Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Names suggested for unified NWI Purdue campuses

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HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) - Seven names being considered for the consolidation of Purdue University’s Calumet and North Central regional campuses share a decidedly maritime theme.

The suggestions being considered by the new campus’ Unification Committee include Purdue University Lakefront and Purdue University South Shore. Others have suggested following the university’s name with these monikers: Lake Michigan, Lake Shore, Lakeshore, Lakeside or Shoreline.

Students, faculty, staff, alumni and others were invited to participate in a survey on the seven names April 16-21, The (Munster) Times reported. Results will go before the Unification Committee on May 9 along with other suggestions and comments. Suggestions are still being accepted.

However, some are not satisfied with the naming process so far. The Purdue Calumet chapter of the American Association of University Professors sent a letter to Calumet Chancellor Thomas Keon and North Central Chancellor James Dworkin saying the committee was not adhering to a process outlined in its first meeting.

“Considering the secretive and non-participatory manner in which the unification as a whole was conceived and announced, we had hoped that PUC administrators and members of the Unification Committee would be careful to show faculty, staff and students how much their input was valued as unification moves forward. It is not too late to do so,” the letter said.

The merger of the administrations of the two campuses about 35 miles apart in northwestern Indiana was announced in February following directives by Purdue’s Board of Trustees and university President Mitch Daniels to cut administrative costs. The Calumet campus in Hammond has about 9,500 students, and the North Central campus in Westville has about 5,500 students.

The name selection is an ongoing process, Purdue Calumet spokesman Wes Lukoshus said.

“The overall selection process being used is based on best practices in marketing and naming of an organization,” Lukoshus said in an email.

The Unification Committee will continue reviewing options until it is satisfied with one or more names to recommend to the Board of Trustees, Lukoshus said.

Posted 4/28/2014

 

 

 

 

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