University of Southern Indiana

Infobox University
name = University of Southern Indiana


motto = Live Wisely
established = 1965
type = Public
endowment = US $66 million [cite news | title=Statement of Financial Position | publisher=USI Foundation | accessdate=2008-09-25 | url=http://www.usi.edu/giving/assets.asp]
president = Dr. H. Ray Hoops
city = Evansville
state = Indiana
country = USA
students = more than 10,000
faculty = 821
campus = Suburban: convert|1400|acre|km2|0
free_label = Athletics
free = 13 Division II NCAA teams, called Screaming Eagles
colors = Red, White, and Blue
mascot = Archibald Eagle (Archie)
website = [http://www.usi.edu www.usi.edu] The University of Southern Indiana (USI) is a public university in Evansville, Indiana. This publicly-funded institution is rapidly growing and is the fastest growing comprehensive state university in Indiana. [cite web | title=University of Southern Indiana | publisher=Indiana College Network | url=http://www.icn.org/admissions_and_registration/participating_institutions/university_of_southern_indiana.html | accessdate=2006-12-18] Fall enrollment figures in 2004 broke 10,000 students for the first time. The University boasts a modern convert|300|acre|km2|1|sing=on suburban campus situated within wooded rolling hills. [cite web | title=University of Southern Indiana Profile | publisher=ISEP | url=http://www.isep.org/students/Directory/member_site.asp?CSID=17&ID=210 | accessdate=2007-01-03]

History

Regional campus

The University of Southern Indiana began in 1965 as a regional branch of Indiana State University, which is located in Terre Haute. Classes were originally held in a former elementary school on the west side of Evansville known as Centennial School – denoting the year it was built in 1876. The property was leased from Bristol-Myers Squibb, which still has a large facility nearby.

In 1971, the school moved to its current campus on the western edge of Evansville. The first buildings constructed were the original Library and the University Center. Slowly the school built facilities, as funding became available during the Indiana State University-Evansville period.

Independence

The relationship with Indiana State University was an awkward one from the start. Local leaders, who were not pleased with the level of support, contended that if the campus was to thrive it would need to gain independent status.cite news|title=USI independence was struggle | publisher=Evansville Courier & Press | url=http://web.courierpress.com/features/150/hist1012.htm | accessdate=2007-03-25] A coordinated effort was made to establish the campus as an independent state university.

Opposition came immediately from Indiana State University along with Indiana University and Purdue, which were concerned that granting the campus independence would set a precedence for other small branch campuses around the state. However, the local campus continued to rally support from state legislators, business leaders, and local groups.

In 1985, independence was finally granted when Robert D. Orr, an Evansville native, signed the school's charter and started a new chapter as the University of Southern Indiana. Since gaining its independence, USI's growth has continued to where it is now the fastest growing comprehensive university in the state. [cite web | title=University of Southern Indiana | publisher=Indiana College Network | url=http://www.icn.org/admissions_and_registration/participating_institutions/university_of_southern_indiana.html | accessdate=2006-12-18] The University established student housing, diversified the programs offered, and enrollment has more than doubled since gaining its independence.

University expansion

In October, 2006, the University completed a master plan that provides the framework to double the size of the school and support a campus of over 20,000 students. The master plan features key planning principles to guide the University and help it create a cohesive campus as it continues to grow. [cite web| title=USI Master Plan | publisher=University of Southern Indiana | url=http://www.usi.edu/phyplant/mstrplan/USI%20Master%20Plan%20Report.pdf| accessdate=2007-04-22]

tudent body

Over 10,000 students enrolled at USI in the fall of 2006. Although the student population is largely local and regional, the international student population is growing each year. [cite web | title=Tru Collaborators | publisher=The Real U | url=http://www.youthfirstinc.org/realu/acknow.html | accessdate=2007-01-11] The University reported students came from 90 Indiana counties, 36 other states, and 42 other nations for the 2006-2007 academic year. Additionally, more than 15,000 people participate annually in continuing education courses and special programs sponsored by the Division of Extended Services. [cite web | title=USI Fact Sheet | publisher=University of Southern Indiana | url=http://www.usi.edu/facts/index.asp | accessdate=2007-01-23] Over 20,000 students have graduated since 1971. Nearly 75% of USI's graduates remain in Indiana. Annual credit enrollment is expected to exceed 11,000 in the next five years. The University serves an additional 9,000 persons annually through comprehensive noncredit programs of short duration.

Campus

In 1967, the Southern Indiana Higher Education, Inc., (SIHE) acquired convert|1400|acre|km2|0. Since September 1969, the University has occupied convert|300|acre|km2|1, most of which was donated by SIHE. Southern Indiana Higher Education, Inc. still owns convert|1100|acre|km2|0 for development of higher education opportunities.

Nearly all students who live on campus (with the exception of some freshmen who are housed in modern suite-style facilities) are assigned apartments with full kitchens.

