SHARED PREFIX POLICY PROPOSAL FROM LIBERAL STUDIES COMMITTEE 2/10/14

CURRENT POLICY  PROHIBITS STUDENTS FROM TAKING ANY LIBERAL STUDIES COURSES THAT SHARE THE SAME PREFIX AS THE MAJOR.

AFFECTS ON STUDENTS  1. APPROX. 58% OF STUDENTS CHANGE THEIR MAJOR AT LEAST ONCE.  2. THESE STUDENTS WOULD LOSE THEIR LS CREDITS AND HAVE TO TAKE ADDITIONAL LS CREDITS  3. THIS CAN DELAY PROGRESS TO GRADUATION AND INCREASE STUDENT’S COSTS  4. THIS TAKES SEATS AWAY FROM OTHER STUDENTS IN LS COURSES

PURPOSE OF LIBERAL STUDIES  PREPARE STUDENTS TO MEET STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: THESE INCLUDE THE ESSENTIAL SKILLS WITHIN THE DISTRIBUTION BLOCKS.

PROPOSED NEW POLICY  ALLOW STUDENTS TO SHARE 9 UNITS WITH THE MAJOR  19 UNITS CANNOT HAVE THE SAME PREFIX AS THE MAJOR  COLLECT DATA FOR 3 YEARS ON HOW THIS AFFECTS STUDENTS