Indiana University’s Board of Trustees meets Thursday and Friday. While changes to the expressive activity policy are on the agenda, IU officials won’t disclose what specifically is under consideration.
An IU spokesperson referred WFIU/WTIU to the agenda, “which fulfills the proper notice required by state open door laws.”
“Additional information about any item on the agenda will be made available during the meeting,” the spokesperson said.
Russ Skiba, an IU professor emeritus and a protest organizer, said, “IU Administration’s ineptitude in enforcing the policy could have made it clear even to them that [the policy] as written is simply unenforceable."
The Board of Trustees passed the expressive activity policy 6-3 in July after encampment demonstrations from anti-war protesters. U-A 10 changed IU’s longstanding policy that designated Dunn Meadow the IU Assembly Ground.
“I want to state as clearly as possible, based on everything I've seen and heard and more importantly what I believe, that there can be no disconnect between free speech and campus safety,” board chair Quinn Buckner said at the July meeting. “Cannot happen.”
Read more: IU says GameDay fans didn’t violate expressive activity policy, protesters disagree
Vice President and General Counsel Anthony Prather will present and request amendments to the expressive activity policy Friday.
The policy covers “expressive activity” such as protests, peaceful assembly, making speeches and “participating in speech or conduct protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.” Notably, protesters have intentionally violated the policy’s curfew. Expressive activity can’t take place on campus between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The American Civil Liberties Union is pursuing a lawsuit against IU for that curfew. A candlelight vigil organizer told WFIU/WTIU the ACLU and IU will have a hearing in Indianapolis on Friday.
Read more: Amid confusion, IU says it hasn’t relaxed ‘expressive activity’ policy
In the expressive activity policy, temporary structures must be approved ahead of time, and camping is banned. Signs and symbols can’t be attached to IU property or stuck in the ground.
IU has issued citations to dozens of peopple, including at least one Wednesday.
In addition to the expressive activity policy, trustees will vote on naming the new IU Indianapolis Athletic Center. The center will cost about $110 million, and it’s intended to host multiple sports and community events.
Trustees will also discuss IU School of Medicine renovations and approve changes to dining and housing rates.
Aubrey is our higher education reporter and a Report For America corps member. Contact her at aubmwrig@iu.edu or follow her on X @aubreymwright .
