History

IUPUC (Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus) was founded in 1970 to serve the post-secondary education needs of citizens and industry in south central Indiana. We deliver top-quality Indiana University and Purdue University degree programs.

A growing, dynamic campus, IUPUC serves 2,300 students and employs 271 full-time faculty and staff, adjunct faculty and part-time staff. Students at IUPUC are mainly from Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson, Ripley, and Shelby counties, although other counties are also represented in the student population. IUPUC has a growing international student population due to the presence of international and global industry in the region. It has also begun to attract students from outside the state of Indiana.

IUPUC's student population includes a mix of traditional and nontraditional students. With an average class size of 17.8 students, IUPUC offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including business, communication studies, elementary education, English, general studies, mechanical engineering, nursing, psychology, and sociology.

Program Development

• COMMUNICATION STUDIES DEGREE PROGRAM RECEIVES STATE APPROVAL—February 2015, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE) approved IUPUC’s proposal to offer the Indiana University Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication Studies. The approval grants IUPUC jurisdiction over curriculum requirements for the Communication Studies degree, allowing faculty to tailor the program to the needs and interests of IUPUC students.
• IUPUC LAUNCHES NEW CONCENTRATION IN HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION The Division of Business at IUPUC launched a new concentration in health services administration (HSA) as part of its undergraduate curriculum. Required courses for the HSA were offered starting with the 2014 fall classes.
• IUPUC students can now complete 11 programs entirely at IUPUC.

Originally known as IUPUI Columbus, IUPUC first opened its offices and classrooms on August 17, 1970 as an "extension" of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).  Through 1971, it offered classes at various locations throughout Columbus. Later that year, all classes were moved to the university's current location at 4601 Central Avenue in Columbus, home of the former Civilian Personnel Building at Bakalar Municipal Airport (now known as the Columbus Municipal Airport).

• In 1984, the Indiana General Assembly appropriated $2.5 million for the construction of science and technology labs and a new exterior for the IUPUC building. The Indiana University Trustees approved a $3.55 million expansion and renovation at IUPUC. The renovation was completed in 1985, resulting in an expansion of more than 60 percent compared to the pre-renovation square footage.
• An additional 11 acres of land was deeded to the Indiana University Board of Trustees by the City of Columbus in 1987.
• In 1994, IUPUI Chancellor Gerald Bepko formally announced that IUPUI Columbus would henceforth be known as Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus, commonly known today as IUPUC.

Facts & Vital Statistics

Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus is a small but growing campus. For details about our student population, degree programs, faculty and staff, scholarships funded and more, please download and review this quick reference sheet containing vital campus facts and statistics for spring 2018.

Leadership History