Goals: [LONG-TERM GOAL 1] [LONG-TERM GOAL 2] [LONG-TERM GOAL 3] [LONG-TERM GOAL 4] [LONG-TERM GOAL 5] [LONG-TERM GOAL 6]

To develop an educated citizenry through excellent programs for all undergraduate students in the University of South Carolina.

ACHIEVEMENTS (2009-2010):
Since 2005, the College has pursued strategic objectives and priorities to realize this goal. Our programs serve the nearly 7,900 undergraduate majors in Arts and Sciences, and we are entrusted with the primary responsibility for general education for all undergraduates at the University, as well as specialized course work required for a number of professional school majors. Our commitment to undergraduate education is the first guiding principle for all of our decisions and actions.

The severe budget cuts sustained by the College throughout 2008, 2009, and 2010 could have easily tested our resolve and compromised our commitment to undergraduate education. Instead, we responded to the cuts not by simply conducting a budget-cutting exercise, but by engaging in serious academic planning for both the short and long-range future of the College and the University as a whole. One of our key priorities, indeed our first priority was the preservation of  resources needed for core elements of the curriculum: courses taken most often by first-year students, courses needed by graduating seniors, and courses needed to enter or advance within a major. Additionally, we agreed that undergraduate advising resources were another key priority.

Most of the emergency measures the College took in 2008,  2009, and 2010  affected faculty and staff hiring, faculty development, unit organizational structures, and administrative expenses. But some  emergency measures have affected the undergraduate experience  in noticeable ways.  In 2009-2010  and 2010-2011, students have had fewer electives and less variety in class choices, larger classes, and less convenience in class scheduling.

The sacrifices made by College faculty to ensure the essential  quality of our undergraduate programs  have been heroic.  They have responded  to the difficult fiscal situation by streamlining major curricula and teaching larger class sections. Additionally, they have carefully monitored student learning in their major programs through the assessment process.  The College and its departments and programs have continued to plan for the future in prudent and responsible ways, and our plans for 2010-2011 and beyond reflect our commitment to  undergraduate education.

General Education:

• College faculty were and continue to be active and significant contributors to the proposed Carolina Core.
• Increased attention was applied to placement and learning methods in key first-year courses to maximize student success.  Of particular note were the development of a new course MATH 116 “Brief Precalculus” and the full implementation of  a new online mathematics placement test; implementation of new placement tests in French, German, Latin, and Spanish; and use of an online, immediate student assessment system in first-year Chemistry courses.
• The Academic Planning Council remained actively involved in the discussion of general education reform and the enrichment of undergraduate education through new programs and initiatives.
• Planning for general education courses to serve the Fall 2010 freshman class, the largest ever at 4500, was successful.

New Degree Programs:

• A new degree program, the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences, was fully approved and established in Fall 2009.

Advising:

• In Summer 2009, the College combined the two College offices that serve our undergraduate majors into a single Office of Undergraduate Student Services housed in Flinn Hall.  This consolidation has improved student services, including management of New Student Orientation.
• College advisors have forged new links with Clemson and Midlands Technical College, sharing information about transfer issues, undeclared students, probationary students, and students in academic difficulty.

New Structures for New Opportunities

• The creation of the School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment has consolidated resources for key research, academic, engagement, and service programs focusing on the environment. The new school houses four undergraduate degree programs: BS in Geology, BS in Geophysics, BS in Marine Science, and BS in Environmental Sciences. A single undergraduate director oversees curriculum and advising for these four majors.

Undergraduate Program Enhancements

• The 2009  College Task Force on Summer School studied enrollment issues and made recommendations concerning student needs that have improved  enrollment in Summer  2009 and 2010 courses.
• College faculty continue to develop and offer new courses that incorporate service learning. During 2009-2010, College faculty  offered a variety of service learning courses across disciplines, e.g., African American Documentary History, Green Explorations and Green Engagements, Ethics of Food, Service Learning in Ecuador, Spanish for Healthcare Professionals, Working with Hispanic Clients, and community practica in Psychology, Art Education, and Women’s and Gender Studies.

Recognition of Teaching

• The College established a new award to recognize excellence in teaching by non-tenure track instructional faculty. Two awards were made in Spring 2010.

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Contact:  Mary Ann Byrnes/Editor, Online Handbook (777-5371 or byrnes@sc.edu)