In this issue:
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Liberal education: Did U know?
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ASR limited service on December 11 and December 4
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Non-degree graduate students report positive registration experience
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Fall 2008 One Stop survey results
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Kudos and congratulations
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A sad note
Liberal education: Did U know?
What has changed: Themes
A major component of the new liberal education requirements are the Themes, which focus on complex contemporary issues that can and should be evaluated from a variety of perspectives.
The requirements for Theme courses have been changed to provide students with an opportunity for deeper, more meaningful examination.Highlights of changes to the Theme requirements include:
- A new theme, Technology and Society, will allow students to examine technologies that have had a measurable impact on society as well as the role that society has played in the development and adaptation of these technologies.
- Courses will no longer be approved to meet two themes, and theme courses must now have the content of the theme infused throughout the course material rather than only as a small portion of the course.The course syllabus needs to document explicitly how the theme is integral to the course.
- Theme courses must explicitly help students understand what liberal education is, how the content and the substance of the courses enhance a liberal education, and what this means for them as students and as citizens.Theme courses will challenge students to consider compelling issues that are at the heart of decisions they will have to make.
For more information on the new Liberal Education curriculum, including a matrix that shows a detailed comparison of the old and the new requirements please visit: https://www.myu.umn.edu/public/cle.html
Academic Support Resources: limited service on December 11 and
December 4
On Thursday, December 11, beginning at 2:00 p.m., there will be limited services for all Academic Support Resources (ASR) units; this includes the Office of the Registrar, Office of Student Finance, One Stop Student Services, and the Office of Classroom Management (OCM).
The OCM Support Hotline will be under the normal schedule and will be fully operational.
The One Stop Student Service center located in Fraser Hall will have limited service from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and will close at 4:00 p.m. The St. Paul and West Bank One Stop centers will close at 1:30 p.m.
On Thursday, December 4, all ASR units will be attending a staff meeting from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Some staff members will remain in ASR offices; however, some services may be limited.
The OCM Support Hotline will be under the normal schedule and will be fully operational.Non-degree graduate students report positive registration experience
A whopping 96 percent of non-degree graduate students who responded to a Septembersurvey said their One Stop registration experience was positive, with voluntary comments like, “The registration process is very efficient”; “Keep doing what you’re doing!”; “Registration process was so easy & slick!”; “This was a straight-forward and clear process”; and “Excellent registration process!”
The survey had a 35 percent response rate from 1,146 students who were contacted via e-mail. Among the respondents, 67.5 percent accessed One Stop’s online registration guidelines and 88 percent indicated that the confirmation materials were helpful (included were an e-mail confirmation, enrollment summary, step-by-step instructions, and cancel/add deadlines for the term). Three-fourths of the respondents reported overall satisfaction with the ease of the non-degree graduate registration process.
Students enrolled in a graduate non-degree registration (or PRD) program during spring, summer, and/or fall of 2008 were surveyed.
Two students that completed the survey prior to October 13th were the lucky winners of University of Minnesota sweatshirts.
For more information, please contact Heather Peterson at peter909@umn.edu or 612-626-9115.
Fall 2008 One Stop Student Service survey results
A mid-October survey of student satisfaction with One Stop Student Services resulted in a highly positive rating. Approximately 29 percent of 5,410 students who used One Stop Student Services during the first two weeks of September responded to an online survey. Over 97 percent reported that they had received satisfactory or better service. The same number stated they were treated in a courteous and professional manner and more than 90 percent said One Stop responded to their needs in an acceptable amount of time.
Students added very positive voluntary comments, noting "[One Stop] is the best thing to happen to the U ever," and, "I think the service of One Stop is awesome. It is very welcoming when you enter and the people there always know what they are talking about and can answer your questions."
Also, 90 percent indicated that they are satisfied with new design of the One Stop Web site (launched in August, 2008).
Two students received an iPod Nano for completing the survey within the first week, and two students received a University of Minnesota sweatshirt during the second week.
Suggestions and comments can be submitted using the online comment card. Thank you from everyone at One Stop Student Services.
Kudos and congratulations
Three ASR staff members were acknowledged for their exceptional service at the recent Upper Midwest Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (UMACRAO) annual conference.
Tina Falkner received the Exemplary Service award. Tina has served as Newsletter Chair and Program Chair for UMACRAO and has also served as its President.
Michelle Overtoom received the Exemplary New Member award. Michelle has served as the Newsletter Chair and has facilitated program sessions for UMACRAO since 2006.
Vickie Roberts received the Honorary Lifetime Member award. Vickie has presented at UMACRAO, served as the Local Arrangements Committee Chair, Site Chair, and facilitated countless sessions.
Vickie Roberts also officially retired from ASR in October. Vickie served as the Director of the Academic Records unit for 10 years. She made significant process improvements in her tenure in ASR and will always remain a valued colleague.
A sad note
Judith Shalaby, a longtime employee of the Office of the Registrar, passed on October 16, suddenly but peacefully. Judith retired from the University in 2006 after 35 years of service.
Many of you knew Judith or had the opportunity to work with her. She was the primary contact for all registration-related communications. Judith incorporated new technologies into her work; strove for improvements in our communications to students, staff, and faculty; and was always willing to share her insight and expertise with her colleagues. She was an incredibly gifted communicator who knew how to craft tough messages and explain the complex world of policies and procedures.
Judith had a passion for learning. She loved art and literature, and found beauty in the world around her. She was a giving and good person with an abundance of “spunk.” She will be truly missed.