The Northern Kentucky University Faculty Senate met April 20 to discuss the general education curriculum which’ may lead to cutting 10 more credits from the requirements.
The latest credit requirement for students to graduate has been lowered to 120 hours, down from the original 128.’ ‘ Course and instructor online evaluations have been a cause for concern.’ The budget continues to be altered to help the university save money.’ ‘

The new general education curriculum has caused quite a stir among the senate members.’ It has been proposed by Provost Gail Wells to shave 10 credits from the general education requirements and add them to electives.

‘We need a little bit of time this summer to make more progress on general education,’ Faculty Senate President, Dr. David Hogan said.’ ‘The number one priority is having a quality general education program and make it as efficient as we can make it, so it doesn’t impede graduation rates of students.’

Students must complete 49-51 hours as the minimum for the general education program, according to NKU’s general education curriculum.’ The new proposal is to help students to graduate sooner.’ Some NKU students feel that lowering the credit hours, may not be that much of a difference.

‘It probably wouldn’t make a difference to upper -level students, but it might mean more to students who are entering their first year,” junior’ psychology student David Lutes said.’ ‘It’s good to have a strong base of general education before someone enters extensive study of their major.’

There are two groups that want to see change in general education.’ The Post-Secondary Council wants schools to look at their curricula to be sure that they don’t impede graduation rates of students. SACS is the other group that wants student learning outcomes to be clearly defined, Hogan said.’ SACS is an agency that insures that the public is getting a good return on their investment of the money spent on higher education, Hogan said.

Senate faculty member Jim Thomas said that he was not opposed to changing general education requirements, but he did not want to take 10 credit hours away from the general education program.’