Summary of Open Session with Dr. Jerry Gaff
October 7, 2003

1. Introduction of Dr. Jerry Gaff - Dr. Debra Lynch introduced Jerry Gaff and provided background information on him. Approximately 25 people attended the session.

2. Overview - Dr. Gaff

• Dr. Gaff discussed the following topics:
  • Newer, richer and more productive concept of general education compared old concepts relative to general education to new concepts
  • Changes in the relationship between professional education and general education accreditation agencies agree that the two components need to be integrated
  • Curriculum trends provided a handout listing curriculum trends that are taking place in a large number of colleges and universities
  • Provided an example of how general education reform at one university had a positive effect on the institution

3. Question and Answer Session

• Questions relative to general education issues included:
  • How do you overcome the territorial obstacles, especially distrust among departments that other departments cannot do as good of a job as it can?
    • It is important to constantly focus on the purpose for general education reform, i.e. our students and that it is necessary to think outside the box. General education begs for collaboration between disciplines.
  • Is there a sense of how many colleges are going through general education reform and why?
    • Approximately 56% are in the formal process of reviewing and making changes to existing general education programs. The main reason for change is to provide a quality education to students.
  • Does he agree that it isn’t even worth a university trying a general education reform without resources being allocated?
    • Most universities reallocate resources or secure funding from other agencies.
  • Is there a pattern of particular academic areas losing out as a result of general education reform, and if so, which areas?
    • He wasn’t sure but he didn’t see a pattern of one department losing out as a result of general education reform.
    • What are his thoughts about our present general education program? There is no discussion in the catalog about general education. Our general education program is not student friendly relative to transferability, etc. There needs to be a case made relative to the value of general education at the university.
  • What should be included in a freshman seminar course?
    • Freshman seminar is an orientation type course at some institutions vs. an academic course with themes at other institutions. Freshman seminar should be an orientation to college life and not an orientation to a specific discipline. The teacher of the course often becomes the student’s advisor.
  • Does he have any feedback relative to our new proposed goals?
    • He indicated that he hadn’t had a chance to review them yet but that he would do so that evening.