Indiana

As free speech controversies mount, Indiana University faculty pitch vote of no confidence in university leadership

Published

9 months ago

April 10, 2024

As free speech controversies mount, Indiana University faculty pitch vote of no confidence in university leadership

Concerns over free speech and academic freedom are prompting Indiana University faculty to consider a vote of no confidence this month against IU’s most senior leadership. The Indiana Daily Student reported faculty will meet April 16 to consider a petition calling for a vote of no confidence in IU President Pamela Whitten and two other high-level administrators.

The petition cites encroachments on academic freedom and shared governance, noting examples that raised concerns about viewpoint discrimination like the university’s sanctioning of associate professor Abdulkader Sinno for an alleged violation of university room reservation policies and its cancellation of an art exhibit featuring a prominent Palestinian artist at IU’s campus museum.

These incidents add to IU’s years-long questionable track record on free speech issues that has placed the university on our radar and prompted repeated — but often ignored — correspondence from FIRE. Most recently, at IU’s request, Indiana University Hillel postponed a March 26 campus event featuring prominent pro-Israel activist and Hamas critic Mosab Hassan Yousef due to what the university dubbed “credible security information.”

Indiana University School of Medicine continues to disregard First Amendment, smuggles ideological commitments into honor code

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After ignoring FIRE’s warnings about the threat to academic freedom, Indiana University School of Medicine now appears to require faculty to sign a politicized honor code as part of its training on mitigating bias.

Transparency is vital when a public university curtails expressive rights, and vague security concerns must not serve as pretext for shutting down events on campus. IU said the “credible security information” raised concerns about the safety of the event and its attendees, and Yousef pointed to “serious and credible security issues involving the Muslim community and several White supremacist groups” involving the FBI.

While security threats that implicate potential FBI involvement certainly can warrant total event cancellation, at the very least, the university needs to show its work by publicly demonstrating the threats it received rose to such an extraordinary level of severity that canceling was the only way to assure the safety of would-be participants and attendees. After all, when universities anticipate substantial disruptions, they must respond not by canceling or hamstringing the event, but rather with “bona fide efforts” to protect expressive rights “by other, less restrictive means.”

It was clear in the Yousef event’s leadup that it was very likely to draw significant attention and controversy, as a student group advertised a protest that would have bused in off-campus protesters to demonstrate in front of the venue. And Yousef, also known as the “Son of Hamas,” has drawn significant controversy for his criticism of Islam and the Muslim community. Such high-profile and potentially disruptive protests should have prompted the university to bolster security for the event — and to postpone it only as a last resort.

Yet IU’s track record offers reason to doubt it approached the event with the First Amendment top-of-mind.

In January, for example, administrators sanctioned associate professor Abdulkader Sinno, who allegedly violated a minor university procedure for reserving on-campus rooms when he scheduled an event featuring an Israeli-American critic of Israel. A banishment from teaching until the fall semeseter amounted to severe discipline for what appeared to be a relatively minor infraction, rendering it seemingly pretextual in light of Sinno’s pro-Palestinian advocacy.

That same month, IU canceled an exhibit at the university’s Eskenazi Museum of Art featuring Samia Halaby, a Palestinian artist, ostensibly due to concerns about guaranteeing “the integrity of the exhibit.” But the university also cited complaints by museum staff about Halaby’s activism, suggesting they nixed the exhibit because of Halaby’s support for Palestinians. Shortly after that incident, FIRE requested records about it under state open records law — two months later, we’re still waiting to receive them.

FIRE seeks Indiana University records on cancellation of pro-Palestinian art exhibit

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Indiana University has refused to be transparent about alleged ‘security concerns’ that prompted cancellation of Palestinian painter Samia Halaby’s exhibit.

And the university’s misdeeds on speech aren’t relegated to expression relating to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For example, in early 2023, the university stonewalled in response to FIRE’s concern about its requirement that faculty members pledge their “views, beliefs, actions, and inactions do not, intentionally or unintentionally, perpetuate . . . inequity” in healthcare, potentially forcing faculty to promise not to engage in wrongthink that contradicts university-approved orthodoxy. That came after the university began a three-year plan to phase in a requirement that faculty seeking tenure and promotion “show effort toward advancing DEI” in either their teaching or their extramural research and work.

