Over the next few years, the General Education Committee will be conducting a comprehensive review of the composition and structure of Utah Valley State’s General Education program. This is the first such review on our campus since 1997, and much has changed here since that time.Through wide campus discussion, we will rearticulate goals and criteria for GE and review all courses eligible for inclusion in General Education.  This will be tied to the national effort aimed at strengthening GE, while remaining faithful to Utah Board of Regents guidelines and policies.

Much has changed in terms of concept, language, curriculum, methodology and structure of GE programs since our last review. Our current GE program is strong, but in need of thorough evaluation and college-wide discussion in view of our current college context and our move toward regional university status. Multiple perspectives will be essential to this effort. Contributions to this review will be solicited from faculty members, advisors, students, academic support staff, the Faculty Senate, Deans Council and Administration. The GE Committee proposes the following process in which we invite all to participate:

Review of current literature on General Education – part of national effort as recommended by AAC&U

Methodical, deliberative, inclusive and transparent review of UVSC’s current GE program

GE Committee to review structure, create criteria, and review courses eligible for inclusion in GE

Individual school meetings and other opportunities for faculty input to discuss GE at UVSC with Committee members – all entities to have input – many different people expected to make important contributions to the process

Regular and open communication with regular updates – web accessibility

Website links to national models

Rearticulation of GE goals and course criteria – conformity to Board of Regents guidelines and policies –GE program strong, but in need of comprehensive review in context of changing roles, concepts, and language
Evaluation of proposed GE courses according to established criteria

Implementation – expectation of 3 to 5 year process

The General Education Committee seeks to make information pertaining to this review as accessible and transparent as possible and solicits thoughtful consideration and commentary on these issues.

General Education Committee