Indiana University: University Violates Public Records Laws with Massive Delays, Illegal Denials

Indiana University has consistently delayed or denied requests for public records submitted by student journalists from the Indiana Daily Student. In at least two cases during the 2021–22 academic year, the university violated the letter of Indiana’s Access to Public Records law, with the Indiana Public Access Counselor finding IU in violation of APRA in one instance. On December 2, 2022, FIRE’s Student Press Freedom Initiative wrote IU urging it to revise its public records policies and practices to comply with APRA and the university’s own commitments to transparency. IU responded December 9, acknowledging receipt and review of the letter. SPFI emailed IU January 6, 2023, asking the university to address its concerns and IU replied later that day, once again only acknowledging review of the letter and declining to respond substantively.