IU provost holding listening sessions following abrupt not-for-profit plan
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Indiana University Provost Rahul Shrivastav has convened a committee and will hold three listening sessions for the IU community next month to discuss the future of the Kinsey Institute following a state law passed earlier this year banning state funding from going to the often-scrutinized sexual research entity.
The sessions follow faculty and student outrage over a proposed split of the Kinsey Institute into an administrative not-for-profit and university-held research and collections portion, which the university offered as a compliance solution.
The matter was in front of the Board of Trustees in early November for a vote but was tabled for more discussion.
The university said the public listening sessions will seek to better understand concerns around the state law’s funding ban and the university’s plan to protect the institute. The sessions, which have a maximum of 40 sign-up slots are scheduled for:
- Wednesday, Jan. 17 from 3:30-5 p.m.
- Thursday, Jan 18. from 12:30-2p.m.
- Friday, Jan 19. from 9:30-11 a.m.
“The new working group will synthesize key questions, concerns and perspectives from the community and work with Kinsey Institute and university leaders to consider how best to continue the legacy of the Kinsey Institute while complying with state law,” the provost’s website said.
The Kinsey Institute special working group members include several IU executives and Kinsey faculty members.
Faculty, staff and students who work within or support the Kinsey Institute said a proposal to move much of the administration of the institute into a not-for-profit was rushed, unnecessary and underdeveloped. They said several critical unanswered questions called the intent of the university into question. Several also warned about potential damage splitting the collections from research as well as other potential financial, reputation and faculty complications.
The Board of Trustees’ next meeting is Feb. 29 to March 1, 2024 at the IU Southeast campus in New Albany.