Judge Rules Governor Braun's Control of IU Board Constitutional

Special Judge Erik Allen ruled that House Enrolled Act 1001 is constitutional, upholding a law that grants Governor Mike Braun full control over the appointment of the Indiana University Board of Trustees. The legislation eliminated a system active since 1891 that allowed alumni to directly elect three board members, instead allowing the governor to select all nine members, five of whom must be alumni.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana challenged the law on behalf of alumnus Justin Vasel. The lawsuit argued that the legislation constituted unjust special legislation that disenfranchised IU alumni compared to those at other state universities.

Judge Allen granted summary judgment to the state, concluding that Indiana University's unique history and board characteristics justified the legislative change. He stated that the court cannot second-guess the policy determinations of the General Assembly of Indiana, which passed the law as part of a biennial budget bill.