The University of Idaho’s general education forum Friday stirred passions, and aroused differing opinions about the university’s Integrated Seminar (ISEM) classes.
Cher Hendricks, the vice provost of academic initiatives at UI, hosted the forum and began by detailing her attachments to general education, and how the university’s seemingly “perfect” integration system — ISEM 101 and 301 courses — attracted her toward employment in Idaho.
“I want you to know that (general education) is something that is really important to me, and that it was a main reason I came to the campus,” Hendricks said.
However, once Hendricks took her new position, she said it became evident the university’s integration system was great on paper but flawed in execution.
“There was a beautiful plan in place, but there wasn’t anything in place,” Hendricks said. “We were pretty far behind where we needed to be in terms of assessment, and the ISEM courses weren’t funded in a way that made sense to me.”
Hendricks alluded to further charts showing the financial, and budget differences from a decade ago.
While the chart showed a consistent number of total students at the university, the number of degree-seeking students has lowed by 16.67% since 2010 — which amounts to around $15 million in revenue. This loss of revenue is attributed to an unstable general education system at UI, according to Hendricks.
Hendricks said the consistent number of total students is attributed to students taking dual-credit courses from around the state, but pay no tuition.
“We have a lot of changes we need to make in general education, even just getting our assessments up to speed,” Hendricks said. “It’s time for us to look at it and see if it’s still right for us — where we are right now, dealing with our current financial position, I don’t think that it’s financially sustainable for us.”
Hendricks said doing away with the ISEM courses for a sustainable alternative would help each department during a time of budget cuts, and staffing issues. While doing away with the courses may not put more physical money in the hands of each department, Hendricks said it will relieve each department — and its faculty — from having to administer extra courses.
“It’s a good time to talk about the ISEMs,” Hendricks said. “And see if we can get some relief from that soon so that the departments and the colleges that are dealing with big budget cuts right now can have a little relief.”
During the open discussion Ryanne Pilgeram, an assistant professor of sociology, defended the importance of ISEM courses citing freshman retention rates and in getting comfortable with the college environment.
Pilgeram also compared the necessity of the ISEM courses to that of the position of athletic director.
“We continue to pay an athletic director hundreds of thousands of dollars a year,” Pilgeram said. “It costs more than my house costs per year. Please don’t use that money this way, we need that money in other places — I am sympathetic to the budget crisis, but it is a crisis made by our administration and it shouldn’t be bore on the back of our students.”
Mark Warner, the associate dean of graduate studies and student affairs in the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, had a very different opinion toward the ISEM courses that he referred to as a “pretty brutal tax” on his department.
“For two years department chairs have been unanimous in opposition to continuing ISEMs,” Warner said. “I think the idea was wonderful, but the reality of the series of compromises — I think it’s time for them to go
Dale Graden, a history professor at UI, took his turn at the microphone to express discontent with UI, and the “open forum” platform.
“I am deeply, deeply disturbed once again by the University of Idaho,” Graden said. “I have been informed that there are no ISEM courses in the fall so, for me, this (forum) is fluff. Decisions have been made. They’re going forward. I appreciate the meeting, but it’s a façade.”
After the forum concluded, Hendricks said she has some reflecting to do after hearing many different opinions.
“I feel like I have to think a little bit more,” Hendricks said. “Right now, we only see it as an either or thing — either we do it, or we don’t. Maybe there are more options than just that.”
Andrew Ward can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @WardOfTheWords