The USI online Editor's Manual is managed by University Communications. The University follows AP Style with the exception of a few entries noted in this manual as (Differs from AP Style.) Use your browser’s Find function (Ctrl + F on a PC, Command + F on a Mac) to search the entries and descriptions. This manual is meant to cover common higher education terms and entries specific to the University of Southern Indiana. For general spelling and grammar questions refer to an AP Style manual either in print or online.
The USI online Editor's Manual includes a database of official names of Buildings and Locations on campus, including how to refer to those locations on second reference and acceptable shortened names for use in writing. An official list of Department and Program Names also is available.
academic degrees
If mention of degrees is necessary to establish someone's credentials, the preferred form is to avoid an abbreviation and use instead a phrase such as: John Jones, who has a doctorate in psychology. or Sally has a master's degree in psychology. One exception is a terminal master's degree such a Master of Fine Arts, which must be distinguished from a regular master's degree. Example: She has a Master of Fine Arts in design.
Use an apostrophe in bachelor's degree, a master's, etc., but there is no possessive in Bachelor of Arts or Master of Science.
Also: an associate degree or associate degrees (no possessive).
Use such abbreviations as BA, MA and PhD only when the need to identify many individuals by degree on first reference would make the preferred form cumbersome. For those with a PhD use Dr. preceding the name only on first reference.
academic semesters Upper case: Fall Semester, Spring 2020, Second Summer Session.
academic subjects and departments
Use lower case for general subjects: mathematics, psychology; except foreign languages which are always capitalized. Capitalize formal department names: Provost's Office, History Department. USI style preference is to use Department or Office after the name and not "Department of..." or "Office of..."
acronyms
Spell out the full name first followed by the abbreviation in parentheses, then abbreviate throughout the rest of the text: Her grade point average (GPA) was consistent the first two years. However, her GPA dropped considerably her junior year. (This differs from AP Style.)
advisor Advisor is the preferred spelling as opposed to adviser. (This differs from AP Style.)
affirmative action statement
This statement of principle is used on USI printed publications: It is the policy of the University of Southern Indiana to be in full compliance with all federal and state non-discrimination and equal opportunity laws, orders and regulations relating to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status. Questions or concerns should be directed to the Affirmative Action Officer, USI Human Resources Department, University of Southern Indiana, 8600 University Boulevard, Evansville, Indiana 47712.
ages
Always use numerals when referring to age. A 6-year-old girl; an 8-year-old law; the 7-year-old house. Use hyphens for ages expressed as adjectives before a noun or as substitutes for a noun. A 5-year-old boy, but the boy is 5 years old. The boy, 5, has a sister, 10. The race is for 3-year-olds. The woman is in her 30s. Thirty-something starts a sentence; otherwise, use 30-something.
alma mater
USI's official alma mater, or school hymn, is entitled "Constant, Faithful and True," and should be referred to as such in all references. "Alma mater" is acceptable on second and all following references.
When listed in programs, the following should always be included:
"Text by David G. O’Neil. Music by Daniel R. Craig."
alumni designation
For alumni designations use an apostrophe followed by the year of graduation for undergraduate degrees (ex. '99). For master's degrees use an M followed by an apostrophe and year of graduation (ex. M'15). For a doctorate, use a D followed by an apostrophe and year of graduation (ex. D'98). No commas before, after or between designations when using in a sentence. (ex. John Smith '99 M'15 led the charge...).
alumnus, alumna, alumni Alumnus - singular male; alumna - singular female; alumni - generic plural
assistant and associate In titles, never abbreviate.
baccalaureate The generic term to describe all degree programs which culminate in a bachelor's degree.
Board of Trustees Refers to the University's governing body; individual members are trustees.
building names at USI
The use of correct names and consistent references helps maintain a strong institutional identity. A complete list of the official names of USI buildings and other locations around campus is available here.
city, state
Do not abbreviate the names of states as a stand-alone or when following a city. Evansville, Indiana; Columbus, Ohio.
class years
Student class years are not capitalized. The seniors were ready for Commencement; sophomore Bill Dunn, etc.
