The Intensive Freshman Seminars (IFS) program is a nationally renowned program that has been welcoming incoming IU undergraduates for over 34 years. Recently our vice provost has decided to cut the program without consideration for the harm this students and the IFS faculty. 

IFS is a unique and highly successful program where students receive 3 credit hours in an intensive two-week span. Students arrive on campus early to learn about a topic of their choice and get used to college life before their first semester starts. Leading faculty and experienced student teaching assistants (TAs) work closely with students to welcome them to campus and prepare them for success at IU. 

In cutting IFS, the administration is attempting to replace it with a new program that is  mandatory, requiring all first-year students to arrive on campus early to take a 1-credit hour study skills class in a large lecture. This proposed replacement will do nothing to help students build real skill and knowledge, let alone community -- the two most important components of the intensive and unique experience that IFS currently provides.

This cut has devastated the faculty, students, staff, and alumni who have benefitted from this program. This petition was created by students who felt immediately called to action when they heard about the elimination of IFS. Please sign our petition and share it widely. If you’ve been one of the 20,000 students or dozens of faculty that have been positively impacted by IFS, please share your story. Your voice matters. 

HELP US SAVE THE IFS PROGRAM! #IamIFS