Case: Pride Center of Terre Haute, Inc. v. Indiana State University Vice President for University Engagement

2:25-cv-00445 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

Filed Date: Sept. 15, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case challenges Indiana State University (ISU)'s termination of a work study program for its students at the Pride Center of Terre Haute ("Pride Center"). The Plaintiff, Pride Center, is a nonprofit organization that provides advocacy and support services directed towards the LGBTQ+ community of Vigo County, IN. Prior to July 2025, the organization hosted student workers from ISU who were partially funded by the University's federal work study program. The funding for student employees was…

This case challenges Indiana State University (ISU)'s termination of a work study program for its students at the Pride Center of Terre Haute ("Pride Center").

The Plaintiff, Pride Center, is a nonprofit organization that provides advocacy and support services directed towards the LGBTQ+ community of Vigo County, IN. Prior to July 2025, the organization hosted student workers from ISU who were partially funded by the University's federal work study program. The funding for student employees was vital to the Pride Center's functioning.

In response to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) guidance against "Unlawful Discrimination" issued in July 2025, ISU terminated its federal work study program at the Pride Center. ISU claimed to have based the decision on the Pride Center's allocation of benefits or roles based on protected characteristics such as sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Pride Center filed this lawsuit against ISU and its Vice President for University Engagement and Executive Director of Career Services on September 15, 2025, arguing that the organization does not discriminate either in the hiring of students or the provision of services to community members. The Plaintiff further alleged that ISU terminated the federal work study program based on the Pride Center's lawful advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ+ people, and therefore violated the organization's First Amendment rights.

Represented by the ACLU of Indiana, the Plaintiff alleged that the Pride Center's advocacy is lawful and it is not discriminatory, and sought declaratory and injunctive relief requiring ISU to reinstate the funding for student workers at the Pride Center. Without ISU's federal work study funding, the Pride Center will likely be forced to close within months. The case was assigned to District Judge James P. Hanlon.

On September 19, 2025, Plaintiff filed a motion for preliminary injunction to immediately reinstate funding for ISU student employees at the Pride Center. The court denied the motion on January 21, 2026, concluding that there was not sufficient evidence to show that ISU's decision to not fund the Pride Center's work-study positions was based on the Pride Center's LGBTQ+ advocacy.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Josie Clerfond (1/25/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71346502/parties/pride-center-of-terre-haute-inc-v-indiana-state-university-vice/


Judge(s)

Hanlon, James Patrick (Indiana)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bleisch, Joshua (Indiana)

Falk, Kenneth J. (Indiana)

Attorney for Defendant

Bayh, Christopher J. (Indiana)

Froehle, Kristin Leigh (Indiana)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

2:25-cv-00445

Complaint for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief

Sept. 15, 2025

Sept. 15, 2025

Complaint
16

2:25-cv-00445

Order

Oct. 1, 2025

Oct. 1, 2025

Order/Opinion
28

2:25-cv-00445

Order Denying Preliminary Injunction

Jan. 21, 2026

Jan. 21, 2026

Order/Opinion

2026 WL 156689

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71346502/pride-center-of-terre-haute-inc-v-indiana-state-university-vice/

Last updated Jan. 25, 2026, 1:11 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief against All Defendants, filed by All Plaintiffs. (Filing fee $405, receipt number AINSDC-8873833) (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Summons, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet)(Falk, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/15/2025)

1 Proposed Summons

View on PACER

2 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

Sept. 15, 2025

Sept. 15, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

NOTICE of Appearance by Kenneth J. Falk on behalf of Plaintiff PRIDE CENTER OF TERRE HAUTE, INC.. (Falk, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/15/2025)

Sept. 15, 2025

Sept. 15, 2025

3

Rule 7.1 Disclosure Statement by PRIDE CENTER OF TERRE HAUTE, INC.. (Falk, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/15/2025)

Sept. 15, 2025

Sept. 15, 2025

4

Summons Issued as to INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CAREER SERVICES, INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ENGAGEMENT. (AAS) (Entered: 09/15/2025)

Sept. 15, 2025

Sept. 15, 2025

5

MAGISTRATE JUDGE's NOTICE of Availability to Exercise Jurisdiction issued. (AAS) (Entered: 09/15/2025)

