A group on campus is concerning itself with undergraduate education at the University.
The Undergraduate Education Study Group is designed to make sure the University is in line with the Flagship Agenda and on its way to becoming a major research university.
“It is a panel formed by the chancellor to propose a Quality Enhancement Program to put LSU in line with the Flagship Agenda and to fulfill its mission to become a top research university and a great place for undergraduate study,” said Michael El Koubi, a German and history senior and member of the group.
Jimmy Vermaelen, a biological sciences junior and Student Government academic affairs director, said the group was formed as part of the University’s accreditation process.
Vermaelen said as part of the accreditation process, the University must compile a Quality Enhancement Program, which is a document stating what direction the University is going in for the next 10 years.
Vermaelen said University officials then realized they needed more input on the issues.
Vermaelen said the group was started at the beginning of the semester. The group meets every two weeks to discuss assigned readings as well as undergraduate issues facing the University.
According to the group’s syllabus, members address questions of what it means to be educated in the 21st century and what a 21st-century university should be like.
So far this semester, the group has looked at issues such as what current initiatives need further support and development, what the characteristics of a University undergraduate degree are, what possible changes could be made to curriculums to meet certain learning outcomes and how information technology should be used in undergraduate education.
Vermaelen said Chancellor Mark Emmert visited the group at its first meeting this semester and encouraged members to come up with new ideas and innovations to improve undergraduate education.
“He basically told us to think outside the box and come up with all the new ideas we could,” Vermaelen said.
Vermaelen said while he was glad to be a part of the group, he wished more students would take part in the group and in the discussions.
Vermaelen said though the group currently meets every two weeks, the formal meetings will stop soon so members can work on the Quality Enhancement Program. However, Vermaelen said the dialogue will continue.
“We have had a few students express interest, but you really would want more student input,” Vermaelen said.