APPENDIX 2 GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM COMMITTEE FOR IMPLEMENTATION MINUTES Meeting #70, Tuesday, May 26, 1987
The meeting was called to order by Chair Galen Pletcher at 12:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Stephen Brown, King Lambird (Graduate Assistant), Laurence McAney, Terrell Martin, Norman Nordhauser, Betty Richardson, Jim Rotter, Connie Stamper-Carr, David Werner, and J. Ed. White. GUEST: Reynold Feldman, Dean of Program Development, Northeastern Illinois University, Consultant for General Education.
The following items were distributed to the Committee:
-Dean Feldman's Schedule for his Three-Day Visit to SIUE.
-Memo from Dean Feldman re: Items of interest from the 1987 National Conference on Higher Education meeting.
-Revised Draft (5/15/87) of Revised Curriculum Council Operating Papers.
The meeting was turned over to Dean Feldman, who asked the members to respond to a survey. The results, discussion of which occupied the entire meeting, are recorded below.
1. What have been the main accomplishments of the General Education program to date?
2. What have been the chief disappointments if any?
3. What have been GEPCI's chief accomplishments?
4. What do you see as primary tasks of the new General Education Committee?
5. If you could give one piece of advice to the General Education Committee, what would it be?
6.What are the three most important questions, in your view, that I (Reynold Feldman) should be pursuing during my visit here?
7. What features would you like General Education at SIUE to have in 1990 that it lacks today (if any)?
The new program has no core of classes that relate different disciplines or provides a framework such as an undergraduate seminar or a Western Civilization sequence or a major ideas and literature sequence of courses. Interdisciplinary courses do not go far enough.
Personally, I favor the school-concept for the General Education program, and I would like to see this as a reality by 1990.
More History. Solid core of Introductory and Advanced courses in basic disciplines. Writing requirement only with strong writing across the curriculum component or some way to assure that students will improve writing--rather than learn that they can get away with slop in courses other than English.
A requirement for History of Western Civilizations A required course in World Geography Lots of Students taking Option B More emphasis on intercultural awarenessA third English Composition course--to give students more time to develop as college level writers.
A central (or basic) set of areas or topics which are recognized as essential for every graduate, and then a structure which assures that all graduates will have been exposed to them. Perhaps a one-year required course.
Advanced science courses with some math can be made part of the program. I'd like to se more blending of the "two cultures". Science courses in human sexuality won't do that.
Historical/world perspective. "Ownership" by faculty throughout the University. Faculty in all programs need to see General Education program as and integral part of the major.
8. Is there anyone not on my scheduled visits that I should try to see during my three days at Edwardsville?
Perhaps, Mr. Richard Dremuk, Assistant Vice President for Admissions and Retention.
Presidential Scholars (the cream of our crop) who have taken old and new programs. Or you're welcome to a half hour with my GE English 305 course. (The survivors are quite good) tomorrow at 4 if you can make it.
President Lazerson Director of Library? Students? Students.Perhaps someone from a discipline not included which thinks it should have been--ask Galen for names.
Rank and file academic advisors often get information on student attitudes that faculty do not.
IDEAS:
The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m. The Committee will meet with Dean Feldman again on Thursday, May 28, at 1:30 p.m. in the Vice President's Conference Room.
Approved June 5, 1987