A proposed state Senate bill would restore the right of Indiana University alumni to select three members of the university’s Board of Trustees, reversing a late addition to the 2026-27 budget bill passed earlier this year that granted the governor authority to name all nine trustees at the state’s largest university.
The move angered many IU graduates who lost their vote and it came just before the session adjourned, leaving no time for public comment.
The authors of Senate Bill 110 are Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus, and Sen. Susan Glick, R-LaGrange. Both are IU graduates.
Their bill reverts to its previous appointment authority, granting the governor six appointments. One must be a student, named with input from IU students.
The three new members, appointed by Gov. Mike Braun in June, would be replaced by alumni appointments. Braun named attorneys James Bopp Jr., and Brian Eagle, and former ESPN sportscaster Sage Steele to the board. They took office immediately even though the terms of the alumni board members hadn’t expired.
The bill from Walker and Glick represents another push back on Braun’s agenda. The two also opposed a redistricting bill rejected by the Senate last week.
Their trustees’ bill was referred to the Education and Career Development committee. No hearing date has been set.
The General Assembly opened its session earlier this month to vote on President Trump’s request to redistrict congressional seats to boost the GOP advantage in the U.S. House. The bid failed after the Senate rejected it, 31-19.
The legislature will reconvene its short session on Jan. 5.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
