- April 30, 2009
- April 28, 2009 - Special Session
- April 27, 2009 - Special Session
- April 23, 2009 - Special Session
- April 2, 2009
- March 25, 2009 - Special Session
- March 13, 2009 - Special Session
- March 12, 2009 - Special Session
- March 5, 2009
- February, 2009
- December, 2008
- November, 2008
- October, 2008
- September, 2008
General Studies Council Minutes
April 30, 2009 Meeting – 4:00 pm.
Warner Conference Room
Approved via email 8/25/09
Present: Sylvia Asay, Laurence Hilton, Tommy Eshleman, Kelly Hoff, Daren Snider, Ron Wirtz, John Anderson, Darleen Mitchell, Vijay Agrawal, Ralph Hanson, Tommy Hansen, Sherri Harms, David Rozema, Mary Daake, Ralph Hanson, Sonja Kropp, Kim Schipporeit,
Absent: Deb Bridges, Kristi Milks, Marta Moorman, Carol Lilly
- Call to Order
Director Snider called the meeting to order at 4:00.
- New Business
In light of input from faculty, it was decided to change the proposed categories with 0-3 credit hour requirements (Analytical & Quantitative Thought, and Wellness) to 0-6. Moved by Hilton / Agrawal. Motion carried.
Jeanne Butler reviewed proposed objectives with the Council to ensure that each outcome is clear and assessable.
There was a discussion about courses being able to count in more than one category in the proposed program (such as Portal and Distribution). It was decided that courses can only be in one category. Portal courses, then, are unique and stand-alone courses.
The online voting procedure was discussed. It was decided to have an optional open-ended comment box appear if someone votes ‘no’ on the proposed program. After the vote, Hanson and Snider will analyze the data and report it for the Council to the SVC. Moved by Kropp / Hansen. Anderson and Sherri Harms abstained. Motion carried.
- Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 5:10pm.
NEXT MEETING: Thursday, September 3, 2009.
General Studies Council Minutes
April 28, 2009 Meeting – 4:00 pm.
Founders Hall 2147
Approved via email 8/25/09
Present: Sylvia Asay, Laurence Hilton, Tommy Eshleman, Kelly Hoff, Daren Snider, Ron Wirtz, John Anderson, Darleen Mitchell, Vijay Agrawal, Tommy Hansen, Sherri Harms, David Rozema, Mary Daake, Ralph Hanson
Absent: Deb Bridges, Kristi Milks, Marta Moorman, Sonja Kropp, Kim Schipporeit, Carol Lilly
Guest: Ralph Hanson
- Call to OrderDirector Snider called the meeting to order.
- Open Items
- New Business
There was a general discussion about setting an hour limit for any given discipline in the Distribution categories. It was decided to have no limit and wait and see if a problem arises of students’ taking too many GS courses (Portal, Distribution, Capstone) from any one department. If there is a problem, then changes will be considered.
The Distribution category learning outcomes were reviewed and edited.
- Other
- Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 5:20pm.
NEXT MEETING: Thursday April 30, 2009 4:00 p.m., FNDH 2147.
General Studies Council Minutes
Special Session
April 27, 2009 Meeting – 4:00 pm.
Founders Hall 2147
Approved via email 8/25/09
Present: Sonja Kropp, Darleen Mitchell, David Rozema, Marta Moorman, Vijay Agrawal, Tommy Hansen, Laurence Hilton, John Anderson, Tommy Eshleman, Ron Wirtz, Daren Snider, Kelly Hoff, Carol Lilly, Kim Schipporeit
Absent: Sylvia Asay, Sherri Harms, Deb Bridges, Kristi Milks
Guest: Ralph Hanson
- Call to Order
Director Snider called the meeting to order.
- Open Items
- New BusinessThe Council finalized the proposed learning outcomes for the Portal course.
They also discussed learning outcomes for the category “Democracy in Perspective.”
- Other
- Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 5:15pm.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday April 28, 2009 4:00 p.m., FNDH 2147.
General Studies Council Minutes
April 23, 2009 Meeting – 4:00 pm.
