Resolution Exec 24-06 Opposition to Cal-GETC

WHEREAS: Assembly Bill 928 (AB 928) was signed into law on October 6, 2021, and requires that: "On or before May 31, 2023, the Intersegmental Committee of the Academic Senates of the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges shall establish a singular lower division general education pathway that meets the academic requirements necessary for transfer admission to both the California State University and University of California; and,

WHEREAS: AB 928 mandates no changes to CSU GE Breadth; and,

WHEREAS: California Title V legislative code already stipulates separate general education pathways for first-time students (CSU GE breadth) and transfer students (the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum, or IGETC, to be replaced for students entering the CCC starting Fall 2025 by the California General Education Transfer Curriculum, or Cal-GETC); and,

WHEREAS: The Academic Senate of California State University Dominguez Hills W* Resolution Exec 22-11 resolved: “That our acceptance of the Cal-GETC plan for transfer students is in no way to be interpreted as applying to assent for changes to our current CSU pathway for non-Cal-GETC transfer students or non-transfer CSU students”; and,

WHEREAS: Alignment of CSU GE Breadth with the curricular requirements of Cal-GETC would remove three units of lower-division Arts and Humanities (Areas C1/C2) and three units of Lifelong Learning (Area E); and,

WHEREAS: The Chairs Council of the College of Arts and Humanities at CSU Dominguez Hills opposes the reduction of 3 units of Arts and Humanities in CSU General Education Breadth requirements; and,

WHEREAS: The Mission of the California State University emphasizes providing “opportunities for individuals to develop intellectually, personally, and professionally,” preparing “significant numbers of educated, responsible people to contribute to California's schools, economy, culture, and future,” and for their participation in an “international, multi-cultural society”; and,

WHEREAS: The CSU “[r]equires of its bachelor's degree graduates [a] breadth of understanding, depth of knowledge, and the acquisition of such skills as will allow them to be responsible citizens in a democracy”; and,

Whereas: The CSUDH Arts and Humanities General Education courses engage students with art, literature, history, philosophy, languages, ethnic and women’s studies to:

foster creativity, critical thinking, and empathy among students through their;
develop a deeper understanding of the human experience and gain insight into diverse cultures and perspectives;
nurture essential skills such as communication, problem-solving, and cultural awareness and prepare students to navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world;
advance a more informed, empathetic, and culturally rich citizenry;
provide students with competitive skills such as such as creativity, effective communication, teamwork, adaptability, and cultural competency that are highly valued by employers and White House leaders in a variety of fields;1

WHEREAS: The CSUDH courses in Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (courses in personal, social, and intellectual development, entrepreneurship, internet literacy, personal finance, health and healthcare systems, fitness, work-life purpose, power and identity) support:

the skills students will need to succeed in their undergraduate studies and to continue to enrich themselves beyond their careers at the university;
the understanding of oneself as an integrated physiological, social and psychological organism;
an understanding of the various obstacles to critical thinking, including one own's conscious and unconscious bias, culturally constructed ignorance, and misinformation;
the interrogation of key relationships of humankind to the social and physical environment;
the knowledge, strategies, and dispositions necessary to pursue physiological, socio-cultural, and psychological well-being both personally and professionally;
the self-awareness necessary to develop a responsible civic identity appropriate for life in ever-changing local and global communities; and,

WHEREAS: Elimination of these six units will result provide students less opportunities for creative expression, exploration, and employer desired competencies as note by NACE; and,

WHEREAS: The loss of these opportunities of arts and humanities GE units can disproportionately affect marginalized communities who rely on these courses to see their voices represented and their histories acknowledged; and,

WHEREAS: Cutting these programs perpetuates systemic inequalities by further marginalizing already underrepresented groups and increasing equity gaps; therefore, be it

RESOLVED: That any discussions to change CSU GE breadth are within the purview of the faculty, per Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act (HEERA); and be it further,

RESOLVED: Preparation of students for success both within the institution and throughout their lives should be the top priority when crafting CSU General Education requirements; and be it further,

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of California State University Dominguez Hills strongly oppose alignment of CSU GE Breadth with the curricular requirements of Cal-GETC resulting in the removal of three units of lower division Arts and Humanities and three units of Lifelong Learning; and be it further,

RESOLVED: Removing units from the CSU General Education Breadth requirements will likely result in programs adding units to their degree programs that may slow time to graduation; and be it further,

RESOLVED: In support of the work by ASCSU, the ASCSUDH endorses revisions to Title 5 required by AB 928 for transfer students but opposes changes to Title 5 which affect CSU GE Breath requirements based on Cal-GETC beyond transfer pathways changing requirements for all students,

RESOLVED: That copies of this resolution will be distributed to the CSU Board of Trustees, the CSU Chancellor, the CSU Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic & Student Affairs, the ASCSU Executive Committee, the CSUDH President, the CSUDH Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the CSU Campus Senate Chairs, and the California State Student Association (CSSA).