Dragon Force B LAKE A NDERSON T REVOR H ELT J ULIA C UELLAR M ELISSA F NU H AN R YU K IKI N G I MPROVING G ENERAL E DUCATION AT THE U NIVERSITY OF O REGON 1

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Where We Are Where We Want To Go How To Get There GENERAL EDUCATION -Rushed -Limited interaction -Skills not being met -Decrease stress on faculty and students -Allow time to develop and practice skills -Semester as vehicle of change 4

Why the quarter system? College age population increases by 65% from due to the baby boom Many universities switch to quarter system to accommodate higher enrollment Quarters were not viewed as a superior system for learning 5

Pros – The Quarter System Greater course variety Easier to switch majors or double major Undesirable courses finish quicker Allows for more prerequisites before entering a major 6

Cons – The Quarter System Students have less time for out-of-class preparation Less time for assessing student work Many textbooks designed for semester system Unable to go in-depth in the subject 7

Semester system at UO 1973 – The University of Oregon Law school switches to the semester system from quarter system Chapin Clark, former UO Law School Dean “Transition was a great success” UO Law school remains on Semester 8

Semester system at UO 1977 – University committee established to research advantages and disadvantages of semester system at UO Council of Deans votes 18 to 0 with 3 abstentions to recommend UO to switch to semester 9

Support “The new (semester) system has been in operation for five years with no complaints.” – Villanova University “The students and faculty are well pleased with this change.” – The University of Colorado “I feel that it has been a great success here, and I certainly recommend it to any institution for its adoption.” – University of Kansas 10

National Trend Currently 90% of American Universities are on the semester system Several more universities are in the process of switching University of Cincinnati, The Ohio State University, Cal State LA 11

Why semesters? As a vehicle to meeting core competency skills. 12

13 Core Competency Skills: – Oral and Written Communication – Critical Thinking – Understanding of the Historical Past and its Relationship to the Present – Appreciation for the Diversity of Human Experience – Analytic and Computational Skills – Understanding of the Fundamentals and Interrelationship of the Human Mind and Body

Solutions To meet core competency skills: 1) Presentation and/or group work 2) Study abroad 3) One physical education class 4) Weekly lab sessions 5) Current events class and world history class 14

Solutions 1) Presentation and/or Group Work 15 - Discussion sessions for classes more than 50 students. - Oral presentations in writing 121 and 122/123, - Group works and assignments in all general education classes. 15

Core Competency Skills: – Oral and Written Communication – Critical Thinking – Understanding of the Historical Past and its Relationship to the Present – Appreciation for the Diversity of Human Experience – Analytic and Computational Skills – Understanding of the Fundamentals and Interrelationship of the Human Mind and Body Solutions 1) Presentation and/or Group Work 16

Solutions 2) Study Abroad 17 - An option to fulfill multicultural requirements with study abroad. 17

Core Competency Skills: – Oral and Written Communication – Critical Thinking – Understanding of the Historical Past and its Relationship to the Present – Appreciation for the Diversity of Human Experience – Analytic and Computational Skills – Understanding of the Fundamentals and Interrelationship of the Human Mind and Body Solutions 2) Study Abroad 18

Solutions 3) One Physical Education Class 19 - At least one PE class to strengthen interrelationship. 19

Core Competency Skills: – Oral and Written Communication – Critical Thinking – Understanding of the Historical Past and its Relationship to the Present – Appreciation for the Diversity of Human Experience – Analytic and Computational Skills – Understanding of the Fundamentals and Interrelationship of the Human Mind and Body Solutions 3) One Physical Education Class 20

Solutions 4) Weekly Lab Sessions 21 - Opportunities to practice their knowledge. 21

Core Competency Skills: – Oral and Written Communication – Critical Thinking – Understanding of the Historical Past and its Relationship to the Present – Appreciation for the Diversity of Human Experience – Analytic and Computational Skills – Understanding of the Fundamentals and Interrelationship of the Human Mind and Body Solutions 4) Weekly Lab Sessions 22

Solutions 5) Current Events Class and World History Class 23 - Enable students to understand histories and prepare for the present events 23

Core Competency Skills: – Oral and Written Communication – Critical Thinking – Understanding of the Historical Past and its Relationship to the Present – Appreciation for the Diversity of Human Experience – Analytic and Computational Skills – Understanding of the Fundamentals and Interrelationship of the Human Mind and Body Solutions 5) Current Events Class and World History Class 24

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Set up Semester Conversion and Transition Task Force (SCTTF) Investigate the transition of peer schools SCTTF should have all information about transition at the end of Spring term 26

Academic advisors will present students with all information about the transition Advisors conduct open forums for students 27

The semester system will start on the first day of Fall 2011 New GE program will take place at the same time GO Ducks in Semester !! 28

Cost 29 FINANCIAL SCTTF: $1500/mo Stipend $1000/term Tuition Waiver Overtime pay for Advisors NON FINANCIAL Professors restructure lesson plan University-wide Confusion

Risks Loss variety of courses Distraction from learning during transition period Restructure of major requirement RISKS Loss some variety of courses Distraction from learning during transition period Restructuring of major requirement 30

The Plan Core Competency Skills Semester System 31

32 Q/A

Semesters and General Education Semesters B ALANCED C ONFIDENT R EADY 33

Auburn University (2000) University of California Berkley (1970) University of California Occidental (1994) Florida State University System (1980) which includes the following: University of Florida Florida State University Florida Gulf Coast University Florida International University Georgia State University System (1993) which includes the following: Albany State University Augusta State University Bainbridge College Columbus State University Georgia State University Gordon College University of Georgia Savannah State University North Georgia College and State University Georgia Southern University Mount Vernon College Michigan State University (1993) Michigan Technological Institute (2000) University of Minnesota (1999) Montana State University System (1991) which includes the following: Montana State University – Bozeman Montana State University – Billings Montana State University – Northern The University of Montana – Missoula The University of Montana Western North Dakota State University System (1997) which includes the following: Bismarck State College Mayville State University Minot State University North Dakota State University University of North Dakota University of Akron (1978) Bowling Green University (1982) Cleveland State University (1998) Kent State University (1978) Miami University of Ohio (1978) University of Tennessee (1988) Utah State University System (1998) which includes the following: College of Eastern Utah University of Utah Utah State University Utah Valley University Schools That Have Made “THE SWITCH” 34

…so can we! If they can do it… 35