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IU Kokomo joins American Democracy Project
July 31, 2003 | |||||
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KOKOMO, Ind.—Indiana University Kokomo will participate in the national American Democracy Project (ADP), aimed at building students’ understanding of and commitment to meaningful civic involvement. Through academic and student life programs, undergraduates will be encouraged to engage in voting, advocacy, local volunteerism, and “other civic activities necessary for the vitality of a democracy,” said Stuart Green, vice chancellor for academic affairs. Deans, chairs, directors, faculty and student affairs personnel will help develop curriculum enhancements that complement the ADP goals. The ADP will also attempt to inform policy makers and opinion leaders on the civic value of the college experience. The national project is a cooperative venture of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and The New York Times. The project initially will involve 130 AASCU-member campuses, including administrators, some 2600 faculty and staff, and more than 100,000 students. Green will seek ideas for IU Kokomo’s ADP programming at an AASCU’s conference for Chief Academic Officers July 31–August 3 in Snowbird, Utah. “The project was born out of research and literature bemoaning the growing apathy and lack of civic engagement at all levels in American society,” said Green. “The ADP was given impetus by September 11, 2001, and such popular books such as Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone.” (Putnam’s book looked at how, in the last quarter of the 20th century, Americans increasingly disengaged from community and social activities, as exemplified by decreased participation in bowling leagues.) The campus’ Retention Action Plan calls for creation of an academic/student life committee that will develop and implement stronger ties between academic programs and student activities, Green said. Joining other campuses around the country in the ADP provides a means “to accomplish the twin goals of enhancing civic engagement and increasing the relationship between the curriculum and student life,” he said.
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