Gov. Mike Braun has announced significant changes to the Indiana University (IU) Board of Trustees, appointing four new members: Sage Steele, James Bopp Jr., Brian Eagle and W. Quinn Buckner. These appointments follow recent legislative changes granting the governor full authority over the board’s composition and eliminating previously elected positions.
The appointees’ terms extend through various years, with Steele and Bopp serving until 2028, Eagle until 2027 and Buckner until 2026. All appointees are Indiana University alumni.
“I am confident that these appointees … will help guide IU back in the right direction as a premier flagship university in our state,” Braun said.
These changes come amid broader political shifts in Indiana’s approach to higher education governance. The recent budget bill, passed by the Republican-controlled legislature, included provisions that transferred the power to appoint all IU trustees to the governor, removing the traditional alumni-elected positions. Supporters argue this move streamlines governance and addresses low alumni election participation, while critics express concerns about reduced stakeholder representation.
Braun’s influence on the IU Board aligns with his broader political agenda, which has emphasized accountability and a return to core educational values.
In addition to the IU Board of Trustees, Braun announced appointments to other state boards and commissions, including the All Payers Claim Data Base Advisory Board, the Board of Accountancy and the Indiana Election Commission. These appointments reflect the administration’s ongoing efforts to influence various aspects of state governance.
The restructuring of the IU Board has prompted legal challenges. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit alleging that the changes violate Indiana’s constitutional ban on “special legislation” by targeting a specific institution. The outcome of this legal dispute may have implications for governance structures in public universities across the state.
This story is ongoing and will be updated as new information comes to light.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
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