The Indiana Commons

05/06/2025

The Purdue Exponent recently announced they had received an email from Purdue University’s Office of Legal Counsel, making several demands and ending several long-standing informal commitments between the university and newspaper. The university cited their new institutional neutrality policy in the email, according to The Purdue Exponent. This comes shortly after the university shut down their diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and released a statement clarifying that the publication was entirely independent and not recognized as a student organization by the university.

In the email, Purdue University announced several changes, including:

No longer facilitating distribution of the Exponent on campus.

Canceling access to paid parking passes for the Northwestern Parking Garage, governed by a mid-1980s agreement stemming from the Purdue Student Publishing Foundation’s sale of land that allowed the
construction to proceed. This agreement stated it would only terminate “should Purdue University
discontinue the use of the garage for parking purposes, replace the facility with a non-parking structure, or
for any reason dispose of the property altogether.”

Asked that the Exponent no longer use the word “Purdue” for all commercial uses, even though the Purdue
Student Publishing Foundation has a trademark on the name “The Purdue Exponent” until 2029.

This move also comes after cut the weekly print edition of the this past semester.

Were Politics Involved?

This action comes shortly after Purdue University eliminated most of its diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

The Purdue Exponent has addressed several heavy political topics in the past. Their editorial board recently removed the names of pro-Palestine student protestors from their articles, fearing backlash. They have also ran editorials opposing tariffs put in place by the Trump Administration and ran an endorsement of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jessica McCormick.

To read more, visit: https://theindianacommons.com/purdue-severs-ties-the-purdue-exponent-institutional-neutrality/

05/06/2025

The Beech Grove Common Council addressed sewer rates, redistricting, and ending an unenforced two-hour parking limit on Main Street during its June 2 meeting, focusing on infrastructure and community needs.

Sewer Rate Study

Financial consultant Jeff Peters presented a sewer rate study, recommending raising the residential sewer rate from $37 to $56.69 to address a $1.75 million shortfall in the wastewater utility fund. The proposal supports $13.5 million in stormwater projects identified by Wessler Engineering and ensures operational stability, as the sewer fund ended 2024 with nearly no cash reserves. Councilor Elizabeth Lamping suggested aligning with a 2023 ordinance setting the rate at $46.75, citing affordability concerns. Clerk-Treasurer Samantha Stratton noted high wastewater bills from Citizens Energy, including $259,862 for April, underscoring the urgency. The council deferred a final decision to refine the proposal.

https://theindianacommons.com/beech-grove-sewer-rate-study-redistricting-june-2025/

02/06/2025

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has announced the appointment of four members of the IU Board of Trustees, effective immediately, including James Bopp, Jr., an anti-abortion lawyer of national prominence, having served as general counsel for National Right to Life since 1978.

New appointees to the IU Board of Trustees

Bopp has also served as general counsel for the James Madison Center for Free Speech since 1997 and as the special counsel for Focus on the Family since 2004.

Braun also reappointed W. Quinn Buckner, who currently serves as chair, attorney Brian Eagle and Sage Steele, conservative host of The Sage Steele Show, voice actor for The Daily Wire and sports broadcaster to the board. All appointees are Indiana University alumni.

“I look forward to working with our new trustees, who join the board at a pivotal time of positive momentum for IU,” IU President Pamela Whitten said. “Each has a deep love for IU and shares our vision for putting students first, advancing groundbreaking research and serving our state.”

31/05/2025

Purdue University is closing its DEI office and ending some related programs, aligning with Indiana University in responding to state and federal directives.

According to a university-wide email from Provost Patrick Wolfe obtained by WLFI, Purdue is immediately sunsetting its historical DEI activities and closing the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. Related DEI initiatives in individual colleges and departments will also be phased out.

