Statement from the IU Board of Trustees
May 15, 2024
The Board of Trustees is grateful to IU faculty, staff, and other constituents who have shared their concerns with us. We want to state clearly that we are listening closely, are attentive to the issues that have been raised and are deeply committed to addressing them in a proactive and effective manner. Our direct conversations with President Whitten and her leadership team make it clear that they, too, understand the challenges and are also committed to paving a productive path forward. The Board of Trustees will provide all resources necessary to address these issues in a transparent and accountable fashion. We have asked for and President Whitten has agreed to commission an independent review of the campus climate to better inform the path forward.
With strong leadership, President Whitten has guided our university to many positive accomplishments under adverse conditions and continues to enjoy our support.
We are confident she can and will rise to this challenge.
Statement from the IU Board of Trustees
April 16, 2024
The current environment across higher education is unprecedented. These challenges have confronted leaders across U.S. universities at a staggering pace, encompassing an evolution in societal perceptions of higher education, a shifting public policy landscape, and world events resulting in unrest on campuses across the country. Indiana University is no exception, and—as we move forward together—we must demonstrate shared respect and grace in navigating these tumultuous waters.
Meanwhile, the ambitious work of the university must go on. At our direction and with our support, President Pamela Whitten is leading at a time in higher education where the status quo is not an option. It is against this backdrop that we proudly endorsed IU 2030, the university’s strategic plan outlined by President Whitten and her administration, which was designed with faculty and staff participation on every campus. It sets forth a positive and bold vision for the university, grounded in a commitment to student success and opportunity, transformative research and creativity, and service to the state of Indiana and beyond. IU 2030 is the roadmap for IU’s continued growth and sustained excellence, and President Whitten’s leadership is key in delivering the results required.
As a Board, we continue to offer our full support to President Whitten. She is the right leader at the right time precisely because she has pursued a future for Indiana University that will ensure that it thrives in its next era. It is our intention that President Whitten's tenure as the leader at IU will provide the many years necessary to realize the vision we have established for the university.
We, the Board of Trustees, stand united in our confidence in President Whitten and the long-term success of IU. By acknowledging the realities of today's world and working collaboratively, we are poised to collectively accelerate the achievement of our goals. This shared commitment fortifies our resolve to usher Indiana University into its next century of success.
Together, we have laid the groundwork for a future filled with achievement, innovation, and excellence. After all, Indiana University is, and must remain, a gem among the nation’s most pre-eminent and iconic public research universities.
