Research Affairs Committee

In collaboration with the Campus Policy Committee, the Research Affairs Committee (RAC) develops and refines policies related to research and creative activity on the Bloomington campus. It also consults with the Vice Chancellor for Research to address opportunities and threats such as funding, strategic hiring, and changes in state and/or federal regulations. At least one co-chair of the committee must be an elected member of the BFC, serving as a representative to the Executive Committee and University Faculty Council. 

The Research Affairs Committee (RAC) was established to develop campus policies pertaining to research and to work with the Office of Research to address issues affecting campus support for research activities.

2026-2027 Assignments

1. In collaboration with Faculty Affairs (FAC), International Affairs (IAC), and Technology Policy (TPC), identify policies and procedures that seem to be creating barriers for faculty research.
2. Collaborate with the AVP/VC for Research and Campus Policy Committee to develop a policy that will guide compliance with state and/or federal directives on the Bloomington campus, to include matters such as due process rights for faculty, trainings for staff on academic freedom, and perhaps legal support for affected faculty.
3. Collaborate with the Libraries Committee and Technology Policy Committee (TPC) to develop a policy regarding the voluntary archiving of research data (post-completion), with the Libraries Committee’s role focused on identifying faculty needs at the intersection of research data and library services, including data ownership, curation, access, and preservation, and connecting RAC/TPC with appropriate IU Libraries experts, such as Research Data Services and Scholarly Communication.
4. Communicate regularly with the chair(s) of the UFC Research Affairs committee and IUI RAC.