The 2007-2008 General Education Task Force conducted several open discussions across campus in December 2007 and February 2008.  After listening to your feedback and suggestions, the Task Force would like to share updates as we have them ready to share.  A complete revision will be available soon.

Review the updates. 

Send us your feedback. 

Also, please contact any of the 2007-2008 Task Force members

if you would like to speak about the work currently under way.

From 2003 through 2007, several groups have worked toward assessing and revising Kansas State University's general education program.   The groups have consisted of faculty members, students, academic advisors, student service representatives, department heads, and dean's representatives.  Below you will find a brief review of these efforts, beginning with the most recent and progressing back in time. 

Furthering the Discussion of General Education
at Kansas State University (11-19-07)

This link takes you to a working document being shared with the university community by the 2007-2008 General Education Task Force.  We are making this document available as a preamble to discussions of these ideas on our campus.  The Task Force will apprise you of progress and share updates as they are available.

First-Year Seminars            

The Task Force decided not to include first-year seminars in the general education proposal.  However, a sub-committee is considering the possibility of a pilot study during 2008-2009 to investigate the feasibility of integrating some form of a first-year seminar into general education in the future.  Information about that effort is linked here.

     *      *      *      *      HISTORICAL  TIMELINE      *      *      *      *     

For a list of the members of each group below, click on the group's name.  A report or summary or website is linked for each group.

In August 2007, the 2007-2008 General Education Task Force, chaired by Karen Myers-Bowman, was charged by Provost Nellis and Faculty Senate President Frank Spikes.  The group is to consider the recommendations from the 2006-2007 General Education Task Force and to create and submit to Faculty Senate a proposal for general education at K-State as soon as possible.

The 2007-2008 Task Force is working diligently to follow through with as many of the recommendations from the 2006-2007 Task Force as are feasible.  Its efforts are directed mainly toward:

1) operationalizing the program to include the general education content
     areas as identified in the 2006-2007 Task Force report; and

2) creating a realistic and appropriate plan for assessing general
     education.

The Task Force also is considering the possibility of a pilot study to be conducted during 2008-2009 to investigate the feasibility of integrating some form of a first-year seminar into general education.

November 2003 - December 2004: The General Education Steering Committee, chaired by Gerald Reeck, was charged to promote and support a creative campus-wide discussion about a future general education program for K-State undergraduates. The Steering Committee surveyed both faculty and students about general education at K-State and submitted a report to Provost Nellis in December 2004. (Website)

October - December 2003: The UGE Procedures Committee, chaired by Jim Goddard, worked to create recommendations for immediate, workable solutions to specific problems within the University General Education (UGE) program.  During the following year, the UGE Council, the Inter-College Coordination Panel, and the Provost took several actions in response to the suggestions of this committee. (Report of Recommendations)  

Spring 2003: An ad hoc group brainstormed about the future of general education at K-State.  Their recommendations included forming two working committees: The UGE Procedures Committee and the General Education Steering Committee. Summary)