A new task force made up of University-selected faculty will review and revise the University’s core curriculum, President Jim Davis announced Thursday. 

The Core Curriculum Task Force’s proposals will outline inconsistencies and flaws of the academic opportunities for students, Davis wrote. Last week, he announced the Faculty Working Group on Academic Integrity, which will create a statement defining a stance on academic freedom and integrity.

“Teaching an excellent core curriculum is one of the most fundamental public services of our University,” Davis wrote in Thursday’s announcement. “Our students are entering a complex and challenging world.”

Davis wrote that the 18 members, representing nine out of the 15 colleges and schools, will make up the Core Curriculum Task Force, with a goal of creating a “mean-ingful and thorough” education. He wrote the group will report its proposals by May 2026. 

The task force comes after Texas Senate Bill 37 went into effect on Sept. 1, which requires the UT System Board of Regents and University leadership to appoint and manage a “general education review committee” to annually review the core curriculum and recommend courses to cut. The bill instructs the committee to judge courses on their ability to prepare students for civic and professional life and whether they reinforce specific policies or ideas. 

“We must prepare (students) to have wisdom to be ready to lead, ready to be great citizens, and ready to be positive contributors to our society,” Davis wrote. “A well-designed and well-taught core curriculum — a common learning experience shared across all majors — is key to meeting this mission.”

Faculty group is tasked with defining University’s stance on academic integrity, freedom

Earlier this month, Davis selected faculty members from across the University’s colleges and schools to develop a statement reaffirming where UT stands on academic integrity and freedom, Davis announced in a message to faculty and staff on Oct. 8.

The 21 faculty members and Provost William Inboden will make up the Faculty Working Group on Academic Integrity that will work together to draft this statement and detail what is responsible for teaching and learning at UT, according to the message. 

“We all recognize that higher education in general is under scrutiny,” Davis wrote. “Some question whether our University has strayed from our duty to steward curiosity, open inquiry and productive debate, while others worry that we have narrowed or even excluded opportunities for dialogue or dissent.” 

Due to UT’s position as the flagship university of the state, it holds a strategic position in public opinion and trust, Davis wrote. He wrote the University can earn trust in the community only through renewing the University’s commitment to academic integrity.

“We must define our character, or it will be defined by others,” Davis wrote. “How we live out that character in our classrooms will reveal our commitment.”