Council could oversee education changes

by Brittany Yingling
Staff Writer

Ohio University's proposed general education requirements could dump heavier coursework loads on freshmen.

"There's a commitment to strengthening the freshman year - to make it a little more rigorous," said Ken Daley, a member of the OU Faculty Senate's Educational Policy and Students Affairs Committee.

Strengthening students' basic skills, depth of knowledge, acceptance of others' perspectives and independent research are the program's main goals, according to the New General Education Program Draft.

Bill Owens, chairman of the educational policy and student affairs committee, presented the draft March 12 to Faculty Senate, which then adopted a resolution supporting it.

OU freshman Jessica Jones said a more demanding first year of classes could curb freshman students' procrastination.

"Right now, you could learn the notes and not read the chapter and still get an A," she said. "You'd struggle a little more (with the changes)."

But Jones said students already struggling might be negatively affected by more difficult courses.

OU Faculty Senate Chairman Gary Pfeiffer said a General Education Council should represent all OU colleges and regional campuses. The council, which Faculty Senate would design, could regulate and evaluate the new requirements, according to the draft.

"There are concerns about the governance of the process," Pfeiffer said. "We need to put some flesh on that concept."

Some faculty members said they want to be represented on the council.

"I'm a bit concerned," said Dennis Irwin, chairman of the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. "This is a curriculum issue, so it should be in the hands of the faculty."

Daley said it is too soon to say how the requirements would affect specific colleges.

But Irwin said he is not worried about how the changes could affect students in his college.

"We have enough freedom so that I don't think it'll be a serious problem," he said. "I haven't heard many concerns (within the college), but it doesn't mean they aren't there."

Pfeiffer said some faculty members are concerned work on the changes might lose momentum when University College Dean Patricia Richard, a member of the steering committee, retires in August.

The Educational Policy and Student Affairs Committee will present a more detailed overview of the changes at the April 9 Faculty Senate meeting. Daley said it is unclear when the new changes could go into effect.