On The Edge News

By Lulu Van Dort

On the Edge Staff Writer

Nov. 16, 2021 

Last month Edgewood College faculty members and administrators agreed on new requirements for General Education courses. OTE today provides the Six Important Facts About Gen Ed that summarizes the history and the coming changes for our requirements, often referred to as the “tags.” These changes could have major effects on graduates beginning in Fall semester 2022.

Six Important Facts About Gen Ed 

1. Students still need to earn 120 credits to graduate from Edgewood College, including a set of general education requirements.

2. Edgewood has viewed General Education courses differently than other colleges. In an archived document, it states that General Education must empower students “to draw from and integrate multiple perspectives and ways of knowing in the service of addressing, appreciating and acting upon real-life practical, ethical, political and spiritual challenges.”

3. In 2009, faculty and administrators agreed to requirements designed to help students achieve the General Education goals, according to archived catalog information from Edgewood College’s Library. Students needed to earn “tags” represented by a letter, such as W for English. There have been three categories of required General Education courses:

   • Cornerstones

   • Ways of Knowing

   • Perspectives on the World

In addition, Edgewood students were required to take three COR classes in four years. The COR classes reflect the Edgewood motto, Cor Ad Cor Loquitur, translated as “heart speaks to heart.” 

4. Faculty members in the past several years studied the effectiveness of the tag system and alternatives. They found that the current tag system is difficult for students to understand, and can delay graduation for transfer students, those who want to double major or minor, or those who take nontraditional paths of study, according to faculty statements. They also say that the complexities of the current General Education plan are difficult for the faculty to administer.

In October 2021, the faculty approved a new plan for General Education requirements that removes most “tags.” Work continues on the COR requirements.

5. Faculty leaders say the new plan reduces and simplifies the Gen Ed requirements, giving students more choices and reflecting the increasing diversity of college students.

6. President Andrew Manion accepted the proposal in October and announced that the new plan will begin in fall semester 2022. Vice President of Academic Affairs Angela Salas stated in an Oct. 26 email to students that May and August 2022 graduates need to adhere to the current General Education requirements. She advised students who have questions to contact their academic advisors.