Indiana Newsdesk is made possible in part by... Coming up, on Indiana Newsdesk, the Chronicle for higher education claims IU president Pamela Whitten's doctoral dissertation concerned copied language.

>> I do think some corrective action should be taken correcting the dissertation.

>> The university says last year an independent law firm found no merit to the accusation.

A Bill at the statehouse would ban diversity, equity and inclusion policies from all state agencies and any entity that receives state money.

>> DEI has been bastardized to be a punishment tool against students who do not adhere to to the ideology of administrators.

>> The executive order President Trump signed at the federal level.

One legislator is looking to make former slave Harry Hoosier the inspiration behind the state motto.

These stories and more right now on Indiana Newsdesk.

>> Welcome to Indiana Newsdesk, I'm Jor Hren.

IU president Pamela Whitten appeared to plagiarize parts of her doctoral dissertation, as Ethan Sandweiss and Aubrey Wright report, experts are divided on the severity of those accusations.

>> Whitten wrote her thesis on telemedicine almost 30 years ago at the University of Kansas, the tip verified by the chronicle Tops almost 40 examples of copied language.

Whitten cited sources but didn't use quotation marks.

IU calls this type of transgression a crafty cover--up.

>> The brought text in from the outside and where he wrote it, which never works.

>> The chronicle Said Whitten made similar mistakes in a similar 2006 paper.

IU's research misconduct policy says a faculty member found responsible for plagiarism could face penalties ranging from reprimand to termination.

But plagiarism is a spectrum and not all experts agree if it's a severe case.

Bailey said he would like to see a correction.

>> We have to kind of separate stuff that just happens accidentally when one does enough writing and work, from what is a malicious intent to defraud, this doesn't rise to an attempt to defraud.

>> They told the chronicle An independent law firm reviewed the claims in August and concluded they were without merit.

IU did not provide the review or name the legal firm.

A spokesperson did not respond for a request for comment.

>> We are joined by Ethan Sandweiss who has been covering the story for us.

Welcome to the show.

Ethan, a spokesperson said they hired a law firm to investigate these claims, but they don't name the law firm or report?

>> So far we don't know that the report exists yet.

We submitted a freedom of information request for that document.

If it exists the university will hopefully comply.

It could possibly cite an exception to the law which would make it harder.

If this investigation really found there was no wrongdoing, it would be in the university's interests to make that public.

That's what happened with the external review after the protests and I see a lot of parallels here.

>> Speaking of this, this isn't the only time a university president has been accused of a plagiarism.

Claudine gay resigned.

>> That investigation also followed an anonymous complaint and the university commissioned an independent review.

While Harvard said the review didn't find any violation of its research standards, multiple news organizations found otherwise.

Also, like Whitten, these were sort of borderline plagiarism.

Professor Rene fry from Xavier university doesn't think academic integrity was the main concern.

>> In both cases, it seems like the allegations of plagiarism are a way to discredit someone who is not liked for other reasons.

>> Whitten faced a no confidence vote from faculty and widespread calls for her resignation last spring.

>> Whitten is ultimately responsible to the Board of Trustees, what's their take on this?

>> If there were an investigation, there's a good chance the trustees already knew about it.

After all, they approved the contract for the investigation.

Trustees have been publicly divided on Whitten since last spring, but still supported by a comfortable majority of the board.

>> What's Whitten likely to do now?

>> I couldn't tell you.

If the university stands by this report and discounts the allegations, maybe nothing.

Fry says that if they admit the article has merit, she might accept some responsibility.

>> If it were me dealing with this, I would publicly apologize for one, I would apologize for the mistakes that I made and do whatever I could to correct those mistakes and give attribution where it was deserved.

>> Either way, I would be very surprised to see her resign like Claudine gay.

>> As always, full report on our website.

Thank you, Ethan.

Diversity, equity and inclusion and a list of policies would be banned in state agencies, educational institutions, and any organizations that receives money from the state under a bill approved by the Senate committee Wednesday.

Clayton Baumgarth has more on legislation that mimics what is happening at the federal level.

