The Indiana University Board of Trustees approved changes to the university’s post-tenure faculty review policy, increased the cost of housing and dining plans and restructured standing committees during its meeting Friday.
The board met at IU South Bend for its last meeting of the semester.
BOT-24 Policy Updates
Trustees approved revisions to BOT-24, which describes post-tenure faculty review, ahead of its spring 2026 implementation.
After consulting with University Faculty Council leadership, the university adopted the original policy in June 2025 to comply with Indiana Code 21-39.5-2-2 and 21-38-3.5 and House Enrolled Act 1001, which requires all tenured faculty to undergo performance reviews every five years.
The changes stem from a joint working group with members from both the Academic Leadership Council and the University Faculty Council, which incorporated feedback from stakeholders this fall.
The updated policy was then posted to give faculty, staff and students 10 business days to view and comment on the proposed changes .
The policy requires annual reviews of faculty members and creates a system for reviewing tenured faculty every five years. Faculty working groups at each campus, working with deans and faculty governance structures, have developed standards for evaluating teaching, research and service performance.
Campuses will approve final standards through their own governance systems. The standards take effect in 2027 for reviews of 2026 performance. The working group will continue reviewing the policy and considering public comments as part of the ongoing Policy Alignment Initiative.
Under the policy, faculty receive one of four productivity ratings, which apply to both annual reviews and five-year post-tenure reviews. The top two, “exceeds” and “meets” productivity expectations, have no negative consequences. Faculty rated “does not meet expectations” are placed on probation with an improvement plan, those rated “unsatisfactory” may be dismissed.
Housing and dining rates increase by 2%
The board set housing and dining plan costs for the next academic year, raising rates by 2% at IU Bloomington. IU Treasurer Donald Lukes said in a press release the university will manage costs throughout facility improvements.
“The approved rate increases will support ongoing renovation, maintenance and operations, ensuring our residence halls and dining services remain safe, modern and student-centered,” Lukes said.
IU Bloomington’s standard room and board rate will rise to a total of $12,679 per year, up from $12,431 in 2025-26. The university has maintained increases around or below 2% since 2022.
Dining plan rates at IU Bloomington will also increase by 2%. The classic 7-day meal plan will cost $4,404, up from $4,318.
Committee structure changes
The board voted to amend its bylaws, giving trustees authority to form committees as needed and outlining how committee members will be chosen.
Under the new committee structure, the board will operate with five standing committees: Academic and Student Affairs; Finance and Facilities; Audit, Compliance and Governance; Compensation and Executive.
The move consolidates the previous seven committees into five, separating audit and compliance duties from financial operations and merging student and academic affairs. The changes also created the Executive Committee. According to a press release, the changes combined related areas to support more efficient oversight.
Each committee will have five trustees, including the board chair, David Hormuth, who will serve on all of them. Hormuth will select the four other members and each committee chair. The chair and vice chair will jointly appoint the Executive Committee leadership.
Trustees clarified that the Executive Committee can act on behalf of the full board only when urgent business arises between regular meetings. The four-member committee includes the board chair, vice chair and two selected trustees. It can meet at the chair’s request and may include the university president and general counsel.
The changes allow the trustees to address pressing issues quickly without giving up the full board’s authority, according to the release.
Friday’s meeting marked the last of the semester. The board’s next meeting will take place at IU Indianapolis on February 19-20.
