General Education Committee Meeting Minutes  9/20/07

Members Present:  Steve Lietz, Vicky Dorworth, Maureen Edwards, Sharon Fechter, Linda Mona, Margaret Latimer, Phil Ringeisen, Anne Schleicher
Absent:  Nora Ryan
Guests:  Michael Farrell, representing Art, Rockville

1)      Voting Procedures for the Final Full Faculty Vote.  The Committee discussed possible formats for the final vote, including full alternate proposals that include amendments. Issues of concern included how to consolidate amendments, how to indicate voting options clearly and how to communicate the effect each amendment will have on the overall program.  The committee voted unanimously to ask the EVP’s Office to provide a consultant for parliamentary procedure now to advise on format and voting procedures. 

2)      Calendar of General Education Committee Discussion Dates:  the Committee reviewed the proposed calendar of discussion opportunities and adjusted one date.  This will be advertised to the Faculty.  Discussion dates are now added in addition to Open Gen Ed Committee Meetings on Thursdays in October, with two additional meetings at each campus (6 in total, calendar).

3)      November 21 All Faculty General Education Discussion.  Amendments to the Gen Ed Proposal are due Nov. 1^st ; proposers of finalized amendments will be able to speak in an open-mike session on Nov. 21 prior to a Learning College Retreat.  The Gen Ed Discussion will run from 8:30 – 10:30 in Theatre Arts, Rockville , with a breakfast served.  Faculty will be asked to make a reservation to attend in advance.

4.   Communication with Faculty – we will highlight parts of the Proposal in weekly e-mails beginning next week to Faculty; also add a Channel to MyMC.

General Education Committee Meeting Minutes from January 12, 2007

Committee Members Present:  Carla Witcher, Phil Ringeisen, Margaret Latimer, Vicky Dorworth, Maureen Edwards, Sharon Fechter, Nora Ryan, Ellen Mansueto, Linda Mona, Anne Schleicher; Resource Kathy Wessman  
Absent:  Sumita Kim, Steve Lietz

The Gen Ed Committee reviewed a paper copy of the latest version of the proposal, “The White Copy,” in preparation for presentation to the Collegewide Curriculum Committee.

I.  Anne Schleicher distributed the following materials:  

1. The Draft Copy of the Proposal (also sent to all Committee members by e-mail prior to the meeting)
2. Sample page of a draft copy of a General Education Comparison Chart, listing specific General Education courses at the top ten most frequent transfer destinations of Montgomery College students and listing specific Montgomery College course equivalencies.  This Chart shows courses in common across a variety of MD State, out-of-state, and private four-year institutions. (Attachment included in Draft Gen Ed Proposal Link:

II.  The Committee answered the following questions: 

1. Specific assessment levels for all general education courses:  the group agreed to including this statement in the Course Review Guidelines section of the proposal (P. 8):  All general education courses will have an assessment level of EN 101/101A and RD 103/120, with the exception of world language courses.
2. Studio Arts courses.  Lengthy discussion on this topic.  The Committee voted on the inclusion of this statement in the Course Review Guidelines section of the proposal (P. 8): 
   
   Arts courses with a studio component may still meet general education assessment level requirements if the greater part of the course is theory-based.    
   
   The vote was: 8 in favor, 1 opposed, and 1 abstained. 
   
   Question that still must be addressed:  should the proposal specify what percentage of the instruction should be theoretical, or describe what portion of the class must be lecture and studio (current studio arts courses are listed as “Two hours lecture, four hours studio each week.”)
3. IE Category – which disciplines/courses will be included and assessment levels.  After considering a handout describing IE courses at various MD institutions, distributed by Vicky Dorworth, the Committee agreed to include the following statement in the Course Review Guidelines:
   
   Courses in the IE – Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues category:  an Emerging Issues course is one that the institution has determined is of such current significance to the students that it is essential to include as a part of their general education experience. Such a course must be based on a credible body of established scholarship with pertinent evidence of methodology and/or epistemology. In addition, the course must address a body of knowledge, skills, and values that lie predominantly outside the five general education areas. [Question for the Committee, 1/17/07:  do we want to be this specific:   The General Education Committee recommends the inclusion of 3-credit health courses in the IE category.]
   
