Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1944 [PAGE 284]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

J943]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

28l

T h e committee recommends that the President of the University study this recommendation and present his recommendations to the Board. 3. "The Commission recommends that the College of Liberal Arts give extended study: (1) to define clearly what the purposes of its educational program a r e ; (2) to adapt its curricula better to the needs of that group of students who drop out of the college before securing any degree; (3) to strengthen the General Division by removing its present handicaps in requirements; (4) to make the General Division an educational service unit for students in the several professional schools enrolling freshmen; (5) to set up curricula organized on the basis of the needs of the students as individuals and as members of a significantly changing environment of living." The committee believes that these objectives should be accomplished, and recommends that the President of the University study the matter and present his recommendations to the Board. 4. "The Commission recommends that the undergraduate schools other than the College of Liberal Arts review their respective curricula in order to insure for each school (1) those studies most pertinently important in that field at the present t i m e ; and (2) a broad inclusive base extending beyond the specialized field, on which the curricula of special studies should be built." The committee recommends that the President study this matter and report in detail on what efforts each college and school is making to insure progress, and that he report to the Board his recommendations for action, with information on the budgetary provisions that may be involved. 5. "The Commission recommends that the University as a whole and in each of its colleges, especially on the undergraduate level, make quality of teaching a major objective of attention; that faculties become acquainted with the literature now available which report studies and experiments on teaching in other universities; that they examine with care their own practices in the light of these reports, and institute studies and experiments of their own; and that these and similar measures be taken for the purpose of finding out how effective the teaching is which they arc giving in their respective colleges and fields, and how to improve that teaching. T h e University already has personnel and organization facilities which will make it possible to go far in this matter if these are used properly, as some accomplishments already achieved in this field show that they can be." The committee regards this matter as of the utmost importance, and recommends that the President study it in all its implications and report progress and make recommendations to the Board. 6. "The Commission recommends that opportunity be given to persons in the lower faculty ranks to participate in formal discussions in the formulation of the educational policies of the several colleges, and of the University as a whole. Genuine opportunity given younger men by older ones through Senate, Faculty, Department, and Committee memberships, and a real encouragement by sympathetic cooperation would undoubtedly result in marked progress within the University in a relatively short time." The committee recommends that the President study this matter in conference with a committee of the faculty, to discuss the problems involved and to present recommendations to the Board. It is understood that this discussion will involve consideration by the staff of each department and division of the University. 7. "The Commission recommends that the administration of student affairs be further coordinated by placing responsibility therefor in one person directly under the President of the University." The committee feels that this should be made effective as soon as practicable, and recommends that the President present his recommendations to the Board at an early meeting, together with his estimate of the expense involved. 8. "The Commission recommends that participation in the provisions for student health be made compulsory on the part of all full-time students." T h e committee recommends that the President present his recommendations for the consummation of this program to the Board at an early meeting. 9- "The Commission recommends that the number of graduate assistants doing regular undergraduate teaching be materially reduced."