1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

The recent legislative actions undermining the autonomy and shared governance of Indiana's public universities are deeply concerning. Universities thrive on academic freedom, independent thought, and the ability to foster open inquiry without undue political interference. Subjecting faculty to arbitrary productivity quotas and stripping faculty governance bodies of decision-making power threatens the integrity of higher education. Placing university boards entirely under gubernatorial control politicizes these institutions in a way that jeopardizes their core mission of advancing knowledge and critical thinking. While ensuring accountability for public funding is reasonable, these measures go too far in allowing the state to exert direct control over curricula, faculty tenure, and university administration. This level of government overreach risks stifling the very intellectual diversity and robust scholarly exchange that world-class universities are meant to cultivate. I urge you to reconsider these policies and instead work collaboratively with university stakeholders to find a balanced approach that respects institutional autonomy while maintaining appropriate oversight. Our state's universities are vital economic engines and sources of innovation – we must protect their ability to operate independently in service of the greater public good.