>> the legislation, any entity taking state money would be prohibited from expressing positions on issues including social justice, systemic oppression and antiracism.

It also limits training programs related to sex, race, color, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation.

An IU School of Medicine professor says DEI restricts free speech for conservatives.

>> DEI has been bastardized in medical school to be a punishment tool against students who do not adhere to the ideology of administrators and educators.

>> Others say the bill is part of a national attack on DEI that has civil rights activists scared.

>> Because it's demonizing a policy and set of practices that are created to address the historical injustices that we know exist in this country.

>> The bill comes after the Governor issued an executive order replacing DEI with mei or merit, excellence and innovation in state government.

The Indiana black legislative caucus says that perpetuates a false stereotype.

>> Any person of color, an immigrant or first generation American, woman or member of the LGBTQ community hired or promoted did not get there thanks to talent, integrity or hard work, but because simply they checked a diversity box.

>> The bill, approved 8-2 along party lines, is headed to the Senate floor.

In Indiana Newsdesk, I'm Clayton Baumgarth.

>> We reached out to them for comment, but did not receive a response.

Now more headlines from around the state.

Indiana governor Mike Braun will deliver his first state of the state address Wednesday night.

He is expected to push the priorities he announced when sworn in two weeks ago, tax relief, workforce development, health care and public safety.

Wtiu world and wfiu2 will air the address live beginning at 7 p.m. Indiana law enforcement would be required to send notice to immigration officials if they believe someone they arrested is an undocumented immigrant.

Under a bill approved by a house committee Thursday.

Critics called it a green light for racial profiling.

>> We can say all we want, it is not based on race, but we know that the majority of people in this country associate undocumented status with people who are darker.

>> The bill's author says police would only determine probable cause after they've been arrested.

Kirkwood avenue will again be closed to motorists between March and November for the outdoor dining program.

The council's unanimous vote also extends the program indefinitely.

Business leaders say that will bring predictable economic and stability and improved safety to Kirkwood.

>> Students are able to walk through the streets, they're going across the streets without worrying about cars, Ubers, Door Dash.

It brings a sense of order and safety to that area.

>> Some residents voiced concern over accessibility issues, especially for elderly visitors.

It's freezing outside, which makes it a perfect time for freeze fest 2025.

Pat Beane has more on the annual three-day event featuring ice sculptures that take shape outside the mill in downtown Bloomington Thursday.

>> Sculptors spent Thursday morning unloading nearly 200 blocks of ice that they'll turn into dozens of ice statues.

Dean is one of the team of eight sculptors who travel to events around the country such as freezefest.

>> One guy will cut the ends, another guy will cut the middle, we have a whole staging system that we use to build pieces up, so everybody will have a hand in putting it up.

>> Several sculptures have been carved on the opening day of the freezefest, including Olaf from the movie frozen and some representing Indiana University.

The IU football coach stopped by to see a carving of his likeness.

>> We have had rough years with rough weather, but incredibly blessed to have a great weather for it.

>> For Indiana Newsdesk, I'm Pat Beane.

>> Freeze fest runs through Saturday evening, coming up next on Indiana Newsdesk... Where did the term Hoosier come from.

A bill in the statehouse would credit former slave and preacher Harry Hoosier.

With President Trump preparing new tariffs, we prepare for higher costs.

These stories and more right here on Indiana Newsdesk.

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>> Indiana lawmakers is the longest running political program in the state, still going strong, we'll break down the topics and keep you up-to-date on the past, present and future of our state.

We'll explain the legal and political curiosities, talk to the experts and, of course, hold impactful discussions with your elected representatives.

Indiana lawmakers from the statehouse to your house.

>> You have unleashed the best story telling ever.

Migration is freedom to black America.

>> Much you don't know.

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>> The age of dinosaurs still continues.

>> Didn't hear that, did you?

>> I think we may have solved or mystery.

>> All of these movements are expression of hope.

>> Better than any movie script I've ever read.

>> It's an incredible story.

>> Welcome back to Indiana Newsdesk.

A bill in the state legislature is pitting the unlikely duo of Indiana folklore and copyright law against one another.

