General Education Council

February 24, 2016 @3:00pm

Roe R. Cross, MU

MINUTES

PRESENT: Rich Sleezer, Jim Costello, Brian Hollenbeck, Kathy Landwehr, Jo Kord, Catherine Bergman, Neil Luo, Heidi Hamilton, Kalyan Chakraborty, Steve Lovett and Sheila Markowitz

ABSENT: Kamal Lamsal,Joan Brewer, Desiree De La Pena, Kalyan Chakraborty, and Johnny Morgan

Approval of minutes of February 10th were approved

Old Business:

  1. Faculty Senate Bill 1500X-Rescinding - The Minimal Competency Examination Requirement- Costello reviewed with council the status pertaining to the current version. The bill went through Academic Affairs on February 23th and will be presented to the President of the Senate February 25. Then it will be on the senateagenda for first reading next Tuesday, March 1. Costello said that it would take approximately two weeks (possibly longer) to have it back to the faculty senate for a vote. Costello welcomed any General Education Council to attend the senate meeting on Tuesday, at 3:30pm.
  1. Substitution/Exemption Form: Council had a few minor changes on the form before it was finalized. Council approved the substitution form with the changes using a soft roll out. Massoth will send out the final version to advisors and chairs. They can begin use immediately and provide feedback. The intent is for use of the new form to be fully implemented starting August 2016.
  1. CW111 Status within General Education: Sleezer discussed with the council that Gary Wyatt will be attending the next General Education Council on March 9th to present to the council regarding the version of thecourse currently being taught and its acceptance as an ‘accepted substitution’ for general education credit in the Personal and Social Well-Being category. Council would like to know if this course is only for honor students or if other students could enroll.
  1. Structure and Process for Submitting New General Education Course:Council received a handout to discuss. “Petition to Add a Course to the General Education Curriculum. Part 2 #5 A syllabus for the course-(in line with General EducationGoals) will be added. Lovett would like to add to #8: to collect and analyze data to determine if GE learning outcomes are being met.
  1. Resolution Regarding General Education Assessment-was not discussed
  1. Change to General Education Goals: was not discussed
  1. Vision for General Education at ESU: Sleezer has reviewed general education programs at other institutions.. Sleezer spoke about the conference that he attended for assessment of general education and the processes that have been employed at other institutions to modify general education. The range in requirements for general education is in terms of credit hours varies from as low as 18 (probably too small) to greater than we have at ESU but the trend seems to be adopting alternate general education programs of various designs that include fewer hours than we currently require. Many institutions have adopted multiple programs to complete general education in alternate ways (e.g. Virginia Tech with interdisciplinary minors comprised of Gen Ed courses and South Utah which has a traditional general education program but two alternative programs).

Sleezer asked a few council members what their thoughts were with regard to having multiple general education options. Lovett really liked the idea of having two different general education tracks for the students (traditional/existing and something else). Lovett suggested that Sleezer put together a few possible tracks based on what others are doing so that the council could use them as “scaffolding” for constructive discussion. Council was short on time so Costello asked the whole council if they have any suggestions. Everyone agreed to look at this further including the implications foruniversity transfers and to look at the long-term feasibility and the effects on articulation agreements and students with extensive college credit upon graduation from High School. General consensus was that the council needed more information and further discussion about Alternate Routes for Achieving General Goals.

Meeting adjourned: 4:05 pm

Recorder: km

Next meeting is March 9, 2016 @ 3:00pm-4:00pm

Memorial Union, Roe R. Cross Room