FAQWhat is the charge of the General Education Policy Review Committee?
- Articulate the mission of the General Education Program (GEP) at UWSP
- Identify the General Education model (core, distribution, decentralized) that UWSP will follow
- Develop the Explicit Goals and Learning Objectives of the General Education Program (GEP) at UWSP
- Specify Measurable Outcomes of the GEP at UWSP
- Develop the General Education Program (GEP) which should include creating clear criteria for meeting the learning objectives (for example: criteria for course approval)
- Develop an appropriate title for the General Education Program (GEP) that focuses on the value of the GEP
- Determine the advisability of appointing a Director of General Education at UWSP
Why do we need this committee?
The AASCU report of November 2006 pointed out a number of problems with the General Degree Requirements (GDRs). The Summer General Education Research Team was charged to research the literature of general education and identify several general education models that might work at UWSP. Their report, dated August 15, 2007, provides some recommendations for UWSP and may be used as the basis for the deliberations of the General Education Program (GEP)
Therefore, the Academic Affairs Committee recommends the formation of a two-year ad-hoc General Education Policy Review Committee.
What is the timeline for this process?
The process of the Review of General Education at UWSP is an ongoing cyclical process.
- Mission and General Education Learning Objectives by March 2008
- General Education Program finished by March 2009
- General Education courses by March 2010
- Freshmen enrolling in UWSP in Fall 2010 to begin the new GEP
Who is on the committee?
A specific list can be found on the Committee Member tab of this website. The membership was decided on in the following fashion.
- Members from each committee/subcommittee will be chosen by that body (total of three).
- The full-time Academic Advisor was chosen by the Advisors (total of one).
- The students were chosen by SGA (total of two).
- The four at large members (one from each college) were chosen by the members of the Academic Affairs Committee (AAC) from among either nominated or self-nominated candidates.
- Criteria for membership include: A two-year commitment (2007-2009), commitment for summer 2008, and eligible to serve on the Senate.
How will this affect current students or transfer students?
The earliest that a new GDR curriculum would be integrated in the Fall of 2010, and it would be for new entering Freshman. Upper class students would have the choice between the current system or the new system. New systems and requirments that impact students always raise concern. The university will make sure that the conversion from one system to the next will not negatively impact current students, nor compromise the quality of their education.
What feedback was sought by the committee?
The committee has reached out to the university through open sessions, faculty meetings, student organizations, and much more. We are always looking for more input though and we can be reached by emailing on of the co-chairs, Justin Glodowski or Don Guay.