The Indiana University Board of Trustees is expected to decide the future of the Kinsey Institute during its meeting from February 29 to March 1. However, Kinsey faculty and students still don't know what that future will look like.
“Everyone feels anxious, uncertain and dark,” said Zoe Peterson, director of the Sexual Assault Research Initiative at the Kinsey Institute.
In February 2023, Indiana House Been voted Preventing the state from funding the Kinsey Institute. Rep. Lorissa Sweet, R-50, who proposed amending the state budget bill, to make Unfounded claims That the Kinsey Institute could be harboring child predators. The draft state budget law entered into force on July 1, 2023.
Following this vote, the IU administration underItt It plans to establish a 501(c) nonprofit entity to manage the operational functions of the Kinsey Institute currently supported by the university's general fund. Although the institute has not received direct funding from the state since July 1, 2023, some state appropriations have been made It can still pay for the institute's operations indirectly through the university's general fund, according to A launch From the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President at Indiana University.
After receiving backlash from Kinsey faculty and students, who objected to the separation of the institute from the university and the short timeline for discussions, the Board of Trustees decided It was submitted Discussions of the plan at its meeting on November 9 and 10. The university established a task force consisting of Kinsey faculty and Indiana University administration Hosted Three public hearings are scheduled in January to hear public concerns about the future of the institute.
However, after the sessions, Kinsey's faculty and staff sender A January 22 letter to Indiana University Provost Rahul Shrivastav and the working group urges Indiana University to be more transparent after there were restrictions on attendance at hearings and outlines four key recommendations: defend the institute, retain Kinsey and its collections, fund the institute without state dollars and be more transparency.
Working Group RicoMIt has been fixed Feb. 16 that the institute can remain part of the university by creating an income statement and balance sheet to track all costs while adhering to Indiana law, according to a document the work group sent to Shrivastav and IU general counsel Anthony Prather. Indiana Public Media.
Peterson said she had not seen the working group's recommendation before the Indiana Public Media story. She said the Kinsey Institute's executive director, Justin Garcia, told Kinsey staff that IU President Pamela Whitten met with Kinsey's leadership only twice to discuss the institute's future — both times at his request. She said it was still unclear who would write the new proposal, but it was her understanding, This person or group of people was not present at the hearings.
“On the one hand, I appreciate that the administration organized the work group and the hearings, but on the other hand, there was no one at the hearings who could answer any of our questions,” Peterson said. “I still feel like we have been left in the dark about exactly what is being proposed, and our questions remain unanswered.”
Kinsey faculty have not yet heard how faculty appointments will be affected and where Kinsey's collections of erotic artwork will be kept if the institute is separated from the university, Peterson said. She also said the safety of faculty and students was a concern.
“The Kinsey Institute frequently receives threats, and these threats have increased since this controversy has recently come to the attention of people,” Peterson said. “Our building has a lot of safety and security measures in place, which we're really grateful for, and it's not clear if we weren't part of the university would we still have those types of protections, would we still have access to university police.”
After the hearings, Kinsey Institute students formed the group Friends of Kinsey to advocate against the separation of the Institute from IU. For the past two weeks, members have demonstrated in front of Sample Gates and distributed flyers, candy and condoms.
on InstagramMembers of Friends of Kinsey photographed students holding a sign reading “Protect the Kinsey Institute” and “#StandwithKinsey.” And on February 21, they hosted a screening of “Kinsey,” the 2004 film about the life of Kinsey Institute founder Alfred Kinsey at the Monroe Public Library. They also participated in “Day of Action” Tuesday in support of academic freedom.
Change site Petitionwhich was started by Kinsey researcher Jean Bass in November 2023, In support of the institute remaining part of the university, It has received over 10,000 signatures as of Wednesday evening. In addition, Peterson said more than 400 people sent a prepared email to Whitten and the Board of Trustees through the Friends of Kinsey website, urging them to keep the institute and its collections at Indiana University; Defend the institute from attacks. Searching for an accounting solution for the budget bill; and providing “effective and proactive leadership.”
Melissa Blundell, a doctoral student at the Kinsey Institute and a member of Friends of Kinsey, said she chose to attend IU specifically because of the Kinsey Institute. She said She is interested in what the next years of her education will look like if she is separated from the institute.
Keeping Kinsey part of the university is important for IU's reputation and the field of sex research in general, Blundell said. She also said IU did not do enough to protect Kinsey's safety and defend her from attacks and misinformation, such as the allegations Sweat made last year.
“This just seems to be part of a pattern of IU management not doing enough to defend Kinsey, to protect Kinsey, so this proposal to split it into a separate 501(c) leaves Kinsey in a weak position.” He said.
When asked to comment on Kinsey faculty concerns about communicating with Indiana University administration, an Indiana University spokesperson pointed to a February 15 decision column By Shrivastav. Shrivastav addressed concerns about safety and criticism aimed at Kinsey staff as well as calling for academic freedom afterward Senate Bill 202 suggest.
“The hate and misinformation you endure is undeserved, yet you persevere to promote understanding and hope for those who follow the spirit of human connection,” Shrivastav wrote. “Thank you for everything you do – and who you are. IU appreciates you.”
