IU responds after state budget chop for Kinsey
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Republicans held resolute even into the waning hours of budget negotiations that the Kinsey Institute of Indiana University wouldn’t get any state funding, much to the chagrin of university leadership.
“As a premier research institution with a 200-year legacy of impact within our state and around the world, IU is firmly committed to academic freedom, The university is concerned that a provision singling out a specific research institute sets a troubling precedent with implications that could limit the ability of public colleges and universities to pursue research and scholarship that benefits people and improves lives,” Pamela Whitten, the president of IU, said in a Friday statement.
“IU will conduct a thorough legal review to ensure the university follows state law. The university is committed to the ongoing crucial research and robust scholarship conducted by IU faculty and the Kinsey Institute.”
The language, introduced as a second reading amendment in the House, bars Indiana University from using state monies for the research institution, which studies sex, gender and reproduction. Its founder, Alfred Kinsey, produced ground-breaking research on sexuality, including the Kinsey Scale.
Amendment author Rep. Lorissa Sweet, R-Wabash, called Kinsey a child predator and said the school could still be hiding child predators. According to the New York Times, Kinsey solicited information from a convicted pedophile for the orgasm study.
In an email to faculty and staff, the school reiterated its “unwavering support” for the institute, committing to continue its research. It will conduct a review to ensure the university complies with state law.
According to the school, the vast majority of the Kinsey Institute’s funding comes from grants and private philanthropic support.
“Together, we will ensure that IU and the Kinsey Institute remain globally recognized for excellence in research and scholarship,” the email read.
The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, not-for-profit news organization that covers state government, policy and elections.