Stanford University, President's Office, Commission on Undergraduate Education, Records, 1980-1994, bulk 1993-1994
Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Stanford University, President's Office, Commission on Undergraduate Education, records
- Dates:
- 1980-1994, bulk 1993-1994
- Creators:
- Stanford University. Office of the President and Stanford University. Office of the President
- Abstract:
- The Commission on Undergraduate Education at Stanford University was established to address fundamental issues pertaining to the undergraduate curriculum and related programs and services at Stanford. The Commision's report was released in October 1994.
- Extent:
- 4 Linear Feet (4 boxes)
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
-
[identification of item], Stanford University, President's Office, Commission on Undergraduate Education, Records (SC1150). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Commission on Undergraduate Education (abbreviated internally as CUE) was established to address fundamental issues pertaining to the undergraduate curriculum and related programs and services at Stanford. Over a nine month period in 1993 and 1994, the commission sought input about the university's degree requirements, major programs, advising system, residential education, academic calendar and use of technology in teaching and learning.
The Commission was comprised of fourteen faculty members, two students, two alumni, and the Vice-Provost for Institutional Planning, and was chaired by History Professor James Sheehan. Lowell Price, Senior Associate Provost for University Governance, and Administrative Assistant Mary Jane Reese performed staff duties.
The Commission's goal was to clarify the goals of a Stanford undergraduate education and to recommend ways to insure that these programs were appropriate and effective in support of those goals. They were encouraged to pursue the broadest possible range of issues touching undergraduate education, including the curriculum, teaching practices, advising and other extra-curricular aspects of the college experience at Stanford. Within this comprehensive scope, however, the Commission was specifically charged with the following responsibilities:
-to articulate the educational goals of Stanford's educational program to consider whether the curriculum, including the range of undergraduate degrees, majors, and distribution requirements adequately and effectively meets the needs of students
-to consider whether it is possible and desirable to give more students the opportunity to graduate in less than four years
-to consider the special educational requirements of students in the engineering and science disciplines
-to consider whether various modalities of teaching are used effectively, including individual tutorials, seminars and research projects, and to consider ways of instruction made possible by computers, video equipment and other forms of new technology
-to review the purposes and quality of ancillary services such as the undergraduate advising system and the residential education program
The Commission was asked to report its findings and make recommendations by October 1, 1994. In its final report, the commission recommended developing a new science course for non-science majors, strengthening Stanford's writing and language requirements, redefining the Cultures, Ideas and Values courses, strengthening the advisor system, and enhancing the role of teaching in faculty selection and compensation. The commission also suggested creating a post of vice provost for undergraduate education. Their report represented the most extensive review of undergraduate education since the 1968 Study of Education at Stanford.
The preceding was adapted from the Commission's Charge and Summary as published in its 1994 report, and a 10/12/1994 Stanford New Service press release about the report's findings.
- Physical location:
- Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged 48 hours in advance. For more information on paging collections, see the department's website: https://library.stanford.edu/libraries/special-collections.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-02-25 12:55:58 -0800 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Materials are open for research use. Audio-visual materials are not available in original format and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.
- Terms of access:
-
While University Archives is the owner of the physical and/or digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
- Preferred citation:
-
[identification of item], Stanford University, President's Office, Commission on Undergraduate Education, Records (SC1150). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
- Location of this collection:
-
Stanford University Archives, Green Library557 Escondido MallStanford, CA 94305-6064, US
- Contact:
- (650) 725-1022