Next year will be a transitional year for general education The transition from the current General Education Program into the new Essential Studies Program, passed by the University Senate last spring, is under way. The new program, to be implemented for entering first-year students in fall 2008, emphasizes a stronger focus on specific learning goals and advocates practices that will help students better understand the value of general education. Implementation of the Essential Studies Program is under way and is being led by the General Education Requirements Committee, chaired by Ryan Zerr of the mathematics department, and the General Education Steering Committee, co-chaired by Tom Steen, physical education, exercise science and wellness, and Lori Robison, English. The work of implementation is taking many forms: committees are being formed to define the criteria under which the new concentration courses (senior capstones, advanced communication, quantitative reasoning, and global and US diversity) will be validated; visits to departments who want help determining ways of integrating the new Essential Studies requirements into their current programs of study are being scheduled; and many faculty members are in the process of creating new courses that highlight the goals of Essential Studies. Please contact Ryan Zerr (ryan.zerr@und.nodak.edu ), Tom Steen (Thomas.steen@und.nodak.edu ), or Lori Robison (lori_robison@und.nodak.edu) if you are interested in participating in these activities.