Faculty Senate approves core curriculum model
By Amy Johnson
Staff Reporter

The Faculty Senate approved the core curriculum committee’s proposed revision Thursday. A final version of the new core is expected by April 1.

Faculty Senate members voted Thursday to approve the basic model of the core curriculum committee’s proposed revision.

The motion also requested that the committee produce a final version of the core by April 1 that would be subject to the approval of the Senate and the faculty, said Peggy Watson, Faculty Senate chairwoman.

“We’re giving a stamp of approval to a work in progress,” she said. “The next step will be to poll all faculty to get their feedback, but the final vote will be in the spring.”

The committee is the seventh body in two years to attempt a revision of the core.

Andy Fort, Faculty Senate assistant secretary, said the Senate is not endorsing the core as final and said he understands the model might undergo changes in the future.

Chancellor Michael Ferrari said the final proposal should be sent to the Board of Trustees if approved by all faculty.

Fort said committee members have agreed to work on the core revision another semester.

“A huge amount of work has been done by this committee,” Fort said. “I want them to feel deeply thanked.”

Ferrari said he is pleased with the progress and the effort of the committee members.

“The committee members’ outstanding effort, patience and work has brought us to a point that’s really quite exciting to see,” he said. “It will open a new chapter to the intellectual life of the university.”

Nowell Donovan, geology professor and committee member, said the next steps for the committee are to assimilate input from stakeholders, refine the model, clarify the course approval process, accumulate an inventory of courses that fulfill the outcomes requirements and address advising concerns.

Amy Johnson