We report on the push in an official state nickname, the inspiration behind it and one possible roadblock.

>> House bill 1013, authored by representative Prescott, a Republican from Winchester, would make the Hoosier state, Indiana's official nickname and designate Harry Hoosier as the inspiration.

But Amtrak owns the trademark to the Hoosier state.

For a train route that used to run between Indianapolis and shots.

An IU law professor doesn't anticipate any issues if the state uses the phrase solely as a declaration.

>> What a trademark right gives you is not the exclusive right to take a phrase out of it language and block others from using it, even commercially.

It only gives you the right to exclude other people from uses that would be confusingly similar to your use.

>> The part of the bill about Larry Hoosier is much more problematic.

Prescott says he wants the state to officially Memorialize Harry Hoosier's life and accomplishments.

>> We're teaching our children in school how do we get the Hoosier name.

I think it's an important story to reflect on and understand how we truly got our Hoosier heritage.

>> But there are many theories as to why people in Indiana are called Hoosiers.

Experts say there is no one right story for why people in Indiana are called Hoosiers, there isn't enough evidence to back up in any one theory.

>> The word Hoosier is a legend.

It is a story told that passes from one person to the next that tries to explain how something came to be.

>> One of the earliest uses of Hoosier dates back to 1833, John finally published the people the Hoosier's nest, which identifies people from Indiana as upwardly mobile farmers.

The word appears in a literary consult.

They adopted it as describing people from Indiana.

Prescott is solidly in Harry Hoosier's corner.

He was a slave born in 1750 in North Carolina and traveled alongside Methodist Bishop Francis Asbury and became the first black American Methodist preacher in the country.

>> He was illiterate but memorized hymns and scripture so well that when the Bishop would go on the circuit, didn't take long for Asbury to say I've done my preaching, I want my friend to speak for a little while, especially in the south and there were slave plantations.

Harry would speak to them.

>> Hoosier never spoke to Indiana, but would preach to people as near as Kentucky.

It's also possible he could have crossed the Ohio river into Indiana territory before Indiana officially became a state.

Many of his followers were Methodists.

Methodists settled in Indiana before it officially became a state and had a significant presence.

>> It wasn't that Harry was here preaching, but the followers of his reaching moved into Indiana territory.

>> Kay isn't convinced.

>> It would be so wrong for this state to define what it is.

They want to make it the nickname, that's great, but when they want to define it and want to bring it in together as one unified theory or one unified way of understanding it, that kind of forecloses other conversations, and we need government to decide on what is true rather than what we want to be.

>> For Indiana Newsdesk.

>> Indiana state university's new president is hoping to make changes as the university sees major decreases in enrollment, Aubrey Wright reports president Mike Godard has ambitious goals.

>> The spring semester kicks off, Indiana State University students are back in class.

But last fall, the university released concerning data, enrollment is down almost 5 percent from the previous year, and 36 percent since 2018.

It's just one of the tough issues president made godard is facing beyond his first six months on the job.

>> This fall our enrollment, our census enrollment was 7,895 students.

That certainly has declined over the past 6 or 7 years, and we are looking to ensure that decline does not continue and instead we go in a growth mode moving forward.

>> He wants to see about 10,000 students enrolled.

The university has added new enrollment leadership and adjusting its branding.

It's also trying to make college for accessible for low income and adult students.

>> We have really built up some positive momentum, and I'm very optimistic about what the future holds in regard to strategic growth.

>> On campus, classes are looking different, godard says some are shorter, more flexible and more relevant to Indiana's job market.

There's a new success scholarship for students who are just outside of Pell Grant eligibility and funding.

>> We have removed our application fee for students, there's preferred admission status now for anyone who has a high school gpa of a 3.0 or higher, you're automatically admitted into Indiana state.

You need not do anything else.

>> First generation college students make up half of Indiana state's campus and most graduates stay and work in Indiana.

>> We take very seriously the transformational impact we can have on students and the generational impact that will have on their families moving forward.

And so access and opportunity will always be a part of what we do.

>> For Indiana Newsdesk, I'm Aubrey Wright.

