Revising Curriculum

Goal

Offer core curriculum that is focused on student needs, features the development of lifetime skills and abilities, and reduces the time to complete a degree.

Outcomes

A revised GER model and corresponding budget allocations, establishment of structures/practices for effective GER management, and support for the model from Faculty, Staff, and Students.

Strategies and Actions

Revising the Curriculum is accomplished by reforming the General Education (GER) program, implementing experiential learning requirements for all programs, and revising the campus budget allocation model.

Progress to Date

Over Spring 2021, Summer 2021, and Fall 2021, the team developed three preliminary models of GER reform. In Fall 2021, the team solicited feedback from governance and University groups, hosted a listening session, recommended a preferred model, Model #2 Areas of Inquiry, and prepared a draft proposal. The proposal was refined in Spring and Summer 2022.

Model #2 Areas of Inquiry has multi-disciplinary areas draw from courses in the traditional four divisions: arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences. Focus is on area rather than division and there is no unit requirement in each division. Also proposed is a University Experience course to introduce to the university, its resources and its values.

Looking Ahead

The team anticipates an updated proposal in Fall 2022 and will meet with University groups to solicit feedback. Current proposals assume an implementation date in Fall 2025.

Key Relationships with Other Teams

Resources

Reports and presentations from the team over the past year include:

Timeline – Synopsis from the Co-Leads

DateSummary
Spring 2023The team continues to revise their proposal incorporating feedback received in Fall 2022.
Fall
2022		The Core Curriculum Action team finalized an updated proposal with recommendations. The team is meeting with Schools/Colleges and Governance groups to garner feedback.
Summer
2022		Group finalizing proposal and looking ahead to garnering feedback in Fall 2022.
May
2022		Team lead is now Dave Clark. Working on final proposal and implementation/transition planning. Established 3 sub-groups: Implementation/Governance; Messaging; Management Structure.
April
2022		Presented at the APCC. Presented at the Academic Staff Senate. Met with School of Education and Health Schools. Team modeling impacts of preferred model on schools/colleges. Initial stages of implementation planning.
March
2022		Presented at the Faculty Senate (March 17, 2022).
February 2022Revising proposal.
January
2022		Presented at the University Committee (January 11, 2022). Comments received on proposal from Provost.
December 2021Presented at the APBC (December 15, 2021). Selected preferred model & submitted proposal to the Provost (December 23, 2021). Working closely with the budget model team.
November 2021Presented at the Student Association (November 5, 2021). Presented at the APCC (November 9, 2022).
October
2021		Three models developed for GER Reform & posted on website. Presented models at governance groups & at Chair’s Meeting (October 27, 2022). Listening session on October 29, 2021 (little feedback). Team evaluating models to select a preferred model.
September 2021Presentation at the Dean’s Meeting (September 22, 2021). Team is developing models for GER Reform. Soliciting feedback through listening sessions. The team has met with Honors College, Academic Services & Leadership Council, Student Associations, and the chairs of the APCC.
August
2021		Team is developing models for GER Reform.
June/July 2021Monthly meetings set up and initiated with the implementation team lead (Scott Gronert). Team is developing models for GER Reform.