RESOLUTION PASSED BY SUNY POTSDAM GENERAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE
December 11, 2012
Whereas: SUNY Potsdam’s General Education program has been overwhelmingly
endorsed by both faculty and students, as shown by recent survey results1;
Whereas: SUNY Potsdam’s General Education program received an exceptionally
large number of commendations from our last Middle States accreditation;2
Whereas: SUNY Potsdam’s General Education program has received national
recognition for its interdisciplinary focus3 and its outstanding preparation of
students in public speaking4;
Whereas: SUNY Potsdam’s General Education program represents the faculty’s
carefully crafted expression of its commitment to prepare students for successful
careers, active citizenship, and a fulfilling life by providing a thorough grounding in
the liberal arts and sciences;
Whereas: SUNY Potsdam’s General Education program focuses not just on the
understanding required for successful careers and active citizenship, but equally on
developing the skills of writing, speaking, and critical thinking that are prerequisites
for success in life;
Whereas: SUNY Potsdam has instituted a thorough and well administered
assessment program for its General Education program, and has been commended
for this assessment program;5
Whereas: SUNY Potsdam’s General Education program has been developed,
adapted, and improved by faculty ownership and oversight of the program from the
beginning;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The SUNY Potsdam community affirms its strong support
for the college’s General Education program, and wishes to reiterate that authority
to effect changes to the program must remain the responsibility of the faculty of
SUNY Potsdam.
SUNY Potsdam faculty and student surveys conducted fall 2010; results available
on SUNY Potsdam’s Institutional Effectiveness website
2 Report of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, spring 2011
3 Washington Center for the Improvement of Undergraduate Education, 2011
4 National Survey of Student Engagement, 2012, SUNY Student Opinion Survey, 2012
5 Report of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, spring 2011
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