Implementing a statewide general education program for someTennessee colleges and universities was the hot topic atWednesday's Faculty Senate meeting.
The University of Memphis now requires between 48 and 51 generaleducation hours based on various disciplines. But the TennesseeBoard of Regents plans to lower the requirement for schools itgoverns, including The U of M, to 41 hours by Fall 2004.
"I don't dispute that 41 hours is significantly less than whatyou require now," Paula Short, TBR vice chancellor for AcademicAffairs, said to the senate. "Something is going to be cut fromwhat you currently offer, and that's unfortunate."
A benefit of the change, part of TBR's "Defining Our Future"campaign, is creating a seamless transfer for students movingbetween TBR's 19 schools.
"But, reducing costs was the reason for requiring less credithours," Short said, referring to the 5 percent budget cut Tennesseeschools face this year.
Some senate members agreed with the convenience of transferring,but questioned how the hour reductions would affect students.
"Aren't we defining a future when we turn out students who haveno understanding of humanities courses?" philosophy professor GeneJames said. "The state legislature is defining the future in aquite narrow and broken way."
Short said she understood the frustration of some members aboutthe reductions and said she would relay their views to thegovernor.
"I am a voice for the faculty at the Board," she said.
U of M faculty will decide the courses that must be cut to trimgeneral education down.
The number of hours required to graduate will be lowered to 120in the next few years, Short said.
"This is difficult," she said. "The struggle we'll always face... is that often times we make decisions that the fit is betterfor one institution than it is for others."
The budget cuts will be a topic of discussion at TBR's quarterlymeeting held today and tomorrow at The U of M.
Another item brought up in the meeting was the plus/minussystem.
"The problem is inconsistencies across campus with how a C-minusis treated," said Donna Retzlaff-Roberts, associate professor ofmarketing and supply chain management.
Some students have to re-take courses in their major because ofthe confusion, she said.
The senate voted to recommend that a C-minus would be a passinggrade. The approved motion will be presented to the provost'soffice.
"This is the right thing to do," said Charles Schulz, associateprofessor of music.
The senate also approved a motion requesting Universityofficials to take action to reduce the speed limit on CentralAvenue in the vicinity of the campus.
"One of my students was killed while crossing Central Avenue oneFriday afternoon," said Bill Jermann, professor of electrical andcomputer engineering. "I remember hearing one girl screaming andbeing carried to an ambulance."
Several people have expressed concern about the danger ofcrossing Central Avenue, he said.
"One of my students wanted to have a lay-down on Central,"Jermann said.
He discouraged his student from that form of protest but agreedsomething needed to be done, he said.
Some members said they thought the city of Memphis wouldprocrastinate with the plan to build pedestrian bridges overCentral Avenue because unwanted traffic would be diverted to PoplarAvenue during construction.
"I think absolutely The University should fight tooth and nailfor this," said Michael O'Nele, assistant professor of theatre anddance. "I think that excuse is a total crock."
