Indiana

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

Published

2 years 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

Statewide Silver Alert issued for two missing Indiana children

Published

2 hours ago

July 16, 2026

Press Room

Statewide Silver Alert issued for two missing Indiana children

RIPLEY COUNTY, Ind. (WSBT) — A statewide Silver Alert has been issued for two young children in Indiana.

Police in Ripley County, southeast of Indianapolis, are looing for the children who may be siblings.

The first child is 3-year-old Aaliyah Buckingham.

She was last seen wearing a pink cat shirt and tie-dye shorts.

The younger child is 1-year-old Shane Buckingham, last seen in a red shirt and diaper.

Police think both are with 45-year-old Timothy Buckingham, who was last seen driving a brown GMC truck.

Timothy is described as a 6′ 3″ white man weighing 225 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.

Photo of Timothy Buckingham provided by Indiana State Police

Police have not confirmed the relationship of the three, or why the children are believed to be in danger.

Anyone who sees the three are asked to contact the nearest police department.

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Indiana

Indianapolis firefighter hospitalized after battling fire at vacant home

Published

14 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Press Room

Indianapolis firefighter hospitalized after battling fire at vacant home

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A firefighter for the Indianapolis Fire Department was sent to the hospital Wednesday after battling a fire at a vacant house.

According to a Facebook post made by IFD, the fire happened around 10:15 a.m. at a house on Bluff Rd. IFD says that there were several complications, including limited access to fire hydrants and “interior hoarder conditions” that IFD says was due to squatters.

The injured firefighter received “slight injury,” the Facebook post said.

It took over an hour and a half to get the fire under control, according to IFD, and another hour to put out all the remaining hot spots in the building.

According to IFD, the cause of the fire is currently unknown. Their Fire Investigations Unit is working on figuring out what caused the fire.

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Indiana

IHSAA football: 10 sleeper teams to watch in Central Indiana for the 2026 season

Published

1 day ago

July 15, 2026

Press Room

IHSAA football: 10 sleeper teams to watch in Central Indiana for the 2026 season

The high school football season is a little more than five weeks away. We take a look today at 10 potential sleeper teams for the 2026 season from Central Indiana. To keep things consistent, we considered only teams that finished last season with a .500 record or below.

I had a few hits in this category last year, including Avon (3-7 to 6-5), Carmel (3-7 to 9-2) and Indian Creek (5-6 to 8-4). Here are teams poised for an uptick this season:

Brebeuf Jesuit

A drop off last year was not unexpected for the Braves, who lost a lot of talent from a team that finished 8-3 in 2024. Brebeuf started 0-6 on its way to a 3-8 season, which was its first losing record since going 4-6 in 2016.

There were some mitigating circumstances around last season’s record, extending beyond inexperience. The Braves lost starting quarterback Keegan Bouwkamp to an injury in the first game of the season, though he was able to return to pass for 1,004 yards and 15 touchdowns in just four games. His return as a senior will allow to senior Carter Cosgrove to return to receiver full time. They are part of a group of nine starters returning to an offense that did produce 26 points per game last season and will be anchored by UConn commit Krystian Oakley on the line.

Coach Matt Geske’s team also returns six starters on defense, including junior Joshua Rogers (42 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks). There are some new games on the schedule, including Mt. Vernon, Scecina, Columbus North and Cardinal Ritter.

North Central

It might seem like a small thing but North Central finishing 2-8 last season did represent a significant jump after three consecutive 0-10 seasons. In fact, a two-win season is the best for the Panthers since going 6-4 in 2020.

Now, can North Central take another step forward in Collin Coffer’s second season as coach? The Panthers ended a 32-game losing streak in the season opener last year with a 35-13 victory over Brebeuf, then defeated Harrison (West Lafayette) 41-28 in Week 5. If North Central is going to take the next step, it will need to make headway against Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference opponents (North Central’s most-recent MIC win was in 2021).

There is plenty of hope coming into the season with an offense led by junior quarterback Chase Grove (1,901 passing yards, 19 TDs) and an experienced group of receivers. Most of the defense also returns, including seniors Kolton Ablitar-Conner and Jameson Hittle.

Zionsville

The Eagles were 3-7 last year, but four of those losses came by 10 points or less. Zionsville has been stuck on either three or four wins every year since going 9-6 and reaching the Class 5A state finals in 2021.

There are reasons to believe coach Scott Turnquist’s team can make a move in 2026. The offensive line brings back Ball State commit Eli Wildoner and Ben Maxey and has a rising star in junior tight end Theo Schott, who caught 26 passes for 305 yards and three TDs last season. Junior quarterback Finn Giles transferred from Carmel and will battle for the starting spot with junior Mac Wright.

The defense has talent, too, led by senior Ball State preferred walk-on Roman Barth on the line, along with junior Peter Monohan. The secondary returns one of the team’s top tacklers in junior Gabe Vinatieri. Zionsville starts with Pike and Lawrence Central before getting into Hoosier Crossroads Conference play.

Martinsville

The Artesians did drop off from a 12-2 regional championship season in 2024 but still managed to win a sectional title and finish 6-7 last year with a relatively inexperienced team.

Coach Brian Dugger’s group will still be a little bit on the young side in some areas, but there is quite a bit coming back. Leading the way on offense will be senior quarterback Chase Davis (2,510 passing yards, 24 TDs), senior receiver Landon Cazee (95 catches, 1,280 yards, 13 TDs) and senior lineman Kyson Bunton.

