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September 19, 2003 |
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| Civic
engagement, college, marrying at IUK through American
Democracy Project
By Mary Ellen Stephenson |
Green
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IU Kokomo is participating in the national American Democracy
Project (ADP), aimed at building students’ understanding
of and commitment to meaningful civic involvement. Through
academic and student life programs, undergraduates will
be encouraged to engage in voting, advocacy, local volunteerism
and “other civic activities necessary for the vitality
of a democracy,” said Stuart Green, Kokomo vice
chancellor for academic affairs. Deans, chairs, directors,
faculty and student affairs personnel will help develop
curriculum enhancements that complement the ADP goals.
The ADP also will attempt to inform policymakers and opinion
leaders on the civic value of the college experience.
The national project is a cooperative venture of the American
Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)
and the New York Times. The project initially will involve
130 AASCU-member campuses, including administrators, some
2,600 faculty and staff, and more than 100,000 students.
Green sought ideas for IU Kokomo’s ADP programming
at an AASCU’s conference for chief academic officers
July 31–Aug. 3 in Snowbird, Utah.
“The project was born out of research and literature
bemoaning the growing apathy and lack of civic engagement
at all levels in American society,” said Green.
“The ADP was given impetus by Sept. 11, 2001, and
popular books such as Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone.
The campus’ Retention Action Plan calls for creation
of an academic/student life committee that will develop
and implement stronger ties between academic programs
and student activities, Green said. Joining other campuses
around the country in the ADP provides a means “to
accomplish the twin goals of enhancing civic engagement
and increasing the relationship between the curriculum
and student life,” he said.
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IU Home Pages + 400 E. 7th Street. Bloomington, IN 47405 + Phone: (812) 855-6494
Publication Date: August 15, 2003 + Comments: homepgs@indiana.edu
Copyright ©2003, The Trustees of Indiana University
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