   The General Education Committee recommends that guidelines and course inclusions for the IE category be reviewed on a regular cycle, every three years.    
4. Ensuring that the Multicultural Component considered in the development of all General Education Courses – how will we do this?
1. The Committee agreed to contact faculty involved in “Internationalizing the Curriculum” to include those recommendations in the General Education Program.   
2. The Committee agreed to examine multicultural/diversity requirements at transfer institutions using the General Education Comparison chart referred to above (under distributed materials), and identify frequently occurring multicultural/diversity courses in the MC General Education program with an asterisk and the notation:  Courses with an asterisk typically satisfy a multicultural/diversity requirement at many transfer institutions.   Montgomery College students are urged to include one course with an asterisk focusing on multicultural/diversity issues among their General Education course choices.
5. The place of non-traditional courses in Science categories – for example: 
1. AN 105 Introduction to Physical Anthropology and Archaeology
2. FM 103 Introduction to Nutrition
3. ES 100 Introduction to Engineering Science
4. BI 104 Understanding Viruses
5. Etc.

The Committee agreed that these courses should be considered on an individual basis using proposed General Education Course Review Guidelines when all courses re-apply for General Education status under the new program.

6. Should we consider proposing separate list of requirements for transfer vs. career degrees?  The Committee decided not to develop separate Gen Ed lists by degree type – too confusing.  
7. For career degrees, can the General Education Committee suggest that those programs specifically consider including a Speech requirement?  This could be an informal recommendation, but should not be included in the Proposal.
8. Should our proposal include detailed samples of advising materials?  Anne Schleicher will develop some materials for the group to consider – no definite decision on this.
9. Should the proposal include a list of how current Gen Ed course list might look after the new criteria is applied?
   Debated – still under discussion…
10. Rationale for Change – include more information, reference to the Spellings Report.  Will also include the following list, open to your editing suggestions:

Important Characteristics of the Proposed General Education Program

·         Simple, and clear to students, faculty, and advisors
·         Based on student outcomes
·         Reflects the mission and values of Montgomery College
·         Satisfies typical graduation requirements of both two- and four-year associate’s and baccalaureate degree programs, not only in the State of Maryland but across the nation
·         Accommodates the full range of community college students (career students finishing their college experience with a two-year degree, distance students, and transfer students, etc.)
·         Provides broad exposure to many disciplines, complementing specific majors and helping students develop important reasoning, inquiry, and civic capacities
·         Sustainable within existing resources

11. Questions Regarding the Proposal – sample questions were discussed, including:
1. What are the benefits of changing the General Education Program?
2. Specifically, what has happened to the Speech and Health course requirements?
3. Are we losing the variety of choice by narrowing course selections?
4. If courses are removed from our current list, won’t that hurt specific departments?

Sample answers to be discussed at the next meeting.

III.                  Next Steps

1.  Anne will revise Draft Proposal with changes approved during this 1-12-07 meeting and continue to refine the “Rationale for Change” and “Questions About the Proposal” pages.  Current changes noted in these minutes can be seen at the following link: 

2.  The Gen Ed Committee will meet on Thursday, February 8^th, at our regular meeting time of 2 – 4 pm to review the proposal again.  Please note this change from our regular schedule of meetings on the first and third Thursday of the month;  Feb. 8^th is the second Thursday of February – we will not meet on Thursday, 2/1.

3.  The Curriculum Committee has agreed to devote its February 16^th meeting to a review and discussion of the Gen Ed Committee’s Draft Proposal.  They would like the Gen Ed Committee to distribute copies of the Draft proposal to members of the CCC at least one week in advance.  Anne Schleicher will prepare final draft copies and distribute electronic and hard copies to Gen Ed and CCC members on Friday, February 9^th, with any changes made during the Feb. 8^th Gen Ed Committee meeting.

4.  All available members of the General Education Committee are requested to attend the CCC meeting on Friday, February 16^th from 2 – 4 pm at the Rockville Campus.  This meeting will be in place of a second Gen Ed Committee meeting during the month of February.  

Respectfully submitted,
Anne Schleicher, Chair
General Education Committee

General Education Committee Report      March 22, 2007

   1)      Current State of the Draft Proposal:  The General Education Committee's Draft Proposal for the Revision of the General Education Proposal is available on-line for review and comment.  The Academic Assembly voted on March 6 to move the date for a final vote to the January 2008 Opening Meeting. 

2)      Faculty Forums for Discussion of the Proposal:  The Academic Assembly has given the responsibility of organizing full faculty forums to the three Faculty Councils.  They are now in the process of deciding how to organize the forums.  They are considering holding at least one forum during the first week of May 2007.  The CCC/Gen Ed Tentative Timeline for Proposal Review appears on the back of this page.

3)      May 2007 Meeting:  The General Education Committee will have 10 minutes at the May 2007 meeting to introduce the Draft Proposal and discuss methods of sending comments and/or amendments.  This is an information session rather than a question and answer discussion. 

