General Education Committee Minutes, 2/19/10
Members present: J. Edwards, J. Eglin, J. Luckowski, D. MacDonald, D. Potts, T. Thibeau, K.
Shanley, D. Sloan
Ex-officio member present: E. Johnson
Members absent: J. DeBoer, Mariani, F. Rosenzweig, A. Williams
Communication:
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The Committee will meet next Friday, February 26th rather than March 5th.
The Ethics Subcommittee voted not to approve MSL 402. The form has been modified
several times, but still does not meet the criteria. Subcommittee Chair Luckowski has had
numerous correspondences with the Department.
Business Items:
MGMT 101 Appeal
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The Committee concurred with the recommendation of the subcommittee to approve
MGMT 101 as a Social Science Course.
Modern and Classical Language Default Requirement
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Professor Gillison explained the logistics of students fulfilling the Modern and Classical
Language requirement. Not all students need to take the first year (101 and 102) language
courses. The requirement is to demonstrate proficiency at the 102 level. Students can take
the placement exam (offered for French, German and Spanish). If they place in the 201
level, then they have satisfied the requirement. There were 546 students from 2005-2009
that placed into the 201 level. Students can also self place after consultation with a faculty
member. Student can satisfy the requirement by prove proficiency from taking languages
from other universities as well. The requirement can also be satisfied with advanced
placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credit.
UM should have a commitment to teaching languages given its global mission. A default
requirement would boost high school language programs. The revised admissions standards
should help communicate the need for language proficiency to incoming students. If
approved by the Board of Regents it would be implemented in 2013. The Virtual Academy
initiative should also be helpful in providing high school students in rural areas access to
language courses.
It is essential that students understand how the requirement can be met. The new orientation
program that includes pre assignment of core courses and extensive monitoring of students
pre-arrival should provide accurate information. The benefits of learning another language
should be made clear to students.
The symbolic systems exception was intended for extended programs. It would be helpful
to review the data. The 2009 spring and fall enrollments in language courses is robust.
However, it doesn’t appear that the revised general education program has affected
enrollments.
American Sign Language Courses
 It is unclear whether American Sign Language would meet the criteria for the modern and
classical language requirement. The study of culture and literature is included in language
study. One could likely make the argument that it should be considered. It would be helpful
to know whether other universities accept American Sign Language as fulfilling a language
requirement. In the previous general education program American Sign Language could be
taken as a symbolic systems sequence. It was not submitted for review during the transition
and is not required by a program so would not be eligible.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.