New Requirements for Indiana Universities on Degree Programs
Indiana’s public universities will soon need to confirm that new degree programs align with American values before they can be implemented. The Indiana Higher Education Commission is establishing a process requiring universities to show that their curricula promote “civic responsibility” and support the “core values of American society” in order to gain approval for new programs.
Interestingly, many universities in the state have already faced cuts. Reports indicate that nearly 20% of programs have been eliminated due to low enrollment and completion rates, resulting in the removal of courses like “Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies” from Purdue University Fort Wayne.
Republican Governor Mike Braun has been proactive in addressing higher education costs, successfully persuading all of Indiana’s public colleges to maintain current tuition levels. This latest initiative by the commission seems to align closely with Braun’s overall higher education strategy.
In a conversation with the media, Governor Braun noted that many employers have begun to de-emphasize the importance of higher education degrees. He attributes this shift in perspective to what he describes as left-leaning programs that have diluted the perceived value of these degrees. Consequently, state intervention seems necessary to ensure that college degrees retain their worth.
Earlier this year, Governor Braun also signed an executive order that bans state funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across all state agencies. This order specifically prohibits training or initiatives that promote favoritism based on race, color, ethnicity, or national origin.
Recently, the University of Notre Dame attempted to lessen its emphasis on its Catholic roots by revising staff values to eliminate a commitment to understand the university’s Catholic mission. Following significant backlash, the university decided to retract this plan and reinstated the Catholic mission as the top of its five core values.
