General Education Council
Minutes
8.21.06

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

Meeting convened at 3:30 p.m. 

Discuss criteria and agree on the criteria and options for after the criterion is agreed upon. 

C. Hazlewood—Goals of general education curriculum and how courses contribute and can course be duplicated somewhere else
--We do have components that are the goals—Coordinating Board defined as elements of general education in Texas 

V. Sriraman—Ability of the program faculty to deliver graduates with the requisite knowledge and skill base---This criterion directly addresses the issue of student preparedness for the profession and should merit significant weightage. 

B. Stone—No course is without merit—do we cut and what does the least damage 

S. Beebe—agree with B. Stone—suggested recommendation criteria
1.  Uphold high academic standards
2.  Retain core academic knowledge and competencies
3.  Assessment data should confirm course quality and uniformity
4.  No loss of graduate TA/IA positions
5.  Be consistent with university mission (quality, diversity, ethics, retention)  

Motion:

T. Hindson made a motion to keep the core the same and not make any cuts for the 120-Hour Degree request.   M. Johnson seconds the motion. 

Discussion:
-Need some support for this proposal – would like to see the data we will get after the 9/15 because it seems premature to make a decision without all the data
-If maybe 2/3 can meet without cutting core then we don’t want to cut if we don’t have to be the bad guys
-If we don’t do something and say no cut then someone else is going to make that cut and we will have given up the say to what those cuts should be
-Concern-getting locked into a suggestion if we say make a cut
-Want to see the Council make a stand that says “NO CUTS” and still behind it 

A request was sent to the Chairs and Directors by Dr. Moore to get information about the following:
1. Do you believe that the degrees in your department/school will qualify under the law for an exemption?  If yes, explain.
2.  If you don’t qualify for an exemption, how would you prefer the hours reduced?  Do you want the reduction all in the major or in both the major and the core? 

**Idea to table vote until we know what is happening from the departments/schools.  We would like to know if they would just like to see this or if they have to have the reduction to meet the requirement. 

-All public universities are making these cuts in Texas to get to 120-hours. 
-Only 3 schools had 42 as the core in state or system
-Wait to see if majority can make it then we won’t need to do anything because Dr. Moore indicated he wanted to be in the middle of the pack 

Several people indicated they were uncomfortable making a vote today without the information due on 9/15.   

-We contact and urge departments/schools and programs that we like the core the way it is and don’t want to change it so urge them to see what they can do
-The Provost already sent a memo urging a cut and gave a suggestion that doesn’t cut anything from the core
-Urge faculty members to say don’t cut
-What forbids us as we already represent the faculty and student body to make a recommendation that goes to the Provost?  

Amended Motion:

K. Morris makes an amended motion with suggestions from V. Luizzi.  We place a high value on the core curriculum as it stands at 46 hours and would like to continue the deliberation before we make a recommendation to keep the core as it is or suggest changes.   We would also like to review the data sent to the Provost from the Chairs and Directors before deciding on a course of action. 

J. Charles seconds the motion to table the issue. 

The amended motion is unanimously approved. 

We will request to get copies of the information that the Chairs and Directors send to the Provost for your review. 

Next meetings:  Monday, Sept. 18 and Sept. 25 from 3:30-5  

Read the Coordinating Board definitions and our components  

Enrollment document-send electronically

S. Beebe document will correct and send electronically 

Motion:

K. Morris made a motion to adjourn.  M. Johnson so moved.  Motion was approved unanimously. 

Meeting adjourned 4:34 p.m.