BLOOMINGTON — Indiana University President Pamela Whitten delivered her 2024 State of the University address Tuesday, emphasizing institutional achievements while facing a year marked by both growth and controversy.
The full speech can be found here.
Speaking before the University Faculty Council, Whitten celebrated increasing enrollment across all IU campuses, with the Bloomington campus setting enrollment records for the fourth consecutive year. She also reported progress on the university’s 2030 strategic plan, adopted in 2023.
“One of the main reasons I love IU is its outstanding students,” Whitten said. “Their dedication, creativity, and leadership are truly inspiring and are at the heart of what makes IU exceptional.”
Whitten, who became IU’s first female president in 2021, received a $175,500 bonus from the Board of Trustees in September for her performance. However, her administration has faced significant challenges this year, including a vote of no confidence from Bloomington faculty in April—the first such vote against an IU president since 2005.
During the address, Whitten emphasized the human element of the university’s success beyond statistical achievements. “In my first three-and-a-half years at Indiana University, I have discovered that our community is so much more than metrics,” she said, praising the dedication of students, faculty, and staff across the state.
The address comes as Whitten’s administration continues to navigate various campus issues, including recent changes to expressive activity policies and the reopening of Dunn Meadow after an extended closure.
