GETTING MY GENERALS OUT OF THE WAY 8 th Annual Conference of the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students January 28, 2010 JoAnn Moseman & Cindy Cammack University of Nebraska-Lincoln

What is General Education? Has your campus asked this question recently? How do students answer the question? AAC&U said, “…develops skills, knowledge and a sense of responsibility.” Student learning outcomes

Why does it Matter to Transfer Students? Challenges… –Decide where to transfer –Undeclared or major change –Some start in AAS –Part time—requirements change –Self advising –Late decisions –First generation

Why does it Matter to Transfer Students? Transfer students must plan carefully to succeed and graduate in a timely manner. The Generals will haunt you if you don’t have a degree plan and follow it.

Challenges in Nebraska 430 miles E to W and 210 miles N to S. No Statewide General Education No Statewide Core Curriculum No Statewide Common Course Numbering System University & State College systems uses Semesters 2 largest Community Colleges use Quarters

Nebraska has… One University system –But campuses are independent Six Community College areas –But they are governed independently Space for transfer students –But some programs require more than minimum admission requirements

Gen Ed Reform at UNL Simple, Elegant, & Transferable Kept Transfer Students in the discussion Transfer Friendly Policies –Transfer course satisfies same outcome –Flexibility --Transfer students can elect bulletin for 2 years Impetus for increased communication with statewide partners

Summer 2008 Road Trip Dean of Undergraduate Studies Director of General Education Transfer Coordinator Met with Chief Academic Officers –Traveled to 2 & 4 year public institutions in NE –Dialogue about general education several other institutions were in reform process –Progress and challenges

ACE is UNL’s new 30-hour general education program. It is designed to give students opportunities to develop and to apply relevant skills, knowledge, and social responsibilities no matter what their majors or career aspirations are. Dual focus on student learning: acquiring and using knowledge Designed to help students: o develop skills o build knowledge o exercise social responsibility o integrate and apply these capabilities 10 student learning outcomes (30 hour program) Shared by all 8 UNL undergraduate colleges Office of Undergraduate Studies Implemented at UNL Fall courses certified to meet outcomes

Summer/Fall 2009 Road Trip Assoc. Director of Admissions for Transfer Transfer Coordinator Met with Faculty & Advisers –Traveled to Nebraska community colleges –Described changes to UNL Gen Ed and how it would affect their students –Demonstrated new on-line resources –Discussed new policies –Reinforced admissions deadlines

2009 Road Trip Six 1-day-trips Two-day Western Swing 1712 miles

Community College Advisers Know General Education programs at multiple institutions Help students see relevance of General Education Help students navigate admission requirements and degree planning Essential partners for student success Need the best resources we can provide

Improved on-line resources Created separate web pages

Transfer Advisors Page

Southeast Community College English Equivalents hours ACE outcome SCC CourseUNL Equivalent

Description of each ACE Outcome List of SCC courses which meet each of 9 outcomes for each college or program. Southeast Community College/ UNL College of Business Administration ACE General Education Guide for Community College Students

Road Trip Results Stronger relationships –Appreciation for on-site visits –Increased trust Increased communication –Good contacts at partner institutions –Better information at their fingertips –Know where to go for answers –Adviser newsletter more effective

Other opportunities Annual Statewide Articulation Conference NACRAO and AACRAO Present with community college partner at ISTS and Regional NACADA (proposed) Annual Statewide Agriculture A to B Articulation Conference

Local partnerships UNL Transfer Day at SCC Lincoln UNL Academic Adviser and Admissions SCC Lincoln registration Community College Transfer Fairs organized through NACRAO

Continuing Steps Keep on-line resources current Send data to community colleges –Success data (grades—aggregate data) –Demographic data (by college/major) –Future—retention/graduation data

Links For Transfer Students – For Transfer Advisors – Transferring Credit – Undergraduate Admissions – Undergraduate Studies-Transfer Students –

Contact information University of Nebraska-Lincoln JoAnn Moseman –Academic Transfer Coordinator –Office of Undergraduate Studies – Cindy Cammack –Associate Director for Transfer Programs –Office of Admissions –