VU approves bonds for VU Jasper building and student enrollment on the rise

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Board of Trustees approved $8 million in bonds to finance the construction of an Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center that is now under construction at the VU Jasper Campus. Old National Bank will provide bond financing at 2.35 percent for 15 years.

The new VUJC Center will add more than 54,000 square feet of laboratory and classroom space for instruction in the latest technologies needed for workers to succeed in the modern workforce. The building is expected to be completed in March with dedication planned in the spring.

In other business the VU Board re-elected three officers. John Stachura, Vincennes, will serve as first vice chair; Reggie Henderson, McCordsville, will serve as second vice chair; and Darrell Bobe, Vincennes, will serve as secretary. John R. Gaylor, Noblesville, was re-elected chair of the Board at its Oct. 1 meeting.

Student applications for enrollment are up, according to a report from Kristi Deetz, senior director for External Relations. Deetz said that spring semester applications are up at the Vincennes Campus and she cited an 8 percent increase in first-time freshman applicants as contributing to the increase. She reported that applications at the VU Jasper Campus and Aviation Technology Center (ATC) for the spring semester are also up compared to this time last year.

Looking ahead to Fall Semester 2013, Deetz said applications are running ahead of this time last year for the Vincennes, Jasper, and ATC campuses. She also reported that 84 school groups have toured the Vincennes Campus since Sept. 1. More than 3,200 students have participated in the group tours this semester – more than double the number of students who did so last year.