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Daniels says he didn't seek Purdue office upgrades

Associated Press
September 4, 2012
Keywords
Colleges and Universities, Education & Workforce Development, Government, Government & Economic Development, Governor, Purdue University, State Government
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Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels says he never asked Purdue University to spruce up the president's office before he takes over the university's helm in January.

Daniels issued a statement Tuesday saying he was not consulted about the work to install new carpet, lighting and audio/visual equipment at Hovde Hall in West Lafayette. He said he would have asked that the work not be done had he known about it.

The Journal & Courier reported that Purdue is spending $380,000 on upgrades to the building that has been home to university presidents since 1937.

Daniels says the renovation was part of a longstanding plan to renovate parts of Hovde Hall that hadn't been upgraded in decades.

The building is named for Frederick L. Hovde, who was Purdue's seventh president.

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  • a fraction of the cost
    HE73September 11, 2012 1:24 PM
    Look at it this way. Purdue will pay Mitch a fraction of what Ohio State is paying their president (2mil) and Urban is goign to get paid 4mil so he makes more than their president. In fact Robie is probably going to get paid more than Mitch. Thunder is correct you have to have a regular maintenance program or you have real problems down the road.I'm sure they got a good deal for the work too because they bid everything out!!
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  • would suggest
    patSeptember 11, 2012 1:19 PM
    to Ken, I believe it was more of Mitch's wife that didn't want to live there than him. It is used for public entertaining as well. Some people like everyone and their brother running through their home everyday and others are more private. Mitch didn't ask the state to pay for his other home and upkeep did he?
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  • some time
    patSeptember 11, 2012 1:15 PM
    I worked on upgrades to Westwood back in the 80's so they had more of a commercial kitchen to entertain the people they had to entertain when Beering was president. I'm sure they have done other upgrades and some additions as well but remember this is just where the President lives it is used to do University entertaining as well so its not just because of a new president. I would bet Cordova and her predecessors had alot more done than Mitch will ever have done!!
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  • It's good captial policy
    ThunderSeptember 5, 2012 2:37 PM
    I'm sorry but this is so much a non-story. Any organization with a good capital policy/process should be spending an amount equal to depreciation on capital improvements. Ohterwise you'll find yourself with substandard equipment. I'm sure these projects have been vetted and are appropriate. Just another opportunity for uninformed to try and bash Mitch.
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  • Purdue Presidential Mansion
    Purdue PeteSeptember 5, 2012 8:31 AM
    After the $380,000 office upgrade scandal, it is learned the mansion for the Purdue President is also getting a major upgrade. No word on the cost, but Mitch Daniels told everyone he plans to live in the mansion on campus after becoming Purdue's President. Westwood to undergo updates, maintenance during six-month vacancy http://www.purdueexponent.org/campus/article_0d1d101a-bbd6-5334-9a57-a232582506a8.html
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    • Who remembers
      KenSeptember 4, 2012 8:15 PM
      Thats what you said you would say when the information was made public. When will they be telling us about the office not being used because it is not adequate for you and your needs? Remember the Alamo ( Inadequate house on North Meridian St.)? We do. The politics has now moved north.
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