Federal and state support for higher education and university policies has come under attack during the second Trump Administration. 

And for Indiana University students who are participating in the Civic Leaders program, the political landscape is much different now from when they entered college. 

Watch: How Trump’s college crackdown is raising concerns about academic freedom | PBS News Hour

Universities and research institutions have had their funding cut or threatened and what is being taught and who is being enrolled have come under scrutiny.

At IU, the state barred the university from providing any state funds to support the prestigious Kinsey Institute, which researches sexual behavior.

Even how members of IU’s Board of Trustees are selected has changed during their time in college. Previously, three of the nine trustees were selected by alumni voting and six were chosen by the governor.

Now, because of an amendment to the state budget, the governor has been given control of all nine seats. The ACLU of Indiana has sued to block the takeover of the board, but IU has already canceled an election next month to fill a vacated seat. 

It’s among a number of lawsuits that have been brought against the state and federal governments this year. Most have been against the Trump executive orders or actions by DOGE, which have affected long-standing departments and agencies. 

Read more: New lawsuit argues Trump and DOGE's government overhaul is unconstitutional 

On this week’s Noon Edition, we’ll discuss how the political and economic landscape has shifted and how college students are planning to tackle an uncertain future. 

Join us on the air by calling 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send questions for the show to  news@indianapublicmedia.org.   

You can also record your questions and send them in through email.  

Guests 

Joshua Brinkman, a senior from Carmel studying Law and Public Policy through O'Neill SPEA 

Paola Vega Yudico, a third-year student in the Kelley School of Business 

Sophia Grace Hottois, a former White House Intern and Career Services Peer Educator at the O’Neill School