President Pamela Whitten gave her State of the University address at IU Indianapolis Dec. 10.
(Indiana University)
Indiana University President Pamela Whitten delivered her 2024 State of the University address at IU Indianapolis Tuesday.
The address highlighted the university’s strategic plan, IU 2030, and recent progress toward student success, research and service to Indiana.
Keeping with tradition, the University Faculty Council invited Whitten to give her annual address. Whitten said the address, delivered at IU Indianapolis, was based on the theme of why she loves IU.
“Let me begin by saying that the state of Indiana University is strong and its future is bright and full of promise,” Whitten said. “We're dedicated to making this future even brighter for our students, our state and for higher education.”
Whitten’s full address was aired and archived by IU Broadcast.
Though they agree there’s a lot to celebrate at IU, members of the University Alliance for Racial Justice said Whitten’s speech glosses over many issues at IU and higher education.
“There was no balance, no sense of dialogue, no connection with what's really happening on the ground,” said UARJ member and professor Heather Akou. “It was a very strange State of the University speech. Maybe it's the state for her, but it's not the state for most people.”
IU’s year in review, in Whitten’s words
Whitten highlighted her visit to every county in Indiana this year at the top of her speech, saying the tour showed a need to improve public health, economic development and college readiness across the state.
“IU ensures that its educational and research efforts are aligned with the needs and the aspirations of Indiana's communities,” Whitten said.
IU Indianapolis launched this summer, marking the end of IUPUI. Whitten helped lead IU’s separation from Purdue University in the capital city.
“By any measure the launch of IU Indianapolis has been a resounding success,” Whitten said. “The campus now serves 20,586 amazing students, or Jaguars as they are known on the Indianapolis campus.”
IU enrolled about 90,000 students this fall, setting records for theBloomington campus and the number of students of color, Whitten said.
Whitten highlighted new programs related to student mental health, academic advising and the 21st Century Scholars program, saying they align with IU 2030’s pillar for student success.
Whitten said fundraising rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, reaching about $275 million in 2024.
“A major focus of our next capital campaign will be raising funds to support undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships,” she said.
For IU 2030’s research plans, Whitten said the university saw significant growth in external funding and highlighted faculty awards. She said IU has hired faculty in cyber security, microelectronics, biology, applied physics and other STEM positions. STEM programs announced in 2023, such as IU CREATE, continue to grow.
Following up with a 2023 initiative to hire more diverse faculty, Whitten said IU added 118 new faculty from underrepresented communities, spending about $52.6 million.
IU recently announced a partnership with the City of Bloomington and other local groups to build up the Trades District thanks to a $16 million Lilly Endowment Inc. grant.
“IU is leading a corporate recruiting working group of staff and faculty experts to help attract new business to Bloomington,” Whitten said. “Partnering with IU Innovates, the Trades District will create additional on-ramps for startups, for faculty and recent alumni.”
Issues still remain on campus
Members of the University Alliance for Racial Justice said Whitten’s speech ignores some issues facing IU and higher education in general’
As the provost cites issues with budget deficits and encourages researchers to find external funding, centers such as the Center for Research on Race and Society face an uncertain future.
“I would really be concerned about the future of higher education and what people want,” UARJ member and professor Ben Johnson said. “Do they want their programs cut? Do they want to just be put in a pipeline to state mandates, or do they want to be recognized and heard?”
Matching universities across the nation, antiwar protesters and faculty fearing censorship pushed against the IU administration this year.
Faculty and their supporters strongly opposed Indiana’s new intellectual diversity law, Senate Enrolled Act 202. Whitten spoke out against the act, but it became law this year.
Robinson said Whitten is out of touch with the realities of students, educators and other stakeholders. He said he wants Whitten to address today’s challenges — challenges that students, faculty and staff have already been working on.
“If all we get are blandishments and metrics that are so remote from the actual challenges, she's not going to restore confidence,” Robinson said. “She's not going to bring us to our potential.
Aubrey is our higher education reporter and a Report For America corps member. Contact her ataubmwrig@iu.eduor follow her on X@aubreymwright.
