Student success is at the heart of the Indiana University Bloomington 2030 strategic plan and, as part of this process, programs and resources are continually being evaluated to ensure we’re doing all we can to help our students thrive before and after they arrive on our vibrant campus.

In response to the IUB 2030 strategic plan, a work group on the first-year seminar was created in fall 2023 that included faculty who were nominated by the Bloomington Faculty Council and campus leaders who have a role in first-year programs. The recommendations that were provided to the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education included piloting a first-year seminar during the 2024 fall semester, which is currently occurring.

Further discussions with the academic deans identified the need to explore how a first-year seminar would fit into the general education curricular requirements. The intentional engagement of the faculty will be necessary with the addition of a required first-year seminar program, with faculty creating a curriculum for each year that responds to pertinent issues that influence the student experience.

The Bloomington Faculty Council president charged the long-range planning committee with considering key questions for redefining general education at IU Bloomington, including how to incorporate aspects of IUB 2030 into the campus’s general education requirements.

The committee has been asked to consider how first-year seminars and experiential learning, which are core elements of the IUB 2030 Student Success pillar, could be incorporated into the general education curriculum. To provide a seamless transition from admission to a student’s first semester, there is a desire to create a coherent and intentional first-year experience for all beginning students. As part of this commitment, we are working with faculty to expand a new first-year seminar so every beginner student has access to the transition program.

Designing a new first-year seminar will offer the opportunity for the program to be directly connected to instructors in a smaller seminar format, giving more faculty a chance to be involved in the important work of supporting our students in their transition to IU Bloomington. The Bloomington Faculty Council will play a critical role in considering the courses as part of the required curriculum.

The existing Intensive First-Year Seminar benefitted about 9 percent of our incoming students, and our goal is to offer a program that serves 100 percent. The expanded first-year seminar will also eliminate some of the barriers that may have prevented students from applying to the Intensive First-Year Seminar.

Rather than taking place before the academic year and requiring a program fee, the first-year seminar will be done while students are expected to be on campus and not require an additional cost. The resources currently being used for the Intensive First-Year Seminar will make it possible to expand a first-year seminar to all incoming first-year students.

Faculty play a critical role in helping us achieve our ambitious IUB 2030 goals, and we’re excited to continue working together to ensure our students succeed long after their first semester.

Vasti Torres is vice provost for undergraduate education.