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Region Supports Recommended Changes To IPFW Governance

The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership fully supports the recommendations set forth today for the future governance of the Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne (IPFW) campus.

The recommendations were made public today by the IPFW Study Working Group, the actions of which are a continuation of the initial IPFW Roles and Governance Study released by the Regional Partnership in August 2014.

Recommendations are as follows:

1. Create two distinct campus operations with Purdue University being the sole governing entity of the campus.

2. Indiana University will maintain the presence of the IU Medical School and enhance its health science and medical education programs in the region, including a commitment to create the inaugural Health Science Education and Research Center.

3. Recommendations may result in re-branding IPFW as Purdue University Northeast or similar. Program alignment and branding will be finalized with implementation teams from both Purdue and IU that will include key faculty from IPFW.

“The future of Northeast Indiana and our ability to reach the Big Goal of 60 percent educational attainment is rooted in our creative ability to adapt,” said John Sampson, president and CEO of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership and member of the IPFW Study Working Group. “I commend the efforts of the working group for having the fortitude to tackle this challenge and turn it into an opportunity to accelerate growth and align programming more closely to the needs of regional employers.”

Senate Pro Temp David Long has long been an advocate for positive change in regard to the future of IPFW’s governance. “I support the creative solutions put forth by the working group and am now looking for Northeast Indiana leaders to have resolve in implementing this plan. Change is never easy, but I know we have the grit and determination to make this work,” said Long.

Members of the IPFW Study Working Group include Mike Mirro, MD (IU Trustee); Bill Cass, MD (former IU Trustee and member of the IPFW Community Council); Mike Berghoff (Chair of the Purdue Board of Trustees); Vicky Carwein (Chancellor of IPFW); Andy Downs (President of the IPFW Faculty Senate); Julie Griffith (Purdue representative); Mike Sample (IU Representative); and John Sampson (member of the IPFW Community Council).

The working group was chaired by Mike Berghoff. “There is much work still to be done,” said Berghoff. “And many questions still to be answered. But if we stay true to the concepts we’ve outlined and recommended, the potential benefit is tremendous, as each of our great universities enhances its commitment in areas of particular strength.”

The full report from the IPFW Study Working Group is available on the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s website. Read the full report by visiting, http://www.neindiana.com/docs/21st-century-talent/ipfw-governance-report-2016.pdf?sfvrsn=8.

About the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership
The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership was formed in 2006 to help build a globally competitive economy in Northeast Indiana. It is a public-private partnership creating business investment by generating business leads, developing product and fostering regional collaboration. In 2010, the Partnership launched Vision 2020 to bring the region together around five key areas for economic growth: 21st Century Talent, Competitive Business Climate, Entrepreneurship, Infrastructure and Quality of Life. The 11 counties of Northeast Indiana include Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley. For more information, visit www.NEIndiana.com.