General Education Committee
April 5, 2011 2:00 PM
McMahon Centennial Center
Approved Minutes
Members present:
(Chair) James Heflin – Communications
Mohammad Tabatabai – Mathematical Sciences
Abdulhamid Sukar – Business
David Fennema – Theatre Arts
John Geiger – Psychology
Ramona Hall – Education
Kirsten Underwood – Music
Jason Smith – Library
Nicole Bucher – Student Representative
Karla Oty – IRAA (non-voting)
Amanda Husak – VPAA representative
Agenda Items/Discussions
1.
The meeting was called to order at 2:00 PM.
2.
After one correction, the minutes from the 03/01/11 meeting was approved by Oty. Fennema seconded.
3.
Next item on agenda: Oty passed out a handout with information about the dates, learning outcomes, and
participants of the three focus groups in April. Oty said that Dr. Joanni Sailor will write a report about the
meetings, and General Education Committee members may need to assist her with taking notes. Oty also
pointed out about the general education category in the handout, which refers to different departments
teaching the same type of course, for example economics, and that maybe they should be assessing the
same learning outcomes and use similar assessments.
4.
Next item on agenda: The History Department requested removing learning outcome 3B from HIST 1483,
1493, 1113, 1123, 2113, and 2223. Oty mentioned that since other required Gen Ed courses measure 3B,
removing these from history should not be a problem. Discussion then centered on who approves these
types of requests, such as the Institutional Assessment Committee, Vice-President of Academic Affairs, etc.
Fennema made a motion to accept this recommendation from the History Department to remove learning
outcome 3B from HIST 1483, HIST 1493, HIST 1113, HIST 1123, HIST 2113, and HIST 2223.
Underwood seconded. Motion carried.
5.
Next memo: The History Department wanted to request a course modification for HUM 2713, Introduction
to World Religions. Discussion centered on the History Department having incomplete paperwork for this
request. Fennema made a motion to notify the History and Government Department that their request for
HUM 2713 be tabled at this time due to the fact that the General Education Committee needs their general
education objectives, plan on how to assess the class, a syllabus, a course information sheet, and student
learning outcomes. Geiger seconded. Motion carried.
6.
Next memo: The Department of English and Foreign Languages submitted course modification requests
for ENGL 1123 and ENGL 1223, Honors Composition I and II to have General Education Status. Oty and
Underwood said that paperwork had previously been filed about this request, but that nothing has ever been
done to approve the changes. Discussion then began about a standardized form that departments could fill
out with complete information. It was confirmed that a standardized form is being developed. Fennema
made a motion to contact the English and Foreign Language Department and inform them that their request
for General Education Status for ENGL 1123 and ENGL 1223, Honors Composition I and II are tabled
until the General Education Committee can receive their general education objectives, plan on how to
assess the class, a syllabus, a course information sheet, and student learning outcomes. Underwood
seconded. Motion carried.
7.
Next memo: The Department of History and Government request to delete HUM 2513, Humanities of the
Great Plains. Underwood made a motion to accept the History and Government request to delete HUM
2513 from the general education program as requested. Fennema accepted. Motion carried. Discussion
also centered on whether or not this course was the only course measuring the objectives. Oty confirmed
that this class will not leave a gap in the general education learning outcomes.
8.
Next item on agenda: Oty announced that this summer the General Education Committee members will be
assigned WEAVE training as reviewers offering feedback for information contained in the PQIR’s.
9.
Next meeting scheduled for May 3rd, 2011 at 2:00 PM.
10. Meeting adjourned at 2:51 PM.