Indiana University President Pamela Whitten issued a statement Friday after lawmakers unveiled the state’s new two-year, $44.5 billion spending plan, which prohibits state funding to the Kinsey Institute.
“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,” she said in the 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.”
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In an email, she reiterated that Kinsey, and its affiliated faculty, “will have the university’s full and continued support” across its operations.
State funding to Kinsey has been uncertain since February, when Rep. Lorissa Sweet (R-Wabash) added an amendment to the state budget bill blocking funding to the institute. She alleged, without evidence, that Kinsey and IU were sheltering sexual predators.
The House approved the amendment 53 to 34, where it eventually made its way into the final spending plan.
Faculty expressed dismay over the amendment. President of the American Association of University Professors IU chapter Ben Robinson wanted the university to respond by increasing support for Kinsey research.
“The best, most effective rejoinder would be to say, ‘Great, you're cutting state appropriations. Well, then we're going to fund it at a higher level, using other revenue streams over which legislature doesn't have authority,” Robinson said.
It is unclear what IU’s response to the funding cut will be.
Read more: IU faculty criticize anti-Kinsey amendment in state budget