Founders Hall 2147
Approved via email 8/25/09
Present: Sylvia Asay, Laurence Hilton, Marta Moorman, Tommy Eshleman, Kelly Hoff, Sonja Kropp, Carol Lilly, Daren Snider, Ron Wirtz, John Anderson, Darleen Mitchell, Vijay Agrawal, Kim Schipporeit, Ralph Hanson
Absent: Tommy Hansen, Deb Bridges, Sherri Harms, David Rozema, Mary Daake, Kristi Milks
- Call to Order
Director Snider called the meeting to order at 4:00.
- New Business
Portal Course Objectives were reviewed and revised. There will be further discussion at the next meeting.
- OtherThe Council considered, again, the GS proposal from Linda Van Ingen.
The Council discussed program level outcomes and category outcomes for “Democracy in Perspective”. The information will be discussed at the next meeting.
- Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 5:20pm.
NEXT MEETING: Monday April 27, 2009 4:00 p.m., FNDH 2147.
General Studies Council Minutes
April 2, 2009 Meeting – 3:30pm.
Founders Hall 2147
Approved via email 4/9/09
Present: Sylvia Asay, Marta Moorman, Tommy Eshleman, Kelly Hoff, Sonja Kropp, Carol Lilly, Daren Snider, Ron Wirtz, Mary Daake, Tommy Hansen, Deb Bridges, Darleen Mitchell, Kim Schipporeit, Laurence Hilton, Kristi Milks
Absent: Vijay Agrawal, Sherri Harms, Sonja Kropp, David Rozema, John Anderson
Guests: Jan Moore and Ralph Hansen
- Call to Order:
Director Snider called the meeting to order at 3:30. There was one short of a quorum.
- Report:
- Snider reported on his visits to NSS and B&T to present the proposed GS program. He distributed a timeline (see GS website) to have the new program approved by the end of the semester in order to allow departments to plan over summer and create course proposals for the new program. It was decided also to have two open campus faculty forums for those who might miss their own college meeting. The forums will be announced on the Employee list rather than the Faculty list, so that all faculty are sure to have received it. The forums will be offered next week or early the week of April 13th. There will be an online survey about the proposed General Studies Program in mid-April for faculty to express their views and give suggestions anonymously. It is anticipated there will be an online vote open May 1st to May 7th.
- Open Items:
- Distribution Category Outcomes:
There will be work sessions in April to discuss the Distribution category outcomes.
- Portal Course Objectives:
Portal Course Outcomes were discussed and a final version will be sent out to give the faculty a chance to comment on all the outcomes. The revised outcomes will be sent to the Council via email to approve the changes and send to campus.
- Democracy in Perspective Outcomes:
The Democracy in Perspective outcomes were discussed and it was decided to email the outcomes to the Council for approval to send them to campus for comment.
- Adjournment:
Meeting was adjourned at 4:35pm.
NEXT MEETINGS: Thursday April 30, 2009 3:30pm, Warner Conference Room, FNDH 1000.
Thursday May 7, 2009, 4:00pm, location TBD
General Studies Council Minutes
March 25, 2009 Meeting – 8:00 am.
Founders Hall 2147
*** Approved via email 4/3/09 ***
Present: Sylvia Asay, Marta Moorman, Tommy Eshleman, Sherri Harms, Kelly Hoff, Sonja Kropp,
Carol Lilly, David Rozema, Daren Snider, Ron Wirtz, Mary Daake, John Anderson, Tommy Hansen, Deb Bridges
Absent: Darleen Mitchell, Vijay Agrawal, Kim Schipporeit, Laurence Hilton
Guest: SVC Charlie Bicak
- Call to Order:
Director Snider called the meeting to order at 8:00 and there was a quorum.
- Open Items:SVC Bicak articulated three components to creating a strong General Studies program:
- It should serve students well
- We should seek to create a sense of ownership across campus
- We must follow NCA accreditation requirements
He complimented the addition of the portal course and capstone course, in part as a response to NCA requirements. He asked about concerns at this point and the Council identified two: having one discipline in its own category (history), and the lack of maximum credit hours that students could take in each of the given distribution categories (i.e. Natural Sciences, etc.)
