Status of General Studies Renewal: Faculty Senate Continues Review of Program Proposal

The Faculty Senate will continue their review of the General Studies Program Roundtable Proposal through the month of April. The Faculty Senate has invited the campus community to review documents and submit questions about the proposal through an Organization called "General_Education_Reform" in Blackboard. This forum is designed to provide information and answers to aid in full understanding of the document, with debate about the proposal taking place through other means, including the final Faculty Senate meeting of the academic year. For questions or more information, contact Scott Darveau, Faculty Senate General Studies Roundtable Phase II Co-Moderator.

Date for NCA Focused Visit Approaches: April 28-29

As the date for the visit from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA) approaches, the Office of Assessment personnel have been making the necessary preparations for a successful visit.

During their campus visit on April 28-29, the team from NCA will evaluate the progress made in assessing student learning in the following areas:

1. Infrastructure to Support Assessment
2. Faculty Commitment to Assessment
3. Recognition of Exemplary Assessment
4. Assessment Process Sustainability
5. Cultural Diversity (CD) Program Assessment
6. Distance Education (eCampus) Program Assessment
7. General Studies Program Assessment
8. Graduate Program Assessment
9. Writing Intensive Program Assessment

A self-study detailing the history and advancement in each of these areas is available on the assessment website.

American Democracy Project (ADP) Moving Forward at UNK

Efforts to implement The American Democracy Project (ADP) continue at UNK. John Anderson (Political Science), Martha Kruse (English), and Dennis Potthoff (Teacher Education) presented the progress of this initiative at the March Faculty Senate meeting. They reported that Chancellor Kristensen submitted an application letter to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), and UNK has been accepted as an ADP participant. The group has completed an audit of campus activity related to student engagement in civic and political activity, and efforts will continue by appointing a director and committee to work with the results of the audit and move the project forward. Watch future issues of eNews for more information about ADP activity at UNK.

Professors, Poets, and Musicians Present Encore of The Sandburg Project: Prayers for the People

In the summer and fall, Kate Benzel (English), Chuck Peek (English), and songwriter Mike Adams produced a program entitled The Sandburg Project: Prayers for the People, which celebrates America's "Poet of the People" Carl Sandburg. They were featured on NPR and performed in Red Cloud, Republican City, Lincoln, and Kearney. The program was well received, so they have come together again to offer an encore presentation.

On April 11, Benzel, Peek, and Adams will appear again with Ted Kooser and the Sandtones to present The Sandburg Project: Prayers for the People at the Merryman Performing Arts Center in Kearney. The performance is modeled after Sandburg’s unique lecture-recital presentation style and includes poetry and folk songs from his “The American Songbag.” In conjunction with this encore presentation, Benzel has coordinated a workshop experience for aspiring poets and songwriters on April 10 and 11 at the Frank House. Using Sandburg’s work as a model, “Poetry for the People” and “Literary Landscapes” will focus on poetry writing, and “Word Melodies” will focus on lyric writing.

Nebraska Educational Telecommunications (NET) and UNK recognized the value of bringing this performance to a larger audience and have created a partnership to film the April 11 performance. NET will be creating an hour-long program to broadcast on NET later this year. Tickets for the performance are available at the Merryman or call 308-698-8052 or www.pickmytickets.com.

15th Annual Early Awareness Day Successful

On March 25, the Office of Financial Aid, in conjunction with the Education Quest Foundation, hosted the 15^th annual Early Awareness Day. They brought in 100 fourth-grade students from Pleasanton, Elm Creek, Amherst, and Axtell. The goal of the event is to raise awareness among elementary age students about the realities of college life. The student visitors were able to get a glimpse of the opportunities a college education could provide.

Departments on campus prepared a variety of activities for the students. Representatives from the Art department explained the creation of animation. Individuals from the Chemistry department demonstrated how to make slime. Radio/TV representatives explained the work of a DJ. Student Support Services prepared a game that emphasized the importance of time management. The students also heard from the Computer Science department and visited Residence Halls.

Anne McConkey, Student Counselor and Coordinator of Student Employment and Scholarships stated, "The students always love to come to campus and they had a lot of really good questions.... The Residence Halls are always popular, and they enjoy learning about how college students live. All of the demonstrations were really great, very educational and at the same time fun for them. We really appreciate the help we get each year from the faculty, staff, and students with Early Awareness. We're looking forward to next year!"

Recognition

Calendar of Events within the Academic Affairs and Student Life Division

A Publication of the
Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Life
University of Nebraska at Kearney
905 West 25th Street
Kearney, NE 68849
Phone: (308)865-8209