BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The Indiana University Kinsey Institute has once again caught the attention of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.
On Wednesday, Rokita and State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla sent a letter to IU President Pamela Whitten and the IU Board of Trustees, demanding IU to show proof of compliance with what they called a “clear and unambiguous state law.”
The law, which went into effect last year, prohibits IU from using taxpayer funds for the Kinsey Institute.
“More than a year has passed since IU assured the public and state officials that it would follow the law, yet we have seen no indication that any serious actions have been taken,” Rokita said. “IU is not above the law, and Hoosiers deserve answers.”
The Kinsey Institute was established in 1947 as the Institute for Sex Research, and was set up as a separate entity to protect the confidentiality of Dr. Alfred Kinsey’s research. The institute merged with IU in December 2016.
Historically, the Kinsey Institute has been funded through the IU general fund.
In November 2023, the trustees released a proposal to establish the institute as a non-profit organization.
In March, the Indiana University Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve a new proposal from IU President Pamela Whitten to protect the institute and instead submit a plan to the Indiana State Board of Accounts to ensure that that no state funding is used in the operations of the Kinsey Institute.
However Rokita claims the university has not shared any confirmation that state funding isn’t going to the institute,
“Two quarterly meetings have passed since this proposal with no public update as to the implementation of an appropriate accounting plan,” the Attorney General’s Office said in a statement.
Claiming a lack of transparency from IU, Rokita and Nieshalla are asking for the university to share:
- Confirmation that no tax dollars have been used for the institute in any way
- Provide a written explanation if IU is unable to confirm compliance for all funds and every instance that it did not comply.
- How IU will repay the State of Indiana if tax dollars were used.
- A detailed and transparent written accounting plan that will ensure compliance moving forward.
- A detailed list of all funding sources for the Kinsey Institute since July 1, 2023.
Neither Rokita nor Nieshalla gave a deadline for when the university must respond, but did say the response will be reviewed to determine if further
action is necessary.
