Enriching Student Learning and Development: Important Opportunities for Undergraduate Education
by Arlene Carney and Karen Zentner Bacig
As the interview with our coordinator for Student Learning Assessment, Cynthia Murdoch, reflects, much good work has been initiated regarding the integration of the undergraduate Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) into the fabric of undergraduate education on the Twin Cities campus. Similar important efforts are taking place under the leadership of Vice Provost for Student Affairs, Jerry Rinehart, to advance the Student Development Outcomes (SDOs), which were passed by the University Senate in May 2007 as well for the Twin Cities campus.
These two initiatives, addressing complementary facets of the undergraduate experience, represent an important focus on fostering conversation and practice relative to what it is we, as a community of educators, expect our students will learn during their undergraduate years on our campus. The outcomes represent our aspirations for what it means to be a graduate with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus, and our office is working closely with Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Bob McMaster and his office's initiatives around liberal education and writing.
We will learn much about what works, as well as what does not, in the coming months as we work with departments on our pilot efforts. As Cynthia mentions in her interview, more departments are currently being recruited for the next wave of effort, and we will continue to engage with departments in waves as, over time, all undergraduate programs initiate learning outcome assessment efforts. Our office is committed to providing as much information, resources, and support as we can and we welcome questions, ideas, concerns, and most of all, your investment in these efforts to enhance the teaching and learning experiences for all of us.
Arlene Carney is vice provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs and Karen Zentner Bacig is associate to the vice provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs.
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