Colleges at the University of Southern Indiana
There are four colleges at the University of Southern Indiana: Romain College of Business, College of Liberal Arts, College of Nursing and Health Professions and Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education. Capitalize "College" when referring to one of the four colleges at USI.
comma
Use commas to separate elements in a series, but do not put a comma before the conjunction in a simple series: The flag is red, white and blue. He would nominate Tom, Dick or Harry. (One exception to this rule is the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.)
Put a comma before the concluding conjunction in a series, however, if an integral element of the series requires a conjunction: I had orange juice, toast, and ham and eggs for breakfast. No comma is needed in September 1993, but two are needed in: He was born on February 11, 1945, in Charleston. Similarly, it is: He was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1935. Except for years, use a comma in all numbers exceeding three digits: 1,200 and 5,280. No comma is necessary to set off someone's graduating class: Sue Smith '81.
dates
It is December 8, not December 8th or December eighth. Avoid abbreviating, as in Feb. 3. (This differs from AP Style.) To specify a period of time: October 15-17, 1945-56. If "from" is used "to" must follow: He was a class agent from 1978 to 1986. Same with "between" and "and." The year can be dropped unless needed for clarity.
When referring to the time, date and location of an event, write in that order: The event is at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 1, in Carter Hall in University Center West.
Deans Scholarship
For selected scholars, the University provides awards which pay full in-state tuition. These awards are called Deans Scholarships. There is no apostrophe in the word "deans."
department and program names
Department and Program should be capitalized when used with the full name. When appropriate for clarification, the words department or office can be used following the official name, however, they should be lowercase if not part of the official name.
A full list of the appropriate way to list Department and Program Names for use in publications, business cards and on name tags is available online.
disabilities The term "students with disabilities" is preferred. Avoid the word "handicapped."
Eagle Access Card
The USI magnetic debit card for campus transactions like meal plans, snack/drink vending, building access in residence halls, Rice Library check-out, laundry services and identification.
ellipsis
Ellipsis indicate missing words that are superfluous to the meaning of the sentence. A ellipsis in the middle of a sentence should have a space on each side. (Ex. We went to the city … and arrived home after midnight.) Ellipsis at the end of a sentence would be the only case where you would have an ellipsis, a space and then the period. (Ex. We went to the city and arrived home … .)
email Email is not capitalized (unless at the beginning of a sentence) or hyphenated.
emeritus, emerita, emeriti
Describes an individual retired from professional life but permitted to retain as an honorary title, the rank of the last office held -- professor emeritus; dean emeritus; female - emerita; female plural - emeritae; male or male and female plural - emeriti; professors emeriti
fraternities
Unless circumstances rule otherwise, you can usually drop the word fraternity, sorority, or honorary after one is specified: Dan was a member of Sigma Tau.
Great Lakes Valley Conference
The NCAA Division II conference in which USI participates. The conference is composed of 16 schools in five states.
Harlaxton College
One of the study-abroad experiences for USI is in England at Harlaxton College. An agreement with the University of Evansville stipulates that the following phrase be used at the beginning of USI materials that refer to Harlaxton College: Harlaxton College is owned and operated by the University of Evansville.
healthcare
healthcare should be written as one word. There are a couple of exceptions when referring to course titles. Defer to official course names in bulletin.
italics
University style recommends the least possible use of italics for emphasis. Italicize newspapers, magazines, books, movies, plays and other major works. Use quotation marks for articles and other short works such as songs. For television, a series title can be italicized, with episodes in quotation marks. (This differs from AP Style.)
months
Do not abbreviate the names of months. He planned to enroll in August. The event will take place January 21, 2017. (This differs from AP Style.)
myUSI
MyUSI is USI's internal Internet portal for students, faculty and staff. Unless at the beginning of a sentence, it is spelled with a lowercase m: myUSI.
numbers
Spell out numbers less than 10; use numerals for 10 and higher except at the beginning of a sentence: Only three directors responded. Forty-two geese landed on the lake. Use numerals when preceding a unit of measure or referring to ages of people, animals, events or things. My daughter is 14 years of age. The boy is 5 years old.
