IU Leaders Quiet as Lawmakers Shift Power to Governor for Trustee Appointments

Late addition to the budget grants Braun control over IU Board of Trustees/All INdiana Politics panel discusses IU alterations

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH)—The state budget bill heading to Governor Mike Braun would grant him complete authority over determining who will serve on the Indiana University Board of Trustees, thanks to a last-minute addition to the measure that legislators passed Thursday night .

Currently, votes from members of the IU Alumni Association fill three out of the nine positions, with the governor filling the remaining six spots. If Governor Braun signs the budget bill, he will be responsible for appointing all nine members.

An IU law professor, who is an alumni and has been associated with the university for 45 years, has a theory about where this move really came from and why it was handled the way it was by the legislature.

Steve Sanders, a professor at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, stated on Friday, "This is clearly poor governance. We're essentially reverting to those dark times when decisions were made behind closed doors with no openness."

Representative Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, raised the same question on Thursday evening. "Who specifically asked for this provision to be included in the bill? Whose concept was it?"

State Representative Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton, replied, "Several individuals discussed this matter, however, the main point is our intention to handle IU like other institutions of higher learning. The university stands out because it is the sole entity that necessitates holding elections."

Pierce swiftly countered this notion by saying, "Purdue alumni have the authority to pick their own three alumni representatives, and they can determine their selection process independently. So, what rationale exists for making alterations in that area?"

Thompson stated, "In terms of elections and codes, IU stands out as being the sole exception in this aspect."

Pierce remarked, "So, isn't this considered an election when you gather up all the members of the Purdue Alumni Association and follow their specified process for choosing someone? Wouldn't that qualify as an election?"

"That's a form of election," Thompson stated.

Professor Sanders from IU stated, "If the state legislature was genuinely worried about alumni trustees not playing an appropriate role, they should have addressed this issue at other institutions as well, such as Purdue and Indiana State University, which both have alumni trustees. The focus solely on IU seems targeted."

Sanders informed I-Team 8 that the evidence suggests this action originated within the university, likely from its highest ranks under President Pamela Whitten.

"I'm not stating that I possess any concrete proof. I don't have audio recordings of her conversations regarding this matter. However, I've consulted with knowledgeable individuals and those well-connected, and after reviewing the indirect evidence available, it led me to believe that this concept originated from her," Sanders explained.

He states that Whitten has always opposed the notion of the alumni association wielding authority over three positions on the board of trustees. Additionally, he dislikes how appointed alumni have publicly disagreed with certain university decisions, leading Sanders to conclude that this might be why Whitten turned to the legislature for support.

"My hypothesis is that they received directives directly from the president, making it advisable for all parties involved that this occur at the eleventh hour, covertly during the nighttime, to spare the university from having to address difficult inquiries or take a public stance," Sanders stated.

Regarding the effect on the university, Sanders explained to I-Team 8 that it hinges on whom Braun selects for the board. "Should they lean ideologically and begin meddling with issues such as which books and materials professors assign in their courses, I believe we would face a significant threat to academic freedom," Sanders stated.

He added, "Conversely, if this change implies that they will perceive greater autonomy from the president and start acting as though they are his superiors—rather than vice versa, which is how the present board of trustees functions—it could potentially be beneficial."

The I-Team 8 repeatedly contacted Indiana University throughout Friday seeking their input. However, by late Friday afternoon, they had yet to receive a response from IU.

Related coverage on WISHTV.com

• First female president of Indiana University creates 'her-story'
• The 'All Indiana Politics' crew shares their thoughts on the modifications within the IU Board of Trustees.
• Legislators pass budget granting governor complete authority over IU board members
• Lawmakers in Indiana approve legislation to make school board elections partisan.
• A decrease of $2.4 billion in revenue leaves Indiana legislators with limited choices.
• Legislators approve property tax legislation resulting in reduced school financing
• How Indiana’s alterations to property taxes will affect residents