Wolfe stated that the restructuring comes “under the authority of our Board of Trustees” and reflects the university’s response to recent federal and state policy developments, which he said made the change “a necessary part of our future as a public university and a state educational institution.”

https://theindianacommons.com/purdue-joins-iu-to-close-dei-office-cut-related-programs/

31/05/2025

With heartfelt speeches, proud families, and 210 students walking across the stage, Beech Grove High School celebrated its Class of 2025 last Thursday in a graduation ceremony that lasted slightly over an hour.

The ceremony opened with a tribute to veterans, followed by the national anthem and presentation of the colors by the school’s JROTC led by graduating cadets (timestamp 11:41). Principal Trent Austin welcomed attendees and acknowledged the moment as both a culmination and a new beginning.

“On behalf of the Beech Grove City School Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Laura Hammack, we welcome each of you to the commencement ceremony of Beech Grove High School celebrating the Class of 2025,” Austin said.

https://theindianacommons.com/beech-grove-high-school-graduation-class-of-2025/

31/05/2025

Beech Grove law enforcement officers laced up their running shoes and went on a run to support Special Olympics Indiana Friday morning, taking part in the 2025 Law Enforcement Torch Run.

The 3-mile, easy-paced run will began at 9 a.m. at Bicentennial Unity Plaza, 121 E. Maryland St., in downtown Indianapolis. The public was encouraged to attend the 9 a.m. send-off ceremony to cheer on the runners, which include BGPD officers, fellow law enforcement personnel, Special Olympics athletes and community supporters.

The LETR, founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 1981, has become the largest grassroots fundraising effort for Special Olympics, engaging thousands of law enforcement officers across the globe as “Guardians of the Flame.”

https://theindianacommons.com/beech-grove-officers-run-to-support-special-olympics-indiana/

31/05/2025

A public hearing meant to bring closure to a months-long investigation into misconduct at the highest levels of Indianapolis government instead reignited tensions Thursday night, when City-County Council Investigative Committee Chair Crista Carlino attempted to remove an abuse survivor and her advocate during a televised meeting.

Lauren Roberts, one of two women whose allegations triggered the investigation, joined the session by phone. The call was facilitated by Elise Shrock, a former Democratic political staffer and advocate for survivors. As Roberts began to speak during the live presentation of the Fisher Phillips report, Carlino repeatedly ordered Shrock to leave the room or end the call.

The attempt to silence a survivor drew an immediate and furious response from the audience.

https://theindianacommons.com/indianapolis-council-chair-attempts-to-remove-abuse-survivor-from-public-hearing/

31/05/2025

Jacob Stewart, president of Collegiate Commons, Inc., plans to propose an amendment to Beech Grove’s backyard chicken ordinance during the public comment period of the Beech Grove Common Council meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on June 2 at the Beech Grove City Hall, he shared with The Indiana Commons.

“The amendment would remove arbitrary limits on backyard hen ownership,” Jacob Stewart said. “If local ordinances are limiting personal freedoms or the ability of residents to use their personal property, they should have a reason. As long as we require residents to have a healthy amount of space in their coop and run for each chicken, the size of their property will provide a natural limit to the number of chickens a resident can have.”

https://theindianacommons.com/amendment-to-beech-groves-backyard-chicken-ordinance-to-be-proposed-june-2/

30/05/2025

Jacob Stewart, president of Collegiate Commons, Inc., plans to propose an amendment to Beech Grove’s backyard chicken ordinance during the public comment period of the Beech Grove Common Council meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on June 2 at the Beech Grove City Hall, he shared with The Indiana Commons.

“The amendment would remove arbitrary limits on backyard hen ownership,” Stewart said. “If local ordinances are limiting personal freedoms or the ability of residents to use their personal property, they should have a reason. As long as we require residents to have a healthy amount of space in their coop and run for each chicken, the size of their property will provide a natural limit to the number of chickens a resident can have.”

Jacob Stewart, president of Collegiate Commons, Inc., plans to propose an amendment to Beech Grove’s backyard chicken ordinance during the public comment period of the Beech Grove Common Council meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on ... ...