The Dean of Addran College of Liberal Arts, Andrew Schoolmaster, spoke about plans to develop an Institute for Inquiry, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Faculty Senate meeting Thursday.

The Institute would strive to “enhance the creative capacity of students so that they may thrive in a complex, uncertain world,” according to Institute’s proposal.

Specifically the institute would serve as a “resource for creative and interdisciplinary activities, assist faculty in developing curricula and pedagogy, and facilitate collaborative learning opportunities with private and public organizations,” according to the proposal.

Plans for the Institute were originally proposed as a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) by Addran College of Liberal Arts last spring when TCU was undergoing accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, said Faculty Senate chair Chris Sawyer. The Institute was not adopted as part of the QEP, therefore it did not receive full funding by the university.

“There may be extra money elsewhere under funding for the Academy of Tomorrow that could be dedicated toward the Institute,” said Sawyer. “The Institute would be beneficial to students on many different levels.”

It would “allow our students to improve their creative potential and focus upon inquiry and innovation to be competitive in an ever-changing world,” said Schoolmaster.

In other business, Faculty Senate passed a motion to endorse the American Library Association’s Declaration for the Right to Libraries.

The declaration aims to “build the public will and sustained support for America’s right to libraries of all types – academic, special, school and public,” according to the American Library Association’s website.

Faculty Senate also heard updates from each of its committees.

The Faculty Senate’s next meeting is April 7.