The Baccalaureate Review was discussed during Wednesday’s University Council meeting.

During the Spring 2009 semester, a task force consisting of students and faculty was created to review what NIU graduates should learn, be able to do and what kind of people they should become, said Jeff Kowalski, professor of art history.

He added that several constituencies from both on an off campus voiced their opinions on the matter through focus groups and a survey.

“We arrived at three principal goals that we call the three C’s,” Kowalski said. These principal goals are critical thinking, communication and context, he said.

Kowalski noted there has been some argument about whether “creative thinking” should be added to the list of goals.

All members of the NIU community are encouraged to provide their input regarding the goals proposed in the review.

“There’s a place for you to provide your individual feedback,” Kowalski said. “Give us your best ideas.”

Kowalski said that any further suggestions from the NIU community will result in a report that can be used to improve the undergraduate experience.

The baccalaureate review process is on schedule, he said.

“Our goal is to put together a final version of this report by the beginning of next semester,” Kowalski said. The next stage in the review process is figuring out how the findings of the report will be implemented through course work, Kowalski said.

Some feel that the creation of goals that will meet the needs of all students will be difficult.

“At NIU, we have a comprehensive mix of students,” NIU President John Peters said. Peters added that coming up with a program that fits the needs of all the different students will be a daunting task.

Peters also addressed the recent restoration of funding to the MAP grant.

“We reached an accommodation with the passage of a senate bill,” Peters said. He added that revenue to fund the grant was not tied to the bill.

Potential income could come from a cigarette bill or ultimately from an income tax raise, Peters said.

“We have this incredibly difficult budget situation facing the state, and at some point, it’s going to have to be dealt with,” Peters said.

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