The IUPUI Campus Center
About the Center
Director's Blog
April 30, 2008
Greetings from the Campus Center!
It is hard to believe that the spring semester has come to a close, and we are in the midst of finals. I wish all students good luck on completing their projects, research papers and presentations, and much success on their final examinations. As a part-time student, I too am finishing my take home examination and a final paper as I write my blog today.
There are three areas that I want to address today that will hopefully provide you with a better understanding of where we are in our process.
- A wireless Campus Center. It is my understanding that for the most part, there is a fairly good signal throughout the Campus Center. I have been informed by UITS that until the new wireless system starts being rolled out, they will not be adding any of the older wireless spots anywhere on campus. The new wireless system has been approved and plans are underway for the rollout on the Indianapolis and Bloomington campuses.
Until the new wireless system is installed, please let me know if you are having any concerns, and I can bring it to the attention of our partners in UITS. I also hope to have a wireless map created, based on where the wireless jacks are and what spaces are covered by them. I have been told the Library has a wireless map, and I would like to have one created for us here at the Campus Center, as well. - An accessible Campus Center. I must personally apologize for the lack of timeliness in getting all of our ADA doors in compliance. I am fully aware that we have been challenged with the doors since we opened. Each and every note of concern and complaint is welcomed and serves as a reminder that we still have work to get done. Please know that I relay each message on to the University Architects Office, who in return works directly with the General Contractor to resolve the issue.
The ADA Doors were set up with both the push button to activate the door and a sensor above the door to stop a door from opening up on anyone. This has been most challenging on the sky bridge doors. What had been happening was that even when the door was activated by an individual pushing the button, if someone was standing on the side that the doors open into, the sensor would stop the door from moving. The sensor cannot determine the individual's mobility capability who is in front of the swing range of the door. Therefore, to ensure no one will be hurt, it simply stops the door from moving. This gives the impression that the doors are not working, when truly the door and sensor are doing exactly what they were designed to do. I am also aware we have had little success in getting the ADA doors on the University/Vermont intersection to work properly. Again, I am consistently reminding the Architects Office of this matter. - A smoke free campus includes the parameter of the Campus Center. Please note that the patio space along the south side of the Campus Center (Vermont Street) is not a place for individuals to smoke; neither is the space around the base of the bell tower. Individuals are not permitted to smoke in the Vermont Street garage outside of the Campus Center entrances, in the loading dock or by any of the entrances. Given the fact that the Campus Center is an IUPUI facility, there is no smoking anywhere permitted inside of the facility.
While Michigan and University are both public streets and individuals are permitted to smoke by the streets, one is not permitted to stand right by the Campus Center or on the steps outside of the Starbucks area. I must ask individuals who choose to smoke to respect the campus Tobacco Free policy. I will also ask those of you who do not smoke to respect the right of those who choose do so. What I am seeking is mutual respect for the designated spaces as outlined in the policy. Any questions about the policy can be directed to the Dean of Students Office.
This has been a successful first semester for the Campus Center. I want to thank everyone for working so hard, demonstrating an immense amount of patience, and for your good wishes. I am looking forward to summer, which will provide us all new experiences as we explore how the Campus Center complements the summer activities at IUPUI. Enjoy your summer and please let us know about your experiences at the Campus Center via our online suggestion box.
Peace,
Dan