4)      Comments / Proposed Amendments / Website:

Comments Page – Although some faculty members have expressed concern about having to sign in through Infonet to make comments, that system will remain in place.  As more comments are received, the Gen Ed Committee will invite volunteers from specific disciplines to organize the comments sections by discipline if desired.  

Amendments - The Gen Ed Committee is meeting to discuss details on how to handle proposals for amendments.  It is anticipated that proposers of similar amendments will be encouraged to meet and consider consolidations on an on-going basis. 

Voting on Amendments and The Proposal – The Gen Ed Committee is going to think through this process.  If amendments are approved, the proposal may change form dramatically.  Should there be a time lag between voting on amendments and voting on the final amended proposal?

Website – Some faculty members feel the website needs to be streamlined with so that the main points of the proposal can be read easily.  This change is underway; however, the Gen Ed Committee believes that it is important for faculty to review all of the information considered in the construction of the proposal. 

5)      General Education Membership:  The terms of four of the 12 members expire in May.  At this point, only one member has indicated a wish to leave – the others would like to stay on this exciting Committee.  We will formally submit vacancies and the requests of those who want to remain to the CCC by the April 6 meeting. 

Respectfully submitted,
Anne Schleicher, Chair

 www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/genedcomm

 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE SUBMITTED BY CCC/GEN ED TO FACULTY COUNCILS; SUBJECT TO CHANGE

 
General Education Committee Report to the Collegewide Curriculum Committee February 2, 2007

 1.        The General Education Committee is finalizing their Draft Proposal for the Revision of the General Education Program and anticipates sending an electronic copy to all CCC members next Friday, February 9^th.  CCC members who would like a paper copy can request this in advance by sending an e-mail to GenEd@montgomerycollege.edu

2.        The Draft Proposal has been available for review on the General Education Website since October 2006, with editorial changes made after every Gen Ed Committee meeting.  This information has not been publicly broadcast; however, it has been available & the Feb. 9^th version will be uploaded  at www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/genedcomm

3. The Gen Ed Committee would like the CCC to review and make changes to the Draft Proposal prior to submitting it to the Academic Assembly for a full faculty review and discussion. 
   
   There have been concerns about the proposal.  The question the Gen Ed Committee has wrestled with is:  when do we fully introduce this to faculty?  At the moment, it’s not quite finished.  The Gen Ed Committee, made up of 12 faculty members from across Gen Ed disciplines and across campuses, has spent long meetings, twice a month for a full year, deliberating every point and moving forward with changes based on the group’s majority consensus.  The recommendations in the report have been made thoughtfully and carefully, with full discussion and review of materials, all viewable on the Gen Ed Website.  

4. The Draft Proposal is just that:  a draft.  It will only be adopted after the full faculty of Montgomery College considers it and votes on it.   Our hope is that all faculty concerns will be expressed in the large arena where greater consideration can be given to all sides of the issues.  The College can vote for it, against it, amend it or consider alternate proposals. 
   
5. Here is a proposed timeline for consideration of the proposal:
   
1. Gen Ed – CCC Review on Feb. 16; possible continuation March 2 if needed.
   
2. CCC sends the draft proposal to Academic Assembly members Monday,
   March 5; Academic Assembly discusses it at their meeting March 20;
   (Spring Break is Friday to Sunday, March 12 – 18).   The Gen Ed Committee will work with the Academic Assembly to determine at what point a General News announcement is made – could be March 5 after CCC is finished with its review.
   
3. Academic Assembly sets up moderated faculty forums, at least one on each campus, in late March through April.
   
4. Any interested person may send written comments / alternate proposals / suggested changes to be published on the MC Infonet Gen Ed Web Page for  MC faculty and staff, in order of receipt:   GenEd@montgomerycollege.edu  Some comments have already been received and posted.
   
5. Final vote will take place at the End of the Year Meeting in May 2007; or at the Fall Opening Meeting if additional time for discussion is needed.

Respectfully submitted,

Anne Schleicher, Chair, General Education Committee

GENERAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT 12-01-06

Although the General Education Committee has not met since the last CCC report, things are progressing well.  Access to the MC Gen Ed Committee Webpage has been increased by adding 4 new links, with thanks to Tina Bak, so anyone can find it from the Departments Listing page, from the main General Education Program description page, and from a few other spots without having to go through MC Infonet.  It is updated every two weeks and shows all the details of our latest discussions.

With fingers of all twelve committee members crossed, we hope to have our Draft Proposal submitted to the CCC in early February.

Respectfully submitted,

Anne Schleicher 

The General Education Committee continues to work on their proposal to revise the General Education Program.  The proposal is evolving, with substantial changes made at every meeting.  Details change from meeting to meeting, but we anticipate completion by mid-January at the very latest.

