University College: Common Text for Freshman Week and University
College Freshman Seminars.
The committee reviewed a request submitted by Lillie Howard, Associate
Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of the University College to approve
the use of a "common text" for incoming freshman so as to achieve a more
"coherent" first-year student experience. The text (e.g., a fictional or
nonfiction novel) would be "distributed" to all incoming freshman and used
during New Student Orientation, Freshman Week, and in the current courses
taught by the University College (the UVC courses). Upon approval,
other colleges would be "encouraged" to consider "voluntarily" incorporating
the common text in the "freshman seminars and/or freshman experiences offered
by their respective colleges." In addition, use of a common text
is proposed to "provide linking opportunities, where faculty deem it appropriate,
for first-year general education courses."
During its review and discussion of the proposal, committee members
continually expressed their commitment to supporting curriculum initiatives
that enhance academic progams and the academic preparation and success
of students. However, in this case the committee was unclear as to what
was being proposed since the proposal did not conform to the normal guidelines
and formats of proposals required of and submitted by other colleges or
schools. In addition, while the proposal at first requests approval for
the use of a common text in "only" those courses offered by the University
College (UVC courses), it explicitly inorporates implications for the General
Education Program, faculty teaching General Education courses, and other
colleges. Thus, if implemented, committee members would like to know how
all of these implications play out. Aside from those concerns, the
committee felt that, in general, if the proposal was exclusively limited
to selecting or adopting a text for use in the UVC courses, then that decision
would be the prerogative of the University College faculty or staff teaching
UVC courses as long as such is in keeping with the approved course objectives,
etc. Otherwise, a course modification proposal needs to be submitted to
the committee. Yet, the proposal appears to go beyond such courses ( that
enroll 50% of freshman) by "distributing" the text to ALL incoming freshman.
This raised questions as to the proposals thrust to create a "coherent"
program when only 50% of freshman are taking such courses. Additionally,
questions were raised as to how stable that 50% is and if it decreases
in the future then how does it impact the proposed "coherence." Given
that the majority of incoming freshman do not enroll in the UVC courses
and would not be exposed to the text, additional questions arose as to
curriculum problems of "incorporting" the text in other college "freshman
experiences" and "first-year general education courses." Members
would like to know what specific "first-year general education courses"
are intended and noted that some or many students do not take so-called
first-year general education courses until the junior and sometimes senior
year. In such cases, the "coherence" of proposal tends to be absent. Members
also noted that while the use of a common text as perhaps proposed for
use in "learning communities," may create curriculum problems because students
who voluntarily enroll in such communities are also mixed with non-learning
community students in certain classes. In such cases, the committee questioned
how the text would be incorporated into the class. An added concern, but
from a budget in constrast to a curriculum perspective, was the proposed
distribution of the common text to all incoming freshman. As the proposal
stands, WSU would purchase the text for all incoming freshman. It was announced
that the intention is in the future to attempt to secure corporate sponorship
for the purchase of the text, but at present the budget burden remains
on the University.
Overall, the committee could not act on the proposal at this time. However,
as indicated above, the committee would welcome a revised proposal that
conforms to the policies and procedures previously adopted by the Faculty
Senate and the University Faculty and incorporates the full range of curriculum
change implications.
The proposal is available as follows:
Common Text For Freshman