IUPUI is Indiana's premier urban research university. The campus enrolls more than 30,000 students in 21 schools and academic units.
On Nov. 30, 2012, the University Place Conference Center and Hotel will begin the transformation into a multi-use facility including student housing, a dining hall and classroom space – all critical needs of the IUPUI campus as expressed by faculty, staff, students and administrators.
Introduction
In response to the growing needs of the student population, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis is opening an academic building and residence hall in 2013 – priority needs that have been expressed by our students, faculty and staff, and support the campus’s goal of quality learning environments, student retention and graduation. The facility, in the heart of campus, will provide students with opportunities to engage in curricular and extracurricular learning experiences like never before.
The academic building is scheduled to open in January 2013 and will offer 18,000 square feet of classroom space. The residence hall, which will be available to incoming freshmen, is scheduled to open in August 2013 and will offer 560 beds, double-occupancy rooms with private baths and a living-learning community. The residence hall will provide a traditional housing experience, including the campus’s first dining hall, free laundry facilities, multiple community and study spaces, and a workout room.
IUPUI is dedicated to providing students with greater opportunities to learn, lead and serve while continuing to offer an environment that fosters educational and personal growth.
For additional information, please email convproj@iupui.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs will be updated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date information on the University Place Hotel and Conference Center conversion process.
Student Housing
What is the timeline for the conversion of the hotel to residential units?
The conversion will begin November 30, 2012, with a soft opening in summer 2013 and occupancy expected in the fall 2013.
How do you know there is demand for the housing given the number of private developments going up around campus?
Our current on-campus housing is at capacity, and we are contracting with Park Place apartments to accommodate additional students who ultimately desire to reside on campus. In the fall 2011 semester, we had a waiting list of 200 students for on-campus housing.
While the number fluctuates, we have 225 to 240 students in Park Place who could be moved to campus housing. Additionally, more than 1,000 first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students are coming to IUPUI from outside central Indiana who would be prime candidates for these units.
How much will the residential units cost?
The housing cost per student will be approximately $3200 per semester. Click here for more rate information about living on-campus.
How do I apply for housing in the new facility?
Students can apply for housing via our website, life.iupui.edu/housing, or by filling out a printable housing application and returning it to our main housing administrative offices.
What is IUPUI's housing application deadline?
IUPUI does not have a specific deadline; however, as all assignments are done on a first-come, first-serve basis, it is recommended that you apply early. Please note that you are NOT required to be an admitted IUPUI student in order to apply for housing. Assignments are made based on the date of application and application fee payment. For more information, visit life.iupui.edu/housing.
What is provided in the rooms?
The new facility rooms include a bed, desk, closet and dresser. All rooms are air-conditioned and have wired and wireless Internet connections.
Who is eligible to live in the new facility?
The new facility and Ball Residence Hall are first-year exploration residential communities and restricted to incoming IUPUI freshmen only. Residents must be enrolled full time in classes, in good academic standing and making progress toward graduation.
How are housing assignments made?
Based on the information provided on the application, the Housing and Residence Life Office will try to match you as closely as possible with another student with regard to age and gender, and if possible, academic program. If you have a specific concern or roommate request, please note it on your application.
Can I request a specific roommate?
You have the option of requesting a roommate(s). All roommate requests must be mutually agreed upon in order to be honored. Roommate(s) other than a spouse/partner must be an IUPUI affiliate. If you do not specify a roommate, one will be assigned.
How many years do students have to live on campus?
IUPUI neither requires students to live on campus nor does it limit the length of time a student may reside on campus.
Do you offer co-ed living in the residence hall/apartments/townhomes?
The new facility will have same-sex rooms/roommates and co-ed floors. The Office of Housing and Residence Life will only provide roommate matching for single gender groups.
How many people live in each room?
The new facility has double-occupancy and triple-occupancy rooms.
How can a room be decorated?
Residents are encouraged to personalize and decorate their room. However, residents are not allowed to make repairs or permanent alterations to their rooms (painting, remodeling, etc.).
Am I allowed to bring a car if I live in campus housing?
Yes, you may bring a car if you live on campus. There are specific Campus Housing parking lots on campus.
Will I have access to the Internet from my campus housing?
Each room in the residence hall and every apartment bedroom and living room is equipped with a data jack for Internet connection to the IUPUI network and is wireless enabled.
What computer facilities are available to students living on campus?
Don't have a computer? No problem. The new facility has a computer lab on the first floor for your convenience. Additionally, a variety of computer labs are available for students throughout the campus.
Food
When is the new dining hall scheduled to open?
The new dining hall is scheduled to open in August 2013.
What will the dining hall look like and what kinds of foods will be available?
