LPWG Report to the Faculty

October 18, 2007

The members of the Learning Programs Working Group (LPWG) have committed themselves to an open and transparent discussion about possible changes in the general education program and the academic structure of the College. The LPWG will be making regular reports to the faculty and community throughout the coming months. This is the first of their reports.

At its first meeting on September 18 the LPWG agreed to break into two groups to address the issues of the summer working groups. The LPWG-GEC group is beginning the discussion on the college’s general education program. The LPWG-Structure group is reviewing the academic structure issues of course credits, calendar, graduation requirements, etc.

In its first three meetings, the LPWG-GEC has focused on reviewing the report of the summer working group and developing a common vocabulary for discussing general education. At its meeting on October 5 the group invited members of the summer group to its meeting to discuss the process used during the summer. At its meeting on October 12 the LPWG-GEC continued its discussion about the desired outcomes for a Simpson education.

The LPWG-Structure group meeting on September 27 was organizational. The group reviewed the work of the summer group and affirmed Principles 1, 2, and 4 in the summer group’s report to the faculty. At meetings on October 4 and October 11 the group began to work through each of the recommendations made by the summer group. This process will take one or two more meetings as the LPWG-Structure group gathers and shares information. Once it has finished its discussion, the LPWG-Structure group will present its findings and recommendations to the other members of the LPWG for discussion. It is likely that open meetings will be held on specific recommendations to gather faculty input before they are sent to the EPCC.

The LPWG welcomes questions and input from faculty and other members of the community.