Indiana Governor Mike Braun has taken full control of the Indiana University (IU) Board of Trustees, a move that marks a major shift in how the university is governed.

A last-minute change to the state budget transferred the power to appoint all nine trustees to the governor’s office, ending a long-standing system where IU alumni elected three of the board members.

The decision has been met with resistance among faculty, alumni, and lawmakers. Some have criticized the last-minute and secretive nature of the amendment. Faculty members are also worried that the new governance structure, along with new rules for reviewing tenured professors, could harm academic freedom and make it harder for IU to attract top talent. A common concern is that members will now be chosen for their political alignment and may be afraid to express viewpoints that differ from the current administration.

Supporters of the change argue that it will make the board more efficient and better equipped to oversee the university’s operations, curriculum, and finances. They believe a more unified board will help improve IU’s overall performance.

This comes as Republicans across the country have sought to rein in the influence of colleges and universities, which they claim are centers of progressive indoctrination.