The Online Reflector

Several properties along Matthews Avenue recently have been demolished by the University of Indianapolis in preparation of planned parking expansions. Following a decade of numerous new construction projects and expansions to existing buildings, the university is working to fulfill the needs of its consistently growing student body.

“The rapid expansion that you’ve seen has been our attempt to keep the infrastructure up with the growth of enrollment,” said Mike Braughton, vice president of business and finance.

Enrollment for the fall of 2010 increased by 262 students from the previous year.

UIndy has broken enrollment records for 20 of the last 22 years according to Mark Weigand, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management.

“Most private businesses wish they had that kind of a growth curve,” Braughton said. “We survived the financial crisis, and our financial strength will do well for us.”

Planned construction of a new residence hall between Cravens and Warren was announced in February.
“We’re building in baby steps,” Braughton said.

Mark Weigand said that UIndy is trying to stabilize enrollment for the next school year.
“We’re trying to catch up to where we are right now,” Weigand said.

Waitlists already have been put in place for the incoming freshman class.

“We’re trying to decide what size is the right size for our campus and to make the best decisions to provide for the campus,” Weigand said.

The newly announced residence hall will hold a minimum of 150 students, according to Braughton. Similar to the original construction of Central Hall, one or two additional floors may be built and left unfinished, in anticipation of the future needs of residential students.

UIndy has acquired property near the new residence hall site.

“We own all but two of the properties on the east side of Matthews,” Braughton said. “We’re going to maximize as much of that block as possible for parking.”

The university has worked to acquire much of the residential property surrounding campus, especially on National Avenue behind Central, East and New halls.

“We’re buying property on the periphery of the campus as it comes on the market,” Braughton said.

The university currently has no plans for that area.

“We’re about the only market for the sale of these houses,” Braughton said. “We took some down because they weren’t spending a dime on upkeep or for renting.”

UIndy is also seeking to maximize vacant areas of current buildings. Portions of the Schwitzer Student Center addition stand vacant or are currently used for storage.

“We’re going to create some offices for student organizations on the second floor and hopefully move the police station into a new office in the basement,” Braughton said. “They’ve outgrown their current offices.”

While the university is trying to accommodate the student population, there are no present plans for a new academic building.

“We’re taking it kind of slow,” Braughton said, “making sure that we don’t commit dollars in space that won’t be used two or three years down the road.”