Latest news with #MarkBode
Indianapolis Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Judge pauses IU protest policy, says it likely violates First Amendment
An Indiana University policy enacted in response to pro-Palestinian protests will be paused after a federal judge ruled the policy may be violating students' First Amendment rights. IU revised its "expressive activity" policy in mid-2024 to ban overnight camping and use of structures, such as tents, without approval — hallmarks of the pro-Palestine protest movement. In response, the Indiana Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit challenging the policy last August. In its complaint, the ACLU alleged the university policy violates the First Amendment and is overly broad. Judge Richard Young of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana agreed and granted a preliminary injunction May 29. "The Policy likely burdens substantially more speech than necessary to further the University's interest in public safety and thus lacks narrow tailoring," the preliminary injunction reads. "The Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of their claim that the Policy violates the First Amendment." During the 2024 spring semester, protesters established an encampment in Dunn Meadow for several months. The protests drew national attention, resulted in dozens of arrests and required 'extensive repairs' of the area. Under the now-halted section of the policy, students, faculty and staff could not engage in protests and other expressive activities from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. without permission. If violated, one could face a range of disciplinary actions, including suspension, expulsion, loss of university employment and a responsibility to pay for damages. "While IU supports everyone's right to protest, camping or using any item to create a shelter is not a permitted form of expressive activity," the university said in paid content published in the Herald-Times last fall. "This ensures campus safety and accessibility for all community members." IU did not provide a reaction to the injunction since the university does not comment on pending litigation, spokesperson Mark Bode said. The USA TODAY Network - Indiana's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Judge pauses IU protest policy, says it likely violates First Amendment
An Indiana University policy enacted in response to pro-Palestinian protests will be paused after a federal judge ruled the policy may be violating students' First Amendment rights. IU revised its "expressive activity" policy in mid-2024 to ban overnight camping and use of structures, such as tents, without approval — hallmarks of the pro-Palestine protest movement. In response, the Indiana Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit challenging the policy last August. In its complaint, the ACLU alleged the university policy violates the First Amendment and is overly broad. Judge Richard Young of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana agreed and granted a preliminary injunction May 29. "The Policy likely burdens substantially more speech than necessary to further the University's interest in public safety and thus lacks narrow tailoring," the preliminary injunction reads. "The Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of their claim that the Policy violates the First Amendment." During the 2024 spring semester, protesters established an encampment in Dunn Meadow for several months. The protests drew national attention, resulted in dozens of arrests and required 'extensive repairs' of the area. Under the now-halted section of the policy, students, faculty and staff could not engage in protests and other expressive activities from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. without permission. If violated, one could face a range of disciplinary actions, including suspension, expulsion, loss of university employment and a responsibility to pay for damages. "While IU supports everyone's right to protest, camping or using any item to create a shelter is not a permitted form of expressive activity," the university said in paid content published in the Herald-Times last fall. "This ensures campus safety and accessibility for all community members." IU did not provide a reaction to the injunction since the university does not comment on pending litigation, spokesperson Mark Bode said. The USA TODAY Network - Indiana's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. Have a story to tell? Reach Cate Charron by email at ccharron@ or message her on Signal at @ This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Judge pauses IU protest policy, says it likely violates 1st Amendment
Indianapolis Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Judge pauses IU protest policy, says it likely violates First Amendment
An Indiana University policy enacted in response to pro-Palestinian protests will be paused after a federal judge ruled the policy may be violating students' First Amendment rights. IU revised its "expressive activity" policy in mid-2024 to ban overnight camping and use of structures, such as tents, without approval — hallmarks of the pro-Palestine protest movement. In response, the Indiana Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit challenging the policy last August. In its complaint, the ACLU alleged the university policy violates the First Amendment and is overly broad. Judge Richard Young of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana agreed and granted a preliminary injunction May 29. "The Policy likely burdens substantially more speech than necessary to further the University's interest in public safety and thus lacks narrow tailoring," the preliminary injunction reads. "The Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of their claim that the Policy violates the First Amendment." During the 2024 spring semester, protesters established an encampment in Dunn Meadow for several months. The protests drew national attention, resulted in dozens of arrests and required 'extensive repairs' of the area. Under the now-halted section of the policy, students, faculty and staff could not engage in protests and other expressive activities from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. without permission. If violated, one could face a range of disciplinary actions, including suspension, expulsion, loss of university employment and a responsibility to pay for damages. "While IU supports everyone's right to protest, camping or using any item to create a shelter is not a permitted form of expressive activity," the university said in paid content published in the Herald-Times last fall. "This ensures campus safety and accessibility for all community members." IU did not provide a reaction to the injunction since the university does not comment on pending litigation, spokesperson Mark Bode said. The USA TODAY Network - Indiana's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Indiana University closes DEI office to comply with Trump-inspired mandates
