Indiana University provided updates to the University Faculty Council on Feb. 18. (Monroe Bush for the Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Indiana University’s leaders have juggled a flurry of issues in the few weeks since the General Assembly began work on its budget-year legislation and President Donald Trump took office.
Michael Huber, vice president for university relations, said during Tuesday’s University Faculty Council meeting that he could provide “context but not a lot of answers” as the university reacts to bills and federal executive orders potentially impacting IU’s diversity initiatives, research, international students, and the university budget.
“We're kind of in uncertain times, just still trying to make sure we're gleaning as much information as possible, boiling it down to as much specificity as we can, but also recognizing that there's more to come,” said Angela Smith, associate vice president of state relations for IU, during Tuesday’s University Faculty Council meeting.
A tight budget year
Huber said IU had low expectations for its funding from the state’s budget.
All public universities saw flat allocations, Huber said, but IU’s is a “little bit better than flat.” He said the university will work with the Senate to make modest increases.
“We still have a lot of game left to play,” Huber said.
As the federal government makes cuts, Smith said Indiana’s legislature will probably take a conservative approach to funding in case costs get passed down to states. As a manufacturing state, federally imposed tariffs may also pressure the state to be more conservative with the budget.
After attempts from Trump’s administration to cut National Institute of Health funding for medical research, NPR reported a federal judge temporarily blocked the changes.
“That particular change is not going through, but that's one that we need to monitor to better understand where the administration is moving,” Huber said.
Indiana bill and Trump target DEI
Senate Bill 289 bans diversity, equity and inclusivity (DEI) initiatives in state government and public schools.
Huber said the bill, if passed, would likely impact training and programming. He said IU is watching out for the possibility that through SB 289, the state could ban DEI training and cut state funding for such programs.
In answering a question about DEI and academic freedom, Huber said that based on his understanding of the bill, instructors can still teach DEI content.
The bill passed the Senate and is headed to the House.
‘We are monitoring that closely,” Huber said. “We do anticipate there will be changes, mainly because the way that DEI is defined is very, very general in the bill.”
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The U.S. Department of Education is also targeting DEI. On Feb. 14, the department sent a “Dear Colleague” letter, stating schools that use public funding “must cease using race preferences and stereotypes as a factor in their admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, sanctions, discipline, and beyond.”
Huber said the letter didn’t have specific policy proposals in it, but it did provide a clear point of view from the administration.
“The problem is, with a few of these communications and executive orders, we can't point to the exact result or effect on IU yet, because the federal agencies now are tasked with implementing the executive orders,” Huber said.
Smith echoed Huber’s concerts over the lack of clarity.
“There's no specificity in some of the executive orders,” Smith said. “They're extremely vague, and therefore would be extremely difficult for the state and or institution of higher education to implement because of how broadly the terms are written in the executive order.”
Potential Trump administration impacts on international students, funding, partnerships
Hannah L. Buxbaum, vice president of international affairs, discussed potential impacts on international students, funding and research.
So far, Buxbaum said, all federal and state proposals will be refined over the legislative session.
“I just want to flag in light of the uncertainties here, we are trying very hard not to respond to hypothetical situations,” Buxbaum said. “We are trying not to talk about outcomes that have not yet developed.”
The office will provide policy updates online.
Some executive orders signed by Trump on Jan. 20 might result in travel bans similar to his first term. Buxmaum said these possibilities are informed by Trump’s past efforts.
Some restrictions could impact visas and residency statuses for international scholars and students. IU enrolled almost 6,800 international students this year. Buxbaum said there will be visa processing delays.
“We are keeping an eye on that so that we can effectively advise our international students regarding their own potential, international travel bans, travel plans,” Buxbaum said.
She said some international partnerships, especially in China, could be impacted.
Trump also plans significant cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development, though the cuts are currently blocked by a federal judge, NPR reported.
“Part of our work in international engagement is to conduct international development,” Buxbaum said. “The university did have, in some places, some USAID grants and so that has had, already, an impact on our work.”
Federal funding pauses hit the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, the Gilman Program and other support for study abroad for U.S. students, Buxbaum said.
“We are not sure that was an intended effect, and it may be unpaused,” Buxbaum said. “That, again, is the kind of just fast-moving action that is impacting some of our students and also scholars who have funding for their international activity.”
Aubrey is our higher education reporter and a Report For America corps member. Contact her at aubmwrig@iu.edu or follow her on X @aubreymwright.