Osnabrück
Unless used in a place where an umlaut is impossible to be used (such as the URL of a website), the correct spelling includes the umlaut over the u (Osnabrück). In cases where an umlaut is impossible to use, it should be spelled Osnabrueck.
Presidential Scholarships
These full tuition scholarships also cover housing and an allowance for food and books. They are awarded to select students who ranked first or second in their senior class at the end of the fall semester of high school for high schools commissioned by the Indiana State Department of Public Instruction. Other requirements must be met. Ten students are selected for these competitive scholarships each year.
presidents of the University of Southern Indiana
David L. Rice 1967 - 1994
H. Ray Hoops 1994 - 2009
Linda L. M. Bennett 2009 - 2018
Ronald S. Rochon 2018 - present
Use President Ronald S. Rochon for formal uses
Dr. Ronald S. Rochon, president of the University of Southern Indiana
President (or Dr.) Ronald Rochon may used in less formal writing without the middle initial
race
Racial and ethnic groups are designated by proper nouns and are capitalized. Therefore, use Black or African American and White instead of “black” and “white.” Likewise, capitalize terms such as Native American, Hispanic, Latino, Asians, Asian Americans, Hawaiians and so on.
seasons
Do not capitalize seasons when referring to the seasons themselves.
Do capitalize when referring to a semester. Use Fall Semester, Spring Semester etc. Also, when the season is referring to the semester, such as Fall 2020.
Service Learning
Service learning is an approach to university education that incorporates community projects into courses. There are two equally important goals of service learning: enhancing student learning and providing a valuable service to the community.
southern Indiana
The preferred form is to lowercase directional or area descriptions when referring to a section of a state or city: western Montana, eastern Atlanta, southern Indiana.
telephone numbers
Use a dash between number sets in a telephone number. The University telephone number would be 812-464-8600.
theatre
USI uses the academic spelling theatre when referring to USI Theatre or the New Harmony Theatre. Use theater when using as a general term. (This differs from AP Style.)
time
When referring to the time, date and location of an event, write in that order: The event is at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 1, in Carter Hall in University Center West. Use "a.m." and "p.m." only once when describing a time period, and use "to" instead of a dash: The event is from 2 to 4 p.m. Registration is from 6 to 6:30 a.m. Evan hours do not use :00. "Hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.," not "Hours are 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m."
12 a.m. is midnight; 12 p.m. is noon. Midnight and Noon are capitalized for advertisement, such as flyers and postcards. It is not capitalized in copy.
All times are Central Standard Time (CST).
titles
USI preferred style is to place titles after the name in most cases. Capitalize titles when following a name as well as when they precede a name. "John Smith, Director of University Communications, ..." is preferred over Director of University Communications John Smith. Academic titles should be written as Dr. Robert Smith, Professor of Teacher Education. Drop "Dr." on second reference: Smith.
University Center Fountain
The University Center Fountain is a a black granite fountain between the University Center and Rice Library. The fountain has seven nozzles, reaches a maximum spray height of 14 feet, can be illuminated at night and is programmable to allow for a variety of displays.
University of Southern Indiana
Always spell out on first reference. USI is okay on second and following references. You can use "the" to precede University of Southern Indiana however, do not uppercase "t" unless it comes at the beginning of a sentence. He attends the University of Southern Indiana. The University of Southern Indiana is located in Evansville, Indiana. University is capitalized as a stand-alone when referring to USI.
urls Per Ap Style, use a period at the end of urls, except in flyers and post card material.
USI.edu See both website URL entries.
website and webpage
One word, lowercase.
USI websites are written in the following formats for printed material:
USI.edu; USI.edu/registrar; USI.edu/admissions (uppercase USI, no www).
