Over 75 students, alumni and staff from Indiana University East will attend Indiana University’s 18th annual Hoosiers for Higher Education Statehouse Visit on Tuesday, February 17.  This year Purdue University will join IU as part of Innovation Alliance Day.

IU East is taking its largest group ever to discuss higher education and the campus’ request for a Health and Wellness Center with state senators and representatives. IU has included $17.5 million for construction of the center in its 2009-11 capital appropriations request submitted to the General Assembly this year.

The proposed construction of a 73,000 gross square foot Health and Wellness Center would be jointly used with Ivy Tech Community College, serving a total of 6,000 students and programming in intercollegiate athletics, health and wellness, physical education, recreation, and other student events.  The center would serve as the home for IU East’s new intercollegiate athletic programs.

While at the Statehouse, the group will hear remarks from IU President Michael McRobbie and Purdue University President France Córdova. After meeting with state legislators, the group will attend a reception at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.

Hoosiers for Higher Education is a grassroots advocacy organization that is sponsored by the Indiana University Alumni Association and works in conjunction with the IU Office of the Vice President for Public Affairs and Government Relations. For more information, contact Terry Wiesehan, IU East director of Alumni Relations and Campus Events at (765) 973-8221 or e-mail twiesaha@iue.edu.