Gov. Mitch Daniels has instructed Office of Management and Budget Director Charles Schalliol to give final approval for construction of student housing on the campuses of IU South Bend and IU Southeast. The student housing projects on both campuses can now move forward. The governor said the new facilities will help IU South Bend and IU Southeast pursue their missions. "After recent visits to South Bend and Southeast Indiana, I agreed to check with the Commission on Higher Education to make sure that moving ahead would not usurp the Commission's work on an overall strategic plan. Chairman Murphy assured me these two projects have their support. Hearing that, I asked the OMB to approve them," Daniels said.

The Governor's approval is the final step in the process for construction of student housing to begin. Plans call for construction to begin this spring and for student housing to be available for the fall 2008 semester.