In late 2022, the university consistently delayed and denied public records requests from student journalists, displaying disregard for transparency. A little earlier that year, when several faculty members emailed a faculty listserv raising personal concerns about a proposed state abortion bill, an administrator chided them and claimed they could face discipline because the administration did not approve their message. FIRE wrote IU to urge it not to punish faculty for their speech about abortion, but the university did not respond substantively to our concerns.

Some at IU seem to recognize the need to protect free expression and academic freedom. In a measured victory for academic freedom, the university’s board of trustees endorsed President Whitten’s proposal to keep IU as the home of the Kinsey Institute — famous for its research about sexuality and relationships — while complying with a law that prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars to fund it. And both pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian student groups recently held events on campus despite the university’s latest actions.

IU currently ranks a disappointing 225 out of 248 schools in FIRE’s 2024 College Free Speech Rankings. Until it recognizes how its actions chill speech on campus, it risks finding itself atop of a much more ignominious list.

FIRE’s 2025 “10 Worst Censors” list won’t be finalized for at least another nine months, but IU is already shaping up to be a contender for the annual (dis)honor.

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Indiana

How to watch Iowa vs Indiana today: Time, TV channel for Big Ten basketball game

Published

3 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

How to watch Iowa vs Indiana today: Time, TV channel for Big Ten basketball game

Iowa basketball is ready to hit the court again in Big Ten Conference play.

The Hawkeyes (11-4, 2-2 Big Ten) remain at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Saturday for a men’s matchup against Indiana. Head coach Fran McCaffery’s group is hoping to carry its momentum from last outing’s overtime win over Nebraska, 97-87, on Tuesday.

Here’s how to watch Iowa men’s basketball vs Indiana, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:

Watch Iowa vs. Indiana men’s basketball on FUBO

What channel is Iowa vs Indiana on today?

TV channel: FOX

Livestream: FUBO (free trial)

Iowa vs Indiana will be broadcast nationally on FOX. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Can I watch Iowa vs Indiana for free on livestream?

The Iowa vs. Indiana game can be streamed on FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Iowa vs Indiana time today

Date: Saturday, Jan. 1
Start time: 7 p.m. CT

The Iowa vs Indiana game starts at 7 p.m. CT from Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City.

Iowa basketball schedule 2024-25

Record: 11-4 (2-2 Big Ten)

Nov. 4: Texas A&M Commerce (W, 89-67)
Nov. 7: Southern (W, 89-74)
Nov. 12: South Dakota (W, 96-77)
Nov. 15: Washington State (W, 76-66)
Nov. 19: Rider University (W, 83-58)
Nov. 22: Utah State (L, 77-69)
Nov 26: USC Upstate (W, 110-77)
Dec. 3: Northwestern (W, 80-79)
Dec 7: @Michigan (L, 85-83)
Dec. 12: Iowa State (L, 89-80)
Dec. 15: University of New Orleans (W, 104-57)
Dec. 21: University of Utah (W, 95-88)
Dec. 30: University of New Hampshire (W, 112-70)
Jan 3: at Wisconsin, (L, 116-85)
Jan. 7: Nebraska, (W, 97-87)
Jan. 11: Indiana, 7 p.m., FOX (Iowa City)*
Jan. 14: at USC, 9:30 p.m., FS1 (Los Angeles, California)*
Jan. 17: at UCLA, 8 p.m., FS1 (Los Angeles, California)*
Jan 21: Minnesota, 8 p.m., BTN (Iowa City)*
Jan. 24: Penn State, 8 p.m., FS1 (Iowa City)*
Jan 27: at Ohio State, 7 p.m., FS1 (Columbus, Ohio)*
Feb. 4: Purdue, 6 p.m., Peacock (Iowa City)*
Feb 8: Wisconsin, noon, NBC (Iowa City)*
Feb. 12: at Rutgers, 5:30 p.m., BTN (Piscataway, New Jersey)*
Feb. 16: at Maryland, 4 p.m., FS1 (College Park, Maryland)*
Feb. 19: Oregon, 7:30 p.m., BTN (Iowa City)*
Feb. 22: Washington, 3 p.m., FS1 (Iowa City)*
Feb. 25: at Illinois, 8 p.m., FS1 (Champaign, Illinois)*
Feb: 28: at Northwestern, 8 p.m., FS1 (Evanston, Illinois)*
March 6: Michigan State, 7 p.m., FS1 (Iowa City)*
March 9: at Nebraska, 11:30 a.m., FOX (Lincoln, Nebraska)*
March 12-16: Big Ten Tournament on (Indianapolis, Indiana)*

