Future uncertain for Purdue buildings in Valparaiso

VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) - The future is uncertain for a two-building Purdue University campus in Valparaiso in northwestern Indiana following the creation of Purdue University Northwest under a merger.

The Higher Learning Commission approved the creation of the school, formed by the unification of Purdue University Calumet in Hammond and Purdue University North Central in Westville, and it took effect March 4, according to Purdue University.

Purdue North Central opened a Valparaiso academic center 16 years ago that offered a Master of Business Administration program and courses in other programs. A second building was opened in 2006 as a result of interest, prompting a name change to Purdue North Central-Porter County, The (Munster) Times (http://bit.ly/1XbBuHN) reported.

Purdue Northwest spokesman Wes Lukoshus said the Valparaiso facility has seen decreasing enrollment recently, and the number of credit hours taken by students has declined. But he said both buildings are occupied and no buildings or property at the site are for sale.

Consolidating the MBA program at the Westville campus is being considered, Lukoshus said, given "notable program enrollment" among Michigan residents.

Lukoshus declined to speculate as to whether the two buildings would be open in the fall, only saying that "plans for the fall have yet to be finalized."

Purdue trustees gave their approval to create Purdue Northwest in July 2014. It will have more than 15,000 students and offer more than 70 graduate and undergraduate programs, according to a news release.

Purdue Calumet Chancellor Thomas Keon was named chancellor-designate of Purdue Northwest in the fall.

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Information from: The Times, http://www.thetimesonline.com