On Sept. 30, 2025, I sent evidence to Mike Jenson, Indiana University’s head of compliance, that President Pamela Whitten and Trustee Quinn Buckner violated the IU’s code of ethical conduct. My concerns included a lack of academic integrity, failing to take personal responsibility for her actions, failing to communicate ethical behavior by example and wasting university resources. This code applies to all university employees, including Whitten and trustees. On Oct. 17, Jenson sent me the following response:
“Mr. Winston,
Thank you again for reaching out with your concerns. This report has been investigated based on the information provided. We have been unable to substantiate a violation of law or University policy based on the information provided.
Regards,
Mike”
On Oct. 27, I sent more specific proof, which is provided below, that Whitten and Buckner violated university policies and asked Jenson for a more detailed response. After resubmitting my complaint March 17, I still have not heard anything.
So, let the reader examine the evidence and judge the merits of the response from the IU Compliance Office.
“Act Ethically and with Integrity”
“Act Ethically and with Integrity” is the title of the first subsection in Section III of IU’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. Here is an excerpt alongside evidence of Whitten and Buckner’s violation(s):
“§ 1 — Act Ethically and with Integrity.
Ethical conduct is a fundamental expectation for every Community Member of Indiana University. In practicing and modeling ethical conduct, Community Members are expected to:
- Act according to the highest ethical and professional standards of conduct;”
Whitten has over 100 examples of plagiarism in her doctoral dissertation. Below is one example, where Whitten copied 85 consecutive words from a journal article, The Indianapolis Star verified in August 2025. Send me an email at winston3453@yahoo.com if you want to see more.
IU has a plagiarism certification passed by over 1 million people, including many of our current students. This egregious violation — don’t worry about the other 100 or so violations — certainly was not in accordance with the highest ethical and professional standards of conduct. IU students receive serious penalties for far less plagiarism.
Buckner, as chair of the Board of Trustees, knowingly posted a false statement on the board’s behalf two hours after the Bloomington Faculty Council’s 93% Vote of No Confidence on April 16, 2024. Buckner stated the entire Board was in favor of Whitten, when he had not talked to all Board members. Here is the proof, in an article from Indiana Public Media.
And non-tenured members of the faculty told me Whitten said they might be fired or have their salary reduced if they talked to my wife, Vivian Winston, while she was on the Board.
“Be personally accountable for individual actions”
Whitten has never acknowledged any plagiarism, and Bucker has never apologized for posting a false statement. Eight days after the no-confidence vote, Pam’s ad hoc committee changed the Trustee Policy on Dunn Meadow. I believe Buckner’s false statement emboldened Whitten and set the stage for the Indiana State Police disaster.
“Communicate ethical standards of conduct through instruction and example”
On Aug. 21, 2024, at minute 46:20 of IU’s Freshman Induction Ceremony,
Whitten asked thousands of incoming freshmen — in front of their families — to recite the Indiana Promise, a promise to “be ethical in my academic work” and to “take responsibility for what I say and what I do.”
Because Whitten refuses to admit to plagiarism violations, and the fact students must follow IU plagiarism rules, Whitten making students repeat the Indiana Promise does not communicate ethical standards of conduct by example.
Neither does Buckner knowingly posting a false statement on behalf of the trustees communicate ethical standards of conduct by example.
“Protect and Preserve University Resources”
The fourth subsection is titled “Protect and Preserve University Resources.” It reads:
“§ 4 — Protect and Preserve University Resources.
Indiana University is dedicated to responsible stewardship. Community Members are expected to:
- Use all University property, including equipment, finances, materials, electronic and other systems, information, and other University resources only for legitimate University purposes and in accordance with University policies;
- Prevent waste and abuse;”
Whitten takes an escort with multiple police cars and motorcycles and sirens blaring to and from football and basketball games. I understand the need for a bulletproof police car, but why are motorcycles needed? Watch the great documentary “Freedoms Under Assault” to see the police escort in action. Doesn’t this represent a waste of university resources?
With approval from the President’s office, Bucker took a top-of-the-line private jet from a Trustee Meeting to his job announcing a Pacer game in New Orleans. Buckner did not need a top-of-the-line private jet; a cheaper jet was available. By approving the top-of-the-line jet, Whitten wasted university resources. Here is the proof.
So, Mr. Jenson, what more proof do you need of ethical violations by Whitten and Buckner?
Sincerely yours,
Wayne Winston
Professor Emeritus of Decision Sciences
Kelley School of Business
Indiana University
By the way, President Whitten’s “punishment” for her violations are two large raises and two big bonuses.
