Indiana University Indianapolis officials outlined major federal and state policy developments during a graduate-student webinar hosted on Friday, Nov. 7. The emphasis was on new legislation, upcoming priorities for the 2026 General Assembly and the importance of civic engagement among students.
Hosted by the Office of the Vice President for University Relations (VPUR), the session featured presentations from Molly Connor, director of federal relations, and Zach Smith Howard, director of state relations. The briefing offered an overview of IU’s legislative work at both the state and federal levels — covering topics ranging from higher-education funding and research policy to diversity legislation and student financial aid.
Connor opened by explaining that IU’s federal-relations office serves as the university’s main liaison to Washington, D.C., working with congressional offices, federal agencies and higher-education associations. Her remarks highlighted ongoing advocacy on Graduate PLUS loan limits, immigration policy affecting international scholars and accountability formulas linked to institutional funding.
She also discussed IU’s engagement with policymakers on Title IX enforcement, federal research-security requirements and efforts to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process following a year of implementation challenges.
“Federal policy shifts have real implications for IU students,” Connor said. “Our office exists to make sure those impacts are understood in Washington and that IU’s voice remains strong in those conversations.”
At the state level, Smith Howard provided an overview of the 2025 budget session, noting that lawmakers introduced 1,229 bills and enacted 243, a passage rate of roughly 20 percent. He highlighted several new laws affecting universities, including Senate Enrolled Act 289, which repeals campus diversity-committee mandates and adds new employment-practice guidelines, and Senate Enrolled Act 448, which enhances degree-program oversight by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE).
Smith Howard emphasized IU’s ongoing efforts to maintain strong relationships with legislators while protecting the university’s autonomy and mission. He noted that the university continues to advocate on issues tied to workforce development, academic freedom and affordability.
Looking ahead, he said the 2026 short session, set to begin Nov. 18, will likely focus on redistricting and tax reform, with interim committees studying topics such as artificial intelligence, health-care costs and government modernization.
The webinar also reviewed policy GR-01, IU’s internal guideline on political activity and advocacy, which reminds faculty, staff and students to coordinate with University Relations before engaging in any outreach to government officials on behalf of the institution. The policy underscores IU’s nonpartisan status and ensures compliance with state ethics laws.
Following the webinar, Tabitha Hardy, the assistant vice provost for graduate education and assistant dean for student development and student success, shared a statement emphasizing the broader message behind the event.
“As students, you can advocate for the things that are important to you, and it’s important for students who are eligible to vote,” Hardy said in an email statement.
Her remarks reinforced the session’s focus on transforming policy awareness into civic action. Participants were encouraged to stay informed through the University Relations Report and to view engagement not just as a campus expectation, but as a key component of democratic participation.
As the 2026 legislative session approaches, IU officials hope that understanding the intersections of policy, funding and higher education will empower more students to take part in shaping the future of Indiana’s academic landscape — both inside and outside the classroom.
Salsabil F. Qaddoura is the campus editor, financial officer and co-social media editor of The Campus Citizen. She is an undergraduate student on a pre-law track with a minor in business. She is passionate about public service and volunteerism to better our communities and the world.
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