McRobbie: Tough economy offers challenges, opportunities for IU

Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie invoked the tough economic times following the Great Depression and the vision of former president and chancellor Herman B Wells in his State of the University speech, delivered this afternoon in Alumni Hall.

The IU president pointed out that many of the university’s iconic buildings were launched or constructed in the 1930s, when labor was cheap, and he described the current recession as a time of similar opportunity to improve the university infrastructure.

In a related matter, McRobbie called for an Old Crescent Academic Working Group to convene and develop a long-term plan to convert several buildings in the older area of campus from administrative offices back into classrooms and student housing. He specifically said “priority should be given to considering units presently housed in the Agnes Wells Quadrangle (Memorial, Goodbody, Morrison and Sycamore halls). This will allow the Wells Quad to be returned to use as central campus student housing.