For digital material use - www.usi.edu/registrar (lowercase usi after www).
Use hot links instead of full web addresses (ex. “Learn more on the Online Learning website,” not “Learn more at www.usi.edu/online-learning”). They should open in a new window.
For ADA compliance, linked words should be descriptive, not “click here.”
Avoid third party URLs as primary web addresses; websites should have USI addresses.
Third party URLs are appropriate for linking.
Applied Engineering Center
The Applied Engineering Center (2013) supports the engineering, advanced manufacturing and industrial supervision programs and features more than $3 million in high-tech manufacturing and engineering equipment found nowhere else in the country.
Aquatic Center
Located adjacent to the Recreation, Fitness, and Wellness Center, the Aquatic Center (2021) houses an 8-lane 25-meter pool and diving well and will serve as the home for the new USI men’s and women’s Swimming and Diving teams beginning in Fall 2022. The Aquatic Center features seating for 190 attendees, and will be available for members of the campus community when not in use for training.
Art Studio
The Art Studio (1999), located adjacent to the Technology Center, is a two-studio building where painting, printmaking and figure drawing are taught.
Arts Center
The Arts Center, knows as the Technology Center from 1975 until 2016, houses classrooms, workshops and faculty offices for the Art Department, the Performing Arts Department and New Harmony Theatre.
Bent Twig Outdoor Education Center
Developed by the Westwood Garden Club in the 1970s, the Bent Twig Outdoor Education Center includes an outdoor amphitheatre, Bent Twig Trails, Bokelman #3 School, Virgil C. Eicher Barn, Paul Grimes Log Haus, Herb Garden and Westwood Lodge. Facilities are available for rent.
Business and Engineering Center
The Business and Engineering Center (2010) encourages collaboration between students in the Romain College of Business and the Engineering Department within the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Student spaces include the O'Daniel Atrium, the Vectren Lakeside Study Lounge and Balcony and smaller lounges on each floor. Additional features include:
Byron C. Wright Administration Building
The Wright Administration Building (1969) houses senior administrative offices of the president, provost and vice presidents. Other administrative areas located there are Business Affairs, Student Affairs, Office of Planning, Research and Assessment, Special Projects and Research Administration, Internal Auditing, University Relations, Marketing and Communications, Government Relations and Foundation Accounting.
The Forum Wing is part of the Wright Administration Building. Three lecture halls - Forum I, Forum II and Forum III - are located there along with offices for Human Resources, Information Technology, Online Learning, Travel Services and Web Services.
The McCutchan Exhibition Space, featuring a different exhibition each semester, is located in the Wright Administration Building. The Redwood Lounge connects the Wright Administration Building to the Science Center.
David and Betty Rice Plaza
Named for USI’s first president and first lady, Rice Plaza (1994), a landscaped garden and fountain area north of the University Center, was created to honor the Rice’s 27 years of service to the University.
David L. Rice Library
Rice Library (2006) is named for the founding president of USI, provides space for library collections and traditional functions and also meets today's changing needs with technology and space for collaboration.
The library has 30 group study rooms accommodating two to 12 students. It also features a Starbucks coffee shop and commons area. The first floor includes the circulation desk, reference desk and stacks, two teaching labs and government documents. On the south side of the first floor is a periodicals reading room.
On the second floor, the rotunda area features a two-story reading room. The library administration offices, technical services and a seating area overlooking the first floor periodicals reading room also are on the second floor.
The third floor houses University Archives and Special Collections, and the fourth floor has two reading rooms, one of which is the Ruth M. Kleymeyer Hall of Presidents. In addition to the four levels of the library, the building offers a lower level of 16 technology-enhanced classrooms and a 125-seat auditorium.
Education Center
The Education Center (2003) connects to the Torrington Wing of the Science Center and is home to the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education, Academic Skills, University Division Advising, Student Support Services, Army ROTC, Veterans Support Services and the Social Work Department. It also houses computer labs and the 150-seat Couch-Renner Lecture Hall.