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Indiana

Indiana State Police arrest woman accused of helping man wanted for allegedly shooting deputy

Published

14 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Indiana State Police arrest woman accused of helping man wanted for allegedly shooting deputy

FOX59/CBS4 has requested a mugshot of Victoria Howard, which has not been provided as of this article’s publication. The mugshot will be added once it is released.

FLOYD COUNTY, Ind. — Authorities have arrested a woman accused of helping a man flee from authorities after he allegedly shot an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy.

Indiana State Police announced the arrest of 35-year-old Victoria Howard of New Albany, alleging that she assisted Austin Schepers after he reportedly shot Deputy Zac Andry on Jan. 3 in Orange Count.

A previous booking photo of Austin Schepers provided by Indiana State Police.

ISP said the incident occurred after Deputy Andry stopped to check on a disabled silver 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix near US Highway 150 and State Road 56. During this interaction, Schepers allegedly shot the deputy several times. Previous reports indicate Andry was transported to a Louisville-based hospital in “critical but stable condition.”

Schepers allegedly fled to a residence located in the 1800 block of Market Street in New Albany after the shooting.

*Photo of Deputy Zac Andry courtesy of Indiana State Police.*

Detectives believe Howard was aware that Scheper was wanted for his alleged role in the encounter and that police were searching for him.

ISP accused Howard of utilizing the ride-sharing app Lyft to assist Schepers as he looked for a ride from her apartment to the area of Craig Street and Wheeler Avenue in Louisville.

Schepers was found on Jan. 4 by investigators in the 3700 block of Wheeler Avenue where he was eventually killed during a shootout with police.

ISP said Howard was arrested without incident on Jan. 9 in Clarksville and taken to the Floyd County Jail where she was preliminarily charged with assisting a criminal (level 5 felony) and false informing (Class A misdemeanor).

ISP added that more individuals could face additional charges for allegedly helping Schepers while law enforcement was searching for him.

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Indiana

Latest forecast: How much snow will Indiana get Friday? When will it fall?

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Latest forecast: How much snow will Indiana get Friday? When will it fall?

The Bloomington area will get more snow today. Here’s how much the National Weather Service now expects to fall and when.

How much snow will Monroe County get Friday?

Aaron Updike, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis said the Bloomington area is expected to get between 2 and 4 inches of snow.

Southern parts of Indiana could see even more, with Bedford projected to get close to 4 inches and areas closer to Louisville possibly seeing 6 inches.

When will the snow fall today in the Bloomington area?

Updike said the NWS expects the snow to begin around 11 a.m. and end about 12 hours later. However, he said, the day will bring periods of lulls and peaks, though those are more difficult to predict.

Generally, Updike said, the heaviest accumulation will occur from mid-to-late afternoon, around 2 to 6 p.m.

He urged commuters to take extra time and care, as they may experience slippery roads and sidewalks on their way home.

What kind of snow will be falling in Indiana on Friday?

Updike said the snow should be light and fluffy. The NWS expects only light wind, with gusts of 10 to 15 mph, which means the area should not expect to see much drifting snow.

How cold will it get in the Bloomington area tonight?

The NWS projects that the cloud cover will hang around the area for a while, which will contribute to temperatures falling only to about 20 degrees.

Is there a chance of snowmelt any time soon in Indiana?

Updike said temperatures should rise to near freezing on Sunday, and the area also might see some pockets of sunshine, which should help melt some snow especially on pavement and roads.

However, he said temperatures will not rise enough in the next few days to melt all of the snow.

Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com.

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