Sept. 15, 2025

Sept. 15, 2025

6

Notice Regarding Rule 7.1 Disclosure Statement. (KLS) (AAS) (Entered: 09/15/2025)

Sept. 15, 2025

Sept. 15, 2025

7

NOTICE of Appearance by Stevie J. Pactor on behalf of Plaintiff PRIDE CENTER OF TERRE HAUTE, INC.. (Pactor, Stevie) (Entered: 09/15/2025)

Sept. 15, 2025

Sept. 15, 2025

8

NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua Bleisch on behalf of Plaintiff PRIDE CENTER OF TERRE HAUTE, INC.. (Bleisch, Joshua) (Entered: 09/15/2025)

Sept. 15, 2025

Sept. 15, 2025

9

NOTICE of Appearance by Kristin Leigh Froehle on behalf of Defendants INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CAREER SERVICES, INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ENGAGEMENT. (Froehle, Kristin) (Entered: 09/19/2025)

Sept. 19, 2025

Sept. 19, 2025

10

NOTICE of Appearance by Christopher J. Bayh on behalf of Defendants INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CAREER SERVICES, INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ENGAGEMENT. (Bayh, Christopher) (Entered: 09/19/2025)

Sept. 19, 2025

Sept. 19, 2025

11

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, filed by Plaintiff PRIDE CENTER OF TERRE HAUTE, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Falk, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/19/2025)

Sept. 19, 2025

Sept. 19, 2025

12

SCHEDULING ORDER - This matter is scheduled for a telephonic status conference on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. (Eastern) to discuss a discovery plan, briefing schedule, and determine a date and estimated duration for the hearing on the motion for preliminary injunctive relief. Counsel shall attend the status conference by calling the designated telephone number, to be provided by the Court via email generated by the Court's ECF system. Signed by Magistrate Judge Mario Garcia on 9/22/25.(NAD) (Entered: 09/22/2025)

Sept. 22, 2025

Sept. 22, 2025

14

Joint MOTION Concerning Discovery and Briefing for Preliminary Injunction, filed by Plaintiff PRIDE CENTER OF TERRE HAUTE, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Falk, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/26/2025)

Sept. 26, 2025

Sept. 26, 2025

15

MINUTE ORDER for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Mario Garcia: Status Conference held on 9/24/2025. Parties to file a joint motion and agreed order within 7 days setting a limited discovery and briefing schedule on the issues presented in the petition for preliminary injunction. Parties indicate no hearings will be necessary, and the Court may rule on the parties' written submissions. This matter is scheduled for a telephonic status conference on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern) to discuss case status. Signed by Magistrate Judge Mario Garcia. (NAD) (Entered: 09/29/2025)

Sept. 29, 2025

Sept. 29, 2025

16

ORDER - The parties having filed their Joint Motion Concerning Discovery and Briefing for Preliminary Injunction, and the Court having read the motion and being duly advised finds that good cause exists to grant it. That discovery may commence in this case concerning the pending preliminary injunction motion and shall proceed as set out in the Joint Motion. Signed by Magistrate Judge Mario Garcia on 10/1/2025. (See Order.) (BAA) (Entered: 10/01/2025)

Oct. 1, 2025

Oct. 1, 2025

Clearinghouse
17

DEFENDANTS' ANSWER to 1 Complaint FOR INJUNCTIVE AND DECLARATORY RELIEF, filed by INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CAREER SERVICES, INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ENGAGEMENT.(Bayh, Christopher) (Entered: 10/06/2025)

Oct. 6, 2025

Oct. 6, 2025

18

RETURN of Service by CMRRR, filed by PRIDE CENTER OF TERRE HAUTE, INC.. INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CAREER SERVICES served on 9/17/2025. (Falk, Kenneth) (Entered: 10/09/2025)

Oct. 9, 2025

Oct. 9, 2025

19

RETURN of Service by CMRRR, filed by PRIDE CENTER OF TERRE HAUTE, INC.. INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ENGAGEMENT served on 9/17/2025. (Falk, Kenneth) (Entered: 10/09/2025)

