Office of the Dean of the College
Task Force on Undergraduate Education
In consultation with the Faculty Steering Committee, President John Bassett and Provost David Angel have created a Task Force on Undergraduate Education.
The members are:
- Professors Michael Bamberg
- Patricia Ewick
- Susan Foster
- Scott Hendricks
- Matt Malsky
- Gil Pontius
- Paul Ropp
- and Dean Walter Wright
Over the course of this academic year, the Task Force is charged with identifying initiatives that address the central goals of Clark's Academic and Financial Plan. Specifically, the Task Force has been asked to develop proposals that (1) strengthen the educational outcomes of a Clark education for our students, and (2) enhance Clark's reputation and attractiveness to prospective students who are well prepared to take advantage of the academic opportunities of a research university.
The big questions in front of this group can be stated simply:
"What does it mean to be an educated person at the beginning of the 21st century?"
"How can the university best deploy its resources to help Clark students become people of that kind?"
In seeking to work with these questions, the Task Force will be guided by several principles. The Task Force will focus on core principles and essential ideas, looking for bold initiatives that build on Clark's existing strengths rather than merely incremental changes. It will study the current national discussions about liberal education and the ways students learn most effectively. It will aim to improve Clark's capacity to have transformative influence on students and on our several communities, seeking ideas with enough scope so that every department and program can participate constructively in the new ideas. It will pay close attention to the interplay between the curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular aspects of the Clark experience. And it will consult widely with all university constituencies: faculty, students, administration, and staff.
The President and Provost have asked the group to provide two reports:
- an interim report setting general objectives for this review by early December
- a final report in time for the April meeting of the Faculty Assembly