Indiana Governor Replaces IU Board of Trustees Amid Controversy
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Governor Mike Braun made headlines Monday by announcing new appointments to the Indiana University Board of Trustees. This follows a recent legislative change that grants the governor exclusive authority to appoint all nine members of the board, a shift from the previous system that allowed alumni to elect three trustees.
Prior to Braun’s announcement, IU’s official website listed only six trustees, excluding three alumni-appointed members: Vivian Winston, Donna Spears, and Jill Burnett. Governor Braun informed Winston of her removal via a letter dated Saturday. The legislative last-minute provision, signed into law by Braun, has raised concerns regarding the implications of political influence over the university.
In his statement, Braun expressed confidence in his new appointees, Sage Steele, James Bopp Jr., Brian Eagle, and W. Quinn Buckner, all IU alumni whose terms vary through 2026-2028. “I am confident that these appointees will serve in the best interest of the university,” he stated.
However, the move has attracted criticism. Indiana Democratic Party spokesperson Sam Barloga condemned the governor’s actions as a “power grab,” asserting that it endangers the integrity of the university by prioritizing political alliances over the elected trustees who had been critical of university leadership.
In contrast, IU President Pamela Whitten welcomed the new trustees, framing the change as an opportunity to build on the university’s positive momentum. W. Quinn Buckner, the newly appointed chair, echoed this sentiment, expressing enthusiasm for collaboration with new board members.
As the university navigates this transition, questions linger about the potential impact of these changes on the institution’s governance and academic independence.
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