IU Kokomo could build new building if bill passes

Posted: March 19, 2009

By Peter Adelsen

A Health Education and Wellness Center could be a possibility at Indiana University at Kokomo as House Bill 1001 was passed by the Indiana House and awaits Senate and committee approval. Indiana University is requesting $17.5 million in bonding authority for the proposed 73,000-square-foot center.

This is not a new idea to have this building on campus. This building was on the master plan of the campus since 1977, according to Jack Tharp, vice chancellor of student services.

The campus has chosen three preliminary sites for this possible building. One site is east of the Kelley Student Center in a current parking lot, another is located west of the parking garage on the south side of the campus, and the other is located on 4 acres of land purchased last year. That land is north of the parking garage on Rebecca Street, according to Tharp. However, the location of the building may change if the architectural firm finds a better location, he said.

Preliminary plans for the building include two full-size basketball courts, jogging track, weight and fitness areas, shower and locker rooms, and a student lounge, according to the news release. It would also be dedicated to health education studies that would have a lecture-style classroom.

Tharp said that this building would give the possibility of adding physical education to the curriculum and offering intercollegiate athletics.

However, this building is not going to be offered free to students. The current model is to include a student activity fee to tuition, much like Indiana University at Bloomington and Ball State University already do, he said. The plan is to take a portion of the student activity fee to pay for operating the building.

"The tuition may not necessarily increase," Tharp said. "The impact that students are going to see will not be substantial."

Traditionally, tuition pays for faculty salaries and indebtedness in buildings, he said.

Student body president Grason Bolinger is also in favor of the proposed building.

"I think it's probably a good thing for the university if they want to attract more students," Bolinger said. "At the same time, I can see the other perspective where there are some people who are seniors now, like myself, not that I feel this way, who don't want to see an increase in tuition or fees in order to fund something that they are never going to benefit from."

There is also a possibility that this facility may not be limited to its students. Ivy Tech students may be able to use their ID card and pay an appropriate fee comparable to the IU Kokomo students, Tharp said.

Currently, the campus rents off-campus facilities, such as the YMCA and the Kokomo Sports Center for its health, physical education and recreation classes.

Senior teaching major David Simms says this project would benefit not only the campus but also the city.

"Anytime you can bring a construction project of that nature and size, the community as a whole will benefit," he said. "I also believe that projects like this are essential for IU Kokomo to continue its growth."

Simms said that he would definitely use the facility if it were to be completed.

If the bill were passed, Indiana University-East would also get a Health and Wellness Center as well.

Link: http://kokomoperspective.com/news/article_75659119-f3bf-5a0d-97e3-4e4324b00229.html