Indiana Governor Mike Braun says Indiana University’s Board of Trustees should take action if recent plagiarism allegations against IU President Pamela Whitten turn out to be true. His comments, made during a press conference this week, add more pressure to an already controversial presidency.
Allegations
The plagiarism claims stem from Whitten’s 1996 doctoral dissertation. An initial report surfaced earlier this year suggesting parts of the dissertation were copied from other academic work. At the time, IU said it had looked into the issue during the summer of 2024 and dismissed the accusations as having no merit.
However, a new report from a local newspaper last week suggests otherwise. The latest findings allegedly show stronger evidence that Whitten copied portions of other scholars’ work without proper attribution. These renewed allegations have sparked fresh calls for accountability.
Governor’s Response
Governor Braun, a Republican who took office in 2025, told reporters he expects IU’s trustees “to get on that right away” if the latest findings are credible. While Braun didn’t offer a specific course of action, he made it clear that the board should not sit idle.
Interestingly, Braun now holds full authority over the makeup of the IU Board of Trustees. Previously, six members were appointed by the governor and three were chosen by alumni. But thanks to a change in the state budget passed earlier this year, Braun now appoints all members directly. He quickly exercised that power by naming several new trustees in June and July.
IU’s Silence
As of now, Indiana University has not issued a response to the governor’s remarks or to the latest plagiarism claims. The administration also declined to respond to a request for comment from Inside Higher Ed.
The quiet approach may not hold for long, especially given the growing political and public scrutiny.
Past Controversies
This isn’t the first time President Whitten has faced backlash. Since her appointment in 2021, she has come under fire for a variety of issues, including:
- Alleged retaliation against faculty critics
- Tightening restrictions on campus speech
- Attempting to limit criticism from professors who accepted buyouts
- Being the subject of a no-confidence vote by faculty last year
The no-confidence vote, passed in 2024, reflected rising tension between Whitten’s leadership and the university’s academic community.
Next Steps
With the governor urging immediate action and new trustees in place, the IU Board may be under more pressure than ever to reopen or reexamine the investigation. It’s unclear if this will lead to formal disciplinary measures or a renewed internal review.
What happens next may hinge on whether the board considers the new plagiarism findings credible—and whether the political and academic fallout becomes too great to ignore.
FAQs
What is Pamela Whitten accused of?
She’s accused of plagiarizing parts of her 1996 doctoral dissertation.
Did IU investigate the plagiarism claims?
Yes, in 2024, but they said the claims lacked merit.
Who appoints IU’s Board of Trustees now?
Governor Mike Braun appoints all board members.
Has Whitten faced other controversies?
Yes, including speech restrictions and faculty retaliation claims.
Will the board act on the allegations?
Braun says they should if the new claims prove valid.
Indiana Governor Urges IU Board to Act If Whitten Plagiarism Claims Hold
Indiana Governor Mike Braun says Indiana University’s Board of Trustees should take action if recent plagiarism allegations against IU President Pamela Whitten turn out to be true. His comments, made during a press conference this week, add more pressure to an already controversial presidency.
Allegations
The plagiarism claims stem from Whitten’s 1996 doctoral dissertation. An initial report surfaced earlier this year suggesting parts of the dissertation were copied from other academic work. At the time, IU said it had looked into the issue during the summer of 2024 and dismissed the accusations as having no merit.
However, a new report from a local newspaper last week suggests otherwise. The latest findings allegedly show stronger evidence that Whitten copied portions of other scholars’ work without proper attribution. These renewed allegations have sparked fresh calls for accountability.
Governor’s Response
Governor Braun, a Republican who took office in 2025, told reporters he expects IU’s trustees “to get on that right away” if the latest findings are credible. While Braun didn’t offer a specific course of action, he made it clear that the board should not sit idle.
Interestingly, Braun now holds full authority over the makeup of the IU Board of Trustees. Previously, six members were appointed by the governor and three were chosen by alumni. But thanks to a change in the state budget passed earlier this year, Braun now appoints all members directly. He quickly exercised that power by naming several new trustees in June and July.
IU’s Silence
As of now, Indiana University has not issued a response to the governor’s remarks or to the latest plagiarism claims. The administration also declined to respond to a request for comment from Inside Higher Ed.
The quiet approach may not hold for long, especially given the growing political and public scrutiny.
Past Controversies
This isn’t the first time President Whitten has faced backlash. Since her appointment in 2021, she has come under fire for a variety of issues, including:
The no-confidence vote, passed in 2024, reflected rising tension between Whitten’s leadership and the university’s academic community.
Next Steps
With the governor urging immediate action and new trustees in place, the IU Board may be under more pressure than ever to reopen or reexamine the investigation. It’s unclear if this will lead to formal disciplinary measures or a renewed internal review.
What happens next may hinge on whether the board considers the new plagiarism findings credible—and whether the political and academic fallout becomes too great to ignore.
FAQs
What is Pamela Whitten accused of?
She’s accused of plagiarizing parts of her 1996 doctoral dissertation.
Did IU investigate the plagiarism claims?
Yes, in 2024, but they said the claims lacked merit.
Who appoints IU’s Board of Trustees now?
Governor Mike Braun appoints all board members.
Has Whitten faced other controversies?
Yes, including speech restrictions and faculty retaliation claims.
Will the board act on the allegations?
Braun says they should if the new claims prove valid.