The ACLU of Indiana has filed a lawsuit against Indiana Governor Mike Braun over the state budget bill that would change how the Board of Trustees at Indiana University are selected.

Prior to the change in the law, IU alumni had the ability to elect three trustee members. But now, the law says Governor Braun will make those three appointments, leaving the alumni with no role whatsoever.

The ACLU filed the suit in Monroe Circuit Court. It states that these sections of HEA 1001 violate the Indiana Constitution because they are “special legislation.” Braun signed the bill into law on Tuesday.

“Every other four-year public university in the state has a process for allowing alumni to select at least some members of the board of trustees, and there is no justification for denying that ability to the alumni of IU,” said ACLU of Indiana Legal Director Ken Falk.

The plaintiff in the lawsuit, Justin Vasel, is an IU alum and was a candidate for the IU board of trustees’ election, which was scheduled to begin on June 1, 2025.

“When I decided to run for IU Trustee, I committed to defending the university’s interests and alumni representation. I never imagined my first act would be to defend the very existence of the position itself,” said Vasel. “Thousands of alumni are preparing to cast their votes in this election, as they have done for over 130 years. Their voices deserve to be heard and respected, not silenced through legislative maneuvering that our state constitution was designed to prevent.”