Resolution of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University On Establishing an Engineering Program and Engineering Degrees At Indiana University Bloomington

WHEREAS, as documented by the recent comprehensive Strategic Plan for Economic and Community Prosperity in Southwest Central Indiana (2014), the development of a highly focused engineering program at Indiana University Bloomington is necessary to the economic development of the region and the state and the development of its human capital; and,

WHEREAS, as documented by the findings of a Blue Ribbon Committee comprised of highly respected external academic experts and leaders in engineering, the development of such an engineering program at Indiana University Bloomington is critical to support the research needs of its current faculty, to educate its students effectively in the STEM fields and applied technology, and to foster collaboration with other research universities and programs within the state, and across the nation and the world; and,

WHEREAS, as documented in the report of an Internal Indiana University Task Force comprised of faculty leaders from Bloomington, the development of an engineering program at Indiana University Bloomington is necessary to permit existing academic departments and schools to attract the best faculty and students and to allow the campus to reach the full potential of its existing research and academic strengths, particularly in the sciences, technology and the health sciences; and,

WHEREAS the Indiana University School of Informatics and Computing was the first school of its kind established in the United States; and

WHEREAS the School has grown rapidly, developing a reputation for excellence and providing numerous graduates with vital skills in information technology to business and industry in Indiana as well as contributing to the establishment of informatics degrees on all IU regional campuses hence contributing importantly to the State’s economic development;

THEREFORE, be it resolved, that the Indiana University Board of Trustees endorses the creation of a highly-focused program in intelligent systems engineering within the School of Informatics and Computing at Indiana University Bloomington focused on enhancing and augmenting existing strengths in science, technology and the health sciences; and,

THEREFORE, be it further resolved that the Indiana University Board of Trustees approves the proposals for establishing a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and a Ph.D. in Engineering to commence in the 2016–2017 academic year and respectfully requests the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to give rapid approval of these degrees so that work on the establishment of the program can commence immediately.

April 17, 2015