Brigham Young University. General Education

General Education was officially established in 1952-1953. Supervisors of General Education include Noel B. Reynolds (director until 1982), William E. Evenson (director, 1982-1983; dean, 1983-1985), Donald K. Jarvis (dean, 1985-1986), and John D. Bell (2002-2009).

Variant names

Brigham Young University. General Education Office

Description

Established: 1973

Location: Provo, Utah (1973- )

Functions

General Education is responsible for all general education requirements of the university core, having for end goal to help students achieve a broad and flexible education and a deep understanding of the cultural and intellectual heritage of the West. The Faculty General Education Council, chaired by the dean and made up of faculty from various University departments, reviews general education courses and decides which meet the requirements for general education. The General Education Office also facilitates faculty and course development by means of the University Education Academy on Teaching and Learning, as well as through grants for developing and enhancing general education courses.

Assets and Administrative Structure

General Education was a part of the overall University administration until 1973, when the program was placed within the College of General Studies. General Education was directly overseen by the General Education Operations Staff within the College of General Studies. In 1979 the College of General Studies was dissolved and a directorship was established to oversee the program. A director was charged with the program until 1983, when the director became a dean. In 1986, GE became part of General Education and Honors and supervised by that dean and staff. Beginning in 2002 and until 2009, General Education was supervised by an associate dean reporting to the dean of the newly-formed Undergraduate Education department. General Education is now administered by the dean and an administrative assistant assigned to work with General Education. The dean also chairs the Faculty General Education Council.

Associated Units

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. College of General Studies (1973-1979)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University (1979-1986)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. General Education and Honors (1986-2002)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. Undergraduate Education (2002- )

Subordinate unit: Brigham Young University. Committee on Writing (1983-circa 1987)

Associated Archival Materials

College of Undergraduate Education Records, 1960-2000 (UA 1205)

Sources

Application: Change in Liberal Education: Action-Research Project, June 13, 1974: p. 12 (“[GE] operations will be immediately directed through a General Education Operations Staff in the College of General Studies.”)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1922-23: pp. 31-32 (English 1, 2, 3 and PE 11 required; Math and Physical Science, 15 hours; Biological Science, 10 hours; Social Science, 15 hours; English, 15 hours [included 1, 2, 3]; BAs required to take 24 hours language; Deans may select additional hours to ensure breadth of education; 30-hour major, 20-hour minor supervised by dean)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1943-44: p. 39 (Two credits religion for every quarter)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1951-52: p. 43 (5 hours of History and Development of the US Constitution must be taken)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1952-53: p. 50 (5 hours of American History and Institutions—new name); p. 51 (first reference to “General Education” requirements; recommended to take 4-5 hours of GE every quarter of the entire university experience)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1960-1961: p. 60-62 (change to semester system, and 124 total hours required, 20 major, 14 minor; American History and Government, 3 hours; Biological Science, 6 hours; English Composition, 6 or 4 hours; Health, 2 hours; Humanities and Fine Arts, 8 hours; Physical Education, 2 hours; Physical Science, 6; Religion, 16 hours; Social Science, 5 hours)

Brigham Young University General Catalog 1973-74: p. 89 (Administered by the College of General Studies beginning in 1973)

Brigham Young University General Catalog 1976-1977: p. 22 (courses no longer required but 15 total exams in certain categories: I, fundamental skills; II, intellectual ability in specific areas; III, mastery of significant skills)

Brigham Young University Catalog 1981-1982: p. 288 (Noel B. Reynolds, Director)

Brigham Young University Catalog 1982-1983: p. 29 (exam-only GE requirements abolished in favor of return to required courses); p. 350 (William E. Evenson, Director of GE)

Brigham Young University General Catalog 1983-1984: p. 352 (William E. Evenson, Dean)

Brigham Young University General Catalog 1985-1986: p. 9 (“students encounter the fundamental disciplines of the arts and sciences. These courses help them develop breadth, flexibility, and understanding of our cultural and intellectual heritage.”); p. 289 (Donald K. Jarvis, Dean)

Brigham Young University General Catalog 1986-1987: p. 35 (Donald K. Jarvis, Dean)

Brigham Young University 2002-2003 Undergraduate Catalog: p. 59 (General Education and Honors changed to Undergraduate Education; John D. Lamb, Associate Dean-General Education)

Brigham Young University 2004-2005 Undergraduate Catalog: p. 57 (oversees the GE components of the university core), p. 59 (associate deans of General Education, Honors, University Writing, First-Year Experience)

Brigham Young University 2009-2010 Undergraduate Catalog WWW Site, Jan. 12, 2010: Undergraduate Education page (General Education overseen by Dean of Undergraduate Education and the GE administrative assistant; Faculty General Education Council, consisting of faculty members from a variety of disciplines and chaired by the dean, regularly reviews general education courses and has final authority to decide which courses meet GE requirements; General Education Office is engaged in faculty and course development through the University Education Academy on Teaching and Learning and grants for course development and enhancement)

Brigham Young University Undergraduate Education WWW Site, Jan. 12, 2010: Contact page (Assistant Dean over Office of First-Year Experience [Heather Hammond], Associate Dean director of Honors Program [Gary L. Hatch], Assistant Dean over Office of Prestigious Scholarships and Fellowships [Carolyn Tuitupou])

GE Memorandum from C. Terry Warner, October 27, 1972: p. 1 (General Education Requirements Committee Recommendations . . . E. Appoint GE dean and assisting committee)

General Education Program, June 5, 1986: p. 1 (Outgoing Dean: Donald K. Jarvis [Russian] [till September 1, 1986]/Incoming Dean of Honors and General Education: J. R. Kearl [Economics and Law])

Kristen Morris, History of the Brigham Young University Honors Program: 1978-2001: The Building and Restructuring of an Honors Program: p. 31 (significant changes in GE; university placed GE under leadership of Dean of Honors, making Kearl first dean of Honors and General Education [variant names] in 1986; one dean over both programs);

Richard Williams, Report to Management Subcommittee, Learning Resource Centers: p. 2 (College of General Education operates two LRCs, one in the Career Advisement Center and one in Indian Education)

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2010-00006

LCCN: no2007084122

Creator: UPB