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Overhauling core curriculum
General studies reform will include reductions, student involvement
By Brandon Daviet
bdaviet@mscd.edu

There is little that the average college student dreads more than the thought of having to take general education courses. And for many students, these courses can make or break a college career.

Metro’s Board of Trustees is preparing to implement the second part of their general education reform plan. Last week the board brought in a consultant from the Association of American Colleges and Universities to speak about what changes should be made.

Jeffrey Gaff, who spoke at the Tivoli on April 4 and 5, is considered an expert in general education reform. He has written several books on the subject, including General Education: The Changing Agenda.

During four roundtable discussions, Gaff highlighted several key ideas in reforming Metro’s General Studies Program. The meetings were designed to stimulate ideas and discussions between faculty members.

“I see a ton of students who don’t know what they want to study and want to experiment but are afraid to because of the current General Studies Program,” said Betty Vette, director of student intervention services.

During his final presentation Gaff defined general education as “the knowledge, skills and attitudes we all use in our daily lives,” and went on to describe a few of the national trends in general education.

Many schools are redefining requirements by “extending orientations, providing stronger advising and paying greater attention to intellectual and personal development,” Gaff said.

More choice and student involvement in the general studies program seemed to be the overwhelming consensus of the meetings’ attendees.

English professor Theresa Crater, who is chair of the general studies committee, said the committee is “thinking about doing some forums with students,” and is due to present a proposal of recommended changes to the board later this year.

“The more we can empower students, the better the school’s retention rates will be,” said Maureen Lancaster, director of the Center For Individualized Learning. “General studies should take students to a place they haven’t gone before.”

It still isn’t clear exactly what changes will be made to the program, but responses to Gaff’s speech made it evident that the wheels are in motion to significantly revamp Metro’s general studies for the first time in fifteen years.

The debate over general studies began with Colorado’s adoption of the College Opportunity Fund in 2004, when state legislators started questioning general education statewide.

Metro has already implemented the first part of a two-phase plan to reform the program. The first phase consisted of cutting the number of general studies courses offered to students from 101 to 95.

However, at the April 4 board meeting, trustee Mark Martinez made clear that he thought not enough classes had been cut.

“That’s not change,” Martinez said.

According to a recent press release from Metro’s administration, the general education classes offered will be “appropriately reduced prior to the publication of the 2007-08 College Catalog.”

More information about Metro’s General Studies Committee and its research can be found at the committee’s website, http://www.mscd.edu/~gsc.