Dragon Force

1. Improving General Education at the University of Oregon Dragon Force Blake Anderson Trevor Helt Julia Cuellar Melissa Fnu Han Ryu Kiki Ng

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4. Where We Are Where We Want To Go How To Get There GENERAL EDUCATION -Rushed -Limited interaction -Skills not being met -Decrease stress on faculty and students -Allow time to develop and practice skills -Semester as vehicle of change

5. Why the quarter system? College age population increases by 65% from 1960-1975 due to the baby boom Many universities switch to quarter system to accommodate higher enrollment Quarters were not viewed as a superior system for learning

6. Pros – The Quarter System • Greater course variety • Easier to switch majors or double major • Undesirable courses finish quicker • Allows for more prerequisites before entering a major

7. Cons – The Quarter System • Students have less time for out-of-class preparation • Less time for assessing student work • Many textbooks designed for semester system • Unable to go in-depth in the subject

8. Semester system at UO • 1973 – The University of Oregon Law school switches to the semester system from quarter system • Chapin Clark , former UO Law School Dean “Transition was a great success” • UO Law school remains on Semester

9. Semester system at UO • 1977 – University committee established to research advantages and disadvantages of semester system at UO • 1979 - Council of Deans votes 18 to 0 with 3 abstentions to recommend UO to switch to semester

10. Support • “The new (semester) system has been in operation for five years with no complaints.” – Villanova University • “The students and faculty are well pleased with this change.” – The University of Colorado • “I feel that it has been a great success here, and I certainly recommend it to any institution for its adoption.” – University of Kansas

11. National Trend • Currently 90% of American Universities are on the semester system • Several more universities are in the process of switching • University of Cincinnati, The Ohio State University, Cal State LA

12. Why semesters? As a vehicle to meeting core competency skills.

13. Core Competency Skills: • Oral and Written Communication • Critical Thinking • Understanding of the Historical Past and its Relationship to the Present • Appreciation for the Diversity of Human Experience • Analytic and Computational Skills • Understanding of the Fundamentals and Interrelationship of the Human Mind and Body

14. Solutions To meet core competency skills: 1) Presentation and/or group work 2) Study abroad 3) One physical education class 4) Weekly lab sessions 5) Current events class and world history class 14

15. Solutions1) Presentation and/or Group Work - Discussion sessions for classes more than 50 students. - Oral presentations in writing 121 and 122/123, - Group works and assignments in all general education classes. 15

16. Solutions1) Presentation and/or Group Work • Core Competency Skills: • Oral and Written Communication • Critical Thinking • Understanding of the Historical Past and its Relationship to the Present • Appreciation for the Diversity of Human Experience • Analytic and Computational Skills • Understanding of the Fundamentals and Interrelationship of the Human Mind and Body

17. Solutions2) Study Abroad - An option to fulfill multicultural requirements with study abroad. 17

18. Solutions2) Study Abroad • Core Competency Skills: • Oral and Written Communication • Critical Thinking • Understanding of the Historical Past and its Relationship to the Present • Appreciation for the Diversity of Human Experience • Analytic and Computational Skills • Understanding of the Fundamentals and Interrelationship of the Human Mind and Body

19. Solutions3)One Physical Education Class - At least one PE class to strengthen interrelationship. 19

20. Solutions3)One Physical Education Class • Core Competency Skills: • Oral and Written Communication • Critical Thinking • Understanding of the Historical Past and its Relationship to the Present • Appreciation for the Diversity of Human Experience • Analytic and Computational Skills • Understanding of the Fundamentals and Interrelationship of the Human Mind and Body

21. Solutions4)Weekly Lab Sessions - Opportunities to practice their knowledge. 21

22. Solutions4)Weekly Lab Sessions • Core Competency Skills: • Oral and Written Communication • Critical Thinking • Understanding of the Historical Past and its Relationship to the Present • Appreciation for the Diversity of Human Experience • Analytic and Computational Skills • Understanding of the Fundamentals and Interrelationship of the Human Mind and Body

23. Solutions5)Current Events Class and World History Class - Enable students to understand histories and prepare for the present events 23

24. Solutions5)Current Events Class and World History Class • Core Competency Skills: • Oral and Written Communication • Critical Thinking • Understanding of the Historical Past and its Relationship to the Present • Appreciation for the Diversity of Human Experience • Analytic and Computational Skills • Understanding of the Fundamentals and Interrelationship of the Human Mind and Body

25. Technical Plan Phase One (AY 2009/2010) Phase Two (AY 2010/2011) Phase Three (AY 2011/2012)

26. Phase One (AY 2009/2010) • Set up Semester Conversion and Transition Task Force (SCTTF) • Investigate the transition of peer schools • SCTTF should have all information about transition at the end of Spring term

27. Phase Two (AY 2010/2011) • Academic advisors will present students with all information about the transition • Advisors conduct open forums for students

28. Phase Three (AY 2011/2012) • The semester system will start on the first day of Fall 2011 • New GE program will take place at the same time GO Ducks in Semester !!

29. Cost FINANCIAL SCTTF: $1500/mo Stipend $1000/term Tuition Waiver Overtime pay for Advisors NON FINANCIAL Professors restructure lesson plan University-wide Confusion

30. Risks • RISKS • Loss some variety of courses • Distraction from learning during transition period • Restructuring of major requirement • Loss variety of courses • Distraction from learning during transition period • Restructure of major requirement

31. The Plan Core Competency Skills Semester System

32. Q/A

33. Balanced Semesters and General Education Confident Ready Semesters

34. Schools That Have Made “THE SWITCH” Auburn University (2000) University of California Berkley (1970) University of California Occidental (1994) Florida State University System (1980) which includes the following: University of Florida Florida State University Florida Gulf Coast University Florida International University Georgia State University System (1993) which includes the following: Albany State University Augusta State University Bainbridge College Columbus State University Georgia State University Gordon College University of Georgia Savannah State University North Georgia College and State University Georgia Southern University Mount Vernon College Michigan State University (1993) Michigan Technological Institute (2000) University of Minnesota (1999) Montana State University System (1991) which includes the following: Montana State University – Bozeman Montana State University – Billings Montana State University – Northern The University of Montana – Missoula The University of Montana Western North Dakota State University System (1997) which includes the following: Bismarck State College Mayville State University Minot State University North Dakota State University University of North Dakota University of Akron (1978) Bowling Green University (1982) Cleveland State University (1998) Kent State University (1978) Miami University of Ohio (1978) University of Tennessee (1988) Utah State University System (1998) which includes the following: College of Eastern Utah University of Utah Utah State University Utah Valley University

35. If they can do it… …so can we!