The center marks the completion of the vision for a dedicated student building on the Indianapolis campus beginning in with the creation of IUPUI in 1969.

[1] Demand for a dedicated campus center began to gain momentum in 1977 following the decline of student space in the Union Building and Cavanaugh Hall.

Originally referred to as the IUPUI Student Center, the plans for a dedicated campus center were revealed in 1997 and titled “Project 2000.”[3] The project planned to house the new campus bookstore and various student-related administrative offices such as the bursar, registrar, and admission office in one central location.

Pratt was a graduate student in the IU School of Liberal Arts Department of Sociology when he died tragically young.

[9] His parents established the Yale Prat Mentoring Fund to provide scholarships for freshmen between the ages of 25 and 35 enrolled in University College at IUPUI.

[11] The pantry works with Campus Kitchen partners to reduce food waste while providing for Indianapolis community members.

A specific focus was placed on the changing landscape of the urban campus with new buildings, installations of art, and community outreach.

Exterior materials include limestone at the Vermont and Michigan Street facades, with large expanses of glass facing University Boulevard.