Our History
When Governors State University was founded in 1969, it was
not what you might call a “traditional” college. For one thing, it was an
upper-division university, offering courses only at the junior and senior
level. According to the GSU web site, it was for people who were continuing
their education; usually middle-aged and middle-class adults with jobs and
families. The structure of the school reflected the needs of the student body. Classes offered were usually at night, and the
school had competencies instead of grades. It was one of the original
“Universities Without Walls”, a program that offered an innovative and flexible
approach to obtaining a bachelor’s degree.
Well, times have certainly changed, and so has GSU. In the fall of 2014, GSU is becoming a
traditional four-year college. That’s right. Freshmen
are coming! But what do those changes
mean for you? And how has the university
prepared to accommodate the new changes?
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| Governors State University |
The Master Plan
It began with a master plan; an academic master plan that
is, designed by outgoing Provost Terry
Allison. This multi-year plan outlines
new programs proposed over a period of 6-years.
Over the next several weeks, I will blog about several of the new programs
which include certificates, minors, undergraduate and graduate degrees. I invite you back to my blog over the next
several weeks for in-depth coverage of these exciting new program offerings. You do not want to miss them.
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| Provost Terry Allison |
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| Dr. Sandra Mayfield |
Getting new programs can be a lengthy process. It has to be
approved by faculty, administration, the HLC, board of trustees and finally the
Illinois Board of Higher Education. Sometimes it can take up to a year before a
program completes the final stage.
Spearheading this process is Dr. Sandra Mayfield, who is one
of the associate provosts here at GSU and a professor of Communication
Disorders. In addition to serving as vice provost, she also helps coordinate GSU’s
Why Not? Campaign.
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| GSU's Why Not Campaign |
Look out for the
new series
Still, new offerings are being unveiled monthly, so we don’t
have to wait for the arrival of freshmen to get in on a good thing! And that’s
why this series was created. I want you
to know what new or enhanced course offerings are available before they arrive. There is the chance that it may encourage you
to shift your area of study or continue in an area you’ve been exploring.
So in conclusion Tweaders, stay tuned right here. Remember,
starting next week, I will be writing a series of blogs to be posted once a
week highlighting one of the new programs. Check back for a look at the new
Theater and Performance Studies minor coming in the Fall of 2013. Until then,
if you’re not Twaggin’ you’re not Swaggin’.
