Proposed text of General Education Committee inclusion as a Standing Committee of the Faculty Senate.  Version 4, November 4, 2004.

Article IV

Section 3.  Standing Committees of the Faculty Senate

I.    General Education Committee.

0.   Purpose

General education aims to develop the cognitive skills and attitudes that are important for graduates of post-secondary programs. They are thus the responsibility of all faculty members and each program at Lewis-Clark State College.

General education is "more than the core"; it is essential to all students' education because the skills and knowledge resulting from it are applicable to all programs. General education has two components. The first part is developing baseline post-secondary skills (such as reading, writing, and "numeracy") and knowledge about the cultural, social, and natural worlds. These are the "General Education Core Curriculum." The second component of general education consists of the further explicit refinement of those general skills and knowledge within a student's program. In this way skills increase beyond the baseline and knowledge is grounded in a specific context.

Different certificate and degree programs have different baselines and goals in regard to the intensity of skills training, areas of knowledge, and depth of knowledge. Thus, participation in general education by different programs is various.

General education is a complex aspect of our institution and each student's education that requires oversight by the faculty for several reasons. First, we cannot merely assume that the general education needs of our students are being met; we must ensure that the skills and knowledge are appropriately provided to students. Second, our students' progress in general education must be assessed just as we assess other educational development. Third, general education programs continue to change just as other programs do; our program needs to be evaluated in relation to these developments. Fourth, general education efforts—delivery, assessment, and evaluation—must be coordinated. Finally, general education must have an advocate in the faculty.

The General Education Committee's charge is overseeing general education at LCSC and ensuring that general education meets the needs of students, the institution, and society.

1.   Function.  The responsibilities are to:

a.   review and recommend changes in General Education throughout the College and in the General Education Core Curriculum;

b.   monitor the effectiveness of General Education throughout the College and the General Education Core Curriculum;

c.   publicize, promote, and advocate for General Education among the students, faculty, and staff of the College;

d.   maintain an ongoing study of general education philosophies and models nationwide; and

e.   coordinate college-wide actions to maintain the relevance of General Education in a changing society.

2.   Structure. 

The General Education Committee will consist of five (5) faculty elected by the Faculty Association.  Each member will serve a five year term, elected one per year.  The members must be selected from five (5) different divisions.  The chair of the committee will be elected annually from among the members of the committee.