Fountain Lake Fountain Lake is adjacent to the USI Residence Halls along the USI-Burdette Trail.
Free Speech Zone/Statement of Freedom of Expression
USI's Statement on Freedom of Expression can be found in the USI handbook located at https://www.usi.edu/media/5605495/handbook-817.pdf/
See ITEM: F.9
Statement of Freedom of Expression:
The statement is currently located on page 236 and 237 of the PDF document.
The following locations on the USI campus are available for speech and expressive activities by members of the public, members of the USI community and guests:
• The lawn area south of Rice Library
• The lawn to the north of the Wright Administration building
Fuquay Welcome Center
Opened in 2018, the Fuquay Welcome Center, including the Old National Bank Foundation Atrium, serves as the official front door for the University, and is a gathering and tour starting point for prospective students and their families as well as University visitors, alumni and friends. The building also features an innovative green roof, landscaped with pathways and plazas, which serves as an extension of the existing topography and allows pedestrians to use it as a learning and gathering space. The center was made possible through the generous leadership gifts to Campaign USI: Elevating Excellence from longtime University friends Dan and Janet Fuquay and Old National Bank.
Griffin Center
The Griffin Center (2016) is a 14,000 square-foot meeting and conference space overlooking Reflection Lake and facing east towards campus. The Center’s largest venue is the Grand Hall, with space to accommodate more than 130 guests and striking views from floor to ceiling windows. Other available venues include a private study for small committee meetings, an atrium lobby and multipurpose meeting spaces that can be configured for groups of varied sizes and needs. The building is named to honor the Robert E. Griffin family for their years of support for the University.
Health Professions Center
The Health Professions Center (1994) houses the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Features include the 450-seat William L. and Trudy Mitchell Auditorium (Mitchell Auditorium), a state-of-the-art Simulation Center, the Charles E. Day Learning Resource Center, a dental hygiene clinic and dental laboratory, lecture rooms, classrooms, instructional laboratories, seminar rooms and faculty offices. The lower level includes laboratories for science, classrooms for health services, a human performance laboratory and the University Health Center for students, faculty and staff.
Lenny and Anne Dowhie Ceramics Center
The Dowhie Ceramics Center opened as the Ceramics Center in 2009 and was renamed for Lenny Dowhie, professor emeritus of art, and his wife Anne in 2014. The facility is equipped with 20 pottery wheels and stools, glazing and clay mixing rooms and a terrace providing outdoor work space, including room for a variety of kilns. The Dowhies made a $1 million gift commitment toward USI’s Campaign USI: Elevating Excellence that will provide ongoing endowed support for the ceramics program. The Dowhie Ceramics Center is the first USI building named for a current or former faculty member of the University.
Liberal Arts Center
The Liberal Arts Center (1999) features the Anna Lee Hamilton Music Studio, Scripps Howard Center for Media Studies, Center for Communal Studies, Cynderella McDowell Miller Foreign Language Laboratory, Topper Practice Room, radio and television production studios, language laboratories, a distance-learning classroom and several classrooms equipped with instructional technology to enhance learning.
Clifford A. and Ruth M. Kleymeyer Lecture Hall (Kleymeyer Hall) is a 112-seat lecture hall in the Liberal Arts Center. It is often the location for guest speakers and presentations that are open to the public. The Helen M. Mallette Studio Theatre (Mallette Studio Theatre) is a black-box stage with space used as a classroom laboratory and student performances. It is an intimate theatre that seats about 100.
The Kenneth P. McCutchan Art Center/Palmina F. and Stephen S. Pace Galleries (McCutchan Art Center/Pace Galleries; gallery) provides space and accommodations for the Student Art Exhibition, student and faculty exhibitions, visiting artist exhibitions, traveling exhibitions and Senior Art Seminars.