Wirtz brought a draft that proposed a fourth Skill category titled “Democracy in Perspective.”
Snider presented the Council with information on the history of having maximum limits on the distribution categories, as informed by Daake. He asked the Council to consider adding caps in each category, and to specify that in each category students must take courses from at least two disciplines.
Wirtz/Anderson moved to approve the document to send to campus for discussion. Motion carried unanimously.
- Adjournment:
Meeting was adjourned at 9:10am.
NEXT MEETING: Thursday April 2, 2009 3:30pm, Warner Conference Room, FNDH 1000.
General Studies Council Minutes
Special Session
March 13, 2009 Meeting – 4:00 pm.
Founders Hall 2147
*** Approved via email 4/3/09 ***
Present: Vijay Agrawal, Sylvia Asay, Marta Moorman, Tommy Eshelman, Tommy Hansen, Sherri
Harms, Kelly Hoff, Sonja Kropp, Carol Lilly, David Rozema, Daren Snider, and Ron Wirtz, Deb Bridges, Mary
Daake, Kim Schipporeit
Absent: John Anderson, Darleen Mitchell, Laurence Hilton
- Call to Order:
Director Snider called the meeting to order. Upon determination of a quorum, the agenda was approved and business began.
- Open Items:After consideration of comments submitted by the general faculty, and after corresponding revision of the objectives, Agrawal/Wirtz moved to approve the program level objectives. Motion carried.
The Capstone outcomes --as revised to correspond to NCA’s required format-- were reviewed and Harms/Agrawal moved to approve. Motion carried.
The proposed General Studies curriculum that was to have been distributed to campus for comment was revisited (as moved by Lilly/Harms and sustained by a 2/3 majority vote of members present) in light of some alterations that were deemed necessary. The mathematics/statistics/computer science mode was renamed to be more inclusive, and caps in this category and wellness were removed.
- Other:
- Adjournment:
Meeting was adjourned at 5:35pm.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday March 24, 2009 8:00 a.m., Warner Conference Room, FNDH 1000.
General Studies Council Minutes
Special Session
March 12, 2009 Meeting – 4:00 pm.
Founders Hall 2147
*** Approved via email 4/3/09 ***
Present: Vijay Agrawal, Sylvia Asay, Marta Moorman, Tommy Eshelman, Tommy Hansen, Sherri Harms, Laurence
Hilton, Kelly Hoff, Sonja Kropp, Carol Lilly, David Rozema, Daren Snider, and Ron Wirtz
Absent: John Anderson, Deb Bridges, Mary Daake, Darleen Mitchell, Kim Schipporeit
- Call to Order:
Director Snider called the meeting to order. Upon determination of a quorum, the agenda was approved and business began.
- Open Items:
The objective was to finalize the proposed General Studies curriculum for distribution to campus. Goals of the Portal course were reviewed and Snider asked members to bring comments to the next meeting. The Capstone category was reviewed and changes made. There was discussion about whether “Historical Sources” should be a stand-alone category or included in the “Humanities” category.
The proposed General Studies Program will be sent out to campus for comment. Kropp/Moorman moved to send the proposal to the general faculty for comment. Motion carried 7 to 4.
- Other:
Carol Lilly handed out an alternative proposal for General Studies. There was no further discussion.
- Adjournment:
Meeting was adjourned at 5:25pm.
NEXT MEETING: Friday March 13, 2009 at 4:00 p.m., Warner Conference Room, FNDH 1000.
General Studies Council Minutes
March 5, 2009 Meeting – 3:30 p.m.
Founders Hall, Warner Conference Room
Approved via email 3/20/09
Present: Vijay Agrawal, John Anderson, Sylvia Asay, Tommy Eshleman, Tommy Hansen, Sherri Harms, Laurence Hilton, Kelly Hoff, Sonja Kropp, Carol Lilly, Kristi Milks, Darlene Mitchell, Marta Moorman, Kim Schipporeit, Daren Snider, and Ron Wirtz
Absent: Debbie Bridges, Jeanne Butler, Mary Daake, David Rozema
Guests: Rick Miler and Scott Darveau
- Call to Order:
Director Snider called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. in the Warner Conference Room, Founders Hall.
