<p>SUMMARY NOTES MEETING</p><p>University-Level Advisory Committee for General Education Advisory to the Council on Academic Affairs</p><p>January 18, 2013 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 200 Bricker Hall</p><p>Members present Guests</p><p>Caroline A. Breitenberger Courtney S. Kasuboski Alexis Collier Jane D. Case-Smith Lawrence A. Krissek Danielle Hogle Mary Jo Fresch Moriah E. Locklear Bernadette Vankeerbergen Jacqueline J. Gargus Thomas A. Schwartz John Wanzer Kenneth W. Goings W. Randy Smith Rebecca C. Harvey H. Rao Unnava Mary Ellen Jenkins</p><p>The University-Level Advisory Committee for General Education (ULAC-GE) convened its first meeting under the semester calendar. New members were introduced and welcomed. To offer context, Vice Provost W. Randy Smith provided background of changes to the general education program over the last several years. The recommendation for an advisory body to monitor GE emerged during the review of undergraduate education in 2005, and ULAC was established in 2008. The committee was charged to review GE annually and make recommendations for change to the Council on Academic Affairs in consultation with the College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee. ULAC, with expanded membership, provided recommendations for the semester- based GE program that was implemented summer 2012. </p><p>Chair Caroline Breitenberger updated the committee on recommendations from a university team who attended the 2010 American Association of Colleges and Universities Institute on General Education and Assessment regarding assessment of Ohio State’s new semester-based GE model. She then led a discussion as to what the committee envisioned their work to be in monitoring the new curriculum, and what questions were important to address in ongoing assessment. </p><p>An initial issue with the new semester GE requirements that was brought to the committee’s attention was the confusion some students had with the Natural Science requirement of 10 hours, typically to be met with three courses. At the regional campuses there are few if any 05 credit-hour science courses, which precludes the possibility of students completing the requirement with no more than 10 hours. To better represent the typical work students will complete in this category, committee members suggested the requirement be presented as 10-13 hours. </p><p>Other issues which were discussed included the need for enhanced communication about the value of GE with both faculty and students. Students, in particular, would appreciate more information about courses which have GE status. </p><p>To help meet its charge, the committee thought it would be beneficial to have input from faculty and students, perhaps through focus or advisory groups. The committee also discussed ways to facilitate communication about GE and its importance in an environment which regularly has new faculty, staff and students. Holding orientations and mini-conferences were suggested. To keep current about external endeavors, committee members may be interested in attending national conferences on GE. </p><p>The committee will continue to discuss priorities and next steps, including a determination of what information is most needed and will be used. The committee will also consider possible projects to undertake to advance GE. </p>