Minka Learning Lab
The Minka Learning Lab for Living Well (2018) is a 600-square-foot smart home showcase for living-in-place with integrated technology. Students, faculty, community members and healthcare professionals can participate in simulations, workshops, research, smart home tours and interdisciplinary class projects. It's purpose is for southwest Indiana to explore and to experiment with adaptable living and learning ideas and innovations in aging and wellness.
Performance Center
The 300-seat facility replaced the 50-year-old off-campus theatre located four miles from campus. The Performance Center has a thrust stage with additional staging areas incorporated into the walls, a shallow proscenium to allow for greater sightlines, exceptional natural acoustics and state-of-the-art light and sound technology. The Performance Center was constructed using locally-sourced and recycled materials such as those utilized in the construction of University Center East. Its red sandstone exterior is an homage to the Smithsonian Institution's Castle. Built in 1855, it is the oldest building on the National Mall. Congressman Robert Dale Owen (son of Robert Owen, founder of the second utopian experiment at New Harmony) was chair of the Smithsonian Building Committee. His brother, geologist David Dale Owen, recommended it be built from red sandstone. Both Owens resided in New Harmony for a time.
The Performance Center Courtyard is located on the north side of the building.
Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center
The Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center (2001; expanded 2009) offers up-to-date facilities and diverse programming for students and employees and includes three multipurpose courts for basketball, volleyball, table tennis and badminton; a strength and conditioning area with cardiovascular machines and free weight equipment; indoor walk/jog track; a 33-foot-tall rock climbing tower; group exercise rooms; showers and locker rooms; game room with billiards, table tennis, video games and foosball; and a lounge area with television.
Reflection Lake Reflection Lake is located on the west side of the USI campus.
Robert D. Orr Center
The Orr Center (1990) is a classroom and office building housing many of the student services departments. Undergraduate Admissions, Student Financial Assistance, Registrar, Counseling Center, Honors Program and Graduate Studies are located on the main floor. The second floor is dedicated to classroom space. Computer labs and faculty offices for the English Department, Center for Interdisciplinary Studies and Intensive English Program are located on the third floor. Career Services and Internships and portions of Information Technology, as well as Business Affairs offices, including the Cashier, are located on the lower level.
Robert M. Kent Family Fountain
The Robert M. Kent Family Fountain (2010) is located in the center of the roundabout at the entrance to campus. The fountain's 15 columns of water vary in height from four to six feet. Robert M. "Robbie" Kent provided a leadership gift to establish an endowment to benefit the academic programs of the University in perpetuity.
Science Center
The original Science Center opened in 1969, adjoining the Wright Administration Building through the Redwood Lounge. In addition to laboratories and classrooms, the Science Center houses faculty offices for the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education. The Torrington Wing of the Science Center opened in 2003 and includes research laboratories, offices and two indoor wells for groundwater monitoring.
Screaming Eagles Arena
The University of Southern Indiana’s Screaming Eagles Arena (2019) is unlike any other facility in the Tri-state region and serves as home to all USI's nationally-recognized Screaming Eagles athletic programs, including Men's and Women's Basketball and Volleyball, which will be played in the facility. The 90,000 square-foot facility seats ups to 4,800 guests.
The Arena also offers state-of-the-art locker rooms, athletic training and conditioning spaces.
Additionally, the Arena is used each year for University commencement ceremonies, to host nationally-known speaker engagements, to provide more space for student activities, and can serve as a community emergency shelter, if needed.
The Arena also houses the Screagle Zone™ store for USI merchandise and three concessions stands. A courtside Varsity Club Room and four box suites offer opportunities for VIP viewing of games and events.
Screaming Eagles Complex
The Screaming Eagles Complex (1980, renovated and expanded 2021) is home to USI Athletics and all of USI’s nationally-recognized athletic programs. It is also home to the Kinesiology and Sport Department of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education. It features multipurpose athletic courts, a 6,000-square-foot Athletics Weight Room, a 1,200-square-foot Instructional Performance Center and Human Performance Laboratory, classrooms, lounge spaces and locker rooms for USI men’s and women’s Soccer, Baseball, Softball and Men’s and Women’s Track and Field. The Screaming Eagles Sculpture is located in front of the Screaming Eagles Complex (See The Screaming Eagle Sculpture entry for more information.).