- Minutes from the February 5, 2009, meeting had been previously approved via email.
- Open Items:
- BMIS 182 Proposal:
After discussion of comments about this proposal from faculty across campus, Harms/Agrawal moved to approve adding BMIS 182 as a General Studies course in the Personal Development Category. Motion carried.
- GS Renewal – Revising Program Level Objectives:
The Council discussed in detail changing the wording on program level objective four to read “Analyze cultural issues within an intercultural context.” Eshleman/Agrawal moved to approve the revised wording. Motion carried. The program level objectives will now be sent out to the campus for feedback.
- Capstone Implementation (pilot) Phase I Document:
The Council will discuss at the next work session.
- New Business:
- Modes of Inquiry Courses in General Studies – Rick Miller and Scott Darveau:
Rick Miller and Scott Darveau discussed with the Council various ways to incorporate the Modes of Inquiry courses from the Roundtable document. The Council agreed that such courses could be proposed and like accepted as options for students in breadth distribution categories. For example, Modes of Inquiry—Sciences could be an option for students to take in the Natural Sciences category of a renewed General Studies program.
- Other:
- Subcommittee Assignments for Portal Course:
It was determined to work on objectives for the Portal course as a full council.
There will be two additional formal General Studies meetings on Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March, 13, 4:00 p.m.
- Adjournment:
Meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Next Meeting: Thursday, April 2, 2009, 3:30 p.m., Warner Conference Room, FNDH 1000.
General Studies Council Minutes
February 5, 2009 Meeting – 3:30 p.m.
Founders Hall, Academic Affairs Conference Room
Approved by email 2/19/09
Present: Vijay Agrawal, John Anderson, Sylvia Asay, Debbie Bridges, Mary Daake, Tommy Eshleman, Tommy Hansen, Sherri Harms, Laurence Hilton, Kelly Hoff, Sonja Kropp, Kristi Milks, Darlene Mitchell, Marta Moorman, David Rozema, Kim Schipporeit, Daren Snider, and Ron Wirtz
Absent: Jeanne Butler, Carol Lilly
Guests: Greg Broekemier, Sri Seshadri, Ross Taylor
- Call to Order:
Director Daren Snider called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. in the Academic Affairs Conference Room, Founders Hall. The council voted to suspend the agenda to consider the BMIS 182 proposal first (see V.a. below) and Other Business (VI. below).
- Minutes from the December 4, 2008 meeting had been approved via email.
- Report:
- NCA Requirements and General Studies – Jeanne Butler
Tabled until next meeting.
- Open Items:
- GS Renewal – Revising Program Level Objectives:The Council will discuss at the next work session.
- GS Renewal – Revising Category Objectives and Course Criteria:The Council will discuss at the next work session.
- New Business:
- BMIS 182 Proposal:Greg Broekemier, Sri Seshadri and Ross Taylor answered the Council’s questions about a proposal for BMIS 182 to become a General Studies course in the Personal Development category. Agrawal/Hansen moved to forward the BMIS 182 proposal to the general faculty for comment in advance of the March 5th GS Council meeting. Motion carried with one abstention.
- Other: GS Capstone Course Pilot, fall 2008
Snider updated the Council on the GS Capstone courses that were taught in the fall 2008 semester. The Faculty enjoyed team teaching the GS Capstone courses. Faculty who participated in the GS Capstone pilot suggested that the GSC not set a theme for the course, but to let departments do that. The Council made initial plans for implementing the GS Capstone in departments that choose to participate.
The next GS work sessions are Thursdays, February 12, 19 and 26, 3:30 p.m., Sisler Room, Otto Olsen.
- Adjournment:Meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Next Meeting: Thursday, March 5, 2009, 3:30 p.m., Warner Conference Room, FNDH 1000.
