Scholars oppose Indiana University’s effort to cut its connection to Kinsey Institute

Bloomington, Indiana – A plan to allow Indiana University to spin off the Kinsey Institute into a charity will be discussed by the board of trustees on Friday.

The Kinsey Institute was founded in 1947 by renowned sexologist Alfred Kinsey and has been based at Indiana University.

The organization wants to use research to advance a better knowledge of sexuality, according to Senior Scientist Cynthia Graham.

“It ranges in research into things like contraception. That’s one of my areas. We have a big program on sexual assault, and on trauma, but also a lot of research on relationships,” said Graham.

The state legislature rejected a budget proposal that would have prevented Kinsey from receiving any funding from the state last spring. Graham claimed that the action is political.

“We don’t receive any state funding for our research,” said Graham. “The funding comes primarily from awards and grants that we get as researchers and also donations.”

The IU Board of Trustees will retain Kinsey’s renowned collection of pornographic art in the event that the university decides to split from the company.

“It includes everything from artifacts, historical artifacts that are really precious actually, and also art. Photographs, paintings, sculptures,” said Graham.

Both Provost Rahul Shrivastav and IU President Pamela Whitten expressed their support for the institution.

“The university is firmly committed to protecting the intellectual freedom and academic inquiry of the Kinsey Institute, and is taking important steps to ensure that its vital work continues in perpetuity,” IU said.

“We’re worried about what’s going to happen with the staff. There is talk about some of the administrative staff , it’s not clear who that would be would be moved off campus. We worry about, of course, safety and security as well, because the Kinsey over the years has always been under attack,” said Graham.

Graham thinks that some people use this as a means of venting their resentment at Kinsey’s research on human sexuality.

“It’s seen as very taboo, and overly sensitive,” said Graham.

Rep. Lorissa Sweet (R-Wabash) put forth the proposal to cut off Kinsey’s state funding. Sweet’s office did not respond to News 8’s request for comment.