Stone Family Center for Health Sciences
Collaborative campus in Downtown Evansville that houses the Indiana University School of Medicine - Evansville alongside programs from the University of Evansville and USI. Stone Center is appropriate on second reference.
The Quad
The Quad provides a focal point between the University Center, Rice Library, Technology Center, Business and Engineering Center and Liberal Arts Center. The Quad includes many areas of landscaping and seating, while leaving open a lawn area for games of Frisbee and lounging in the sun. An inverted natural amphitheater provides seating in front of Rice Library, with stairs leading up to the terrace. The Quad was completed in 2007. A 14-foot, 2,000-pound stainless steel statue, “From Our Past Toward Our Future,” created by nationally-renowned sculptor and Chicago-based artist Richard Hunt, is located on the southeast corner of The Quad and was dedicated October 22, 2015.
The Screaming Eagle Sculpture
Designed by USI Professor Emeritus of Art John McNaughton and Professor Emerita of Art Joan Kempf deJong, The Screaming Eagle (2021) is a 12.5-foot tall aluminum sculpture that will provide a landmark for USI fans to gather before events in Screaming Eagles Arena and a backdrop for students and alumni to showcase their school spirit in photos and videos. The sculpture is a generous gift to the University from Terry and Ron ’81 Boren and Tim Mahoney.
University Center
The University Center (1974; expanded 1996 and 2011) is a two-winged building located at the heart of campus. University Center East, which opened in 2011, provides space for student organizations, two eateries, common areas including the Fireside and Heritage lounges, meeting and conference facilities and office space for the Dean of Students, Student Development Programs, the Multicultural Center, International Programs and Services, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and Outreach and Engagement.
Offices for the Student Government Association, Activities Programming Board, Fraternity and Sorority Life and The Shield, the student newspaper, are housed in University Center East.
University Center West houses the Campus Store, the offices of Alumni Relations and Volunteer USI, Special Events and Scheduling Services, Food Services and the Eagle Access Office, as well as Carter Hall.
The Cone, formally known as the University Center Tower, is the architecturally distinctive 97-foot-tall tower rising from University Center East, which is connected to University Center West through a skywalk. On the ground level, the interior of the Cone provides additional seating for dining and congregating. Robert C. Roeder '71 Traditions Lounge, on the second floor of the Cone, offers a dramatic ceiling open to the top of the structure. The lounge honors USI alumni.
The UC Student Courtyard is located on the north side of the building and has a distinctive amphitheater style seating area that serves as a resting and dining location for students as well as a venue for a number of outdoor events.
University Center Mall
The University Center Mall is the outdoor area under the skywalk connecting University Center East and University Center West and extending south of the University Center to the fountain.
USI Labyrinth
The brick-paved USI Labyrinth, which opened in 2007, is modeled after New Harmony’s Cathedral Labyrinth and symbolizes USI’s stewardship of Historic New Harmony, an outreach program of USI and the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites. Robert Ferré of St. Louis-based Labyrinth Enterprises designed the USI Labyrinth and consulted on New Harmony's. He said that while New Harmony’s granite labyrinth is probably the most beautiful in North America, USI’s 56-foot-wide labyrinth is the largest brick-paved labyrinth ever built in the Chartres design
USI-Burdette Trail
This three-mile paved trail, which opened in 2012, is the result of a USI-Burdette Park partnership. The USI-Burdette Trail is a designated destination point of the American Discovery Trail, which passes through southern Indiana. The trail also has been named a National Recreation Trail by the Secretary of the Interior. The trail begins at University Boulevard between the Physical Activities Center and the Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center, and also is accessible at trailheads to the side of the baseball field, at the Broadway Recreational Complex and via a paved connecting path from the end of Rochelle Lane.