Oct. 9, 2025

Oct. 9, 2025

20

BRIEF/MEMORANDUM in Support re 11 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, filed by Plaintiff PRIDE CENTER OF TERRE HAUTE, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1: Declaration of Ian Braly, # 2 Exhibit 2: ISU 30(b)(6) Deposition Transcript, # 3 Exhibit 3: Position Descriptions)(Pactor, Stevie) (Entered: 11/05/2025)

Nov. 5, 2025

Nov. 5, 2025

21

Joint MOTION for Protective Order, filed by Plaintiff PRIDE CENTER OF TERRE HAUTE, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order Uniform Stipulated Protective Order)(Pactor, Stevie) (Entered: 11/11/2025)

Nov. 11, 2025

Nov. 11, 2025

22

UNIFORM STIPULATED PROTECTIVE ORDER - SEE ORDER. Signed by Magistrate Judge Mario Garcia on 11/17/2025.(JRB) (Entered: 11/19/2025)

Nov. 17, 2025

Nov. 17, 2025

24

Appendix of Exhibits in Support of Response in Opposition to Motion re 11 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, filed by Defendants INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CAREER SERVICES, INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ENGAGEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Deposition Transcript of Carrie Lutz, # 2 Exhibit 2 - Sycamore Community Work Program Agreement, # 3 Exhibit 3 - Federal Work-Study Program Agreement, # 4 Exhibit 4 - Deposition Transcript of Katie Lugar, # 5 Exhibit 5 - Declaration of Carrie Lutz, # 6 Exhibit 6 - Pride Center Strategic Plan, # 7 Exhibit 7 - Pride Center Bylaws, # 8 Exhibit 8 - Pride Center Student-Employee Job Descriptions, # 9 Exhibit 9 - Pride Center Interview Questions, # 10 Exhibit 10 - Pride Center Interrogatory Responses, # 11 Exhibit 11 - July 2025 ISU Email Chain 11 - July 2025 ISU Email Chain, # 12 Exhibit 12 - August 2025 Pride Center Email Chain, # 13 Exhibit 13 - August 2025 ISU-Pride Center Email Chain)(Froehle, Kristin) (Entered: 12/03/2025)

Dec. 3, 2025

Dec. 3, 2025

25

RESPONSE in Opposition re 11 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, filed by Defendants INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CAREER SERVICES, INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ENGAGEMENT. (Froehle, Kristin) (Entered: 12/03/2025)

Dec. 3, 2025

Dec. 3, 2025

26

MINUTE ORDER for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Mario Garcia: Status Conference held on 11/25/2025. Parties to contact the magistrate judge's chambers once a ruling on the preliminary injunction is issued. Signed by Magistrate Judge Mario Garcia. (NAD) (Entered: 12/05/2025)

Dec. 5, 2025

Dec. 5, 2025

27

REPLY in Support of Motion re 11 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, filed by Plaintiff PRIDE CENTER OF TERRE HAUTE, INC.. (Pactor, Stevie) (Entered: 12/17/2025)

Dec. 17, 2025

Dec. 17, 2025

28

ORDER denying 11 Motion for Preliminary Injunction - The Pride Center seeks a preliminary injunction that would require ISU to reinstate work-study funding for the Pride Center's student employees. The Pride Center is not likely to be able to show that ISU discriminated against it because of the Pride Center's viewpoint supporting LGBTQ+ people. Therefore, its motion for a preliminary injunction is DENIED. (See Order.) Signed by Judge James Patrick Hanlon on 1/21/2026. (JSR) (Entered: 01/21/2026)

Jan. 21, 2026

Jan. 21, 2026

Clearinghouse

Case Details

State / Territory:

Indiana

Case Type(s):

Public Benefits/Government Services

Speech and Religious Freedom

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 15, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for and creating a positive impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals in and around Vigo County.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU Affiliates (any)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

State

Executive Director for Career Services

The Vice President for University Engagement

Defendant Type(s):

College/University

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Freedom of speech/association

Other Dockets:

Southern District of Indiana 2:25-cv-00445

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief denied

Issues

General/Misc.:

Funding

Public benefits (includes, e.g., in-state tuition, govt. jobs)

LGBTQ+:

LGBTQ+