Purdue closes construction inspection department

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Purdue has announced the closure of its construction inspection department, laying off 22 employees.

The cuts are effective March 2, 2013. They're expected to save the University $75 million during the next five years. 

The move is supposed to make Purdue more competitive with contractors. Future contractors will now include inspection and quality insurance as part of their services.

Vice President for Physical Facilities Robert McMains says the move will make the University more effective and efficient.

"We're going to end up with a shared understanding with our contractors of how we're going to do business here, relying more on performance specs than brand names or something like that," said McMains.

"It'll make us a better bidding environment for other contractors to come and the more contractors that come to bid will drive down the costs."

The inspectors being laid off will be given preferential status for Purdue job openings for seven months and 90 days of pay and benefits. Some may receive five years of additional medical benefits.