Spring Break
Senate supports proposed learning goals
Nutritional information also topic of discussion at year's final meeting
Nicole Strittmater
Issue date: 12/13/07 Section: Campus News
During its final meeting of the semester, Student Senate unanimously passed a resolution Monday night in support of the university's proposed learning goals.
Currently, there are 11 baccalaureate goals, but there is an overwhelming consensus that these goals need revision, according to the resolution.
In a letter addressed to Provost Steve Tallant attached to the resolution, an Ad Hoc committee recommended the university adopt five goals: knowledge of human culture and the natural world, creative and critical thinking, effective communication, individual and social responsibility and respect for diversity among people.
"The current goals are impractical and out of touch with the culture of our undergraduate community," according to the resolution. "Revising the goals and making them more applicable to the liberal-arts based education we receive … will help make our education more intentional both on the parts of instructors and students."
Student Senate President Ray French, an author of the resolution, said the current goals don't mean a lot to students.
"What's inherent about these new goals is they're about learning and not turning out graduates," he said. "I think it would be a step in the right direction for our education."
The resolution passed 25-0 with two abstentions.
Senate also passed a resolution 27-0-1 in support of displaying nutritional information at all Upper- and Lower-Campus stores serving food.
"Having this information posted will allow students to recognize exactly what is in their food and help them make better dietary choices," according to the resolution.
A recent study showed the majority of students didn't know where to find nutritional information, according to the resolution, and supported having these facts posted.
Public Relations Commission director Jacob Boer supported the cause.
"This resolution is dynamite," Boer said. "It seems like common sense. Increasingly, we're a health-conscious society."
Currently, there are 11 baccalaureate goals, but there is an overwhelming consensus that these goals need revision, according to the resolution.
In a letter addressed to Provost Steve Tallant attached to the resolution, an Ad Hoc committee recommended the university adopt five goals: knowledge of human culture and the natural world, creative and critical thinking, effective communication, individual and social responsibility and respect for diversity among people.
"The current goals are impractical and out of touch with the culture of our undergraduate community," according to the resolution. "Revising the goals and making them more applicable to the liberal-arts based education we receive … will help make our education more intentional both on the parts of instructors and students."
Student Senate President Ray French, an author of the resolution, said the current goals don't mean a lot to students.
"What's inherent about these new goals is they're about learning and not turning out graduates," he said. "I think it would be a step in the right direction for our education."
The resolution passed 25-0 with two abstentions.
Senate also passed a resolution 27-0-1 in support of displaying nutritional information at all Upper- and Lower-Campus stores serving food.
"Having this information posted will allow students to recognize exactly what is in their food and help them make better dietary choices," according to the resolution.
A recent study showed the majority of students didn't know where to find nutritional information, according to the resolution, and supported having these facts posted.
Public Relations Commission director Jacob Boer supported the cause.
"This resolution is dynamite," Boer said. "It seems like common sense. Increasingly, we're a health-conscious society."
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