From the Desk of the Chancellor, August 23, 2010

We’re growing again. Earlier this year, we began to project IUPUI would have more students this fall. It’s great news in that more students are finding IUPUI an attractive college choice. It is also evidence that students are being retained in greater numbers, staying on track and making better academic progress.

We made plans for the growth. In late April, cross-unit teams began meeting. They worked through the summer to prepare for more people on campus more of the time. You see the results of that planning at work today as the first day of classes for the academic year is under way.

Many of you pitched in to help. Faculty submitted textbook orders early so that there would be adequate inventory, especially for courses that most entering students take. We analyzed classroom space for maximum occupancy and purchased additional furniture. Cleaning schedules were reworked so that facilities staff take care of high-traffic areas more frequently. IUPUI Food Service Increased commissary staff, adjusted hours for additional “grab and go” options, and rearranged service stations to increase checkout efficiency.

New parking spaces are available. The new Gateway Garage opened, providing new parking off Michigan near West Street. Low-cost, convenient , and secure parking was expanded at Jag Express lots near campus. We revamped shuttle routes, including 50-seat busses at the Jag Express lots, so that at peak hours parkers are moved swiftly and efficiently to, from, and around campus.

We are updating parking availability in real time. We are using technology to enhance our capacity to serve students, faculty, and staff. A subscription to the Parking Operations Twitter feed gives real-time updates on lots that have been filled so that you don’t waste time looking. There’s also the parking updates radio broadcast at 1610AM. Eventually, some shuttle busses will be equipped with GPS so that a text message can be sent to your cell phone when your bus is nearby.

Please allow extra time. As always, at the beginning of the semester, there will be some confusion as people find their way to their destinations for the first time. The interactive campus maps are a good tool to find alternate routes ahead of time. Staff and volunteers will be available to help people find their way on site. Parking on the library lawn will be available temporarily to help ease overflow.

Please be flexible. We ask that department heads be flexible about staff arrival times until traffic and parking settle into more predictable patterns. Staff must work the required eight hours, but clocking in at 8:10 am usually can be accommodated by a 5:10 pm finish time, for example, without serious disruption to most departmental operations.

A new option. Another option for staff and faculty, in particular, is the new specially priced Off-Peak permit that allows you to park on campus between the hours of 2:30 pm and 8:30 am. All other times the permit is valid in the Jag Express lots with pickups every 10 minutes.

These and other resources for getting around campus can be found at www.parking.iupui.edu.

The rush of the fall semester opening reminds us of the energy and spirit of IUPUI—growing, changing, and making an impact. Thanks for making IUPUI successful.

Comments? Write chancllr@iupui.edu.