2008 Woodie Awards
Fewer units needed for graduation
DVC aligns its GE pattern with transfer requirements, making it easier to obtain an A.A. degree
Yan Wing Ruby Lo
Issue date: 5/2/08 Section: News
DVC transfer students will be more likely to graduate with an associate of arts degree under a proposed change in General Education requirements approved by the faculty.
The new GE pattern for the A.A. degree - written by Merv Maruyama of the counseling department - requires a minimum of 21 units, down from the current 26.
It was selected from among five proposals in a facultywide vote last month and could take effect as early as fall semester 2009, if approved by the governing board.
The new pattern decreases the requirement in social and behavioral Sciences from two courses to one and eliminates the current requirement of a class in interpersonal relationships.
In his written rationale, Maruyama said DVC's current GE pattern is a disincentive to get an associate's degree.
"Upon discovering that they can transfer without it, most students choose to do just that," he wrote.
But that trend could be reversed if more students discovered they could get the associate's degree without taking many more classes, Maruyama added.
The new pattern is based on the IGETC, the requirements for transfer to a University of California campus.
As an alternative to their No. 1 choice, the DVC faculty also chose a plan written by Bruce Koller that would allow students the option to use IGETC or CSU requirements to fulfill DVC's GE pattern.
Although Koller's proposal requires a change in board policy to coincide with language of Title 5 in the state Education Code, it would not affect Contra Costa and Los Medanos colleges' GE patterns, because they already meet Title 5's minimum requirements.
Faculty Senate President Laurie Lema declined the Inquirer's interview requests due to her packed schedule.
Ray Goralka, who coordinated the process for the Senate, said Lema will meet with various areas on campus this month to make up an implementation plan.
Goralka said it cannot happen until at least fall 2009, because the college catalogue or 2008-2009, the official document for student reference, has already been published.
The new GE pattern for the A.A. degree - written by Merv Maruyama of the counseling department - requires a minimum of 21 units, down from the current 26.
It was selected from among five proposals in a facultywide vote last month and could take effect as early as fall semester 2009, if approved by the governing board.
The new pattern decreases the requirement in social and behavioral Sciences from two courses to one and eliminates the current requirement of a class in interpersonal relationships.
In his written rationale, Maruyama said DVC's current GE pattern is a disincentive to get an associate's degree.
"Upon discovering that they can transfer without it, most students choose to do just that," he wrote.
But that trend could be reversed if more students discovered they could get the associate's degree without taking many more classes, Maruyama added.
The new pattern is based on the IGETC, the requirements for transfer to a University of California campus.
As an alternative to their No. 1 choice, the DVC faculty also chose a plan written by Bruce Koller that would allow students the option to use IGETC or CSU requirements to fulfill DVC's GE pattern.
Although Koller's proposal requires a change in board policy to coincide with language of Title 5 in the state Education Code, it would not affect Contra Costa and Los Medanos colleges' GE patterns, because they already meet Title 5's minimum requirements.
Faculty Senate President Laurie Lema declined the Inquirer's interview requests due to her packed schedule.
Ray Goralka, who coordinated the process for the Senate, said Lema will meet with various areas on campus this month to make up an implementation plan.
Goralka said it cannot happen until at least fall 2009, because the college catalogue or 2008-2009, the official document for student reference, has already been published.
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