History

Over 10 years ago, IUPUI engaged in a campus-wide planning effort to create the IUPUI Development Plan. Contained within the framework of the planning document are dozens of strategies to strengthen teaching and learning, research, and technology services to the IUPUI community. Since the deployment of this document, hundreds of strategic initiatives have been launched to improve the quality of teaching and learning and to harness the power of contemporary technology.  

In October 2001, the Executive Vice Chancellor convened a group of seventy-five faculty, staff and community members to envision IUPUI’s future beyond the initial scope of work outlined in the IUPUI Development Plan. The retreat’s purpose was to explore possibilities for a radical reconsideration of technology-enabled learning environments, both on-campus and at a distance, which would enable IUPUI to fulfill its mission at the highest levels of quality even in the face of steady or declining revenues from state support or tuition increases. 

Several themes emerged including the desire to design and implement learning environments which engage and attract 21^st Century learners, and blend campus classroom study with new modes of distance learning.  The participants articulated IUPUI’s unique opportunity to become more customer-centric in delivering student services, and devise new methods to reuse and modularize learning units. The discussion unveiled the fact that faculty roles and responsibilities are likely to change and consideration must be given to reconsider promotion and tenure policies.  (To view the report in full, select Technology Report I and Technology Report II.) 

Following the retreat in January 2002, a working group was formed to build upon themes and recommendations outlined in the Technology Retreat Report.  The working group was comprised of faculty and key academic support units within the institution whose missions already encompass the themes outlined in the Technology Retreat Report.  During the first quarter of 2002, a concept paper has been drafted to create the structure behind a vision. The IUPUI Online concept paper has been shared and commented upon by hundreds of leadership faculty, staff and community members. Presentations have been made to numerous committees including the Dean’s Council, Faculty Council, and Academic Affairs.