The defense loses some key pieces to graduation, though senior linebackers Joel Sumner (67 tackles, five TFLs) and Nate LaFary (47 tackles in eight games) are among those returning. The path to a sectional title became a lot more difficult with Roncalli now in the mix. The Artesians open the season with Bedford North Lawrence and Bloomington South before getting into Mid-State Conference play with new league member Bloomington North in Week 3.

Hamilton Heights

Caleb Small comes over to coach his alma mater after coaching at Northwestern two years ago and Kokomo last season. The Huskies were 4-6 last year with a first-round sectional exit to Guerin Catholic, but there is a lot of experience returning on both sides of the ball.

The Huskies should be strong at the skill positions with senior running back A.J. Flanagan (813 rushing yards, seven TDs; 20 catches, 181 yards) returning, along with senior quarterback Drew Woodruff (1,742 passing yards, 13 TDs).

The defense should be strong in front seven with junior linebackers Grayden Dahlstrom and Landon Hickman among the returnees. The Huskies are coming off back-to-back 4-win seasons after going 11-1 in 2023 and making a run to the sectional title game. Small has a lot of experience on his staff, including eight coaches who have coached at the Class 6A level.

The sectional no longer includes Guerin Catholic or Bishop Chatard – the two programs that have knocked the Huskies out the past six seasons.

Mt. Vernon

This might seem like a lot to ask after Mt. Vernon finished 0-10 last season. Coach Mike Kirschner returns after getting the Marauders’ program a jolt from 2018 to 2020, helping to set the stage for a run to the Class 4A state title in 2021.

Can Kirschner help to make it happen again? Mt. Vernon allowed 46.2 points per game last season, so a major overhaul will be needed on that side of the ball. There is some experienced there, including senior James Battee on the line and Zach Spalding and B.J. Johnson at linebacker.

The offense returns four starters on the line, along with Arizona State baseball recruit Mason Meyer (1,517 passing yards, 11 TDs; 420 rushing yards, six TDs) at quarterback and Johnson at receiver. Instead of Noblesville and Franklin, Mt. Vernon will open with Kokomo and Brebeuf Jesuit before getting into Hoosier Heritage Conference play.

Monrovia

The Bulldogs struggled to a 4-7 record last year after back-to-back 9-3 seasons. Coach Andy Olson’s team could be in line for a bounce back season with three top rushers returning in junior Ryder Bain (978 yards, 12 TDs), senior Coewen Stinson (957 yards, 10 TDs) and junior Gavin Wolsiffer (746 yards, six TDs). Monrovia averaged 261 rushing yards per game last season.

The defense struggled last season, especially late. The Bulldogs lost 57-56 to Heritage Christian in the second round of the sectional. The good news is that Monrovia returns plenty of experience on that side of the ball, including senior Gauge Tolan (123 tackles).

Monrovia has not had back-to-back losing seasons since 2019 and 2020.

Cardinal Ritter

Ritter has been competitive the past three seasons under coach Levar Johnson but have not been able to break through with a winning season since 2020. The Raiders were 3-7 last year with wins over Tech, Greenwood Christian and Covenant Christian.

Can Ritter get over the top with a winning season in 2026? Junior linebacker Bam McCullough (99 tackles, eight TFLs, 3 ½ sacks) is a Division I talent and will be joined at the linebacker spot by junior Ve’Sean Miles (81 tackles, 6 ½ TFLs). Ritter has three other returning starters on defense.

The offense has three returning starters on the offensive line (eight overall) and several talented skill position players, including junior running back Tavien Fox (659 rushing yards, nine TDs), who is moving back from quarterback. Senior Renaldo Thomas (534 rushing yards, three TDs) also has experience. Junior Jordyn Graham, a transfer from Crispus Attucks, is the likely starter at quarterback.

Greenwood

It is a new era for the Woodmen in the Hoosier Legends Conference, where 4A Greenwood will be one of the larger schools in the eight-team league. The Woodmen were 2-8 last year, a drop after going 6-6 two years ago and 4-8 last season.

Greenwood will have experience at the skill positions on offense, led by Lindenwood commit Benjamin Hommell at wide receiver (26 catches, 625 yards, eight TDs) and junior running back Leland Morton (596 rushing yards, three TDs). There is some experience up front on defense with Aidyn Wiley on the line and linebackers James Hurley, Damyan Hernandez and Gage Hall.

Areas of concern for Greenwood will be a young offensive line and secondary.

Scecina

The Crusaders were on this list last year and did make a two-win jump, improving from 3-7 to 5-5. Scecina lost in the first round of the sectional, 47-29, to Monrovia in Dan Harris’ second season as coach.

Scecina returns plenty talent and experience at the skill positions, including senior quarterback Bryce McDonald (1,990 passing yards, 21 TDs), senior receiver Tristan Brown (65 catches, 708 yards, six TDs) and senior running back Gavin Connel (578 yards, four TDs). The Crusaders have good size up front but not a lot of experience.

The defense will include some of the same names from the offense, along with Mannie Stevens and C.J. Heard on the line and Kaiden Dugan at inside linebacker.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649. Get IndyStar’s high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter. And be sure to subscribe to our new IndyStarTV: Preps YouTube channel.

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