changes coming to Valpo's campus!

[vu72]

If you haven't listened to it, go to the WVUR site and listen to the interview with President Heckler. Although he did not mention athletics, he did say that over the next few years there will be several new buildings.

He also said that the old union will be torn down very soon with a new building,of yet to be determined purposes, to take its place.

He also discussed the increase in enrollment. This man is extremely dynamic. We have a wonderful leader at the helm.

[jerome1]

www.valpo.edu/student/wvur/ (scroll down to "Heckler Interview" 4/26/10)

He talks about whats on his ipod-favorite music, his use of his blackberry, his attending classes by switching roles with a student, The Stategic Plan for VU including Enrollment Goal (6,000), met with Student Senate on 4/26/10 in the evening to present Strategic Plan......etc, VU-TV, moving student communictions to internet.

[agibson]

It's an audio clip - if that matters to anyone else I suppose it should have been obvious from, e.g. "WVUR".

[okinawatyphoon]

Great interview, thanks for posting! I'm particularly happy to hear that a new "Welcome Center" will be developed starting in the Fall, combining Admissions, Financial Aid, and Alumni relations in one new building.

[jerome1]

It was kind of interesting that the President of the university related the story of alumni stumbling around "old campus" and not being able to find any of the buildings being there that they remembered as students. Can you imagine you as a student today coming back and finding all the buildings that exist today being gone and a whole new campus with new buildings being built south of US30 on some farm land near the Walmart?

[vu72]

I'm not sure how "old" the alumni in question are, maybe jj, but remember that all the dorms were built in the early 60's and Guild/Memorial was built in the 40's, I think. The Chapel was built 50 years ago. When I was a student, 1967-72, Gelerson was there, Neils was there also. The old union was certainly a big part of college life.

Sure, most of the classes were on old campus but the notion that alumni would not have a clue where anything was happening is a bit of hyperbole. Still, the idea of an alumni center is a very good. Next a field house and renovations to the ARC!!

[78crusader]

VU72,

Your comment re the fieldhouse has me wondering: do you know something we don't know?

I'm in agreement that the fieldhouse is something that needs to be built. I think you could make an argument that a fieldhouse is the most important new addition that could be made to campus. Most if not all of our competitors have one. (I refer to our "competitors" as competitors for students.) President Heckler specifically mentioned in his interview a new dorm and a welcome center. The dorm I can understand, but I don't get the welcome center. Might be a nice addition, but I don't view it as a "must have." To me, the "must haves" would be a new/remodeled science building, a new dorm, and a fieldhouse.

While we're at it, how 'bout a new track? I still maintain the football field, even though it has a very nice new turf, looks kinda silly without a track.

Paul

[vuweathernerd]

isn't the track still scheduled to go in this summer?

[vu72]

May 2, 2010 0:38:35 GMT -5 vuweathernerd said:

isn't the track still scheduled to go in this summer?

I wish. Where did you hear that? The only thing I know of going in this summer is the new floor and lights at Brown Field.

[vuweathernerd]

i thought the lights and track were supposed to go in as part of the same project...thought i read it on here somewhere.

[valpofan56]

I thought they couldn't put the lights in until Porter officially closed. Is Porter moving to their new location on Rt. 6 already?

[vu72]

May 2, 2010 14:32:32 GMT -5 valpofan56 said:

I thought they couldn't put the lights in until Porter officially closed. Is Porter moving to their new location on Rt. 6 already?

The university thought that was the case but checked with the FAA and got approval. Money was already in place so should go forward this summer.

As for both going in together, no, the money for the track hasn't been raised to my knowledge.

[okinawatyphoon]

The track should definitely be a top priority. As for the welcome center, I believe it is necessary and am glad it is receiving priority. This project might be the idea of the President and new VP for Enrollment, but I don't know. Kretzmann Hall is currently a hideous first impression for families visiting, and is too cramped and outdated. Handicap accessibility is terrible as well. If the President wants to increase enrollment, you have to start in Admissions. Currently the admissions office is overflowing and not very conducive to recruitment. Sometimes we don't even have enough seating for prospective students and families because the office is so small. And with plans for more students, there will need to be more admissions counselors and staff as well, and there's no room currently.
As for combining it with financial aid and alumni relations, I think it's a great idea. I'm glad this project is receiving priority but I do think a fieldhouse for the ARC is right up there along with the track.

[granny]

How about Softball?
not enough seating[1/2 fans leave]
no press box
no concessions
Terrible drainage, especially in coaching/foul territory & OF.
no cages for pitchers to warmup in/batting.
no lights[couldn't hold conference tourney if they won.
Like I recently read, you can measure what a university thinks of a program,by the # of port-o-potties. ::lol

[wayne]

May 2, 2010 18:03:53 GMT -5 @granny said:

How about Softball?
not enough seating[1/2 fans leave]
no press box
no concessions
Terrible drainage, especially in coaching/foul territory & OF.
no cages for pitchers to warmup in/batting.
no lights[couldn't hold conference tourney if they won.
Like I recently read, you can measure what a university thinks of a program,by the # of port-o-potties. :