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Indiana University

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Culture has become toxic towards staff - Administrative Assistant Indiana University Employee Review

1.0
23 May 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Water-bottle fillers at most drinking fountains.

Cons

The university has continued to add more and more upper-level faculty administration while reducing the number of staff and the remaining staff are supporting more and more faculty and students. There is open hostility towards staff and it truly feels like the university is trying to "quiet fire" experienced staff. Positions have been downgraded and starting pay has decreased exponentially over the last 4-5 years. There has been a tremendous loss of institutional knowledge with every experienced staff person who walks away and duties will be reassigned to remaining staff with no additional compensation. They are very slow to rehire, if at all. It's becoming quite toxic. Additionally, benefits are being chipped away at. Work more, and harder, for less pay and fewer benefits. Pay was never high to begin with but it is becoming disrespectful. You cannot expect "attention to detail" and "highly skilled" when you are only willing to pay bottom-dollar. Job descriptions rarely match actual duties assigned, but rates of pay are based on job descriptions, not actual duties assigned. This allows them to pay less while expecting and asking for more, while not acknowledging that is what they are doing.

Explore other reviews about Indiana University

5.0
5 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Very laid back - Great pay for the effort needed - Great management

Cons

- Low hours - Must be tech inclined

1.0
7 Apr 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Historically the University has offered good benefits, although these have been cut back recently to improve the institution's bottom line. (Specifically, cuts to 403b contributions and changes to insurance benefits and HSA contributions.)

Cons

Over the course of 200 years, the University developed a strong reputation for outstanding programs and research, academic freedom, leadership, and integrity which led to a great sense of pride and community among the employees. Since the arrival of the current president in 2021, and aided by the Governor's takeover of the Board of Trustees in 2025, all of this has been squandered. Top administrators hired on since 2021 (there are legions) cannot be trusted. They disregard IU's culture. They ask staff to lie to students. They violate free speech, They put students in harm's way. They operate in secret. The Trustees also operate in secret (sometimes in violation of open meeting laws), and are unresponsive to faculty votes of no-confidence in top leadership. Renowned academic programs have been closed or damaged. Staff who have served the University honorably and faithfully for years beginning prior to 2021 have been fired or forced to resign without due process. Positions have been eliminated. Hiring has slowed or stalled. Pay is insufficient compared to peer institutions. Understandably, the sense of pride and community has nearly vanished, except for football fans (although the football program succeeds at the expense of other programs). Mistrust, fear, disbelief, and uncertainty are the norms. Before 2021, I would have enthusiastically recommended IU as a top employer. Now, I say avoid at all costs.

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