Indiana University is shuttering its diversity, equity and inclusion office in response to new state and federal mandates targeting DEI-aligned polices, programs and entities. All nine of IU's campuses are expected to be in compliance with state and federal policies, the announcement said, and the university is directing all campuses, schools and units to take steps to do so. "IU will continue to affirm its fundamental goal of ensuring every student is equipped to thrive — in the classroom and after graduation," the university said in an May 22 announcement. IU joins Ivy Tech Community College and Ball State University as the latest university to eliminate its DEI presence on campus, citing new executive orders and legislation. Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita also sent a May 9 letter to the University of Notre Dame requesting DEI information to ensure its compliance with federal and state law. IU's Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion previously offered scholarships, sought to recruit and retain diverse students and faculty, and provided on-campus resources and development. The office will sunset effective May 22, but a timeline was not provided. Some of its student programs and centers will be shifted into different offices and available to all students, according to the announcement. Academic advising, engagement and student well-being efforts and resources will continue to be provided, the announcement said. IU did not answer IndyStar questions regarding potential layoffs, dismantled programs and status of scholarships. IU spokesperson Mark Bode instead directed the Star to the earlier announcement. The office was first established in 1999 "to cultivate a diverse, inclusive environment that supports equal access, participation, and representation" on each IU campus, according to the former website. The Office of Institutional Equity was also renamed the Office of Civil Rights Compliance. The change, IU said in its announcement, better reflects the office's work. The body is responsible for handling complaints about possible violations of federal rights law in relation to harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct. While on the campaign trail, President Donald Trump rallied his Republican base in part around an anti-DEI platform that he says is 'illegal and radical." Since taking office, Trump has stripped diversity practices and efforts out of the federal government, and his administration has begun focusing its anti-DEI efforts on higher education and the private sector. Gov. Mike Braun has done the same in Indiana. On his second full day in office, he signed an executive order to remove DEI initiatives and policies from state government, including closing the Office of the Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity created by then-Gov. Holcomb in 2020. Braun also signed a bill into law May 6 to allow individuals to sue publicly funded schools or government entities for DEI policies and programs. Senate Enrolled Act 289 prohibits public institutions from taking actions based on an individual's "personal characteristic," such as race, religion, color and sex. The USA TODAY Network - Indiana's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. Have a story to tell? Reach Cate Charron by email at ccharron@ or message her on Signal at @ This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana University closes DEI office, citing Trump-inspired mandates
Indianapolis Star
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Indiana University closes DEI office to comply with Trump-inspired mandates
Indiana University is shuttering its diversity, equity and inclusion office in response to new state and federal mandates targeting DEI-aligned polices, programs and entities. All nine of IU's campuses are expected to be in compliance with state and federal policies, the announcement said, and the university is directing all campuses, schools and units to take steps to do so. "IU will continue to affirm its fundamental goal of ensuring every student is equipped to thrive — in the classroom and after graduation," the university said in an May 22 announcement. IU joins Ivy Tech Community College and Ball State University as the latest university to eliminate its DEI presence on campus, citing new executive orders and legislation. Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita also sent a May 9 letter to the University of Notre Dame requesting DEI information to ensure its compliance with federal and state law. IU's Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion previously offered scholarships, sought to recruit and retain diverse students and faculty, and provided on-campus resources and development. The office will sunset effective May 22, but a timeline was not provided. Some of its student programs and centers will be shifted into different offices and available to all students, according to the announcement. Academic advising, engagement and student well-being efforts and resources will continue to be provided, the announcement said. IU did not answer IndyStar questions regarding potential layoffs, dismantled programs and status of scholarships. IU spokesperson Mark Bode instead directed the Star to the earlier announcement. The office was first established in 1999 "to cultivate a diverse, inclusive environment that supports equal access, participation, and representation" on each IU campus, according to the former website. The Office of Institutional Equity was also renamed the Office of Civil Rights Compliance. The change, IU said in its announcement, better reflects the office's work. The body is responsible for handling complaints about possible violations of federal rights law in relation to harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct. While on the campaign trail, President Donald Trump rallied his Republican base in part around an anti-DEI platform that he says is 'illegal and radical." Since taking office, Trump has stripped diversity practices and efforts out of the federal government, and his administration has begun focusing its anti-DEI efforts on higher education and the private sector. Gov. Mike Braun has done the same in Indiana. On his second full day in office, he signed an executive order to remove DEI initiatives and policies from state government, including closing the Office of the Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity created by then-Gov. Holcomb in 2020. Braun also signed a bill into law May 6 to allow individuals to sue publicly funded schools or government entities for DEI policies and programs. Senate Enrolled Act 289 prohibits public institutions from taking actions based on an individual's "personal characteristic," such as race, religion, color and sex. The USA TODAY Network - Indiana's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.