Several current course proposals asking for general education status have been reviewed.  Some have been referred back to proposers for additional information. 

As always, guests are welcomed at Gen Ed Committee meetings on the first and third Thursday, 2:30 – 4:30 pm in 112 SB, Rockville Campus.  Dean Don Smith can tell you how engaging our discussions are! Materials being discussed are available for view at our website, www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/genedcomm

Respectfully submitted, Anne Schleicher

1.      The General Education Committee is continuing its work on a draft proposal to change the General Education Program.  They reviewed a draft proposal at their August 2006 meeting during Professional Week. The draft was announced as a starting point and members were encouraged to review it and make suggestions for change.

Any change to the General Education Program is likely to be controversial. Some confusion occurred – a person left the meeting wondering if the August 28 draft was a final proposal, but we have clarified that the discussion is on-going.  We met again on Sept. 21 and yesterday, Oct. 5, to discuss and revise the draft proposal.  We anticipate that we'll spend at least two or three more meetings to do so.

Although understandable, any reactions right now to the draft proposal are premature as the proposal is still being substantially revised. The Gen Ed Committee, made up of 12 members from all three campuses and all gen ed distribution areas, is carefully considering the draft proposal from all angles. The Academic Assembly, upon receiving the draft proposal from the Curriculum Committee, can ensure that all faculty have the opportunity to express opinions prior to a full faculty vote.

2.      The General Education Committee would like to ask the Curriculum Committee to approve a process for the review of the draft proposal to change the General Education Program.  We ask for CCC input today (10/6) regarding the following process:

a.      The General Education Committee will forward the draft proposal to the Curriculum Committee (we anticipate doing this by December 1, 2006 or earlier)

b.      The Curriculum Committee will review and revise, with participation of the full General Education Committee as needed to answer questions

c.      The Curriculum Committee will forward the draft proposal to the Academic Assembly

d.      The Academic Assembly will review with participation of the General Education Committee as needed to answer questions

e.      The Academic Assembly will (with assistance from the Gen Ed Committee as needed):

                                                               i.      organize forums for faculty to fully discuss the proposal on all three campuses and

                                                             ii.      create a system (website) for all comments to be publicly available for review prior to a full faculty vote on the proposal.

f.        The Academic Assembly will call for a collegewide faculty vote to approve.

3.      The General Education Committee decided yesterday, 10/5, to lift the moratorium on approving courses for General Education status.  Any course proposers must understand, however, that approval does not mean that an approved course will automatically receive general education status if a revised general education program is approved.  The Gen Ed Committee would like to see any course proposals seeking Gen Ed status submitted since September 2005.

4.      The General Education Committee conducts open meetings every first and third Thursday of the month, from 2:30 - 4:30, in Room 112 SB, Rockville Campus. All materials under consideration can be seen at the General Education Committee Web Page, www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/genedcomm/

Submitted by Anne Schleicher, Chair of the General Education Committee 

The General Education Committee held its first meeting of the semester on August 29, 2006, from 9 am to 12 noon.  Anne Schleicher introduced a copy of a Draft Proposal Faculty Guide to General Education as a starting point for the revision of the MC General Education Program.  The Committee began a review and revision of the proposal.  Committee members were asked to continue to consider the proposal and send any comments or suggestions for change to the Chair prior to the next meeting on 9/21/06.

5/19/06 General Education Committee Report

The General Education Committee had an all-day retreat on Friday, May 12.  Guest speaker Robert Shoenberg of the American Association of Colleges and Universities discussed current trends to consider in general education program planning.  Theresa DiPaolo from the University of Maryland Transfer Credit Center gave an overview of transfer considerations for general education.

Several tasks were accomplished at this retreat:

1)  The Committee decided that a revision of the program is necessary.  The last program review at MC was completed in 1996.
2)  They established a timeline for revision - a new program will be completed in 18 months, with full implementation by May of 2008.
3)  They will implement a communication plan to include faculty and all interested persons in decision-making throughout the process.
4)  They decided not to consider minor changes to the program in the interim, and therefore will not be adding or removing any courses to the program in the near future.  Part of the revision will include a detailed checklist of criteria for all new and existing general education courses.
5)  Information about the General Education Review Process can be seen at their website, http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/genedcomm/

4/21/06 General Education Report 

The General Education Committee is currently reviewing General Education Programs at all Maryland public four-year schools and several private DC universities.  They are comparing programs to get a better sense of the current MC Gen Ed Program's transferability.

The Committee is going on a retreat on Friday, May 12th, to work on several items including the following:

• Create a timeline for the review of our current Gen Ed program and dates for possible revision.