2.C.1
As outlined in IU policy ACA-01 (24-0154), Indiana’s governor appoints five trustees to serve three-year terms. In addition, three trustees and a student trustee are elected by IU graduates who serve three and two years respectively. Trustees are Indiana leaders who have demonstrated career success and intentional service to the community. Trustees bring with them expertise in each area (e.g., Law, Communications, Medical Research, Freight Management, Strategy, Sales Broker, and Business Management).The Trustees hold four two-day meetings throughout the academic year and the location of the meetings rotate among IU campuses. Meetings are open to the public, indicating the transparency of their process (24-0155).
The Trustees have an established set of by-laws to direct its efforts (24-0533). They were created and are governed by the Code of the State of Indiana (24-0077; 24-0156), and they are responsible for the mission and role of the university and each of the campuses (24-0080; 24-0157).
The Trustees are informed of the issues affecting the campus through a variety of sources. The University Faculty Council (UFC) communicates with the president (and various VPs in the system) through direct contact with the UFC co-chairs. The president meets two to three times each semester with the UFC co-chairs to discuss matters affecting IU campuses. The president then communicates information directly to the Trustees. Communication also occurs through its administrative assistant.
2.C.2
Board members execute their duties within guidelines set for all public servants under IC 35-44.1-1-4b regarding statutory conflict of interest. IU Southeast enjoys some self-governance, but all legal authority rests with the Trustees, which operates within the context of guidelines established by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The deliberations of the Trustees, contained in the minutes of its meetings, are accessible on its website (24-0158). In April 2023, the Trustees approved the IU Strategic Plan 2030 (IU2030) (24-0512).
2.C.3
In accordance with state law, all sessions of the Trustees of Indiana University, including committee meetings, committees of the whole, seminars, most retreat sessions, and formal business meetings (except for executive meetings) are open to the public (24-0155). The public may, at the Trustees’ invitation, contribute to ongoing deliberations. While public comments are not taken at meetings, the public is encouraged to share comments and agenda items for future consideration via email.
Upon election to the Board, trustees participate in a two-day orientation. This includes meeting with the president (and all members of their cabinet) to better understand what each area does and how the Trustees interacts with them. The orientation also includes a session with the General Counsel to review Indiana’s Open Door Law, access to public records and other crucial elements on which trustees must be well versed. Each trustee must also complete a conflict-of-interest form when they begin and annually thereafter (24-0534).
In compliance with IU policy ACA-04, “the faculty has legislative authority to establish policy and determine procedures for its implementation governing the teaching, research, and service aspects of the University’s academic mission” (24-0159). The authority is duly exercised through the UFC, which consists of elected faculty members from across all IU campuses.
