Task Force on General Education
Note on the Meeting of May 19, 2000
MZ announced that she would attempt to get the preliminary report to the Task Force by the last day of finals and try to get a meeting afterwards. The members should also look at the proposal for the Freshman Colloquia.
Betty Huff, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Services Management, addressed the group. In 1990, CSU San Marcos also revamped their GE program but approached it from a very different perspective; the program was not built around subjects but around thematic approaches. Similarly, at CSU Haywood, thematic linkages were created with two GE and one non-GE joined together.
Steve Velasco, Director of Institutional Research, provided the group with various statistics regarding GE courses. These included the cost of GE courses, ladder faculty involvement in GE, and enrollments.
MZ raised the issue of smaller classes and greater contact with faculty in GE classes. One solution could be the Freshmen Colloquia. These are four unit courses that are for freshmen only, meet a GE requirement, and enroll only 18 students. Instructors will receive credit for the course along with a $1,000 research stipend and a $500 budget. EVC Nagel is very interested and Dean David Marshall will support the project if ready for next year. Dean Al Wyner would like to have at least two for Fall 2000. The courses will be publicized through orientation.
The issue of honors students having priority registration and filling these classes was raised. Although this will not have to be dealt with during Fall, this could pose a problem for the later quarters. It may be possible to cap the courses after a certain point during the first pass then reopen at a later time during later passes. If after two years the program is going well, attempts to get Hewlett Foundation money could be an option.
The idea of making a two-quarter sequence colloquia was raised. Since this is a pilot program, a sequence course may not be the best way to go yet. The issue of sequence courses can be addressed later.
MZ will follow-up with everyone via e-mail with the proposal. As the reports from the subcommittees come in, they will be compiled into a final report that will go the College Executive Committees if not the Faculty Legislature.