General Education Council
Charge
Per 2026 updates to PS 03.A.41, the General Education Council charge and membership composition are updated.
The General Education Council (GEC) serves as a standing advisory body to the University Curriculum Council and provides leadership, oversight, and continuous improvement for the University of Houston-Downtown's General Education Program. The Council is charged with ensuring that the General Education Program remains aligned with the University's mission, complies with all applicable Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board requirements, Texas Education Code and Texas Administrative Code provisions governing the Texas Core Curriculum, and promotes a coherent, high-quality educational foundation for all undergraduate students.
In carrying out this charge, the Council shall:
- Review and evaluate the General Education Program to ensure its ongoing effectiveness, relevance, coherence, and alignment with institutional and state requirements.
- Monitor and assess General Education Program Learning Outcomes and recommend revisions or improvements as needed to maintain alignment with the Texas Core Objectives and recognized best practices in undergraduate education.
- Review and make recommendations regarding changes to the General Education Program, including the addition, modification, or removal of courses and curricular requirements within the program.
- Collaborate with the Office of Assessment and Accreditation to develop, implement, review, and refine assessment processes and measures for the General Education Program.
- Review assessment findings and use evidence-based results to recommend and support continuous improvement initiatives designed to enhance student learning and program effectiveness.
- Coordinate with faculty, academic departments, colleges, and university leadership to implement improvements informed by assessment results and accreditation expectations.
- Provide guidance and recommendations concerning policies, procedures, and practices that impact the General Education Program.
- Prepare reports, recommendations, and other documentation as needed to support university, state, and accreditation reporting requirements.
- Establish task forces or working groups, when appropriate, to address specific issues related to the General Education Program and its assessment.
Through these responsibilities, the General Education Council promotes a comprehensive and academically rigorous General Education Program that equips students with the foundational knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for academic success, informed citizenship, lifelong learning, and achievement in their chosen fields.
Composition
The membership of the General Education Council includes the following:
- Three tenured/tenure track (T/TT) representatives from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, appointed by the Dean of the College.
- One T/TT track representative from the College of Public Service, appointed by the Dean of the College.
- Two T/TT representatives from the College of Science Technology, appointed by the Dean of the College.
- One T/TT representative from the Marilyn Davies College of Business, appointed by the Dean of the College.
- The Chair of the University Curriculum Council.
- Executive Director, Assessment and Accreditation.
- The Director of General Education, selected from the faculty at large through an internal search process, will serve as Chair of the General Education Council.
Meeting Cadence
Twice per month, September through May
Staff Contact
David Ryden, Associate Vice President for Programming & Curriculum