The new dining hall, with seating for 470, will feature an open, contemporary design with its own culinary and operations staff. Offering fresh, cooked foods, as well as grab-n-go options prepared in the kitchen and served at one of six distinct dining options that is sure to please any palate:
- The Fresh Market – A gourmet salad bar that will feature a variety of salad ingredients and dressings.
- Bakers Crust – A hot Panini sandwich grill that will offer wraps, sandwiches and other specialties.
- All American Grill – A grill that will offer classic American fare such as hotdogs, hamburgers, grilled cheese and French fries.
- Eat, Learn, Live – A fun, interactive style of exhibition cooking featuring education and entertainment.
- The Kitchen – A traditional cafeteria-style option that will feature comfort foods, a variety of ethnic foods, and homestyle meals.
- My Pantry – A self-service option that will feature primarily breakfast and snack foods.
Special dietary menus, such as vegetarian and low–fat, will be available. The IUPUI culinary team can accommodate students with health restrictions that are required to have a mandatory meal plan. Contact details will become available closer to the opening.
How was this dining concept developed?
The Pulse on Dining food service concept was developed by Chartwells – IUPUI’s exclusive food service provider. Pulse on Dining uses a generational approach to cater to the needs of today’s college students and has changed the face of residential food service. IUPUI is one of 100 campuses nationwide to offer this contemporary concept.
Is there truly a need for student dining on the IUPUI campus?
A quality dining program is beyond basic sustenance; it is critical to student recruitment and retention efforts. In addition, the community aspect of student housing and dining provides a social gathering place for students to connect.
How will the dining hall help IUPUI attract and retain students?
Several national studies have shown that students living on campus have higher retention rates and grade point averages. In addition, a dining hall will make it much more attractive for students to live on campus and will have a significant impact on student life for residential students.
Why was it important for IUPUI to offer this concept as opposed to traditional student dining hall?
This concept was designed to blend the traditional student-dining hall experience with culinary and design innovation to give students, faculty, staff and the general public maximum variety.
This seems to have more of a restaurant atmosphere than cafeteria atmosphere. Was that intentional?
IUPUI's goal was to create a sense of community using a cutting-edge residential dining concept that aligned with the campus's goals and vision for the future.
Will the dining hall be available only to students of the new residence hall or will it be available to all students who live on campus?
The new dining hall will be available to all IUPUI students, faculty and staff, as well as to the general public.
Will students have to purchase a meal plan to use the dining hall? What about faculty, staff, students and the general public?
For students who live on campus at Ball Hall and the new residence hall, the dining hall will require a mandatory meal plan. Faculty, staff and all other students will have the option to choose a voluntary meal plan or can purchase their meals with cash, credit card, or JagTag. Members of the general public can pay with cash or credit card.
Why is it important for IUPUI to offer students a meal plan?
An important part of campus life is eating in a dining hall with your friends. And through the meal plan, parents can be confident in knowing their children's dining needs will be met every day.
How much does the dining plan cost? How does that compare to other schools?
There will be two mandatory meal plans from which students who live on campus in Ball Hall and the new residence hall can choose. There are currently four voluntary plans from which faculty, staff, and students can choose. Learn more about these plans at food.iupui.edu.
Mandatory
The Unlimited Meal Plan, available seven days a week, will cost $3,500 per year. This is competitive with other urban universities:
- University of Toledo - $3,295
- Georgia State University - $3,590
- University of Cincinnati - $4,140
The 16 Meal Plan Plus, also available seven days a week, will cost $3,300 and offers $300 in flex money that can be used at all IUPUI food service locations.
Voluntary
The 16 Meal Plan Plus costs $1,650 per semester and consists of 16 Meal Swipes per week and $150 Flex Dollars.
The Jags Meal Plan costs $800 per semester and consists of 40 Meal Swipes and $560 Flex Dollars.
The Jaws Meal Plan costs $500 per semester and consists of 30 Meal Swipes and $305 Flex Dollars.
The Jinx Meal Plan costs $250 per semester and consists of 20 Meal Swipes and $110 Flex Dollars.
How do I purchase the dining plan?
The voluntary meal plans can be purchased as an optional fee during class registration or online on the IUPUI Food Service website.
The mandatory meal plan sign up information will be sent along with the housing contracts for students residing in Ball Hall or University Tower.
How does the meal plan work?
The meal plan will be uploaded to the faculty, staff, or student’s JagTag – the official identification card for IUPUI. The JagTag will work like a debit card. Each time the card is swiped, a meal or flex dollars are deducted from your plan.
Can I purchase more meals if I use all of my meals before the end of the year?
The mandatory meal plans will not run out before the end of the semester or year so parents can be confident in knowing their child's dining needs will be met every day. For those with voluntary meal plans there are several smaller meal plans from which you can choose should your meals run out before the end of the semester.
How can I participate in the meal plan if I'm on a special diet?
Discuss your needs with a culinary team member - contact details will become available closer to the opening.
Can I eat at any given time, or will there be specific hours?
During the academic year, the University Tower Dining Hall will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and brunch hours 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For all other IUPUI Food Services locations, the most up-to-date hours of operation are available on the website.
What is happening to Our Den, Chancellor's, The Faculty Club and Artisan's (the gift shop)?
Chancellor's and Our Den will close for renovation on Nov. 29 and Nov. 30, respectively. The Bistro, located on the second floor of The Tower, will serve as the temporary restaurant until summer 2013. When the restaurant reopens on the first floor, it will offer a refreshed atmosphere featuring the fun, elegance and favorite menu items of both Chancellor's and Our Den. For reservations at the Bistro, please call 317-327-5221
The Faculty Club will not be affected and will remain open throughout the conversion process.
Artisan's will be closed Nov. 30, 2012 and reopen Jan. 7, 2013 as a café that will feature 'grab and go' beverages, Caribou Coffee, snacks, and prepared meals for people 'on-the-go.'
Will the ballrooms still be available for catered events?
The ballroom on the first floor, as well as meeting rooms on the second floor, will be available for catered events.
Parking
Convenient underground parking for students and visitors is located in the heart of campus in Tower Garage, the former University Place Hotel garage, and located beneath University Tower and Hine Hall.
How many spaces are in Tower Garage?
374
Will a pass be needed to park in the Tower Garage
- Visitors/Customers - Visitors and customer may pull a ticket and pay prevailing rates or pay with a validation ticket upon exiting the garage.
- Students/Employees - Students and employees may purchase a TG (Tower Garage) parking permit for use in this garage only.
Will any spaces be set aside for residents of the student housing? If not, where will they park?
Yes, although that number has not yet been determined. Additional "CH" parking (designated for Campus Housing residents only) will be available in nearby surface lots.
What is the cost for a TG permit?
Garage permits are currently only $58 a month and guarantees you will always have a parking space in the heart of campus. To purchase a permit, please email permits@iupui.edu.
Are TG permits accepted at other locations on campus?
TG permits can be used after 4pm in A, B, and E surface spaces and Barnhill, Blackford Street, Sports and Gateway garages.
Will it be possible to reserve spaces in the garage if an event is being held in the facility?
Yes. A special events permit would need to be obtained in advance. Anyone wishing to host an event on campus may visit http://www.iupui.edu/outreach/planning/ for additional information.
Will additional parking be available for visitors and customers if Tower Garage gets full?
If the garage becomes full, visitors/customers may also park in the North Street Garage. Nearby surface lots may also be available, but all surface lots require a valid permit at all times.
Classrooms
Which rooms will be used for classrooms?
The following 15 rooms will be utilized as classrooms: 102, 118, 132, 137, 138, 206, 208, 216, 219, 222, 223, 226, 231, 232, and 236 beginning January, 2013.
Will the auditorium be used for classes?
The auditorium will be available for events. It will not be added to the general inventory classroom list.
When will classes start being held in these rooms?
January 2013.
Can other rooms in the building that are too small for classrooms be reserved for meetings or study groups?
Yes, “breakout” rooms can be scheduled by the Registrar’s Office for group work; “breakout” rooms are too small for a scheduled meeting.
How will the rooms be configured for classes?
Most rooms are laid out classroom style, with moveable tables and chairs allowing for maximum flexibility. Two rooms (118 and 231) are tiered. Rooms 118 and 231 have fixed tables and moveable chairs.
Will they be fitted with the same equipment as all other campus classrooms?
All 15 classrooms will be outfitted like other general inventory classrooms on campus..
How will it be determined which classes use the University Place rooms?
The Registrar's Office will be scheduling the rooms just like all of the other general inventory classrooms.
Meetings and Events
Upon conversion to a residence hall and academic building, will there be rooms available for special events and lectures?
Yes. Special events and lectures can be hosted in the auditorium, ballroom and existing meeting rooms beginning in the spring 2013 semester. We also encourage our campus and community partners to use the IUPUI Campus Center and other public spaces for events, workshops and lectures.
What is the new use of meeting rooms on the second floor?
The meeting rooms on the second floor will become available meeting spaces for campus units and conference use during regular business hours. After hours and on weekends, these spaces will be used by Housing and Residence Life student and professional staff for programs and services provided to the residential students.
What will happen to the Ballroom?
