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Office of the General Counsel

About Us.

The Office of the General Counsel provides legal representation, advice, and counsel for Indiana State University, the Board of Trustees, the President, university leaders, and administrative units. We serve the ISU community with integrity and a deep respect for its mission and values.

The General Counsel is also responsible for the University Policy Library.

We've developed this site to provide you with information about the important functions of our office, including information about how ISU employees may seek legal assistance for an ISU matter.

Mission

The mission of the Office of the General Counsel is to educate the Indiana State University community as to the laws applicable to Indiana State’s business and its operations. We collaborate with our partners and stakeholders to solve legal problems, analyze legal issues and facilitate legal reviews, to provide advice and counsel to foster sound decision-making and creative problem-solving and to provide legal representation, all to facilitate the University’s pursuit of its mission. 

Indiana State University Mission

We transform the lives of students through a high-quality education infused with experiential learning, community engagement and career-readiness. Our students succeed within a culture of inclusion and support that provides the skills and knowledge to impact Indiana and beyond.

History and Organizational Structure

Indiana State University was created on December 20, 1865, pursuant to an Indiana statute, and was originally known as the Indiana State Normal School. Its primary mission was to prepare teachers for the common schools of Indiana. Indiana State Normal School awarded its first baccalaureate degrees in 1908; master’s degrees were granted in 1928; and the first doctor of philosophy degrees were awarded in 1968.

ISU is governed by a Board of Trustees composed of nine persons appointed by the Governor of the State of Indiana. Two of the nine are nominated by the Indiana State University Alumni Board of Directors for consideration by the Governor; and one of the nine, a student member, is appointed by the Governor from nominations submitted by the Student Government Association’s Search and Screen Committee.

The University is administered by a president, who reports to the Board of Trustees as the University’s chief executive officer. The campus is organized into four broad operations areas: academic affairs; finance and administration/university treasurer; university advancement; and student experience and engagement. Each area is headed by a vice president who reports directly to the president.

ISU has five academic divisions, each headed by a dean who reports to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The divisions include the Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services and Technology.

The basic Carnegie classification for ISU is Doctoral/Professional University. Institutions with this label offer a wide range of baccalaureate programs and are committed to graduate education through both master's and doctoral degrees.

Indiana State University Policy Library

The General Counsel is responsible for the University Policy Library) The Policy Library is the successor to the University Handbook and serves as the electronic repository for university policies that govern its operation. The Policy Library includes the constitutions and bylaws of the Board of Trustees, University Faculty Senate, Staff Council, and the Student Government Association, all other University policies approved by the ISU Board of Trustees.

The Office of the General Counsel maintains the Policy Library site. If you have comments or questions about the Policy Library, please email the Office of the General Counsel. 

Request Public Records

Public record(s) requests may be made pursuant to Indiana Access to Public Records Act, I.C. § 5-14-3.

To submit a public record request, you must complete and submit ISU’s Request for Public Record Form using the web form below. You must specifically identify the record(s) being requested. Pursuant to I.C. § 5-14-3-3(f), lists of names and addresses may not be disclosed to any individual or entity for political purposes or commercial entities for commercial purposes.

Please note that there may be copy charges associated with responding to your request. If copies are needed, the Office of the General Counsel will contact you before making copies to confirm copy costs.

Make A Report

Our Commitment

Indiana State University is proud to deliver high-quality education to students centered on our values: Learning, Discovery, Engagement and Inclusiveness. We are a community of learned individuals upholding each other to the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior.

Indiana State University is dedicated to directing its academic and administrative responsibilities ethically and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and University policy. The University not only expects but also relies on you to participate in this obligation through the reporting of concerns which involve possible noncompliance with policy or unethical conduct. As an ISU employee and/or student you are our most important asset and you are responsible for informing ISU of any misconduct occurring. This helps decrease possible adverse impact and encourages a positive workplace and learning environment.

This reporting process is a service to the University and will not endanger your employment or academic status with ISU. This process allows faculty, staff and students to make good faith reports to address reasonable issues or concerns.

The information you provide will be sent to ISU by EthicsPoint confidentially and anonymously if you should choose.

See the EthicsPoint FAQ's