Labor Studies is Vital for Working Hoosiers
Indiana Commission for Higher Education & Indiana University Board of Trustees
In 2025, Indiana passed HEA/HB1001, a budget law requiring public colleges to seek approval for continuing low-enrollment degree programs. In response, universities—including multiple Indiana University campuses—have proposed suspending or eliminating dozens to over 100 programs statewide, including labor studies, social sciences, and offerings focused on community-engagement. This means by 2027 the program will be phased out of existence at Indiana University.
Indiana University Labor Studies was just 2 students shy of the arbitrary threshold set by lawmakers. The department is also financially soluble and has GAINED enrollment year after year in the past few years.
This is not just a budget cut — it’s a cut to workers’ capacity to organize, learn, and protect themselves.
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To:
Indiana Commission for Higher Education & Indiana University Board of Trustees
From:
[Your Name]
As leaders in education, we know you believe in the power of learning and how important of a role it plays in the lives of Hoosiers. Strong education programs that give Hoosiers the tools they need to find purpose and stability in their work are vital to our families and communities.
We know the Labor Studies program at Indiana University is a vital education program.
Indiana University Labor Studies was just 2 students shy of the threshold set by lawmakers to eliminate programs at IU. The department is also financially soluble and has increased enrollment in the past few years with the help and support of working Hoosiers, who want to learn.
We need you to know, this is not just a budget cut — it’s a cut to workers’ capacity to learn and grow. Please listen to working Hoosiers and do not cut the Labor Studies program at Indiana University. We know the Commission on Higher Education and the Trustees of Indiana University have the ability to find a solution to continue to educate working Hoosiers at Indiana University.
We hope you can support the continued work of the Labor Studies department which in turn supports a stronger, more educated and prepared workforce. A workforce that Indiana needs and deserves.
IN Solidarity,