Appendix A
MOTION:
Whereas: The 2008 General Education proposal was designed by faculty to focus on student
learning outcomes, rather than inputs such as individual courses.
Whereas: The 2008 General Education proposal was designed by faculty with the goal of
ensuring that students who graduate from UH Hilo have (Phase 1) acquired the skills to think
clearly, logically and critically; locate, comprehend, and utilize information; (Phase 2) compose
effective written materials that assimilate, synthesize and reflect on course information; express
and apply numeric and symbolic concepts correctly and accurately; (Phase 3) speak clearly and
orally communicate ideas, facts, information, or recitations effectively and in a manner
appropriate to the audience; describe the behavior and interactions of human beings in terms of
academic theories, concepts and models; investigate the natural world—its forces, principles, and
occupants—and formulate conclusions based on the methods of scientific reasoning; recognize
the cultural heritage and contributions of world cultures including their art, music, literature,
philosophy, and science; identify ethical problems and dilemmas, evaluate the validity of ethical
arguments, and critically reflect on value assumptions; use computer technology competently;
recognize key aspects of the culture, language, economy, history, or natural environment of
Hawai’i or of another indigenous culture or nation or region of the Pacific or Asia; and discuss
global and local community issues and engage in activities that promote the quality of life in the
local or global community.
Whereas: The 2008 General Education proposal requires that all courses that are certified as
General Education courses must list student learning outcomes on the syllabus; align course
learning outcomes with general education outcomes by including the phase 1 outcomes, one or
more of the phase 2 outcomes and one or more of the phase 3 outcomes in some form in the
course learning outcomes; and include a rigorous written or quantitative assignment that
assesses the student learning outcomes.
Whereas: The 2008 General Educational proposal completed by the General Education
Committee, a committee of the 2007-2008 UH Hilo Faculty Congress, was approved in its final
form on April 4, 2008 by 60 percent of the Faculty and was subsequently approved by the
President of the University of Hawai’i.
Whereas: The UH Hilo Faculty Congress has established a General Education Curriculum
Review Committee to certify courses that satisfy the general education requirement, that has
worked diligently to process courses submitted by departments for general education credit.
Whereas: The implementation and administration of the 2008 General Education proposal
requires the leadership, incentives and resources provided by the Vice Chancellor of Academic
Affairs at UH Hilo.
Be it Resolved: That the 2009-2010 UH Hilo Faculty Congress urgently requests that the Vice
Chancellor of Academic Affairs allocate the necessary time and resources toward the
implementation of the 2008 General Education proposal by the 2010—2011 academic year.