The Indiana University Board of School Trustees on Thursday approved spending $1.8 million to repair the heating, ventilation and cooling system at Moraine Student Center at the Indiana University Northwest campus in Gary.

The Board of Trustees met Thursday in South Bend to discuss a variety of agenda items.

Christopher Sheid, a spokesman for the Indiana University Northwest campus, said Moraine Center sustained significant water damage during flooding in August 2007. He said the building was functional, but because of the damage sustained in last year's flooding, repairs were necessary.

"There was lots of water damage to Moraine," he said. "It was functional and they were using it but the building was pretty hard hit."

Sheid said the work should begin in the fall semester, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

The work will include the demolition of old equipment, including mold and asbestos abatement, and replacement of the duct work, air handler, pumps and motors.

The project also will connect the building to the central chilled water system. According to IU officials, the project will be funded by a combination of Risk Management Funds, FM Global Funds and Repair and Rehabilitation funds.