University of Nebraska Kearney

General Studies Council Governance 

SVCAA Approved 9-20-2002

1. General Studies Council
   1. Composition of the General Studies Council
      1. Voting Members
         • Terms begin at the end of spring semester (After last spring semester meeting of the GSC)
         • Nominees should make provisions in their schedules to be able to attend Council Meetings, which are typically scheduled for 3:30 pm on the first Thursdays of the months during the academic year.
         • Three tenured faculty members (from different departments) from each undergraduate College
           • Nomination process determined by the individual Colleges
           • Three-year staggered terms
           • Faculty members may succeed themselves only once
           • Initially (in 2002) six nominees from each College, three from each selected by SVCAA in consultation with the Director of General Studies
           • After first selection, two nominees from each College, selection made by SVCAA in consultation with the Director of General Studies
            
         • One tenured faculty member from the Library
           • Nomination process determined by the Library
           • Three-year term
           • Faculty members may succeed themselves only once
           • Two nominees from the Library, selection made by SVCAA in consultation with the Director of General Studies
            
          
      2. Non-voting Members
         • Two junior or senior students from different undergraduate Colleges
           • Votes will be recorded in the minutes but will not count toward approval of actions (UN Board of Regents model)
           • Rotated among the four Colleges as determined by the SVCAA
           • Nominated by Student Senate, two per position, selection made by the SVCAA
           • One-year term
            
         • All Ex Officio Members
           • Director of General Studies (Chair of GSC)
           • Registrar or representative of the Registrar's Office
           • Director of Assessment or representative of the Assessment Office
           • Director of Advising
            
          
       
   2. Committee Operations
      1. Agenda to be published via e-mail one week in advance of the meeting
      2. Quorum is defined as 2/3 of the voting members (9 voting members)
      3. Voting procedures
         1. Actions are approved by a simple majority of the voting members in attendance, but the majority must include votes of faculty from at least three different Colleges (B&T, Ed, FA&H, NSS)
         2. Tie votes result in the failure of the motion or action
          
      4. Roberts Rules of Order
       

   Remainder of Governance Policy not altered as of 2/21/02

2. Duties of General Studies Council
   1. Develop procedures for evaluating GS courses
   2. Develop standards for WI and CD courses
   3. Approving departmentally-proposed GS courses
   4. Approving faculty-proposed GS courses
   5. Approving WI courses
   6. Approving CD courses
   7. Assessment of student achievement and other aspects of GSP
   8. Establishing a schedule of review
   9. Establishing and reviewing GS waiver mechanisms
   10. Regularly reviewing GSP structure and objectives
   11. Reporting to SVCAA and Faculty Senate Academic Affairs Committee
   12. Developing standards and procedures for recognizing outstanding GS faculty
    
3. Duties of Director of General Studies
   1. Chair of GSC
   2. Coordinating GS offerings with Deans and Chairs
   3. Facilitating development of GS offerings
   4. Facilitating assessment of GSP
   5. Reporting on behalf of GSC to SVCAA, Faculty Senate and other interested parties
   6. Distributing minutes of GSC meetings to appropriate entities
    
4. Waivers
   • Determined at first-year orientation
   • Based on ACT scores, for example, or other evidence of competencies (CLEP or Adv Placement)
   • Other mechanisms determined by the GSC
   • Waiver does not reduce total hours required in GSP
    
5. Faculty-specific offerings
   • Faculty may develop special offerings within their specialty
   • Must be approved by Chair, Dean, and GSC
    
6. College GS Requirements
   • Colleges may specify courses within the GSP
   • Must attempt to accommodate those students who change majors
   • Must appear in the catalog
    

1993 General Studies Goverance Document