>> President Trump's plans to impose higher tariffs could mean bigger price tags for clothing, electronics and home building.

Are you will tell us how those who rely on imparts on preparing for higher costs.

>> Thanks, Joe.

Prices of the manufacturing industry are also expected to increase, I spoke with a local home builder to find out how their business would be affected.

Most of the materials Tom uses are sourced locally, but imports lumber from Canada, and some HVAC parts from Korea and thinking of finding more domestic suppliers so he can avoid the tariffs.

>> I would adapt it.

I want to keep my same high level of fixtures, but I may have to source from different places.

>> Another option to rework contracts to rework for the extra costs tariffs will bring.

He says he'll pay the extra money in contracts he's already a part of, if it means consumers won't pay that extra cost.

>> I don't want to pass it just -- just pass it along to the home buyer because I work every day not to make that happen.

Are keep the quality high, keep the price right.

It's tough.

>> Indiana is one of the top manufacturing states in the nation.

Higher tariffs could restrict manufacturers and make it harder for them to purchase raw materials.

As a result, prices for homes expecter -- are expected to increase.

Experts say higher tariffs are likely to keep businesses from putting as much money into expansion, purchases and hiring.

Nearly 534,000 people in the state work in manufacturing.

>> That's money you don't have to give raises, to provide better health care benefits, to invest in training or equipment upgrades, and all those things will impact the state.

>> During trump's last presidency, U.S. consumers paid more for specific goods from China, such as washing machines, solar panels and aluminum.

Tariff rates ranged from 17.5 and 20 percent.

Joe Biden kept most of trump's tariffs in place and increased the rate on some Chinese goods.

Such as semiconductors and electric vehicles.

A new Reuters poll predicts trump could impose tariffs of nearly 40 percent on goods from China early this year, price of some Chinese products are bound to increase.

The goal of imposing high tariffs on imported goods is to get more manufacturers to produce goods in the U.S.

There will be a reliance on raw materials from other countries.

China decreased its value of currency, it made its products cheaper.

More Americans preferred them over their own.

>> The advantage to devaluing the currency then as an American we would then buy their products because it was cheaper than buying our own products.

They were essentially rigging the system so that we would buy their products as opposed to look to our own manufacturers to buy our own.

>> She hopes bigger price tags will encourage people to be more intentional about their purchases.

Prioritizing quality products that last longer over cheaper, less durable options.

>> If we can move away from being so focused on which is the cheapest alternative, versus what is the best quality for my dollar, and again, economics, that would be similar to thinking about what is the marginal utility for price, and how much utility will I get out of it.

>> Higher tariffs could lead to less trade between countries, which would contribute to trump's goal on relying less on other countries, businesses and countries that paid high tariffs to expert goods into the U.S. during trump's last term, such as China, moved their business to countries where exporting into the U.S. wasn't as expensive.

This could happen again.

>> As soon as the cause of that change, firms and businesses are potentially rethinking whether or not that's the right or appropriate location to have their business work or sourcing their materials.

>> Some of these firms could decide to move into the U.S., which could create more jobs.

>> Some of those goods that I'm using to make my semicondutor or my automobile or whatever, maybe it's going to become beneficial or necessary for me to think about moving some of those otherwise upstream production processes into the United States, that results in more U.S. jobs.

>> New tariffs could go into effect as soon as six months after trump takes office.

>> Every three or four years, proplr come to the IU biology department's greenhouse to see wally, a 6-foot tall corpse flower, named that way because it smells like rotting flesh when it blooms.

It's not the only sticky plant in the greenhouse, the devil's tongue is currently blooming.

And stinking up the area around it.

>> I know one year it actually bloomed on valentine's day.

And we are making a joke, if you got that one person you wanted to a send flower to that you don't like, this is perfect.

>> And while it is not as popular, they say it attracts visitors to the greenhouse.

That's the end of this program.

Our work continues online as we cover the news throughout the week at wtiu news.org.

Reminder governor Mike Braun will deliver his first state of the state address Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Wtiu world, wfiu2.

Have a great weekend.

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