by Raechel Fittante
Features Editor
Changes have been made within the classload and unit system for undergraduate general education requirements that were implemented this fall semester at ULV. In addition, the school has created the position of Director of General Education Programs, filled by Dr. Teresa Bader-Hull, to oversee the new GE requirements.
In reframing the standards for undergraduate academic progress, the University has broadened its horizons for new students by adding a new section of core requirements to the general education list mandatory for graduation. Also, the unit system within the general education classes has been altered, so that many GE classes that were previously worth four units of credit, are now only worth three.
The new unit system affects every student at ULV and slightly increases the classloads students have to take to obtain the minimum amount of 12 units per semester to be considered a full time.
An average of 32 semester hours a year must still be completed for any student to earn a degree in four years.
Although there have been more requirements added to general education, the new program only affects this year’s freshman and any new students from this semester on.
The unit system was designed so students get diversity in learning. Classes within any specific major are still worth four units.
“We are working through a process to meet the needs of the classes and curriculum,” said Dr. Bader-Hull, who is also chair of the general education committee, which is currently comprised of 10 members of the ULV faculty.
The length of many general education classes have been shortened to balance the decreased number of units. Most three unit classes only meet an hour and a half a day, two days a week, instead of four times a week for an hour each day.
However, some departments felt they still needed the extra hour to properly teach all of the information the class has to offer. Therefore, some their classes still meet four hours a week, even though the students only earn three units of credit.
“This was approved by the faculty,” said Dr. Bader-Hull. “In some cases, shortened hours weren’t worth the material the student loses, so there are a few [GE classes] that are still four hours a week.”
Dr. Bader-Hull is currently involved with designing certain pieces of the new core requirement for future general education.
Core requirement consists of four different sections that are designed to meet the University’s Mission Statement, which promotes the academic and personal development of students. The four main philosophies of the Mission Statement include Values Orientation, Community and Diversity, Lifelong Learning and Community Service.
