General Education Council
The function of the General Education Council will be to provide leadership
in evaluating, reviewing, and developing the general education philosophy
and curriculum. Any recommendations by the GEC concerning the philosophy
of general education will be submitted to the Academic Council.
The GEC will work with
the appropriate faculty committee and/or administrative office to ensure
the continuation, assessment, and evolution of the general education
program. The GEC will
review the results of general education assessment to determine if any
modifications need to be made in the general education philosophy and
curriculum and make recommendations, if necessary, to the Academic Council.
Procedure for Existing Course
Departments desiring existing courses to be part of the general education
program shall submit a proposal to the GEC for
review. The committee will determine if the course complies with the
parameters of the general education philosophy and curriculum. If it
does comply, a recommendation will be sent to Academic Council to add
the course to the general education curriculum. If the course does not
comply, the GEC will inform
the initiating department in writing explaining why the course did not
comply.
Procedure for a New Course Request or Course Revision Request
A general education proposal for a new course request or a course that
needs revision would be processed as follows:
- The course revision or new course request form would be submitted
first to the Teacher Education Council (if applicable) or to the Curriculum
Committee. The request that the course be considered as a general
education requirement should be clearly marked and supported with documentation
(memo) attached to the revision or add form. (The request for general
education approval would not be considered by any committee except
the General Education Council.)
- After action by the appropriate committee(s), the forms and general
education proposal would be forward to the GEC.
- The GEC will attach
its recommendation to the forms and forward all to the Academic Council.
If the course does not comply with general education policy, the GEC will
inform the initiating department in writing explaining why the course
did not comply.
Individuals teaching general education courses offered during the fall
and/or spring semester must complete the general education course inventory
form every two years. Individuals teaching general education courses
during interims, summer semester, using IETV, or online must complete
the general education course inventory form each time the course is offered.
Chairs of departments will be responsible for assisting instructors hired
in either part–time, or temporary, positions complete the general
education course inventory form.
The GEC will work with
departments to ensure that students have a full range of alternative
means to demonstrate proficiency in required general education courses.
In order for official business to be conducted by the GEC,
at least 60% of its faculty membership (11of 17 members) must be present.
Any alterations (additions, deletions, modifications, etc.) in the general
education philosophy or curriculum must be approved by at least 75% of
the members present in an official business meeting.
Membership
The Associate Dean of the School of Graduate and University Studies will serve as the chairperson; the chairperson is a nonvoting member of the GEC. The composition of the membership is:
- One representative from each of the following departments that offer at least one general education course: Behavioral Sciences; Biological Sciences; Chemistry, Computer, and Physical Sciences; Communication and Theatre; English, Humanities, and Languages; Fine Arts; Health, Physical Education, and Recreation; Management and Marketing; Mathematics; and Social Sciences. Departmental representatives will be selected by the Chair of the Department in consultation with the Associate Dean of the School of Graduate and University Studies. Departmental representatives must have taught a general education course within the last two years unless approved by the Associate Dean of the School of Graduate and University Studies.
- One representative from each of the following departments/institutes that do not offer a general education course: Accounting and Finance, Aviation Sciences Institute, Educational Instruction and Leadership, and Occupational Safety and Health. Departmental representatives will be selected by the Chair of the Department or director of institution in consultation with the Dean of the School and the Associate Dean of the School of Graduate and University Studies. These representatives must have at least two years of teaching experience at Southeastern Oklahoma State University unless approved by the Associate Dean of the School of Graduate and University Studies.
- One representative from the library will be selected by the Director of the Library in consultation with the Associate Dean of the School of Graduate and University Studies. This representative must have at least two years of work experience at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
- No academic department will have more than one voting member on the GEC.
- Faculty members will serve three-year staggered terms. Appointments will be made as necessary to fill vacancies by protocols listed above; faculty members may be reappointed to the GEC.
- Three undergraduate student members, one from each of the three academic schools (Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Behavioral Sciences), will be appointed by the Committee on Committees. Students must have completed at least 24 semester hours at Southeastern, have junior standing, and be majoring in one of the programs offered by the School.
- Student members will serve one-year terms; student members may be reappointed to the GEC.