Yesterday, in a university-wide message to students and faculty, UT Austin President Jim Davis announced the establishment of a Core Curriculum Task Force. Created to review the University’s general curriculum requirements, this committee is comprised of 18 faculty members from nine of the university’s schools and across 13 other departments:
- Carola Binder (School of Civic Leadership)
- H.W. Brands (Department of History)
- Douglas Bruster (Department of English)
- Scott Carrell (Department of Economics and School of Civic Leadership)
- Renita Coleman (School of Journalism and Media)
- James Curley (Department of Psychology)
- Michael Drew (Department of Neuroscience)
- Patricio Fernandez (Department of Philosophy and School of Civic Leadership)
- Maria Pia Gualdani (Department of Mathematics)
- Adam Klivans (Department of Computer Science)
- Robert Koons (Department of Philosophy)
- David Leal (Department of Government)
- Kirk Lynn (Department of Theatre and Dance)
- Somshuvra Mukhopadhyay (College of Pharmacy)
- Richard Reddick (Department of Educational Leadership and Policy)
- Dana Stauffer (Department of Government)
- Devin Stauffer (Department of Government)
- Michael Webber (Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering and LBJ School of Public Affairs)
The appointment of the task force and subsequent curriculum audit follows Texas Senate Bill 37, authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Galveston), which compels university boards to appoint committees for annual review of general degree requirements. The bill defines the role of the committees and outlines specific criteria to review curriculum, for example, “minor.. and certificate programs have specific industry data to substantiate workforce demand to avoid consideration for consolidation.”
The bill also requires schools to appoint review committees and provide audit results and feedback on curriculum by June 1, 2027. In Davis’ message, he notes the task force’s aim to produce a report as soon as May of next year.
The message also highlights the importance of the core curriculum as being “one of the most fundamental public services of our University.” These courses, consisting of humanities, natural sciences, history, communications, and seminar-oriented first-year courses, will undergo evaluation by the task force, aiming to “identify gaps in rigor, quality, or intellectual cohesion,” as stated in Davis’ Thursday afternoon message.
Despite the University’s nominal dedication to ensuring “the new core curriculum offers a meaningful and thorough learning experience for all UT students,” many students and faculty are concerned the recent curriculum review may lead to comprehensive termination of certain programs, as UT and other Texas universities begin program and course audits in adherence to state legislation.
