Minutes of the General Education Committee
for October 5, 2001

The Committee met at 2:05 in D135 MOLN. Members present were Lori Allen, Ruth Becker, Larry Duetsch, Peggy James, Farida Khan, Linda Piele, and Esther Wilson. S. Hawk, J. Noriega, S. Norton, and E. Zepp were excused. Also present was Chris Evans.

Larry Duetsch was elected Chair of the Committee for 2001-02.

Professor Evans presented the request of the Geology Department that GEOL 106 (Great Lakes Water Resources) and GEOL 108 (Dirt Appreciation: Soils for Survival) be added to the General Education Distribution List in category NC - Earth Science. Course descriptions and letters of support from Professors Boyer, Mayer and Wolf were distributed. Professor Evans
said both courses would stimulate critical thinking, require writing and oral communication, and encourage teamwork. She assured the Committee that both courses would be offered at least once per year and that they would occasionally be offered in the evening. The Committee unanimously agreed to add both courses to category NC, effective immediately.

Professor Evans left the meeting and the Committee turned its attention to the annual report for 2000-01.

It was agreed that data should be obtained on the Fall GPAs of students who earn grades of D or F in the University Seminar. It was also agreed that data should be sought on the retention of freshmen (for one year) at other comparable institutions.

It was agreed that the results of the semesterly survey of instructors of distribution courses should be amended to include data (for each of the general education objectives) on the proportion of instructors that seek to develop a particular objective in at least one way.

The meeting adjourned at 3:05.