Indiana University is taking steps to comply with Indiana Code 21-18-9-10.5, which the Indiana General Assembly amended in the 2025-27 state budget.

The new law requires state educational institutions to terminate degree programs that fall below statutory thresholds. Universities may request approval from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to merge, consolidate or continue degree programs that fall under the statutory thresholds.

Since the law was passed, IU campus leadership has collaborated with deans and unit administrators to develop recommendations for programs that fall below minimum thresholds. These recommendations fall into one of the following categories:

• Continue — Programs below the threshold may be continued in a limited set of circumstances specific to an individual unit.
• Merge/consolidate — Programs may be merged from two or more degree programs into a new, consolidated program. Programs may also be merged into a preexisting degree program.
• Suspend — Programs may be suspended with a teach-out toward elimination if students are currently enrolled. Teach-outs will allow for programs to continue until all existing students have completed them.
• Elimination — Programs may be eliminated if they do not currently have students enrolled.

Additional information on these outcomes can be found in an FAQ from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.

Degree programs that are currently enrolled under the minimum threshold will maintain normal operations through academic year 2025-26. Final decisions regarding programs under the threshold will not take effect until academic year 2026-27.

IU submitted its recommendations to the Commission for Higher Education, and they were reviewed by the commission’s Academic Affairs and Quality Committee on June 30. The full commission will review the recommendations on July 24, at which time they will finalize their decisions.

Campus leaders will work with deans to communicate directly with affected faculty and staff about the recommendations, and affected students will be notified following final Indiana Commission for Higher Education approval.