The Ballroom will become a multipurpose space that will be available for campus-related functions.
Will the Ballroom still be available for catered events?
The Ballroom, as well as meeting rooms on the second floor, will be available for catered events.
Will food or catering service be available in the meeting or conference rooms?
Meeting and conference rooms will have options for catering service through Chartwells – IUPUI's food service provider.
Will the Bistro remain as food service?
In the interim, The Bistro, located on the second floor of The Tower, will serve as the temporary restaurant and open Dec. 3. The hours of operation will be Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m., and Friday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. For reservations, please call 317-327-5221. Upon completion of the first floor restairant renovation, the Bistro will be converted to resident lounge space for Housing and Residence Life resident use.
As the hotel coverts to a residence hall, will IUPUI have lodging available?
As of December 2012, no on-campus lodging will be available to visitors during the school year. However, during the summer, campus apartments, traditional residence hall rooms and other facilities will be available for rental on a limited basis.
Will the residence hall be available during the summer for conference lodging?
Yes. Traditional residence hall rooms, campus apartments and other housing on campus will be available for rental on a limited basis.
Can the community access IUPUI event space?
Yes. IUPUI has built its national reputation on civic engagement and we encourage strategic partnerships to engage our students, faculty and staff on campus. Priority space will be reserved for special events that further the goals of the community, encourage economic development of the region and support the academic and research mission of the institution.
What is happening to the conferences previously scheduled in the conference center or the hotel after November 30, 2012?
All of the event planners have been contacted and alternative locations have been recommended.
How will arrangements or inquiries for meetings and events be managed?
A conference service unit will be established to broker conference, special event and meeting requests to available venues at IUPUI or to conference facilities adjacent to the campus. Priorities for the auditorium, ballroom and high end conference space will be matched with requests for events that further the goals of the community, encourage economic development of the region and support the academic and research mission of the institution.
How will reservations be made for the meeting rooms, and when will they be online and available?
The reservation process has not yet been determined.
Will there be fees associated with reserving meeting room spaces?
Yes; however the fees have not yet been determined.
Who will be allowed to reserve rooms?
IUPUI student organizations, staff, departments and other affiliated or sponsored organizations will be able to reserve these rooms.
What services will be provided to event planners?
Meeting room reservations, on-site event services, catering, parking, technical and audio visual support.
Office Space
What will happen to the front desk area on the hotel side of the building?
The front desk will become the Housing and Residence Life Community Office for this residential facility.
Will Ray’s Salon stay open through the conversion?
Information has yet to be determined.
What is happening to the National Art Museum of Sport?
The National Art Museum of Sport plans to relocate in 2013 and is evaluating numerous proposals in multiple cities for its next home.
Are there other uses planned for any of the meeting or office spaces in the building?
Open spaces throughout the first and second floors will remain as community or informal learning spaces for students, staff and campus visitors to congregate and socialize during regular building hours. After hours, the open spaces will be available for residential student use only.
Security
Once the conference center and hotel is converted into a residence hall and academic building, will there be a police presence?
The IU Police Department at Indianapolis will patrol the building and surrounding area and respond to the building as needed.
What do I do if I need to contact the IU police in the new residence hall or academic building?
The IUPD will respond to crimes in progress or any reported crimes. IUPUI faculty, students and staff are encouraged to call 911 from a campus phone or dial 317-274-7911 from a cell phone or landline phone. Additionally, a landline phone from which to call IUPD will be available in the hallway on each floor of the residence hall.
Once the conversion process starts, will the general public, IUPUI faculty, staff, students and IU Health employees, patients, visitors have access to the skywalk that connects the hotel with IU Health University Hospital?
Beginning Nov. 30, the tunnel will be closed for construction until spring 2013.
Once the conversion is complete, will the skywalk between the residence hall and University Hospital reopen to all?
The skywalk will offer general access upon completion; however, it will not be accessible after hours. The exact hours of operation have not yet been determined.
Will the residence hall be secured after hours?
Yes.
What hours will be residence hall be secured?
The times have not yet been determined.
Once the building is secured after hours, will IUPUI faculty, staff and students (non-residents) still be able to access the various dining options in the residence hall?
Only IUPUI faculty, staff and students with a meal plan will have access to the dining options during the designated hours of operation.
How will student residents and IUPUI faculty, staff and students with a meal plan enter the residence hall after hours?
The JagTag will provide after-hours entry for those with a meal plan.
Will the locks on all of the hotel room doors be changed once the hotel rooms are converted to dorm rooms?
Yes. All locks within the residence hall will be changed for added security.
Will the academic building be secured after hours?
Yes.
What hours will the academic building be secured?
The times have not yet been determined.
