Indiana University Bloomington

This document provides a high-level overview of the BFC Task Force's report on the future of General Education at Indiana University Bloomington. It critiques the current program, identifying issues such as student and faculty confusion, competition for credits, and substantive weaknesses. The report proposes four categories of reforms: a comprehensive four-year general education framework, refiguring Common Ground courses, strengthening the social justice requirement, and implementing practical administrative changes. The goal is to enhance the comprehensibility, meaningfulness, and effectiveness of the General Education program through evolutionary change.

This report from the BFC Task Force assesses the current General Education program at Indiana University Bloomington and proposes a comprehensive framework for its future reform. Key recommendations include integrating a first-year experience, adopting an 'Enduring & Urgent Questions' approach for common courses, introducing a senior capstone, and transforming the diversity requirement into a social justice curriculum. The plan also suggests administrative and financial adjustments to enhance program coherence, clarity, student engagement, and faculty investment for a more effective General Education experience.

The council passed several resolutions and policy changes, including a resolution on the role of Emeriti in governance and a motion requiring documentation of police presence at meetings. Constitutional amendments were approved for the Bloomington Faculty Council to increase Faculty Board of Review membership, include the Chancellor and Research Professor rank, and update representation. Other actions included passing a resolution regarding potential federal compacts, restricting recruitment events for specific federal agencies, updating academic misconduct procedures, and revising faculty disciplinary procedures.

This report details proposed reforms for General Education at Indiana University Bloomington. The plan aims to enhance the undergraduate curriculum by introducing a four-year general education framework, reforming Common Ground courses with an 'Enduring & Urgent Questions' approach, and strengthening Social Justice Education. Key initiatives include a First-Year Experience and a Senior Capstone, all designed to foster 'Learning Together' and make the program more comprehensible and meaningful for students and faculty.

The Council discussed the implementation of a new faculty activity reporting tool and approved several policy changes. Key actions included amending bylaws to facilitate nominations and incorporate a standing agenda item for new business, updates to faculty instructional responsibilities regarding class information accessibility, and revisions to grievance and review procedures for academic appointees to clarify roles and prohibit retaliation. Additionally, the Council adopted a Mutual Defense Compact for the Big Ten Academic Alliance and approved policy updates regarding grades and grading.