Indiana State University Board of Trustees Holds Inaugural 2024-25 Meeting

On July 25, 2024, Indiana State University’s Board of Trustees met for the first time in the 2024-2025 fiscal and academic year, including the first meeting for newly appointed Board members Rob Carter, Lori Danielson, and Jon Ford. The Board reviewed four new business items.  

Indiana State University President Mike Godard said, “I am very encouraged by today’s Board of Trustees meeting. Our State Capital Request was crafted after carefully considering our campus needs and how we can meet the needs of the State of Indiana. Both projects will provide a major upgrade to our campus and state-of-the-art and innovative classrooms for our students. Indiana State encourages and advocates for the right to expression, and these policy modifications are simply a safeguard to ensure the continuation of university business on a day-to-day basis. Indiana State’s new undergraduate massage therapy and intergenerational certificates address workforce development needs. We are all collectively working to build an innovative atmosphere for our students.”

State Capital Request:

In preparation for the biennial capital budget request to the State of Indiana, Indiana State University evaluates several on-campus facilities based on age, condition, and evaluation of academic programs and masterplan documents for potential submissions. Indiana State’s two recommendations for possible fee-replacement funding are Holmstedt Hall and Root Hall. 

Holmstedt Hall, built in 1966, is home to several departments in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and the Indiana University School of Medicine Terre Haute campus. Root Hall, constructed in 1989, houses several CAS programs, including psychology, mathematics, English, and languages. 

If approved, project renovations for either building include:

• Improved student learning spaces.
• Upgrading the electrical power and lighting systems.
• Security improvements.
• Increased accessibility.

Funding for the capital projects would be part of the 2025-27 biennial budget by the Indiana General Assembly during the upcoming legislative session. Holmstedt Hall has a budgeted request of $47 million, and Root Hall has a $47.5 million request.

“As with any capital improvement project, Indiana State University does its due diligence to ensure the needs of our current facilities while measuring how a project will benefit our campus community while meeting the workforce development needs of the State of Indiana,” said Diann McKee, Senior Vice President of Finance & Administration/Treasurer.

Modifications to Policy 710: Use of University Facilities:

Policy modifications to Policy 710 addresses to clarify where and when protests can take place in University spaces and facilities. These revisions provide the University an opportunity to clarify when Indiana State or the President can limit or deny access to individuals or groups which disrupt the normal operation of Indiana State. 

Policy modifications do not prevent the free expression and exchange of ideas in all University facilities and Indiana State respects everyone’s right of expression. However, Indiana State is permitted to regulate the time, place, and manner of protected expressive activity under Indiana law. The following restrictions apply to any protected expressive activity on Indiana State’s campus including any facility. 

• Use of any University facility or space on campus as a forum for protected expressive activity must not obstruct or disrupt the educational mission of the University including, but not limited to, teaching, research, or services that support those functions. 
•  Use of any University facility or space on campus as a forum for protected expressive activity must not obstruct or disrupt the normal or otherwise scheduled use of University property or the functioning of the University. 
• Use of any University facility or space on campus as a forum for protected expressive activity must not interfere with or obstruct the ingress or egress to all or any portion of any University facility including, but not limited to, obstructing doorways, hallways, staircases or elevators, or the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on or through campus.
• Use of any University facility or space on campus as a forum must not include any expressive activity which would constitute a genuine threat or harassment, or other expressive acts unprotected by the First Amendment.

Massage Therapy Undergraduate Certificate:

This initiative is an extension that will expand Indiana State's successful Massage Therapy minor program. The undergraduate certificate course of 29-30 hours is designed to meet the needs of students desiring to become eligible for Massage Therapy licensure in Indiana who don't seek a degree but want to take courses. Additionally, this would enable individuals completing a bachelor's degree the ability to practice massage therapy before graduation.

Undergraduate Certificate in Intergenerational Relationships

This certificate aims to increase the competence of the nation’s workforce in settings that include multiple generations interacting. It aims to help facilitate healthy and supportive relationships between the seven defined living generations, whether in the workplace, community, or home. This certificate will provide knowledge and experiential learning related to the lifespan and intergenerational relationships to undergraduate students and professionals and is available via distance learning.

Both certificates will allow students the opportunity to gain valuable skills and be prepared to enter the workforce in fields with a high demand for employees. Indiana State is always looking for ways to contribute to the talent development pipeline that fills in-demand jobs for the State of Indiana,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Christopher Olsen.

The next Board of Trustees meeting will be held on October 25, 2024.