General Education Council
Minutes
8.7.06  

Council Present:
C. McCall-Education
T. Hindson-Liberal Arts
L. Lloyd-Education
E. Morrison-Health Professions
C. Hazelwood-Science
V. Sriraman-Science
S. Ogletree-Liberal Arts
V. Luizzi-Chair Representative
S. Beebe-Liberal Arts
S. Beebe-Chair Representative
J. Slomka-Science
E. Blunk-Applied Arts
J. Charles-McCoy Business Administration
Johnny Devora for K. Morris-Student Representative
Council Absent:
B. Stone-Applied Arts
E. Blankmeyer-McCoy Business Administration
T. Mottet-Fine Arts and Communication
D. Yarbrough-Health Professions 

Meeting convened at 3:33 p.m. 

Council was presented with the memo from Dr. Moore
-SUBJ: General Education Core Curriculum 8.7.06
Recommendations:
-Retain COMM 1310 and US 1100
-Reduce core curriculum from 46 to 42 hours
-Would like to see core curriculum become more flexible and offer additional choices in each category of the components 

Discussion continues about the 120-hour degree and the 42-46 hour core curriculum 

The following indicated that they would like cuts in the core to help offset the cuts necessary in the major to meet the 120-hour mandate (or as close to 120 as possible with approved waivers:
Applied Arts (FCS and OCED)
Science (Engineering and possible others)
Health Professions (most programs)
Education
Fine Arts and Communication (Music and Art) 

The following indicated they could make cuts and can meet the 46-hour core curriculum without making changes to the core:
Computer Science
College of Liberal Arts
Theatre and Dance
Communication Studies
Journalism and Mass Communication 

Several colleges are having meetings during August to discuss the 120-hour degree issue.  We still need information from McCoy Business Administration. 

Council would like to see visually where cuts can be made and who can’t make the cuts and won’t be able to get a waiver (for accreditation, industry standards or licensure) 

Where can we make cuts?
-COMM 1310 (3 hours)-recommended by Dr. Moore to keep
-PHIL 1305 (3 hours)
-Science Lab (1 hour)
-Institution Option
      -US 1100 (1 hour)-recommended by Dr. Moore to keep
      -PFW (2 hours) (1 hour each course) 

Dr. Moore sent assurance that these cuts will not impact faculty 

Suggestions:
-Move PHIL 1305 to Humanities and Visual Performing Arts Component with English Literature and then cut a lab or PFW
-Please remember from the last meeting the Dr. Flores suggested keeping the science lab because of its importance to the learning experience of the student
-Keep PFW for the health and wellness of students (feel they are able to help and save peoples lives because they are attending the PFW classes-sound mind and body) and keep because of the loss of graduate assistants -Make equitable for everyone and cut from core 

State Mandate:
6 hours english composition
3 hours college level math
6 hours college science
3 hours fine arts (art, music, theatre and dance)
3 hours humanities (english literature)
6 hours US history
6 hours government (political science)
3 hours social science (economics, psychology, sociology, geography or anthropology)

Additional Hours:
3 hours COMM 1310 (Communication Component)
1 hour science lab (Natural Science Component)
3 hours Philosophy (Humanities and Visual & Performing Arts Component)
2 hours PFW (Institutional Option)
1 hour US 1100 (Institutional Option) 

-Restructure (cut some courses-maybe PHIL and add to english literature as option) and expand course options in some components
-Think about what makes an educated person and what we want our students to get from the core curriculum-what makes a well-rounded student 

What are the numbers of traditional students that graduate with our core?

Half of our students graduate as transfers and more are coming in with AP credit, dual enrollment and IBD. 

Secondary issues:
-GAs and enrollment numbers for courses in english literature  (paid from course fees)
-GAs and enrollment for PFW courses is fee based and will effect some agencies in community
-Recruiting to programs 

Suggestions:
-Cut 1 science lab and 1 PFW
-Some way to have no faculty or staff cuts or find another way to fund or support these cuts
-No cuts and no effect to GECC 

Meet next week on Monday, Aug. 14. 

Prepare list of options with help from V. Luizzi and S. Beebe 

Motion:

A recommendation was made to have R. Brown meet with the Provost and discuss the Council suggestions and invite the Provost to attend the meeting on August 14^th.  C. McCall so moved.  S. Beebe seconds the motion. 

Motion passed unanimously. 

Meeting adjourned at 4:41 p.m.