1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

The proposal to grant the governor sole authority to appoint all IU trustees raises concerns about preserving academic freedom and institutional independence. Alumni-elected trustees provide an essential perspective rooted in firsthand experience of the university's educational mission. Their independence allows them to prioritize IU's best interests over political agendas. Consolidating trusteeship under one political office risks enabling groupthink and external influences that could undermine the university's core values and public standing. A diversity of voices, including those directly invested through alumni representation, is vital for robust governance focused on academic excellence. I urge you to reconsider this centralization of authority and maintain avenues for stakeholder representation on the Board of Trustees.