Indiana State University's governing board has endorsed a student housing and retail development in downtown Terre Haute that will house more than 200 students on the upper three floors of the complex with retail space on the ground floor..
Indiana State University\'s governing board has endorsed a student housing and retail development in downtown Terre Haute.
The board of trustees on Friday approved a 30-year lease with Thompson Thrift Development for a planned complex in the 500 block of Wabash Ave., at the southern edge of the Indiana State campus. Terms of the lease call for the developer to construct a facility that will include an estimated 228 beds on the upper three floors with retail space on the first floor. The university will lease the residential portion of the facility as part of its student housing system.
\"Indiana State is proud to be a part of the downtown Terre Haute community and recognizes that a vital downtown is critical to a vital university and vice versa,\" university President Dan Bradley said earlier this week in announcing the project. \"This project will advance our strategic goal of serving as a catalyst for downtown redevelopment, and I am excited about the impact and opportunities it will bring.\"
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education and the State Budget Committee must also approve the project. Once those approvals are granted, construction is expected to start by this fall with completion projected by fall 2015.
Trustees approved room and board rates for 2013-24 that reflect a 2.9 percent increase in in standard plans as well as a new set of meal plan options developed by Sodexo dining services in response to student surveys and focus groups. Rates at University Apartments will increase about 2 percent but remain competitive with the local market, according to Diann McKee, vice president for business affairs and finance.
Board members approved a new policy allowing honorably discharged military veterans, their spouses and dependents to attend Indiana State at in-state tuition rates regardless of prior residency.
\"We are pleased to be able to recognize the commitments and sacrifices veterans of all branches of the military have made for their country, by enabling them to attend ISU as Indiana residents for tuition payment purpose,\" said John Beacon, vice president for enrollment management, marketing and communications. \"Our hats are off to these gallant citizens.\"
Beacon noted there is no time limit for veterans and their families to take advantage of the policy, making it more generous than that required under recently passed state legislation. The university policy also covers dependents of service personnel killed or missing in action and prisoners of war.
In other action Friday, Indiana State trustees:
• Renamed University Hall Clinic as the Norma and William Grosjean Clinic in recognition of the late Mrs. Grosjean\'s service as an administrative assistant in education and a $1.2 million gift from her estate• Changed the name of the Office of International Programs and Services to the Center for Global Engagement• Approved new academic calendars that replace multiple summer sessions with a single 11-week term beginning in 2015, provide additional days for new student advising and increase time between terms to facilitate decisions related to academic standing and residence hall turnover • Approved a certificate program in genomic advocacy• Approved a new bachelor of applied science degree with tracks in health services and technology, aimed at transfer students with associate in applied science degrees• Recognized Indiana Department of Revenue Commissioner Mike Alley for his 11 years of service on the board, including five as president, and approved awarding him an honorary doctor of humanities degree• Approved changes in trustee bylaws allowing members to participate in meetings electronically in limited circumstances.
Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Media-Services/Sixth-and-Wabash/i-sR45Sv9/0/L/04_28_13_sixth_wabash-7168-L.jpg - Indiana State University trustees have approved a 30-year lease agreement for a planned student-housing retail complex in downtown Terre Haute. The agreement calls for the facades of several historic buildings to be preserved. (ISU/Tony Campbell)
Writer and media contact: Dave Taylor, media relations director, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3743 or dave.taylor@indstate.edu