General Education Committee Minutes 2/14/05

Members Present: J. Eglin, S. Greymorning, S. Kalm, T. Manuel, S. Miller, D. Pletscher, G. Smith

Members Absent/Excused: K. Hill, R. Welsh

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

Chair Eglin called the meeting to order at 3:10 PM.

The minutes from 2/7/05 were approved.

Communication:

§ Chair Eglin related information about the teleconference of the Board of Regents General Education Core Workgroup. A proposal for a two-track system was well received. This would entail two options for fulfilling general education. One geared toward two-year transfer students consisting of the system core. Specific courses would be identified at the institutions to meet the core. The other could be unique to the institution. This option allows the institutions to maintain their autonomy and can have an innovative program.

Associate Registrar Carlyon indicated that to have two separate general education tracks will be confusing for students and create an advising and system problem. It would be better to have the programs correspond at some level. Including the core in UM’s program would make it simpler for students and would be a better use of resources.

We don’t want to deter students from UM because there are more credits required in general education. Yet, the standard should be appropriate for a four year institution.

Students who transfer from outside the system seem to be aware that there will be consequences of changing programs. Students who have completed an associate degree have their lower-division general education waived.

§ Dan Pletscher has been appointed to the University Transfer Committee. This committee will be dealing with procedural issues related to transfer difficulties.

§ Does the Committee feel comfortable in letting ASCRC take on the issue of transitioning from the non-western to cultural diversity requirement to be in alignment with the transferable core policy? The committee reviewed the definitions specified in the catalog and by the board of Regents and suggests that ASCRC develop a better definition.

§ The committee will resume its work on the preamble. The latest draft will be circulated via email and members will be encouraged to make comments electronically for preparation as there is no meeting next week due to the holiday.

The meeting was adjourned.