Indiana University to create new chancellor position for Bloomington campus

Indiana University will begin a search for a full-time chancellor to lead its Bloomington campus, a role that will effectively reduce IU President Pamela Whitten’s direct administrative capacity as the primary leader of the flagship university.

The motion to create a chancellor position came up in the final minutes of the IU Board of Trustees meeting, after trustees readjourned to a different room following student protests against Whitten and IU’s support of the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center and state of Israel. The motion to create the chancellor position was approved unanimously by all nine members with little discussion beforehand.

In a written statement, Whitten said the incoming chancellor would “focus on working together with the campus community to foster increased faculty participation in campus decision making.” The Bloomington chancellor will report to President Whitten and oversee the office of Provost Rahul Shrivastav, according to Whitten’s statement.

Every other IU campus, from Indianapolis to all regionals, are well-served by both a chancellor and an academic affairs vice chancellor,” Whitten said in her statement. “As the university’s flagship campus, Bloomington deserves this same level of resource and attention.”

Whitten: New IU Bloomington chancellor will oversee DEI, student life, and campus finances

Whitten’s remarks during the meeting and subsequent statement are among her most direct responses to growing student and faculty unrest.

In her statement, Whitten suggested the need for greater “shared governance” — a central concept in the widespread disapproval of Whitten’s administration from IUB faculty — was a key reason why Bloomington needed its own chancellor.

“This leader for the Bloomington campus will focus on working together with the campus community to foster increased faculty participation in campus decision making,” Whitten’s statement read. “The new chancellor and I will work closely together to advance opportunities for richer engagement between myself and members of the IU Bloomington community.”

Whitten said she and the trustees will work with the Bloomington Faculty Council (BFC), a 72-member elected body of Bloomington professors and librarians designed to “exercise faculty authority,” to establish a search committee for the new chancellor.

"In addition to participating in Bloomington community relations responsibilities, the new chancellor will also oversee DEI efforts, student life, and campus finances,” Whitten’s statement read. “In the end, the chancellor’s impact will be felt in stronger relationships, a more harmonious campus and successful attainment of the IU 2030 strategic plan.”

Whitten also announced an immediate search for a “faculty fellow” to serve in the President’s office. The fellow will help Whitten and her cabinet “ensure the principles of shared governance are embraced and maintained,” according to the statement.

“The fellow will achieve this by cultivating relationships with faculty leadership across all campuses and creating organizational opportunities to effectively accomplish the university’s goals and objectives,” Whitten’s statement read. “I sincerely believe that these two vital additions will begin the process of unlocking the unlimited potential of our campus and securing its flagship status.”

'A fair question': Timeline for new Bloomington chancellor unclear

When asked about the timeline for installing a new chancellor for Bloomington’s campus, Chair Quinn Buckner replied only, “I think that’s a fair question.” No further details on a timeline were discussed, and no other questions about the chancellor were asked before the vote.

The BFC, which will head the search committee, is currently in the midst of an annual leadership transition, with current faculty president Colin Johnson of the gender studies program leaving the position on June 30. Danielle DeSawal, a clinical professor in the School of Education, will assume the position for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Whitten discusses independent review of Dunn Meadow; faculty discuss broken relationship with administration

The vote on the chancellor came after a tumultuous final hour of the trustees meeting, with protesters standing up and shouting over Whitten during her remarks. Protesters were escorted out by security almost immediately.

In her statement, Whitten said she has requested an independent review of the “events in Dunn Meadow” by the Cooley Law Firm, an American international law firm based out of Palo Alto, California. A timeline for the review was not discussed.

During the faculty report by the chairs of the University Faculty Council, BFC president and UFC co-chair Colin Johnson spoke openly about faculty dissatisfaction with the Whitten administration. Johnson pleaded with Whitten and the trustees to be more pragmatic and receptive to faculty input following a tumultuous year that culminated in votes of no confidence and the incidents at Dunn Meadow.

“Something about the way IU is being managed has got to change if we are to move forward in a positive direction,” Johnson said. “Continuing down our current path is not an option.”

Reach Brian Rosenzweig atbrian@heraldt.com. Follow him on Twitter/X at@brianwritesnews.