and Co., he served on Duke University’s board of trustees for 13 years, three of which he served as chairman, according to a release earlier this month.
“Indiana University is one of this state’s most important assets,” Tobias said in the release. “It’s a privilege to be asked to be part of its leadership.”
Bishop will serve as vice chair of the board, and Donald Steven Lukes as the assistant treasurer.
The board also approved plans to rebuild and expand Woodlawn Avenue from 13th Street to 17th Street. New bike lanes, sidewalks and a signal at 17th Street to help bus service through the corridor are a few of the plan’s features. An addition to the Musical Arts Center was also approved.
Kathrine Schulze