A new building for the School of Business, opened in 1990, was named the Orr Center in honor of Governor Robert Orr, an Evansville native. Since then, four other large buildings have been built for the Liberal Arts, Nursing, and Education divisions, as well as a large fitness center for students and faculty. The number of classrooms has more than doubled since the campus was first opened, but the University is still planning for continued growth.

Construction was recently completed on the David L. Rice Library, which opened in the fall semester of 2006. The building is five stories and features computer access, study tables/rooms, and copy machines located on each floor. With the growth of extracurricular organizations, the administration chose to convert the old library building into an extension of the University Center and is connected by an elevated walkway. A new Business and Engineering Center is being built along with several other construction and renovation projects.

Major Facilities

* Byron C. Wright Administration Building (1969)
* Science Center (1969)
* Former Library (1971)
* University Center (1974); expanded (1996)
* Technology Center (1975)
* Physical Activities Center (1980)
* Robert D. Orr Center (1990)
* Frank F. McDonald Apartment Complex (1994)
* Joseph E. O’Daniel Apartment Complex (1994)
* Health Professions Center (1995)
* Liberal Arts Center (1999)
* Art Studio (1999)
* Newman Hall (1999)
* Governors Hall (2000)
* Recreation and Fitness Center (2001)
* O’Bannon Hall (2001)
* Science and Education Center (2003)
* Ruston Hall (2004)
* David L. Rice Library (2006)
* "Business and Engineering Center (2010)"

Academics

Faculty

USI reported in the 2006-2007 academic year that it employed 557 full-time faculty, lecturers, and academic administrators, and 264 part-time faculty. [cite web | title=USI Fact Sheet | publisher=University of Southern Indiana | url=http://www.usi.edu/facts/index.asp | accessdate=2007-01-23] Each college is led by a dean who reports to the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. The Indiana University School of Medicine - Evansville Center, housed in the Health Professions Center, is one of eight regional divisions throughout the state. The center provides classes for first- and second-year medical students.

pecial Programs

The university hosts an interdisciplinary program in International Studies. The director is Patricia Aakhus.

Accreditation

The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and carries several discipline-specific accreditations as well.

Athletics

:"Also see: Sports in Evansville".

The University of Southern Indiana Athletic Department is a competitive member of the NCAA Division II and the Great Lakes Valley Conference. USI sponsors 15 varsity intercollegiate sports. Since 1990, all 15 Screaming Eagles teams have participated in their respective national tournaments and/or were ranked at the national level. USI claimed one national championship (men's basketball, 1995), finished three times as the national finalist (men's basketball, 1994 and 2004; and women's basketball, 1997), and earned one third-place finish (men's cross country, 1982). The men's and women's cross country/track teams have produced five national championships since 1997:

* Elly Rono won three individual titles (1997 NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships, 1998 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships in the 5,000 Meters, and 1998 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the 10,000 m).
* Heather Cooksey won the 2004 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the 3,000 Meters.
* Candace Perry won the 2005 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the Long Jump.

The Screaming Eagles won the 2003-04 GLVC All-Sports Trophy by nine points, the largest margin of victory since Lewis edged USI by 9.5 points in 1986-87. In the 25 year history of the trophy, USI has finished first three times (2003-04, 1993-94, 1982-83); second nine times; third twice; and fourth three times.

Notable Alumni

* Brad Ellsworth (Democrat), member of the United States House of Representatives in the 110th Congress, Indiana's 8th congressional district and former Sheriff of Vanderburgh County, Indiana.
* Vince Russo, former booker for WCW and WWF; current booker for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling; briefly held WCW's World Heavyweight Championship.

Outreach

Historic New Harmony

In cooperation with the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, USI manages programs and properties in Historic New Harmony, site of two historic communal societies of the early 19th century, the Harmony Society and the Robert Owen/William Mclure communal experiment.

Center for Communal Studies

The USI Center for Communal Studies is a clearinghouse for information, a research facility, and a sponsor of activities related to historic and contemporary intentional communities. The center encourages and facilitates meetings, classes, scholarships, publications, networking and public interest in communal groups past and present, here and abroad. The center archives contain primary and secondary materials on more than 100 historic communes and several hundred collective, cooperative, and co-housing communities founded since 1965. Noted communal scholars have donated their private collections and their extensive research notes and papers to the center archives.

The New Harmony Theatre

The New Harmony Theatre is a professional theatre operating under an agreement with Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

In fall 2007, USI Theatre partnered with The New Harmony Theatre on The Repertory Project, which allows top Theatre students to perform with Equity actors. Student actors and stage managers involved in The Repertory Project earn points toward joining the union, a membership that is considered the “gold standard” for theatre professionals.

Historic Southern Indiana

Historic Southern Indiana (HSI) is an outreach organization dedicated to preserving, enhancing, and promoting the abundant historical, natural, and recreational resources of southern Indiana.

References

External links

* [http://www.usi.edu Official website]
* [http://www.usi.edu/sports Official athletics website]
* [http://www.usi.edu/visit/map Campus map]
* [http://www.usishield.com The Shield] University of Southern Indiana Student Newspaper