About General College

The General College (GC) is an access point to the University of Minnesota for high-potential students who express a strong interest in pursuing their educational goals at the University but may not meet the competitive admission standards of the other freshman-admitting colleges. GC prepares students for successful transfer to degree-granting University colleges by delivering college-level academic content via its innovative curriculum and intensive student support services.

Research shows that students who have a positive first-year experience are more likely to stay in college, be successful, and graduate. GC offers a variety of support services that address the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and characteristics, including urban students, first-generation college students, student parents, students with disabilities, students of color, older students, and non-native speakers of English. Many University graduates who started their college education in GC have become leaders in their chosen fields, such as Dr. Norman Borlaug, the first University graduate to receive a Nobel Peace Prize.

General College milestones

1932

General College founded as an open admission college at the University of Minnesota for students less well prepared, by training or academic background, to succeed in narrowly-focused fields of major study. One of the students not accepted by any college but GC is Norman Borlaug, who goes on to win the Nobel Peace Prize for his work alleviating world hunger.

1940s

Horace T. Morse is appointed General College's first dean, promoted from director. The University's highest undergraduate teaching award, the Horace T. Morse–University of Minnesota Alumni Society Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education, is named for him. Thirty-three GC faculty have won this award in its history, more than any college.

—GC is a launching pad for, among others, thousands of returning WWII veterans on the GI Bill and other older-than-average students through the 1950s.

1951

Growing enrollments, faculty, and curriculum render Wesbrook Hall, the 20-year home of the college, inadequate. The college moves into Nicholson Hall, which remains its home until 1988.

1960s

As junior colleges are established in Minnesota, the role of General College is questioned. GC responds by focusing on serving new populations, such as ethnic minorities and low-income students previously bypassed. Programs of general education are combined with vocational and occupational training in such fields as dental assisting, practical nursing, retailing and selling, and recreational leadership.

Dean Morse dies suddenly in 1966; GC associate dean Alfred Vaughan succeeds him. Dean Vaughan serves until 1974.

1970s

GC begins to offer upper-division classes. Later, the college begins to offer two non-traditional baccalaureate degree programs, a Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) and Bachelor of Applied Studies (B.A.S.).

Jeanne T. Lupton, former assistant to U President C. Peter McGrath, becomes dean of General College.

1980s

The Commanding English program, a three-quarter sequence of courses in reading, grammar, writing, and speech is established for immigrant students whose native language is not English, one of a number of programs designed to assist students of color, first-generation college students, and low-income students matriculate and succeed in higher education.

1987

U President Kenneth Keller's program “Commitment to Excellence” targets GC for elimination. Instead, the college agrees to stop offering degrees (A.A. and bachelor's), becoming an entrance point to the U for underprepared students and focusing on faculty research on developmental education.

The Center for Research on Developmental Education and Urban Literacy, housed in GC, is founded.

1988

The college moves into Appleby Hall, its current home. A new addition to the building doubles its size. David V. Taylor becomes dean.

1996

President Nils Hasselmo's proposal to eliminate the college leads to impassioned public debate on the future of the college. The regents vote 9 to 1 to stop the proposal from moving forward.

1997

In his Presidential inaugural address, referring to the General College, Mark G. Yudof said: “The University of Minnesota has created the best balance between access and excellence that I have observed in any public university in the country.”

2000

GC is named one of the country's top five programs for “best practices” in developmental education in a national study by the American Productivity and Quality Center in Houston.

2001

GC wins the Retention Excellence Award from Noel-Levitz, a consulting firm specializing in enrollment management, financial aid, and student retention

GC is awarded the John Champaign Award for Outstanding Developmental Education Program, awarded by National Association of Developmental Educators (NADE).

2005

President Robert Buininks's Strategic Positioning Initiative approved by Board of Regents; among its provisions, General College will become a department within a new College of Education and Human Development as of July 1, 2006.

After 16 years as dean, David Taylor become provost of Morehouse College in Atlanta; long-time GC professor Terry Collins becomes interim dean of General College.

Final General College freshman class matriculates in September.