General Education Council
Minutes
8.14.06 

Council Present:
J. Charles-McCoy Business Administration
R. Stein-Fine Arts and Communication
E. Blankmeyer-McCoy Business Administration
T. Hindson-Liberal Arts
B. Stone-Applied Arts
V. Luizzi-Chair Representative
S. Springer-Applied Arts
D. Yarbrough-Health Professions
E. Morrison-Health Professions
V. Sriraman-Science
C. Hazlewood-Science
M. Johnson-Education
L. Lloyd-Education
S. Beebe-Chair Representative
S. Ogletree-Liberal Arts
T. Mottet-Fine Arts and Communication
K. Morris-Student Representative
A. Krejci-Student Representative
Guest: Dr. Moore 

Meeting convened at 3:29 p.m.  

Motion:
R. Brown asks for a motion to approve the minutes from July 26, 2006 and August 7, 2006.  C. Hazlewood so moves.  E. Morrison seconds the motion.  The July 26^th and August 7^th minutes are approved as prepared. 

Introduction of Dr. Moore 

Dr. Moore shared his thoughts on the 120-Hour Degree
-It will be enforced and it is something we have to do for the Coordinating Board-effective Fall 08
-Need to incorporate all the changes into the catalog
-Understands and supports the need for lots of discussion to reach a conclusion
-Exceptions via memo
-Complete degrees in 4 years
-Changes won’t affect faculty, full-time tenure track faculty
-If large number could do without change in core then we wouldn’t have a problem, but I don’t think that will happen
-Many chairs may reference a joint core and major reduction
-I sent an earlier letter to offer up an option “in case”
-Need to do now because later may be too late
-Have to get to 42 hours--suggestion—Philosophy moves to English Literature section in humanities component as option and another hour from PFW or natural science lab
-Oppose the cutting of the natural science lab because need it for BA degrees
-Oppose the cutting of US 1100 because of retention issues and reluctant at this point to take out a vehicle that could be used for making sure students are getting what they need
-Oppose Comm 1310 because it just became multicultural designated
-With the move of Philosophy it would reduce both English and Philosophy, but they could both maintain
-We have to make a serious effort to reduce to 120 hours because I have to explain and be comfortable explaining any exceptions
-I have heard that all of Liberal Arts will be able to meet the 120 hours without reducing the core.
-Concern-What do the students need?
-60% of our graduating students are transfers so many don’t have Philosophy anyway
-I will stay on top of what the Coordinating Board in our system and in state are doing
-Remember we live in a science and technology world
-All institutions are facing these same problems and it will be LAW
-Whatever is decided ultimately has to bee approved by me
-Different requirements now
-Concern-SCH for course fees to pay IA and TA—likely that course fees won’t exist in the future so this is irrelevant—the course fees will be funded in another way (perhaps wrapped into tuition)
-Concern-PFW-would money be available for RA/GA or would this hurt our GA program—fear is also in adjunct and per course appointments
-Emphasize that we might not have to make a core change, but you need to be prepared—I am showing you the respect of allowing the Council to give a recommendation for these cuts.  If you don’t do anything then someone will make that choice.
-Chairs will respond by 9/15 with their recommendations
-I suggestion is you make a recommendation for cuts and then give students some more choices in the areas they can have them
-Students-don’t feel they need 2^nd history, science, math or philosophy
-Research-relationship between academic performance and fitness
-Believe in some level of physical fitness-I would like a recommendation by the October-November at the latest  

Wish I had been to see the Council before coming with the requirement.  I appreciate your work and know this is not easy, but it is something you have to deal with. 

US 1100-connection with Common Experience-core of thought—broad agreement across campus and with PAWS Preview—helps with transition and retention—it is better today than it was in the past—Conceptually sound—we would like to raise the salary, but not funds at this time  

-Data collections—core courses and SCH since 1999 from Joe Meyer 

Next Mtg. will bring survey information  

Motion:

Approve revised PPS 1.12.  S. Ogletree so moved.  B. Stone seconds the motion. 

Corrections:

6. Change--16 to all  
9. Change—college to department

Motion passed unanimously. 

Next meeting is next Monday (3:30-4:30) to discuss criteria so bring your criteria.  

Meeting adjourned 5:09 p.m.