General Studies Council Minutes
December 4, 2008 Meeting – 3:30 p.m.
Founders Hall, Warner Conference Room
*** Approved via email 12/12/08 ***
Present: Tommy Eshleman, Tommy Hansen, Sherri Harms, Laurence Hilton, Kelly Hoff, Sonja Kropp, Carol Lilly, Daren Snider, Ron Wirtz, John Anderson, Sylvia Asay, David Rozema
Absent: Vijay Agrawal, Debbie Bridges, Mary Daake, Kristi Milks, Marta Moorman, Darleen Mitchell, Kim Schipporeit
- Call to Order:
Director Daren Snider called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. in the Warner Conference Room, Founders Hall.
- Minutes from the November 6, 2008, meeting were approved via email on November 25, 2008.
- Report:
- Update on General Studies Departmental Assessment Reports
Snider updated the Council on the status of GS departmental assessment reports. All have been submitted on WEAVEonline with the exception of reports from four departments, which have extended deadlines due to various circumstances. All reports will be finalized and posted by 12/5/08.
- Open Items:
- GS renewal – synthesizing and refining a GS curriculum model
The Council reviewed and modified Draft #3 of a GS curriculum model that combined the various models (on the GS website). There was discussion about the number of hours that should be required in each of the discipline categories. Snider noted that the Council must reach consensus very soon in order to meet the NCA timeline.
- General Studies Program-Level Objectives
Revision of program objectives will continue at the next meeting.
- General Studies Category Objectives
Revision of program objectives will continue at the next meeting.
- Adjournment:Meeting was adjourned at 4:53 p.m.
Next Meeting: Thursday, February 5, 2009, 3:30 p.m., Warner Conference Room, FNDH 1000.
General Studies Council Minutes
November 6, 2008 Meeting – 3:30 p.m.
Founders Hall, Warner Conference Room
*** Approved via email 12/2/08***
Present: Vijay Agrawal, Debbie Bridges, Mary Daake, Tommy Eshleman, Tommy Hansen, Sherri Harms, Laurence Hilton, Kelly Hoff, Sonja Kropp, Carol Lilly, Kristi Milks, Marta Moorman, Daren Snider, Ron Wirtz
Absent: John Anderson, Sylvia Asay, Jeanne Butler, Darleen Mitchell, David Rozema, Kim Schipporeit
- Call to Order:Director Daren Snider called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. in the Warner Conference Room, Founders Hall.
Minutes from the October 2, 2008, meeting were approved via email on October 10, 2008.
- Report:
- Update on General Studies Departmental Assessment Reports
Kelly Hoff (graduate assistant in General Studies) updated the Council on the assessment report progress. Most or the reports are completed and submitted on WEAVE online. Five departmental GS reports are still in preparation.
- Open Items:
- Work Session – GS renewal curriculum modelsThe Council has carefully reviewed several proposed models of GS programs and weighed various factors, including UNK’s mission and strategic plan, NCA requirements, academic program reviews of GS, past opinio surveys of faculty and students, etc. The Council determined to incorporate strengths found in each of the models in finalizing a proposed GS program. The models are on the GS website.
General Studies Program-Level ObjectivesThe Council worked on revising the current GS program level objectives to make them acceptable for NCA purposes.
General Studies Category Objectives
Revision of category objectives will continue at the next worksession.
Adjournment:Meeting was adjourned at 4:48 p.m.
Next Meeting: Thursday, February 5, 2009, 3:30 p.m., Warner Conference Room, FNDH 1000.
General Studies Council Minutes
October 2, 2008 Meeting – 3:30 p.m.
Founders Hall, Warner Conference Room
Approved by email 10/10/08
Present: Vijay Agrawal, John Anderson, Sylvia Asay, Debbie Bridges, Jeanne Butler, Mary Daake, Tommy Eshleman, Tommy Hansen, Sherri Harms, Kelly Hoff, Sonja Kropp, Carol Lilly, Kristi Milks, Darleen Mitchell, Marta Moorman, David Rozema, Kim Schipporeit, Daren Snider, and Ron Wirtz
Absent: Laurence Hilton
Guest: Jeanne Butler
Call to Order
Director Daren Snider called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. in the Warner Conference Room, Founders Hall.
Approval of Minutes from the September 4, 2008, meeting.
Mitchell/Anderson moved to approve the minutes. Approved without objection.
Report
Jeanne Butler, Director of Assessment, shared results of the NCA visit. General Studies is an area where further attention is required. NCA requires that there be a clear definition and understanding of the GS program level learning outcomes that is shared by all faculty and students. In addition, methods of measuring and interpreting GS learning outcomes to help determine whether students are achieving at an acceptable level should be standardized. Also, a unified and integrated GS program of study is needed with a core set of learning outcomes that are established before the new GS program is created. Although we have made considerable advances since 2004 in student learning outcomes assessment, NCA requires a report of progress in GS in April, 2011.
Open Items
- Academic Standards
Snider distributed draft #4 of the Academic Standards, which was initiated at the November 2007 GSC meeting. The guidelines fall under the Council’s responsibilities for program assessment. Wirtz/Mitchell moved to approve the revised guidelines. Motion carried with one abstention.
- Work Session – GS renewal curriculum models
Snider distributed a working document that will be discussed at the next work session.
- Rozema Model
David Rozema distributed a handout of a proposal for a new General Studies/Liberal Arts Program. The Council will discuss it at the next work session.
- New Business:
- JMC 100 Course Title and Description Change
Kim Schipporeit notified the Council of a course title and description change made to the GS course JMC 100. The proposed change will be sent to Academic Affairs.
- GS Program from College of B&T Faculty
This item will be discussed at the next work session.
- Other
The GS work session will be Wednesday, October 8, 2008, 3:30 p.m., Warner Conference Room, FNDH 1000.
- Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
Next Meeting: Thursday, November 6, 2008, 3:30 p.m., Warner Conference Room, FNDH 1000.
Submitted by Kristi Milks
General Studies Council Minutes
September 4, 2008 Meeting – 3:30 pm.
Founders Hall, Warner Conference Room
Approved 10/2/08
Present: Vijay Agrawal, John Anderson, Sylvia Asay, Deb Bridges, Karin Covalt, Mary Daake, Tommy Eshelman, Tommy Hansen, Sherri Harms, Laurence Hilton, Kelly Hoff, Sonja Kropp, Carol Lilly, Darleen Mitchell, David Rozema, Kim Schipporeit, Daren Snider, and Ron Wirtz
Absent: Jeanne Butler, Marta Moorman
- Call to OrderDirector Snider called the meeting to order. Upon determination of a quorum, the agenda was approved and business discussions began. Minutes of the April 24 meeting had been approved by the Council via e-mail, and will be sent to Faculty Senate for their approval.
- Open ItemsSnider asked the Council for approval to suspend the agenda; the Rozema proposal for liberal arts curriculum will be discussed at a later date. Rozema distributed a revised handout of his proposal for a New GS/Liberal Arts Program for members of the Council to review prior to discussion at a future GSC meeting.
- New Business
Snider reminded the Council that the next accreditation visit by North Central will be in 2014. However, because of deficiencies in the assessment of General Studies, NCA has asked for another report on General Studies in 2011. Many colleges and universities with “cafeteria” style General Studies Programs are encountering the same problems when trying to retrofit program assessment onto a collection of courses that were not intended to function as a unified program.
- OtherSchipporeit shared a copy of the UNL general education program, known as Achievement Centered Education (ACE).
Snider distributed a General Studies renewal plan outline that included NCA mandated characteristics of General Studies assessment, and statements of GSC consensus as to what needs to be done in General Studies program assessment. Discussion ensued.
A working session of the Council was set for Tuesday, September 16, at 3 p.m. in FNDH 2147.
- AdjournmentMeeting was adjourned at 4:37 p.m.
NEXT MEETING: Thursday, October 2, 2008, 3:30 p.m., Warner Conference Room, FNDH 1000.