AU cuts include campus police, lacrosse programs

Yahoo

13-05-2025

ANDERSON — In an effort to trim costs, Anderson University is disbanding its campus police department and eliminating its men's and women's lacrosse programs.
In place of the campus police department, AU will be transitioning to a safety and security staffing model, according to an email from the office of incoming President Scott Moats.
Instead of reducing services, the university's approach to campus safety is being modernized 'to improve access, efficiency and student-centered care,' according to the email.
Services like campus video surveillance, blue light safety stations, escort services for students and key card access to buildings will remain in place.
AU also plans to continue its partnership with local police agencies for a 'rapid and professional response to any major incidents.'
In a letter to AU students and families, Moats, who will officially become AU's sixth president June 1, said student safety is the highest priority.
'This change is part of a thoughtful transition based on national best practices, tailored to our location and campus community,' Moats said. 'The model focuses on maintaining a strong, visible safety presence while emphasizing prevention and care — consistent with what's common at small, private universities nationwide.'
University officials said they are taking steps to ensure the campus environment would continue to help students thrive, according to the email. It mentions AU is currently putting a plan in place that is 'focused on fiscal responsibility, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth.'
The elimination of the lacrosse programs comes as several other small universities in the Midwest either cut or consider cutting their lacrosse programs amid budget restraints and difficulty in maintaining roster sizes.
The women's and men's lacrosse NCAA Div. III programs were started in 2018 under President John Pistole, who is retiring at the end of this month.
The Ravens women's lacrosse team had two coaches and 17 players, including four seniors, on the roster this spring, as reflected on the university's website. Twelve of the players attended high school in Indiana, three in Ohio, and two in Illinois.
The women's team had its best records this spring and last, finishing 8-8 both years. The 2025 season ended with a 19-4 loss in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament against Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, on May 3.
The AU men's lacrosse team had two coaches and 19 players but no seniors for the 2025 season, according to the school's website.
Just four of the players went to high school in Indiana, where lacrosse is not sanctioned as a varsity sport for boys or girls by the state high school athletic association. Six of the AU players this spring are from Illinois, three from Kentucky, two from Ohio and one apiece from Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Florida.
The best record for the men's team came in 2023, when the Ravens won seven of their 12 games. This year, they finished 3-12. Like the women's spring, the men's season ended with an HCLC tournament loss, 30-3, to Transylvania in Lexington
The men's and women's lacrosse teams often had to travel out of state for competition. During the 2025 season, just four of the men's 14 opponents and just three of the women's 14 opponents came from colleges located in Indiana.
The elimination of the lacrosse programs leaves AU with 18 varsity sports, nine for each gender.