Office of the Executive Vice President for University Regional Affairs, Planning, and Policy

John Applegate, Executive Vice President for University Regional Affairs, Planning, and Policy

John Applegate was named Indiana University’s first vice president for planning and policy in July 2008. In March 2010, his portfolio was expanded and his title changed to vice president for university regional affairs, planning, and policy. In February 2011, he became executive vice president for regional affairs, planning, and policy. His office ensures coordination of the strategic plans, external academic relations, and policies that enable the university to most effectively bring its vast intellectual resources to bear in serving the citizens of the state and nation. The regional affairs mission of the Office of the Executive Vice President for University Regional Affairs, Planning, and Policy is to lead the development of a shared identity and mission for all of IU's regional campuses that complements each campus's individual identity and mission.

In creating this new office, President McRobbie noted that "John Applegate has proven himself to be very effective at many administrative and academic initiatives that require a great deal of analysis and coordination within the university and with external agencies, including the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. His experience and understanding of both academia and the law make him almost uniquely suited to take on these responsibilities.”

In 2006, John Applegate was appointed Indiana University’s first Presidential Fellow, a role in which he served both President Emeritus Adam Herbert and current President Michael McRobbie. A distinguished environmental law scholar, Applegate joined the IU faculty in 1998. He is the Walter W. Foskett Professor of Law at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law in Bloomington and also served as the school’s executive associate dean for academic affairs from 2002-2009. He holds a law degree from Harvard Law School and a bachelor’s degree in English from Haverford College.

Nationally recognized for his work in environmental risk assessment and policy analysis, Applegate has written many books and articles on the regulation of toxic substances, defense nuclear waste, public participation in environmental decisions, and international environmental law. He was recently appointed to the National Academy of Sciences' Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board. In addition, he is an award-winning teacher, known for his ability to present complex information with an engaging style and wry wit.

Before coming to IU, Applegate was the James B. Helmer, Jr. Professor of Law at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He also was a visiting professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Law. From 1983 to 1987, Applegate practiced environmental law in Washington, D.C., with the law firm of Covington & Burling. He clerked for the late Judge Edward S. Smith of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Vice President Applegate lives in Bloomington with his wife, Amy Applegate, clinical professor of law at the IU Maurer School of Law and director of the Viola J. Taliaferro Family and Children Mediation Clinic. They have three children: Jesse, who teaches special education in the New York City public schools; Jamey, who is a Peace Corps volunteer in Nicaragua; and Gillian, who is a senior at Bloomington High School South.