The transformation of Purdue Calumet

A learning environment transformation is in the offing at Purdue University Calumet with the completion this fall of the following three construction projects:

• The University Village student housing complex, with fully-furnished apartments, including private bedrooms, for 376 students;
• A parking garage for more than 850 vehicles (yes, those are our students you hear cheering); and
• An off-site Academic Learning Center.

Throughout Purdue Calumet's nearly 60-year history, university officials have dedicated themselves to developing high quality academic programs. While we continue to strive to be a university recognized for academic quality in the Purdue tradition, we also have come to realize that the value of a quality education is maximized when students pursue it to degree completion.

To that end, we have been busy the past few years studying, strategizing and putting into practice ways to encourage more students to graduate and put their hard-earned Purdue degree to work.

Campus based student housing is important because it provides a valuable learning opportunity outside the classroom and laboratory. It also contributes substantially to a student's campus life experience. Students who live on campus tend to be more connected and involved with their campus. We also have learned there is a direct relationship between campus involvement and a student's academic performance and satisfaction.

Some 20 miles southeast of our Hammond campus in Merrillville, our Academic Learning Center provides expanded learning opportunities for students who live and/or work in a growing area of Northwest Indiana.

As for our campus parking garage, as it enables students to spend more time learning and less time driving around campus searching for a parking place, more than just our students will be cheering.

Sincerely,

Howard Cohen
Chancellor