Academics

I would describe most of the teachers I’ve had as being very motivated. There have been the occasional ones who seemed very disinterested, but for the most part, all of them seemed motivated and have a genuine interest in teaching the subject matter. The very best ones, however, are the ones who make the classes interesting and inspirational and who project a motivating spirit. Teachers have office hours for meeting with students, and many sacrifice their time after class to talk with students. There are other resources available for students, as well. In many cases, tutors are also available. This can be an invaluable resource for students, as it has been for me.

Athletics

Every once in a while, the basketball coach brings free food to students on campus, advertising the team and recruiting spectators. It seems the team performs better when they have the support of spectators from IUPUI; unfortunately, attendance at the varsity sports games is limited. IM sports, on the other hand, do not have recruitment. With that said, though, I do not believe the IM activities are very ‘big’ either.

Campus Dining

This is one area on campus that has been lacking for some time. On campus, the University has several cafeteria-style dining options and numerous vending areas but no real restaurant-style eateries. The only exception to this is the University Place Hotel. The hotel has a food court, a sports bar, and a restaurant that are just across the street from most of the academic buildings. With that said, however, most of the businesses inside the food court are there one month and gone the next.

Campus Housing

The oldest dorms on campus are located at Ball Residence Hall. Unless you want to room with cockroaches and other creepy things, just say no. Also, the police department is housed in the basement and first floor of the west wing of Ball residence, and yes, they have to fight with the cockroaches for control of the space as well! The other housing options on campus include student apartments and married-student housing. The student apartments are pretty nice and were just built within the last few years.

Campus Strictness

Campus police respond to all calls for service, no matter what the nature. Since IUPUI is not a main residential university, there is not a large drug or alcohol problem on campus. This is not to say that this stuff does not happen, just that the police department does not get called to a whole lot of these types of runs. However, when they do, the laws of the state of Indiana and the policies of the University are enforced.

Computers

IUPUI replaces most of the computers in the labs every couple of years, some more often. The University has boasted that they have some of the most advanced computers, networks, and programs available in a university setting. All computer labs have a lab technician assigned to them during hours of operation, and a few labs on campus are open 24 hours a day. There is even a 24-hour hotline run by the University Information Technology Services (UITS). Along with the new School of Informatics, IUPUI is at the forefront of technology.

Diversity

Since IUPUI is located in an urban setting in downtown Indianapolis, the University is very diverse. Not only do the students, staff, and faculty come from many different backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities, but the many visitors to the University and the city (and the five local hospitals) contribute to the diversity of the area as well.

Drug Scene

There are several police officers on campus, so I am sure that people don’t get away with doing drugs too often. Possessing and dealing may be different. There are several places to hang out that aren’t in view of the police. I’m sure it happens—just like it would at most any public university.

Facilities

Most facilities on campus are nice. My first semester here I paid my rec fee and used some of the athletic facilities to work out. The weight room is in the basement of the natatorium and looks dark and dank when you first walk in. To be quite honest, it feels like a depressing dungeon and doesn’t seem as clean as it could be. I wish they would brighten the place up a bit. I recommend using the track and the Olympic-size swimming pool. But the weight facilities are not recommended.

Greek Life

Since IUPUI is a commuter college, for the most part, the Greek life is very lacking. There are sororities and fraternities, none of which have a residence or ‘house’ in or around the campus. The only exception to this is the headquarters for the national nursing sorority/fraternity, the office for which is located on campus.

Guys & Girls

Hot, cold, and everything in between. I am not dating right now because I have a husband, but it seems like the young people that come to campus are pretty pleased with the way they look to one another. They dress in the latest fashions and drive nice cars. I don’t know. I guess there are good-looking people around here.

Local Atmosphere

Indianapolis is a pretty open town. It is comparable to many other college towns, with the exception that, due to IUPUI being an urban campus, it also has an older population of college students who utilize its unique location and abilities. There are at least 3 other universities here in town. There is nothing that I would recommend staying away from, but there is a wide diversity of entertainment and some unique sites, such as the Eiteljorg Museum and the NCAA, which is located here in town. In addition, there is a broad spectrum of cultural events ranging from opera to Broadway plays that can be seen through out the year.

Nightlife

IUPUI is a commuter university and only has a small percentage of residential units. The master plan for the University is to change that into a more residential campus in the near future. As a result, there are not too many parties that go on within the campus itself.

Off-Campus Dining

As the campus is located in a downtown urban environment, the restaurants off campus are about as good, or better, than anywhere in the country. There is a number of nice but affordable eating places (Qdoba, Hotbox Pizza, Au Bon Pain, Nothing But Noodles) near campus. There are also numerous bar and grills, chain restaurants, and upscale restaurants within a five- to ten-minute walk.

Off-Campus Housing

I found a cheap apartment less than 10 minutes from campus that was in a nice area and convenient. I chose whether or not I wanted a roommate, and I saved money on gas!

Overall Experience

I can’t complain too much. There will be problems everywhere you go. My concern is with parking and the athletic facilities. I love my professors and they seem to care about my success. I have many home phone numbers of my professors—this is nice, and it has come in handy on many occasions. I feel challenged yet befriended by my teachers, and this makes for a quality education.

Parking

Parking Services sells more permits than there are parking spots. Parking is a nightmare in the first few weeks of school. After that, it’s still a pain, but less maddening. Try not to drive to school until mid-semester.

Safety & Security

IUPUI is a very safe university. The University has a full-time police department of approximately 40 police officers and 12 or so security officers. The crime that is of most concern to students is theft. The police department handles several hundred theft reports a year, most of which are crimes of opportunity when a student leaves his or her belongings and walks away for a few minutes to get something.

Transportation

Along with University transportation, the city of Indianapolis operates IndyGo buses that pick up and drop off students throughout the city and suburbs. As an added feature, IndyGo has added the Red Line and the Blue Line that provide free transportation around the IUPUI campus and the downtown loop.

Weather

Weather is typical Indiana weather. In the summer, it’s really hot, but if you go to summer school, it’s really cool in the buildings. Some girls bring sweaters or jackets to put on if they get cold. In the winter, it’s the same thing: it’s cold outside, but you want to wear layers in case you get hot inside.