A Letter to Dr. Leland from the Deans of Arts and Sciences Board of Regents Advisory Committee

March 26, 2007

Dear President Leland:

At the most recent Deans of Arts and Sciences Board of Regents Advisory Committee on March 3, 2008, a discussion was held concerning the development of the new core curriculum. We appreciate the efforts made to date by the core curriculum committee in drafting the two different outlines for a new core that have been presented for comments. However, we have concerns about the process from this point forward, specifically: 1) the nebulous nature of both Model A and Model B, especially relating to the science and mathematics content, and 2) the process for involving the Deans of Colleges of Arts and Sciences and the VPAAs of the two-year colleges, who will be primarily responsible for implementing any changes to the core.

If the USG is to have a new, common core, it is imperative that we begin to connect its development with the complexity represented by the thirty-five institutions across the system. Attention needs to be given to assessment measures and mechanisms for transfer, not only for students with the University System of Georgia, but also students moving into and out of the System. Further attention needs to be given to how one would transition from the current core to the proposed core. Among other effects, a new core could change the length of degree programs, and has the potential of drastically altering workloads across faculty, departments and colleges.

Indeed, feedback is being collected on the two core options from faculty across the system, yet there is no opportunity for the A&S Deans and VPAAs to view the comments received. We would welcome the opportunity to review the feedback, and to provide feedback of our own in response to the core proposals and the comments of the faculty. Without our involvement, it will be difficult to correctly interpret the faculty feedback in light of the range of missions and circumstances present across the Colleges of Arts and Sciences in this state. As one of our deans put it well: we are the Rosetta Stone between diverse college faculty and the Board of Regents.

We would welcome the opportunity to speak directly with you to understand better the development process and eventual rollout of this initiative. Toward this end, we would like to invite you to join us early in the afternoon of Tuesday, April 29 at the next meeting of the Deans of Arts and Sciences Advisory Council at Macon State University to gain your views and discuss this strategically important initiative. I will contact you later this week to confirm your participation and arrange a time that accommodates your schedule.

We look forward to being included in the development of the new core curriculum from this point forward.

Sincerely,
Robert Parham, Chair
On behalf of the Deans of Arts and Sciences Board of Regents Advisory Committee

Cc: Deans of Arts & Sciences
VPAAs Two-Year Colleges
Dorothy Zinsmeister

Comments

[George Rainbolt]

March 27, 2008

Dean Robert Parham
Katherine Reece Pamplin College of Arts & Sciences
Augusta State University

Dear Dean Parham,

Thank you for your letter written on behalf of the USG Arts & Sciences Academic Advisory Committee regarding the USG Core Curriculum Initiative. I suspect that your letter may have “crossed paths” with an email sent on my behalf from the University System Office that invited you to a meeting of USG Academic Advisory Committee Chairs focused on the USG Core Curriculum initiative. If you did not receive this email, please let me know and I will resend it to you.

As your letter states, there are many matters that remain to be addressed as the core curriculum initiative moves beyond its initial phase, including assessment, transfer, and implementation processes. As these topics get addressed, it will be critical to effectively involve you and others in the discussions and deliberations. Luckily, we don’t have to do everything at once, and the timeline for the project adopted by the University System shows us focusing on assessment, transfer, and implementation processes beginning in January 2009 through January 2010. This timeline is available on the new USG strategic plan website, which you can access on the homepage under the “spotlight” section.

Currently, we are in a very early stage of the project and seeking feedback on two preliminary models (conceptual sketches). The feedback process will continue through March, and once the survey is closed we will make results available in an online environment to anyone in the USG who wishes to review comments that their colleagues have made. My hope is that your insights and those of your committee colleagues will be included in the feedback received. National reports on general education and 21st century learning needs frequently stress the importance of quantitative reasoning and the ability to understand new developments in science and technology.

Interest in the USG Core Curriculum Initiative is strong and the important discussions and debates that will help lead us to the best possible outcomes need to be encouraged. As we move forward, we will look for ways to strengthen the link between campus level discussions of key issues related to this initiative and the work of project committees. It is important that you and others feel that your voices are heard and that your perspectives are considered.

Thank you for your leadership and interest in the USG Core Curriculum Initiative.

Sincerely,

Dorothy Leland
Professor of Philosophy
President, Georgia College & State University