Brendan F. Gilbane, BS, AM, PhD, Dean of the College

Robert J. Oresick, BA, MA, PhD, Associate Dean

Samuel Stern, BS, AM, PhD, Associate Dean

Robert W. Emery, BA, MA, EdD, Assistant Dean

Stacy P. Godnick, BA, MA, Assistant Dean

The College of General Studies offers a two-year, general education core curriculum, taught through a system of team instruction. The program serves the accomplished student, some of whose admissions credentials may make him or her ineligible for direct admission into the University's highly competitive four-year liberal arts and professional degree programs.

The College's core curriculum assumes that the first two years of study are an optimum time for exploring a significant body of historical and scientific knowledge, for examining a wide range of cultural patterns and values, and for developing critical thinking and effective communication. Thus the core curriculum provides the student with a challenging program of interdisciplinary study focused on developing modes of intellectual thought.

The College of General Studies is committed to the belief that freshman and sophomore students are entitled to the most intensive and effective teaching that can be provided for them. It has therefore developed its own innovative approach to teaching through the team method of instruction, a system in which faculty and students work closely together throughout the academic year.

The team system, pioneered by the College, has been described as an intimate "college within a college." Each freshman faculty team consists of six professors, one from the Division of Social Science, two from the Division of Science and Mathematics, and three from the Division of Humanities and Rhetoric (two faculty members staff the rhetoric course). These six faculty members are responsible for a team of approximately 120 students who are grouped into four discussion sections. Each sophomore faculty team consists of three professors, one each from the Science, Humanities, and Social Science Divisions. There is also a staff academic advisor for each freshman and sophomore team.

The team system assures students of reasonably small sections in which discussion and dialogue are emphasized. Professors readily get to know their students and are aware of each student's individual progress. Faculty offices are arranged in team suites that provide a comfortable, informal setting for individual conferences and for open discussion among students and faculty within the team. Regular consultation among faculty members enables them to coordinate coursework to meet the interests and needs of their students. Thus the team system reinforces the interdisciplinary character of the College's curriculum.

The College provides extensive academic advising opportunities for both freshman and sophomore students. A professional advisor is assigned to each team. Advisors in both years provide academic and developmental counseling, and help with educational planning, career exploration, decision making, and adjustment problems.

The College recognizes that successful high school students need to adapt their study strategies and techniques to the level expected at a highly competitive university. Full-time staff specialists, closely aligned with the science, math, and social science courses, offer weekly seminars and periodic workshops on effective learning and studying skills, including note-taking from lectures and readings, writing lab reports, solving math problem sets, and preparation for exams. Consultation on writing and close reading of difficult texts is also available.

The College of General Studies Peer Tutoring program, established in 1980, offers free tutoring to students in the College. The tutors are outstanding freshman and sophomore students who have been recommended by the faculty, as well as several former College of General Studies students who are juniors and seniors in the College of Arts and Sciences. The learning assistance staff provides ongoing training and guidance while the tutors work with their fellow students in all subjects.

Located on the third floor of the College building, the Judson Rea Butler Study center provides resource and audio-video services to students and faculty of the College. Reserve materials, including texts, readings, and slide reviews, are provided. Tape recordings of all divisional lectures at the College are also on reserve. Students may review the tapes in the center. The center includes small conference rooms that can be reserved for study groups, and a large reading and study area. Personal computers are available in the Study Center for word processing, internet research, and e-mail. The Study Center houses the interdisciplinary writing center, staffed by faculty.