1. Introduction - Dr. Linda Goldberg - Dr. Goldberg began the meeting by welcoming members of the College of Visual and Performing Arts to the meeting. Committee members were then introduced.

• Dr. Goldberg indicated that the meeting would be taped in order to provide feedback to the committee.
• Dr. Goldberg outlined the process for the review of general education.
• 2. General Education Mission Statement - Dr. Debra Lynch

2. General Education Mission Statement - Dr. Debra Lynch

• Dr. Lynch distributed copies of the Mission Statement for General Education at Kutztown University. She read the mission statement and the floor was opened for discussion.
• Comments relative to the mission statement were as follows:
  • The language in the mission statement should refer to creative practices as modes of inquiry;
  • "Examine and analyze" are narrow words - possibly substitute with "understand and communicate."
  • What does "indispensable elements of higher education" mean?
  • Reference to "core values" needs to be reflected in mission statement.
  • The mission statement is trying to be so general and so specific at the same time.
  • The mission statement should be shorter (possibly just the last sentence).
  • "carefully selected set of questions" needs to be defined or possibly changed to just "questions."
  • Possibly substitute "communicate" for "discuss" in the second sentence of the mission statement.
  • The last sentence of the mission statement makes it look like students come here with no curiosity, etc.
  • maybe change the wording in the sentence to something like "fosters learning as a lifelong pursuit."
  • The mission statement is centered around the current courses. It is also a reflection of the academic world and doesn’t take into account where our students are.
  • If general education needs to be more portable, then it needs to be reflected in the mission statement.
  • The following alternate version of the mission statement was offered:

    General Education requires students to examine, analyze, and communicate the fundamental principles and assumptions of a body of knowledge. This body of knowledge represents the study of various modes of inquiry across disciplines. Through this experience students should develop skills and knowledge required to participate in a complex and diverse global society and foster in students the curiosity, passion and desire for transforming learning into a lifelong pursuit.

3. Discussion of General Education Issues

• Dr. Goldberg and members of the General Education Restructuring Team answered questions relative to various general education issues.
• Comments/questions relative to general education issues included:
  • What happens if there is a negative vote in the referendum?
  • The number of credit hours will need to be carefully examined in relation to the major program.
  • The last general education discussion took ten years and didn’t do much more than reshuffle courses.
  • Why does the proposed model need to go through Senate and APSCUF?
  • Does the president unilaterally have the power to choose any model?
  • Hopefully the new model will provide experiences in smaller groups.
  • It is hoped that the committee takes into consideration what happened the last time discussion took place relative to general education.

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