Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • Classifieds
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Opinion / Editorials / Education Review deserves university’s time

Education Review deserves university’s time

April 28, 2006 by Optimist Editorial Board

The General Education Review steering committee will present a report to the entire faculty Monday about core course changes.

All students are required to take core courses, regardless of major. A few examples of core courses include exercise science activity classes, English 111 and 112 and fine arts. The changes in core courses will affect all students and all departments and should not be taken lightly.

A committee has been researching for this report since 2003 and presented three different options to faculty last year. Faculty responded to the options and the committee has since been continuing research and refining its ideas.

Although the process has been long, and some faculty members might be getting antsy about seeing a final product, the GER deserves as much thought and discussion as has been devoted to it. Students will spend thousands of dollars on these courses, departments will grow or shrink based on them, and they will be a part of every student’s ACU experience. Core course review deserves time, attention and serious thought.

The GER committee was probably too eager to announce an early implementation plan when it aimed for beginning the changes this fall, but the university will benefit from a well-thought out plan that has not been rushed just to meet a deadline.

But at the same time, the process cannot be drawn out forever. The faculty will never be able to come to a unanimous decision regarding such a divisive topic as general education. The committee needs to hear all the qualms departments have, take them into consideration and then make a final decision.

When faculty members hear the report the committee presents Monday, they need be careful not to take a defensive stance or jump to conclusions. When core courses change, it might be easy for departments to feel as though they are being attacked or favored. Faculty members need to look beyond their own departments and at the welfare of the university and the student as a whole.

The committee and faculty need to keep students first when making core course decisions. Students are the ones taking the courses and hopefully learning from them. If students report that a course has no value to them, faculty should seriously look at the reasons and what needs to change. Core courses should educate students and help them live out the mission of the university.

Filed Under: Editorials

Other Opinion:

  • Skipping class is a drug

  • Athletics have a lack of traditions leading to low engagement from students

  • Directionless but encouraged: My experience on The College Tour’s film set

About Optimist Editorial Board

You are here: Home / Opinion / Editorials / Education Review deserves university’s time

Other Opinion:

  • Skipping class is a drug

  • Athletics have a lack of traditions leading to low engagement from students

  • Directionless but encouraged: My experience on The College Tour’s film set

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
2 Feb

BREAKING: Campus will be operating remotely in the morning. Any classes after 1 p.m. will be in person.

Reply on Twitter 1620939263557734401 Retweet on Twitter 1620939263557734401 Like on Twitter 1620939263557734401 Twitter 1620939263557734401
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
31 Jan

BREAKING: Campus will continue operating remotely Wednesday due to continued icy conditions.

Reply on Twitter 1620523455421779970 Retweet on Twitter 1620523455421779970 Like on Twitter 1620523455421779970 1 Twitter 1620523455421779970

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

1 week ago

The Optimist
ACU’s Alpha Psi Omega chapter raised money for the Living Waters Charity by putting on a show in the span of 24 hours. See more photos from our gallery: ... See MoreSee Less

Gallery: 24-Hour Musical tells the heartwarming story of Junie B. Jones - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

ACU’s Alpha Psi Omega chapter raised money for the Living Waters Charity by putting on a show in the span of 24 hours. This year, the department chose to perform the beloved children’s musical “...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

2 weeks ago

The Optimist
Greek Life has started a partnership with Campus Director, a software company that works with universities all over the country. Read more: ... See MoreSee Less

Student life implements new software, updates rushing process - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Greek Life has started a partnership with Campus Director, a software company that works with universities all over the country. The Campus Director software has an algorithm programmed to match rushe...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 1, 2023

Our top stories this week include campus closures due to inclement weather, the ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 25, 2023
  • Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Podcasts

© 2023 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved