For higher ed institutions considering restructuring their general education curriculum, administrators suggest they involve the faculty in the process from the start. “People need to communicate in a completely transparent way with all the stakeholders,” says Cora Randall, professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences, and chair of the general education implementation committee at the University […]

Virginia Tech: Pathways Apply ethical reasoning and intercultural and global awareness across the entire curriculum. Take one of 10 interdisciplinary minors to earn up to 18 of the 45 required general ed credits. Participate in high-impact learning experiences by studying abroad, or doing undergraduate research or a cocurricular activity. University at Buffalo (N.Y.): UB Curriculum […]

While a college’s general education curriculum touches every student, officials may go many years without touching those requirements in any significant way. In fact, some institutions are still using general ed programs developed between 20 and 30 years ago, before the digital revolution transformed the lives of students. “There’s a sense of urgency in addressing some […]

How are higher ed institutions doing in recognizing the importance of acoustics and noise control in new and existing learning spaces? What’s one thing you wish campus administrators understood better about acoustics? “My core belief is that architecture and acoustics could (and should) be thought of at the same moment—and very early in a project. We […]

Take this quiz to find out if your campus has acoustic problems in its classrooms. If so, the facilities department should assess the acoustics to determine if there are problems with reverberation or ambient noise. Hiring an acoustical consultant would help determine whether your facilities team is using the best solutions to resolve issues with sound systems. […]

Students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can struggle even in rooms with the best acoustics. Institutions receiving federal funding, including all public colleges and universities, are required by law to provide hearing-impaired students equal access to all on-campus activities. Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, home of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, […]

College classrooms of yore were often fortresses reinforced with concrete floors and walls. Listening to a lecture in such hard-surfaced rooms was like trying to decipher sound in an echo chamber. After years of complaints from students and faculty, many colleges and universities have begun upgrading classrooms and lecture halls by installing ceiling baffles, fabric-covered […]

As textbook sales have declined, campus stores are relying on promotions to attract students who might not otherwise have a reason to visit. The wave of special events continues year-round in an attempt to drive business beyond the pre-semester rush.