College of Humanities Undergraduate Deans Student Advisory Group Meeting Information

Student Information

Deans Student Advisory Group - Meeting Minutes

D S A G Minutes from November 5

Shari welcomed the group. Assistant Dean Debra Lowry discussed the evaluation and reform of GEC requirements. Corey Ash filled in for Kelli taking notes at today's meeting.

GEC reform

Last review (2000) was an extensive study by the Faculty Senate's University Curriculum Review Committee (UCRC), chaired by Dr. Blackwell. Objective of the committee was identified to be overall improvement of the Undergraduate GEC, so that it may be more representative of tested abilities that are covered by the GRE and other graduate school entrance exams. This committee actually recommended very few changes to the current requirements, which are as follow:

a third writing course
clusters
imbedded competencies

Students present voiced concerns about not getting accurate information from advisors and not receiving all of the necessary information. Dean Lowry assured them the process of improving the passage of information is underway. Identifying and defining the problems is one of the first steps and invited all DSAG members to participate in a meeting with Academic Advisors in making some necessary adjustments to getting students the information they need- when they need it. Dean Lowry would like to speak with the members of DSAG again before the meeting with the advisors to discuss some of the following issues which have been identified. Please consider the aspects which are listed below:

proper level placement
AP credit
language placement examination (which she is also discussing and working on with Dr. Birckbichler from the Foreign Language Center)
orientation
advising process and consistency of information

Students present also discussed helping to develop an advisory timeline, which they thought might be helpful to a variety of students, possibly geared to honors, to undecided, etc.

Career Night

Students are encouraged to make their phone calls inviting alumni ASAP.
Three alumni are confirmed for participation.
If possible, all alumni should be confirmed before Thanksgiving.

Fireside Chat

Brynn Myers suggested having Dr. Kerr hold a follow-up discussion to the election, the group decided not to follow-up.
Dr. Hammermeister was suggested, he could speak regarding German terrorism and propaganda.
Shari suggested Dr. Boyle as a possibility to discuss his new award-winning book, Arc of Justice, which discusses civil rights in Detroit.
Corey offered the possibility of having a seasonal discussion of the fables/myths of St. Valentine and/or St. Patrick; possibly someone in CMRS or Folklore Studies.

It was decided, due to the lateness of the quarter that no more Fireside Chats would be held this quarter.

Shari had another topic for DSAG members to consider for the next meeting:

How would students like to interact with Alumni?
Senior Toast (brunch with prizes)
mentorships
Student recruitment event with games

Please continue to think of other possibilities.

Other News

Abbey will be traveling to Bonn, Germany for Spring and Summer. Jackie has been tutoring Spanish at Westland High School and having lots of fun with it!

Next Meeting- Friday, January 7, 2005, 3:30 pm, 286A University Hall