Minutes of the General Education Committee
for March 4, 2009

 

Attendees:  Jeffrey Alexander, Lori Allen, Erika Behling, Suresh Chalasani, Frances Kavenik, Laura Khoury, Dana Oswald, James Robinson, and Ed Wallen

The minutes from the meeting on February 25th were approved.

Director:  Continued progress in creating an overall program assessment report addressing the basic course data with insights into staffing issues and grading patterns.  The latter two points will be extremely important as the current budget crisis will impact general education offerings. 

Academic Overview:  Academic Overview is one of many presentations to first-year students during the summer orientation program.  The overview informs students of academic expectations and services available to help them achieve their full potential.  A sign-up sheet was circulated. 

Assessment Report Templates: With some minor revisions, the Committee accepted the latest assessment templates.  These templates cover the initial set of questions (survey) directed to departments/programs and the response template from the Committee to the department/program after evaluation of the course. 

Assessment Timeline:  Based on Senate action in Spring 2008 and the upcoming reaccreditation process, the Committee felt compelled to require the development of a course assessment (evaluation) schedule from departments/programs.  The Committee asked the Director to develop a written correspondence to departments/programs requiring that a schedule be submitted by mid-April.  The Director also indicated that she would share this need at the upcoming meeting for chairs and directors.  For those that actually prepare the report(s), a modest stipend will be offered. 

Previous Assessment Reports (Fall 2008):  The Committee hopes to complete the evaluation of these courses prior to the end of the semester.  Courses that meet approval will be subjected to reevaluation in 5-years.  Courses that do not meet approval will be required to update information and resubmit within a time frame established between the department/program and the Director.  Courses that are not reviewed by the end of the semester will be given priority over the summer. 

Summer Assessment Projects:  The Committee continued discussions for the summer projects.  One idea is for two teams to be formed.  The first team, working in May/June, would evaluate as many of the existing reports as possible.  The second team, working in July/August, would integrate the information from the first team and the “global” report produced by the Director into a program-level assessment report.  This second team would also be charged with identifying strengths/weaknesses in the existing assessment templates.  As possible, the Director(s) will consider compensation to these teams. 

Next Meeting:  To be announced.