General Education Committee Minutes 11/7/05

Members Present: J. Eglin, S. Gaskill, K. Hill, S. Kalm T. Manuel, M. McClintock, K. Shanley, R.Welsh, C. Winkler

Members Excused/ Absent: D. Pletscher, G. Smith

Ex-Officio Present:  L. Carlyon, A. Walker-Andrews

Chair Winkler called the meeting to order at 1:10 PM.

The minutes from 11/1/05 were approved.

Communications:

The committee needs to start thinking about establishing a set meeting time now rather than gather schedules in the spring. Camie will send out a schedule for members to block out days and times not available.

Professor Kalm will not be able to make the next two meetings but will have Tom Cook fill in for him.

Rob Welsh created a first draft of a advantages/disadvantages document for consideration by the committee.

The committee should think about sending items forward to ASCRC soon in order to make a presentation to the Senate in December. These items can be presented as works in progress, or conceptual framework that invite responses and dialogue from ASCRC members and senators.

Business items:

o Information that will be forwarded for consideration include the flow chart, alternative models and advantages/disadvantages of the current model, MUS core, Taskforce models and alternative models. The committee needs to refine the flow chart, advantages and disadvantages document and clarify a creative alternative model that focuses on UM’s brand. Some members would like the Committee to propose an approach for UM to meet the “American Indian Education for All” mandate.

o An efficient means to complete the tasks is to divide the work and establish workgroups. Assumptions and priorities should be discussed to set the framework such as: allow for departmental input and creativity; transferability with the MUS core; and integration of preamble concepts.

A workgroup was established to work on the “American Indian Education for all” recommendation, a revamp model, and refinement of the flow chart. Members include Kate Shanley, Karen Hill, Celia Winkler, Steve Gaskill, and Steve Kalm/ Tom Cook.

Another workgroup was established to fine tune the advantages and disadvantages document. Members include Rob Welsh, Tim Manual, Garon Smith and Dan Pletscher.

A third workgroup consists of John Eglin and Tim Manual to draft language that addresses the implementation and process for review of general education courses. Courses should be specifically designed as general education courses and the criteria must be concise and not be allowed to soften over time.

Michael McClintock will serve as unofficial editor.

The committee may also want to forward samples of ways departments might want to construct their “mantel.” Areas of specification in the department could include foreign language, symbolic systems, additional math or writing, international awareness, and a wilderness experience. Departments should be encouraged to include experiences beyond the classroom such as lectures, internships, and wilderness/ study abroad experiences.

The meeting was adjourned.