General Education Committee
Notes from the meeting of October 17, 2001
Noon, in the Badlands Room of the Memorial Union

Members present: Ann Burnett, Bob Harrold, Kate Haugen, Phil McClean, Char Myhre, Steven O’Rourke, Larry Peterson, Carol Prafcke, Amy Richter, Deanna Sellnow, Orvin Swenson,

The meeting was called to order at Noon by Ann Burnett, liaison from the Executive Committee of the University Senate. After introductions, the meeting was opened to discussion of those eligible to serve as chair and nominations for chair of this committee for the 2001 - 2002 academic year. After discussion, a motion was presented (Harrold/Prafcke) to cast a unanimous ballot that Larry Peterson serve as chair. The motion carried and Larry Peterson assumed the duties of chair of this committee. Bob Harrold agreed to serve as recorder for this meeting.

Larry Peterson distributed copies of a petition from a student to substitute EDUC 489 (389) “Native Americans/Multicultural Instruction Practices” and ENGL 334 (240) “World Literature” for a cultural diversity course. A motion (McClean/Richter) was presented to approve this petition and substitution. After discussion, the motion carried.

Deanna Sellnow presented petitions from two students. A student had been stationed in the Balkans for eight months and requested that this experience be considered equivalent to a cultural diversity course. After discussion, a motion to accept this petition (McClean/RIchter) carried. A student had taught English as a Second Language in China for three weeks and also requested equivalency to a cultural diversity course. The motion to accept this petition (McClean/Swenson) carried.

Deanna Sellnow then presented the issue of embedded laboratories to the committee. During the initial approval as general education courses, some four-credit classes with embedded laboratories split to become a three-credit lecture and a one-credit laboratory (Example: Zoology) while SOIL 210 retained a four-credit class with an embedded laboratory. After discussion, a motion (McClean/Swenson) to approve SOIL 210 as meeting the laboratory requirement for general education carried.

Larry Peterson distributed information on the current status of reviews of general education courses and led discussion of the progress in each subcommittee. Subcommittee memberships were updated and current assignments include:
Humanities and Fine Arts and Communication Subcommittee: Carol Prafcke (Chair), Steven Smith, Phil McClean, and Amy Richter.
Social and Behavioral Sciences, Quantitative Reasoning, and Wellness Subcommittee: Larry Peterson (Chair), Justin Wageman, and Steve O’Rourke
Science and Technology Subcommittee: Bob Harrold (Chair), Char Myhre, Orvin Swenson, and Ann Burnett.

Subcommittees were asked to develop their individual meeting schedules.

Timelines for reports from this committee to the University Senate were discussed, and, after agreeing to meet again at noon on Wednesday, November 7th, the meeting was adjourned. (Meeting location: Minard 407.)