FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – In an expected move, Purdue University Board of Trustees voted to approve the plan of realignment for IPFW Friday afternoon, according to a press release from IPFW.
Under the proposal, IPFW’s name may be changed and replaced with Purdue Fort Wayne. The realignment, which would create two separate universities with Purdue controlling the bulk of the campus, was approved by Indiana University Board of Trustees 7-2 on December 1.
The realignment was proposed following a study conducted by the Indiana Legislative Services Agency (LSA), along with both Purdue and IU. Recommendations were released in January 2016.
Last Friday, IPFW Alumni came out against the realignment move, while the IPFW Faculty Senate had previously voiced its opposition to the plan. A petition was also started by IPFW students to stop the split.
IPFW said in a statement Friday that they will continue to work with Purdue and IU as they focus on their academic mission areas.
“Today, the Purdue University Board of Trustees voted to approve an agreement and plan of realignment for IPFW that lays the framework for the future governance of the Fort Wayne campus,” the statement reads.
“This follows the Dec. 1 approval by the Indiana University Trustees and marks the key step needed to move the plan forward. IPFW will continue working with Purdue and IU as they focus on their academic mission areas with a view toward a successful future for our students, our campus community, our city, and the northeast Indiana region.”
The realignment will take effect in 2018.